I uploaded a corrected version but just noticed no alert email.
This post is just to ensure subscribers are aware. The newsletter has been added to substantially.
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Updated Jan newsletter
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Author Archives: bill
January 2024 Burley Line (Issue 198)
Apologies for the mixup. It was pointed out that I had omitted some important material. Updated newsletter now uploaded.
Since our Christmas barbq the club has been understandably quiet. We hope your Christmas and New Year went well.
Our cover shot this month is our little friend from the North – we’ll make a dry fly fisherman out of him in due course. More of this inside.
Many thanks to Greg S for his contribution – the videos he finds are always entertaining. I’ve got a report here on the somewhat controversial stocking of Trout Cod in one of our favourite rivers. Ryan has had some success – if you don’t already do so, consider following him on Instagram. A report on the club carp event is here – was fun for those who participated. Two reports from Tumut, though a little bird tells me that Lake Eucumbene is going off at dusk too – mudeyes seem to be the fly of choice after dark replacing caddis during the day. Finally, an excellent report from Claude, BJ and Travis on Yaouk fishing. Great to see they had success on dry, especially the black spinner that was the subject of a recent fly tying night. So good when these self-tied flies bring home the goods. Roll on the hopper next fly tying.
With my Membership Officer hat on … there’s still a few, what I would call ‘regulars’, who haven’t paid their 2023-24 subs. Note that public liability coverage when on CAA events is contingent on being a financial member.
Mayfly lifecycle
Ben from Huge Flyfisherman on YouTube provides humour that may be an acquired taste, but every now and then he uploads a tutorial that is particularly useful to those beginning their fly fishing journey.
In this video
https://youtu.be/nU35e4VJXUA?feature=shared
he gives an excellent description of the lifecycle of the mayfly.
RFA of NSW January 2024 Newsletter
Has arrived and available here. Key points:
- Latest NSW Recreational Fishing Trust annual report is online – our fishing fees at work
- Coopers Island (near Bodalla) access issues…again!
- Dodgy offering on eBay
- EHN fish disease in Lake Wallace, Blue Mountains
- Rig Recycle – keeping unwanted kit out of land fill
NSWCFA Jan 2024 Newsletter
Latest has arrived here.
Key points:
- Trout Cod Action Plan
- Repainting of the big trout at Adaminaby declared a failure
- Latest NSW Recreational Fishing Trust annual report is online
- Brogo Dam gets Estuary Perch and Bass stocking
A New, Different, Fly Fishing Journal and Website
CAA was approached by a local Canberran Henry Delves, who is the developer of a new fly fishing journal/website.
Henry explained:
I would like to share our free online fly fishing journal, Tale Out with the members of the Canberra Anglers. As a free online fishing resource Tale Out is likely something that your members would be interested in.
The most efficient thing for the club’s members to do is to sign up to the free monthly newsletter. This will keep people in the loop when our articles are published.
Tale Out is taking a different approach to our fly fishing stories, speaking more to the experience rather than the traditional ‘grip and grins’. We hope it resonates.
We’ll be inviting Henry to be a speaker next year.
The following gives you a snapshot of the content.
December 2023 Burley Line (Issue 197)
What can I say about Rod’s mulloway – hmm, I did man the net .
Well done to Ryan for organising an excellent event at Tuross – he even put on some perfect weather and lots of fish. Little did he know that organiser responsibilities extend to assembling the trip report for Burley Line.
The shirt and cap sale was a great success, except for my poor arithmetic. For those who missed out, the club does hold a few for sale – speak to BJ. Claude and I are considering whether to follow it up next year with some fancy dye-sublimate shirts. They are all the rage up North and maybe we could follow suit.
Just a reminder here for the few members who have not paid up their 2023/24 subscriptions. Recall that to be covered by our public liability insurance you have to be financial. All the information on rates and how to pay are here.
We’re coming towards the end of the year and gives me pause to think – 2024 will be my 20th year producing this newsletter. It has been a pleasure, but I will likely need some assistance next year due to family travels. Anyone want to help out?
