Matt Beitzl (who we know from ACT government native fish stocking) and National Carp Control Plan coordinator, Matt Barwick, have been interviewed here by the ABC. They discuss the challenge of a possible blackwater event following the release of the virus. This is a major topic in the research being undertaken now.
Got the following from Steve Samuels.
Dear Supporters
As many of you know I am a member of the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council (RFNSW), the aim of which is to advise the Minister on matters relating to fishing in NSW. At the March 2017 meeting, I proposed that a NSW Trout Strategy be devised and implemented to address the declining trout fisheries across NSW. I am pleased to announce that the Minister has agreed to this and that NSW Fisheries will now be sitting down with anglers to devise and implement a strategy that addresses the declining trout fisheries in NSW.
The most important item on the agenda will be dealing with redfin perch. As most of you know, many of our once great trout fisheries have declined to nothing once redfin got into the system. Sadly, there does not seem the possibility of developing a biological control for redfin. Where carp are distinctly different to any of our native fish, redfin are quite closely related to our perch in evolutionary terms. This means that any disease control for redfin will likely impact our native species.
But all is not lost. We have looked closely at the Victorian model of stocking larger trout in redfin areas and they have had a measure of success.
It is important to remember that we will be focussing on all of our trout fisheries and not just the redfin infected ones.
I Have included my paper first paper on the issue that I submitted to the 2015 Trout Allocation Committee. Now that I am on the RFNSW I have been able to push the issue and we now have a result that is heading in the right direction. I hope this paper informs you.
As the strategy unfolds I will endeavour to keep you all informed, but in the mean-time if you have any ideas that I can take forward to build a good trout strategy I would be happy to receive them and put them forward during discussions.
Good fishing to you all and let’s hope for a brighter trout fishing future.
Steve Samuels
President
Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc
Evan hosted fly tying on 28 June tying the salt water Weed Flies in advance of the July salt water weekend.
Materials you will need:
– a tube (like a pen with the middle out)
– size 10-8 extra strong grub hooks ( TMC 105, black magic G8)
– tiewell ice dub in olive or bright green
– super glue
– 140d or 6/0 thread olive or chartreuse
keyword wetfly

Welcome to June – another packed issue. Jason Q will be editing the July edition, so please send in your stuff to help him fill the pages. The Burley Line email address will get it to him. Great seeing some of our newer members contributing – in this issue a report on some local fishing from Claude. Keep up the good work folks.
Peter and I had a very enjoyable time honchoing the group up for “Monaro Streams”. Quite mixed results as you’ll see in the report. Peter and I are still wondering what we’ve been doing wrong! A lot of the attendees have provided me with photos and words – really appreciated.
Along with this, we’ve got a number of contributions such as a gear review by Jason M and a revealing snippet from Jason Q plus of course lots of photos of great fish – who says ‘grip and grin’ is out of fashion!
I checked the link regarding research into the benefits of recreational fishing … it was broken, but I have found a link to the final report.
This is more of a description of the system I’ve assembled in my 4WD to carry my setup rods.
JM has out done himself. Not only has he offered this gear review on a Berkeley Nomad pack baitcaster rod, it turns out that the report encompasses a trip report on snapper fishing in the Bay of Plenty New Zealand. Thanks muchly Jason and keep up the contributions.
A Victorian angler who Ian, Lyall and I met on a secret river in NZ has pointed me to this link. http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/river-levels. It looks more oriented to kayakers (especially with its judgement on whether to visit) and doesn’t have many of our favourite trout streams, but I thought a useful resource and I’ve added it to our useful link page.
Claude found this interesting research paper undertaken by Curtin University’s Centre of Excellence for Science, Seafood and Health. The key findings were summarised as:
considerable health and well-being benefits can be gained through involvement in recreational fishing. Encouraging young children, youth, adults and families to fish offers a cost effective and healthful outdoor recreational activity that can be enjoyed throughout life. Benefits were evident for individuals and groups. Recreational fishing was also noted to provide significant benefits to children and youth with behavioural and mental health issues. Finally, educational strategies that focus on how to minimise the environmental impacts of recreational fishing can ensure today’s and tomorrow’s recreational fishers are aware of sustainable fishing practices.
The original piece is available at the university’s website, specifically here.
In his previous visit to Tasmania Jason M did very poorly. With his later family visit over Easter, he decided a different approach would be needed if his boys were to catch a Tasmanian trout. Three days and some nefarious methods eventually brought success.
Jason’s report on Natone Trout Ponds
Notes from our instructor (Lyall)
This month, we kicked off at 7:00 pm with a few basic techniques for beginning fly tiers then at 7:30 we began tying a simple Elk Hair Caddis. No matter what style of fly fishing I am doing in Canberra or it’s surrounds, I always have an Elk Hair Caddis in my fly box.
Materials list:
Hook: size 10 , 2 x long, light weight hook (doesn’t have to be dry fly but must not be heavy)
Thread: tan 8/0 or 6/0
Body: polyester yarn (hard to find in fly shops). Substitute Sullivan’s Nylon Knitting Ribbon available at Lincraft sewing shops. I paid $5 for ninety metres so have enough to tie 1,800 Caddis so everyone is welcome to a metre!!!
Hackle: palmered brown and/or black hackle (preferably cock hackle which will retain its structure rather than hen which will pulse while stripping)
Wing: elk body hair, natural brown colour
keyword dryfly