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’.
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
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.
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
When Greg W was posted to UK he organised two group fishing trips to the far North of Scotland. He has previously provided a brief for the 2019 trip for our ‘Places to Go’ blog
https://canberra-anglers.asn.au/blog/an-angling-opportunity-in-scotland/
Greg spoke at our 12 Mar 2025 meeting and provided additional detail including the 2021 return trip. An infrequently caught Arctic Charr was a reward for him.