I probably won’t produce a January edition, but if you have some stories to tell, feel free to email them into me. If there is enough copy I’ll put out a ‘holiday edition’, otherwise, my plan would be to put something out early February.
The December meeting by the lake will be the last until 14 February, but Claude will gather the keener anglers to chase the feisty carp on 14 January. If I don’t see you at the barbeque, all the best for the festive season, take care on the road and don’t forget to slip/slop/slap.
CAA Fly Tying – HI-VIS BLACK SPINNER – 22 November 2023
Information from a CRAIG COLTMAN article.
People have expressed concern that the links to Flystream ask for signup/signin. On my phone I go straight in but I’ve discovered that my phone is routinely in “incognito” or “private” mode. Look to see how you can do it with your PC
Great for rivers and lakes.
From mid-December to mid-March, my go-to fly up here the Hi-vis Black Spinner. Spinners are particularly important on lakes as the predominant form of mayfly. Unlike lakes where dun hatches are the feature, on many waters up here, the nymphs crawl out of the water to hatch, so the dun hatch as such, is missing. As a result, the duns are less available to the trout, while the spinners become more important. Have a look for nymph shucks clinging to rocks protruding out of the water. When they are present, a black spinner pattern is always a good bet.
Usually fished in bright sun, which helps in polaroiding the fish. However, the combination of bright sun and clear water can make a standard black spinner very hard to see. To overcome this, tie with a fluorescent orange post. This spinner stands out a lot better on the water, and the trout don’t seem to mind the bright post. In fact, I sometimes think the orange makes the fly a more obvious target for them.
Releasing a black spinner feeder.
Usually fish this fly on its own. A recommendation is to use a 9ft nylon leader with a fast taper, with 1.2 metres of .18mm fluorocarbon tippet. The line loads up quickly and will punch into the wind, which is important to consider when polaroiding if you are fishing the Lakes.
It is equally effective anywhere black spinners are found.
Tying Materials
Hook – Gamakatsu S10-B, size 12
Thread – Black 8/0
Tail – Black Micro Fibets
Body – Fine fur dubbing
Post – Hi-vis orange Antron
Hackle – Black cock hackle
Tying instructions
- Tie in three to four black Micro Fibets the same length as the hook shank to make the tail.
- I put a turn of thread between the Fibets and the hook to fan out the tail.
- Next, create a smooth, slim body with the black thread.
- Then tie in post using the orange Antron.
- Tie in the black hackle, dub in a small body, and wind in three to four turns of hackle in an anti-clockwise direction to create the parachute.
- Tie off and whip finish.
- Finally, cut the post to length: approximately two-thirds the length of the hook is about right. I put the finished fly in liquid floatant and leave to dry.
It might be winter right now, but before we know it, summer will be here again and the spinners will be flying. I recommend you use the long winter evenings to tie up a good stock of this pattern in anticipation.
Keyword dryfly
Community Survey about the Upper Murrumbidgee River
Peter just forwarded me an email from the Australian River Restoration Centre.
They are conducting a short survey into community understanding of the river. This is to inform their advocacy activities.
Survey starts here.
Draft NSW Trout Cod Action Plan
The draft action plan is open for public comment till 17 Nov … not much time folks.
The draft suggests there could be significant impact on the stocking of other fish including trout, also restrictions on fishing in trout cod identified sanctuaries.
Public presentations are being held at various locations including Queanbeyan:
Trout Cod Action Plan Community Workshops:
Monday 13/11/23 – Wagga event at Mantra Pavilion, 22/30 Kincaid Street, Wagga Wagga, 5.30pm-7.30pm registration open here
Tuesday 14/11/23 – Barooga event at Barooga Sports Club, 10 Burkinshaw Street, Barooga, 5.30pm-7.30pm registration open here
Wednesday 15/11/23 – Bathurst event at Panthers Club, 132 Piper Street, Bathurst, 5.30pm-7.30pm registration open here
Thursday 16/11/23 – Queanbeyan event at the Royal Hotel, 85 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan, 5.30pm-7.30pm registration open here