Author Archives: bill

Gaden Hatchery Quarterly Report

We had earlier posted much of this information but now here is the official report.

Gaden Trout Hatchery Report June-oct 2017
For those unaware, Gaden Hatchery is generally the single source for DPI and MAS stocking of trout in this region. The situation last year was pretty parlous with few fishing running up from Lake Jindabyne. Gaden used to provide monthly reports, but to reduce administrative workload, they are now less frequent. The latest report passed to us by Steve Samuels is very positive. Not only were the runs, especially the browns, larger (Gaden was able to remove the fish trap much earlier allowing fish to run up the river and spawn naturally), but the number of stocked fish detected was very low meaning the ‘naturally bred’ fish were very much in the preponderance. The inclusion of Eucumbene fish into the Gaden stock sounds like a good idea for genetic diversity. Keep your eye out for the tagged ex-brood stock fish in Jindabyne.

All unwanted 2+ 3+ rainbow trout broodstock (230 individuals) have been released into Lake Jindabyne with an elastomer implant (pink) inserted near the left eye.

October 2017 Burley Line (Newsletter Issue 126)

A big issue this month – many thanks to those who have contributed words and photos.  Reports include the casting weekends, including our time on water, Lake Eucumbene continues to produce good fish, Thompsons Creek Dam continues to prove hard to crack.  CAA activities in Switzerland and Malaysia grace our pages this month. Gaden Hatchery reports a very successful spawning run.  Finally, the RecFish NSW newsletter has brought to our attention a very useful information source on stocking sites.

Hope you enjoy it and again many thanks to contributors.

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 Apologies, the ‘Coming Events’ in this issue has the incorrect date for the Lyle Knowles.  A decision was taken after the membership card was printed to shift from the one day event on Saturday and instead the event was held Sun 22 Oct.

CAA Fly Tying – 27 Sept 2017 The Aero Emerger

hosted by Claude

 

Item Notes
Hook Tiemco 900 BL #16 – 18

Or 102Y #19

Thread 8/0 Uni thread – wine
Body Hare’s Ear
Emergent Wing Tiemco Aero Dry yarn (black or grey)

 

In Australia’s Best Trout Flies Revisited Pat Kennedy writes that David’s Aero Emerger has become his go-to fly whenever a hatch begins on the Mataura or its tributaries.  He notes that it rarely lets him down.  Suprisingly the black wing usually has excellent visibility, and seems to present a credible profile of an emerger dun.  When tying the wing, leave a small shoulder to suggest the wing-case of an emerging mayfly. Dub the body very sparsely so that it sinks when wet.  Prior to fishing, apply a small amount of floatant to the wing and shoulder only.

keyword dryfly emergerfly

Change to Trophy Rules

The AGM in August discussed the anomaly that fish caught on an official CAA event held outside the defined trophy regions (NSW CFA Regions 3 and 4) could not be considered for trophies under the extant rules. This was further discussed at the Bondi Forest executive ‘retreat’ and revised rules were developed. These were endorsed at the September CAA meeting. Also endorsed was an expansion of the number of trophies to include trophies for cod, golden perch (named the Charlie Diedo trophy), bass and English Perch (redfin).

The revised rules (including, in due course, a ‘worked example’ of the slightly complicated trout trophies) are now on the web.

September 2017 Burley Line (Newsletter Issue 125)

Wow!  Luke C has revamped Burley Line to make it a much more polished newsletter – many thanks for your expertise mate.  He has has also taken on the job of assisting Nathan with our Facebook page and social media in general – please assist with being active in both the blog and Facebook spaces.

This month is a packed issue with AGM results (new committee – again, well done folks – and trophy awards), lots of fishing reports (thanks again Lyall and Ash – inspiration for many of us and topics for interrogation 🙂 plus the report on our recent event at Bondi Forest Lodge.  I hope you enjoy the material and the new format.  Please reply to this post with your comments and suggestions.

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A bit About the River They call Skagit

Our jetsetting Secretary has achieved another first.  His recent love affair with two handed rods led him to explore the Skagit River.  Lyall is sure other Australians have been there, it is just that he doesn’t know any of them!

Lyall has suggested that anyone intrigued by this whole two handed caper ask Peter Morse for a try of his during the 3 Sep casting days.

Another place on my bucket list.

Skagit

Fly Tying – 23 Aug 2017 – Chironomids

This month Nathan will be showing us how to tie chironomids also known as buzzers or midge larvae.  They come in a huge array of colours and can be tied to float head up, tied bead head as a point fly, tied with or without gills or oxygen bubbles.

The materials you will need are:

– hook – pupa or caddis curved hooks #14, 16 or 18 or as small as you dare

– thread – black, olive or red

– silver ultra wire

– peacock hurl

– white poly yarn or similar

 

For those interested in entomology, take a look at http://www.mdfrc.org.au/bugguide/display.asp?type=5&class=17&subclass=&Order=7&family=252&couplet=0  which will tell you why red buzzers are red (red pigment haemoglobin to help them absorb oxygen), where they live and life cycle.

keyword wetfly

All Natives Anglers – Save These Dates

The 2017 MEJ BIG Burley Bash is being held at Lake Burley Griffin over 10 weeks, every Thursday evening starting 5th October. This event will see anglers target the yellow belly species – the BIGGER the better.  Fishing will take place from 6:30pm to 9:30pm each Thursday, and points will be accumulated over the 8 weeks, with one week of finals.

Planning is underway getting flyers and registration forms organised.  Once completed they should be available from Burley Line or direct from fishing@my2hooks.net

Threat to Close Googong Southern Gate

Those who read the August newsletter will be aware, but there is some more information here.

Late in Jul an alarm was raised that the ACT Govt was looking to lock permanently the southern gate to the Googong foreshores (down near London Bridge and Burra).  There was a quick response from the angling community, especially ACTFF, and through them the Environment Department was called to explain the situation on the ABC Local Radio (666) Drive program on Wed 26 Jul. Go to:

http://www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/programs/drive/drive/8725826

The interview with Matt Kendall was at 4:07PM but the recording starts at 3:00PM. If you fast forward about a third of the way through you’ll hear it.  The key outcome is that the Department is looking to install an automatically locking gate in lieu of sending rangers down to lock the gate each evening

The key complaint is the opaque manner that this had been considered by the Environment Department. From here on our energies should be focussed on ensuring the Govt consults with the public as the performance of the gate is examined – probably through their Recreational User Group. Also to ensure irresponsible damage to the gate doesn’t give the Govt an excuse to take the option to permanently lock the gate in the future.

Readers might consider signing a petition started by Andrew Wall MLA.