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.

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.

Despite the rivers fishing pretty poorly, seems that folk are catching fish.  I even managed one on the Snowy but since he had his nose buried in the side of my net, my photo isn’t sufficient standard and doesn’t make the cut for this edition.

Many thanks to my regular contributors – and now a new one in the form of Mark (mate of Claude and Gary) on his first trip to New Zealand.

Reports on our Jindabyne trip and one photo from Pat in New Zealand (again!).

I’m always looking for contributions – for the April edition I’ll need them a little earlier than usual – let’s say 28 March?

We’ve come out of the summer break and dire reports on trout fishing continue – water levels are down and some of the lowland streams have stopped flowing.

This issue has come along really well with multiple reports, including local successes and recent CAA events.  Fish stocking (of natives and threatened species) are documented after CAA successfully obtained supplementary funding for cod stocking in the Yass River and members were involved in trout cod research stocking.  Talking about research and threatened species, CAA has been invited to be involved in a UNSW research project – more information given in the newsletter, come along to the Feb meeting to hear all about it.

The saltwater trip to Tuross went off well – thanks Ryan for another well organised event.  Reports and lots of photos here.

The Fly Tying on Wed 27^th had some technical issues and ended up using WhatsApp video rather than Zoom.  Video quality was not up to Zoom standards, but the outcomes still looked pretty good.

Greg S has submitted some gems from the Internet, plus some helpful words from Claude on releasing fish in good condition.  I’ve added some stuff on Alan’s favourite Penny Knot and a simplifying graphic on angler rights in respect to the edge of streams (remember that this regulation has never been tested in court, and we should maintain good relations with landowners, it is basically the same as our backyard regardless of the technicalities of the law).  All of which prompts me that I really need to get up to date with our Tips collection.

Finally, three CAA members who are also members of the Queanbeyan branch of MAS successfully stocked some streams south of Captain’s Flat.  Here’s hoping they do all right.

If you are submitting an article, it would make it a little easier for me if you use the template – but no real worries if you don’t.

It is always wonderful to see someone catch their first trout on fly.  New member James gets to be our cover this month.  Unfortunately on what looked like a flashback nymph rather than one of the marvellous flies tied by his partner Xenii (also a new member).

Trout stream opening has come with some having success, in spite of the big winds that came on the weekend.  Seems the ‘usual suspects’ will be contending for the trophies again this year.

Some excellent fish caught on Paul’s Mayfly Madness trip – unfortunately not by me (or Peter).  Maybe next time.  Report here from Paul with the appropriate number of fish photos.  That weekend also saw a number of us participate in the Gaden Hatchery open day.

Lyle Knowles proved to be a hard day, with Owen the only success reported.

Fly tying was conducted by me – not up to the standards being displayed by Claude and Ryan but I hope attendees found it useful.  Remember, this is via Zoom so you can relax at home with your choice of beverage.  No need to actually tie as the social interaction is most enjoyable even if you don’t have a flytying bobbin in your hand.

The redfin which have seemed to be absent recently may be back on – see Peter’s catch.

Greg S has regaled us again with some unusual material from social media plus some other interesting stuff sent to me from outside CAA.

Finally, I’ve been inspired to write up an article on fish barriers/fish ladders.

If you are submitting an article, it would make it a little easier for me if you use the template – no real worries if you don’t.

Cover photo shows Jayden’s son Harrison showing off his catch at the recent Gaden Hatchery kid’s workshop – more on this later.

Many thanks to Owen who sent me his photo during his trip to Sri Lanka – I couldn’t figure out which one was him.  Also, thanks to Randy for his report from the US.

Our premier public event with off without a hitch, though a little less wind would have been handy.  Some new members have signed up and look keen.  Also had a number of non-financial members rejoin the fold.  If you haven’t paid up your subscriptions for 2024-25, remember that you aren’t covered by our public liability insurance – please progress payments.

Greg S has been busy trawling the web for interesting fishy stuff and quite a large offering this month – thanks.

If you are submitting an article, it would make it a little easier for me if you use the template – no real worries if you don’t.

Paul Mc the cod whisperer strikes again at Bondi – what a magnificent fish albeit very much in the wrong spot (Easterly flowing catchment).  Paul also reports in about Black Lake.

All the news from the AGM with a ‘newish’ committee and trophy awards.  President’s speeches are here.

Stefan reports in from Western Australia – with some success shown.

Lachy’s session with the humongous was quite a success with a goodly number showing up and with 3 tying variations on the theme.

Don’t forget about the annual fly casting for the public – a flyer is included here for your use.

This has become quite a fulsome edition.

Young Ryan has been very active – a substantial part of this issue! 😊 I also have to apologise to him, back in March he sent me a report on fishing during a Victorian trip.  This had fallen between the cracks multiple times – finally here, along with his recent trip to the south coast.

Lyall provides some information coming out of his contacts in Mongolia.  He’s got the inside knowledge post multiple trips he’s done there.

Greg S has been focussing on ‘giant’ things recently and shares them with us.

Lachy has been experimenting with various ties using a recently purchased pheasant.  He reports here on some success.  Images from recent CAA fly tying also.

A bit of science on trout.

JQ enticing us to head north.

Fly Casting is just around the corner and our flyer has been released.