Next Meeting
14 May – Normal time of 7:30 at Raiders Club Weston. Our speaker is to be advised.
Next Activities
23 Apr – Fly tying via Zoom 7:30 – the sunken ant and the corn fed caddis led by Lachy.
23-25 May – Tumut with Stefan
Available here http://eepurl.com/ja1hVI
Key topics:
For those of you not following our Facebook page.
Lakes vs rivers
With trout stream closure approaching, a frequently discussed topic comes up on where does a stream become a lake. I’ve been quite worried when I’ve seen well-meaning advice on social media along the lines of ‘the lake extends up to the first rapid’. Seeking advice from our DPIRD/Fisheries contact evinced:
“Re trout closures: this can be a complex scenario as water levels tend to rise and fall, making defined areas difficult to specify at any given time. This is probably why there’s no clear description of “back up waters” in the FMA or Regs, although the trout notification and various fish species closures in the Reg defines this area as “where those waters enter the backed up waters of all impoundments”. For interest, the boundary in stocked dams where silver perch / catfish can / cannot be taken is defined in the Reg as “flowing waters”. As mentioned above, the demarcation point is transient as dam waters rise / recede, although we would suggest it’s generally interpreted by compliance staff as the point where the flowing waters end / still waters start. I had a chat with senior compliance staff and they advise that they enforce the rules based on the above – ie, if it’s flowing it’s a river/stream, if it’s still it’s a lake/impoundment.”
This was always my understanding and so I’ve tended to avoid the moving water at the confluence – what the Kiwis call ‘the rip’.
Newsletter available here https://us5.forward-to-friend.com/forward/preview?u=aaffdffaded2e86f449aa94b9&id=964a6eb56d
Key points:
Lachy is leading and suggested two flies as he feels they are pretty quick.
His notes:
Sunken Ant
Hook: Dohiku 644 / Hanak 300 series / or Hanak 450 in size 14 and 16
Bead: Black nickel tungsten 2.5mm (for sz 14 hook) and 2.0mm (for sz 16)
Thread: Black 70 Denier 8/0 and Rusty Brown Uni-thread (for the brown ant version)
CDC: Brown or natural
UV Resin – thin
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Lhjg_Lw9U
Keyword wetfly
Corn Fed Caddis
Hook: Tiemco TMC 100/103 BL or Hanak H130 in size 12 or 14
Thread: Brown or olive 70 Denier 8/0
Shuck: Antron yarn/thread in olive or brown
Body: Tan dubbing – preferably dry fly / fine synthetic type dubbing
Wing: CDC in natural or slate dun
Post: Antron in white or preferred hi-viz colour
See https://www.flyfishfood.com/blogs/dry-fly-tutorials/corn-fed-caddis
Keyword dryfly
Folks will probably have most materials, apart from maybe the Olive Antron yarn. I have plenty and am happy to bring it along to the next meeting if folks need some, just ask them to drop me a line via the tying WhatsApp group if anyone needs any of the materials.
Fair bit of news here. Stefan’s Tumut trip postponed by a week, our trip to Buckenderra had limited success – maybe better success beckons with our next two trout trips, those tieflyers have been at it again this time with a dry fly – whoohoo, more Internet items of interest from Greg S and finally some images from two of our members jetting about and a full report from Greg W from when he was living in UK. The last item is in our ‘Places to Visit’ blog. If you haven’t already explored the full extent of our blog please do. Contributions are always welcome, and it has been a while since our fishing trip chefs provided a new recipe for our cookbook segment.
Lachy and Neil, who recently volunteered as Delegates to NSWCFA, are showing their energy with a report on the recent NSWCFA mini-conference on ‘the Future of Fishing’. Lots to think about here. Any thoughts can be passed to those two for carriage to the next General Meeting in May.
We’ve had a counter on our website for just short over 25 years – how time flies – and we’ve just passed 30,000 clicks … I think a pretty impressive milestone.
Claude is leading the May tie for Kelly Galloup’s Sex Dungeon fly. There are a number of YouTube videos showing the tie, including by Galloup, but warning you they are very long.
Claude is assembling a materials kit of the more esoteric items. Contact him to place an order.
Claude’s notes below.
The sex dungeon is the pinnacle of what many articulated flies strive to be. Meaty enough to drive fish crazy, yet simple enough to exhibit a natural, unencumbered swim, the sex dungeon capitalizes on its versatility, and ability to elicit reactionary, as well as predatory strikes from stubborn underwater monsters.
Something great about large streamers such as the sex dungeon is the fact that it’s in no way limited to a single colour. While fishing white and tan versions of the fly can be a great way to bring in fish on a sunny day, darker patterns such as black, purple, and brown are also highly effective. In deeper water, feel free to get creative and throw some bright green or yellow patterns in order to spark the curiosity of hunkered down fish. For small creeks and rivers, feel free to tie on an olive, or earthy toned sex dungeon in order to imitate sculpin, crayfish, or even larger baitfish. For tiers, this can be a tricky project, however, once you get the hang of it, it becomes one of the most fun flies one can tie.
An articulated, double hooked, dumbbell eyed, marabou, flash, silicone legged, schlappen and spun deer hair creation that not only moves like crazy when trout can see it in clear water but it also “pushes” water (thanks to that deer hair head/collar) so that in dirty water the trout can also “feel’ it. This fly casts a very sculpin-like profile and is most commonly fished on a sinking tip line and fished around river structure and pulled off the banks/drop offs when looking for a meat eating trout.
It would be a fly that could be swung or stripped like a bugger – good for trout and natives – probably saltwater if you used stainless hooks. I’ve seen some great videos of large trout being caught in NZ and Nathan believes they would be great during spawn run.
Ingredients:
Rear Hook: Daiichi 2460 #2
Tail: Natural colour
Flash in Tail: Silver Flashabou
Body: Pearl Ice Dub or UV Minnow Belly
Hackle: Natural Schlappen
Rib: UTC Ultra Wire (Brassie Silver)
Legs: White/Pearl Flake Barred Crazy Legs
Optional Wing: Natural Marabou
Connection: AFW Surflon Micro Ultra Wire-19 Strand w/ 1 red bead
Front Hook: Daiichi 2460 #1/0
Skirt: Natural Marabou and Silver Flashabou
Body: Pearl Ice Dub or UV Minnow Belly
Hackle: Schlappen
Rib: UTC Ultra Wire (Brassie Silver)
Legs: White/Pearl Flake Barred Crazy Legs Optional
Wing: Marabou
Eyes: Large Double Pupil Lead Eyes (Red/White/Black)
Head/Collar: Deer Belly Hair
Keywords streamerfly
Available here https://us4.campaign-archive.com/?u=8ee287affb9dbb289b12fbd77&id=9d9658f522
Key Points
Stefan has had to postpone to be 23-25 May. Always a great trip.
NCA has engaged ACT team to do a fish survey of Lake Burley Griffin. Makes for interesting reading and might change your favourite fishing location. Some very familiar names in the list of authors.
https://www.nca.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-02/2023-24%20Fisheries%20Survey%20for%20Lake%20Burley%20Griffin.pdf