Next Meeting
14 May – Normal time of 7:30 at Raiders Club Weston. Claude and Gary will speak to lessons they’ve deduced from their most recent trip to New Zealand.
Next Activities
28 May – Fly tying via Zoom 7:30 – the Sex Dungeon led by Claude. Notes in news blog and email to follow.
23-25 May – Tumut with Stefan
A report on the workshop held 6 May has been prepared: https://us5.forward-to-friend.com/forward/preview?u=aaffdffaded2e86f449aa94b9&id=65b6365cbb
The intent now is to commence consultation with anglers in the regions before providing a considered position to the Minister.
Mitch from Gaden has released this report.
Weather and cormorants have impacted the operation and stocks produced. The open day and the NSWCFA are reported.
The numbers for our Brindabella trip seemed to drop away from our normal turnout – I wonder what happened there. Many thanks Ryan for setting it up, even if you weren’t able to attend.
Meantime, a couple of reports on private trips: KNP and brief notes on NZ. April fly tying images and instructions were on our news blog, but the session didn’t go ahead. CAA is expanding its use of WhatsApp – information and some ground rules here. Some notes on ACT fishing regulation compliance. NSWCFA have released some notes/links to presentations from the mini-conference last month. Greg S’ Facebook finds plus my in-box.
NSW Recreational Fishing Alliance are conducting a workshop to develop the most appropriate body to represent recreational anglers in NSW. They are looking for broad engagement and have issued this open invitation.
https://us5.forward-to-friend.com/forward/preview?u=aaffdffaded2e86f449aa94b9&id=db90c3d65e
Stefan is leading a trip to “the pleasant valley of the Tumut River and environs.” More details and Stefan’s contact details will come out via email to members.
While people are at liberty to arrange their own, some accommodation has been booked at Tumut Valley Holiday Park (Blowering Caravan Park). While this is a little way out of town on the way towards Blowering Dam, the location has proven popular due to its proximity to proven good water.
Stefan has said “After some two decades of hosting this event, I will be abdicating from this role. So, join me in my last hurrah, being at 70 not out. I have made it a tradition over the last few years to have a welcome gathering on the Friday evening with a welcoming fire at sundown. as usual, expect some warm bean soup, roasted chestnuts, mars-bar-stewed apples all washed down with a generous glug of “Glue Wine”. It is always a pleasant evening of yarning and tale spinning as only fishers can do .“
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 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: