After getting Peter’s brown incorrect last month, my penance is that he’s photo of the month this month. Actually the image is there to tempt folk into considering the June Chill event – big fish will be around. CAA went up to Tumut last weekend. The flow was huge, impacting on the fishing no doubt. Unfortunately it seems both John and Claude are busy at work so we’ll have to wait to next month for a report. Greg S has been sending in weblinks to some interesting video clips and articles. Well spotted mate and keep them coming. I wonder if he (or anyone else) might like to take on the role of stand in editor – now that JQ has moved to Cairns Burley Line is missing this essential portion of the machinery. With COVID possibly easing a bit (New Zealand bubble at minimum), you can expect me to be looking to travel with consequences for newsletter production … think about it folks, it isn’t that hard. Some funnies from Mike to lighten the spirits, also I’ve ‘discovered’ a particularly good YouTube channel with excellent video quality (I just love closeups of the fish taking the fly) but also instructional commentary along the way. A couple of important items from Monaro Acclimatisation Society, plus highlights of NSW CFA and RFA of NSW newsletters.
Quite a full issue. Jo Starling’s talk to the club meeting was very informative, including guidance on a new knot to try out. The Tantangara trip was a real success for most, though many of us under-estimated how close we are to winter. Many thanks to Greg S and Jason M for some interesting links.
Correction: I’ve just been told that the Anaconda Trout Challenge at Buckenderra has been postponed to Dec. The organisers tell me they are hoping to include an extra prize, a very special prize for fly fishing only. I’ll fix in next Burley Line
American writer Henry David Thoreau said, possibly after a day’s angling, “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.”
Important news is that, for those still using Australia Post, our PO Box has changed. Please take note.
The February club event proved successful for Peter – I understand employing the Charlie patented technique. Well done to him but also for his generosity in explaining the technique and evening donating one of the special, essential pieces of tackle to some potential members. We hope they join now.
We have a new section in our blog which will also appear here – Shaun has volunteered to provide a series of book reviews from his extensive library. I understand he is also amenable to his borrowing a book from you to read and write up – saving you the effort! I’ve promised to do some also from my less extensive library … maybe next month?
I was fortunate enough to be invited up to a region that I’d not explored – the Barrington Tops. Notionally it was for deploying some water temperature loggers as part of ‘citizen science’ in support of trout research (though we also got to do some research with fly rod in hand). I’m also set to do similar with Monaro Acclimatisation Society locally too. A short report, including some of my drone photography, is here.
Some of our eagle eyed members pointed me to two interesting web articles.
Some activities outside the CAA schedule are coming out of COVID hibernation – check them out.
Apologies, I should have uploaded into our ‘Gear‘ blog the report by Jason on his experience with a lightweight raft before first uploading Feb Newsletter. It is there now.
Seen at Tilba Tilba:
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles” More quotes from Doug Larson here.
The shift from December to January for our Jindabyne trip proved very successful. A huge report is enclosed. Also reported is Claude and BJ’s efforts in the Carp Capers – many thanks guys for the words and photos. Jason M has excelled again with two articles – his side trip after our Coastal Outing off shore to Montague Island, plus a quick review of his latest lightweight ‘canoe’ … looks more like a swimming ring to me 🙂
We typically don’t have a January edition, (especially since I’ve never been able to convince an ex-Vice President to do a special Christmas Edition J). Nevertheless, I thought it particularly important this year. A chance to report on an enjoyable end of year barbeque catching up after a year of limited gatherings and a successful coast trip (well for everyone except me L). The ever reliable Jason M has produced reports on his aspect of the Coast trip, but he extended on to head on to Brogo where we missed out last month, plus provided some additional reporting on the Lake G outing which was run when the CAA Brogo event was cancelled. A prolific contributor to Burley Line and always appreciated.
Moreover, looking forwards, we have an unprecedented (if ever a word was overused recently that one would have to take the cake) two events in January – Claude’s carp caper and our ever popular Jindabyne trip – occurring before we even meet for the first time in 2021. Make sure you put them into the diary, and contact me if you have an interest in Jindy. We already have 12 members showing interest … and note there are only 14 beds. More information soon via email.
As I write this, President Claude is in Melbourne having his nasal passages probed by Dan Andrew’s medical staff and me having to cancel my planned trip to Terrigal later this week due to the Northern Beaches outbreak. How soon the COVID situation can resurge after success – and threaten the chances of a few of us planning a trip to NZ in April. As we have all agreed, 2020 has been an insane year, we can only hope things will feel more normal next year.
From me and my team of helpers, all the best for the festive season and hope to see you all in the new year.
Ian has reminded me that the 1950s vintage front cover we displayed in the October issue was drawn by Alex Gurney, the artist who penned Bluey and Curley amongst others – some of the senior members of the club will know who we are talking about. I’ve found another one from the early ‘50s. I’ll try to find more during this year of recalling our heritage.
Many thanks to Claude for his “President’s Notes” this month and his report on Oct Fly Tying. Also, sincere appreciation to BJ, Shaun, Alan and JM for contributions this month.
JM provided a promotion for the Brogo event but just a short while ago advised that WaterwaysNSW have their reservoirs still for “Day Use Only” due to COVID-19. He’s exploring options and all will be revealed by email soon. I’ve left the article in this issue as it might entice some private visits to the waters – it is a great site that we will certainly visit again at some time. Jason also noted that in Dec 2019, after we were last there, levels had halved again, down to 13%. Jan 2020 they were at 10%. In Feb, it went from 10% to 100% in 24 hours. Wow!
Reports this month are: the successful 75th anniversary dinner; the equally successful Lyle Knowles comp with reports here complete with photographic evidence; secret hints from Nathan for fishing the Eucumbene – many thanks to Andrew for taking notes at the October meeting (this was conducted as a “Zoom and Room” – a few hiccups and mixups but I believe successful) and finally an item from JM on using his kayak on the Goodradigbee.
Worth a look: https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/targetonemillion2/crownland … the Victorian initiative in respect to Crown Land/TSRs. Is this a model we should seek for in NSW? I dropped in to the Goodradigbee and the TSR has clear ‘do not camp’ signs. The problem there (and some other land which I think Council manages) is probably the poor behaviour of previous campers. That said, if toilets are not provided then the inevitable happens – it is one thing to seek people to take their rubbish, it is a significant step to insist they have their own portaloos …. though the Kiwis have forged a path in that respect too.
While talking New Zealand, a mate pointed me to this – he denies it was him. My first reaction was “canal feeder” but it being a brown does have me wondering.
With my Membership Officer hat on … another gentle reminder about fees. There are handful of ‘regulars’ who have not yet paid. Remember that you need to be financial to be considered for trophies! Alan had to rush through his dues in light of his Lyle Knowles catch.
The front cover this month is reproduced from the 1950’s version of CAA Newsletter – a special treat given it is our 75th birthday.
This month Burley Line is dominated by images from our annual free Fly Casting Days for the Public. A pleasing turnout was achieved given some shocking weather and the threat of COVID. Everyone conducted themselves in a COVIDSafe fashion and still managed to learn much from our in-house instructors, Mark, Nathan and Lyall plus some valued guests in the form of Peter Morse and Nick Taransky. All the photos submitted to Burley Line (many thanks John and Andrew) are up on the web in an archive folder, protected by a password. CAA members and participants, can contact the editor if you’d like to browse on-line.
Remaining articles this month come courtesy of our two Jasons – many thanks guys … I can trust you to provide contributions. A combination of fishing in warm places, information on native fish stocking opportunity and more reel maintenance (with an appropriate happy ending).
With my other hat on … members are reminded that CAA fees are due from the AGM (ie last month), a number of our long-term members have yet to renew – please do so. Our ‘Join Us’ page has downloadable or on-line web forms to amend any contact information. It has all the information on how to do funds transfer … note that we have a new account number.
Oops, Event Calendar should showBrogo, 20-22 Nov. Earlier error now fixed
It has been the Annual General Meeting season – CAA, CFA and MAS (delayed from Feb) – even Queanbeyan Angler’s Club. Notes are here from our AGM including new committee, trophies, Life Membership award and the raffle results plus our outgoing President’s Report on 2019/20 (copied here for those who couldn’t make it to the Zoom meeting). Notes later from CFA and MAS AGMs. QAC was very relaxed so nothing significant to report.
Incoming President, Claude, has penned a message sent out by email to all members. An abstract is included here ‘for posterity’.
Peter and I got up to Jindabyne and the outcome is described here. Where are the other reports on trips folks? I had to convince Jason M to take me out on Lake Ginninderra just today to ensure another fishing report. J Jason has also provided a couple of pieces on gear.
Jaime has sent me a link to remind me of the benefits of fishing as a way to help reduce stress during these COVID times. It would appear that the angling community in the US are commencing a campaign to raise the awareness by the non-angling public of these benefits. Read about it here.
Don’t forget, now that the AGM has passed, membership fees are due. Fees remain at General Membership $40.00, Family Membership $50.00, Concession Membership (age pension or concession card) $15.00 and Junior Membership (U18 years) $15.00. Bank transfer to BSB 032-727, A/C 24-0140 would be preferred. Any contact detail changes can be advised via the webform on our ‘join us’ page.
Our angling has slowed down but it was a morale boost to get a number of articles from regular contributors. Thanks Jason and Claude for submitting some interesting articles – even if the results of your expeditions did not include fish (we are an Angling association after all), the information obtained will stand us all in good stead. As ever, I’m impressed by how keen young Luke has become – rewarded here with ‘photo of the month’ plus another photo in his article. Ever vigilant Jaime spotted one item – make sure you click through to the link in respect to the huge cod landed in LBG. There is hope still for all of us to land a lunker locally. Lyall has put in two promotions – for our free casting lessons and for Peter Morse’s classes coming up here in Canberra. Lots of other news from near and far in this edition.
Our new Facebook editor had a reassuring incident this month. I’d put up in the CAA (website) News Blog a promotion for our annual fly casting lessons. Someone following the blog (everyone should think about subscribing) was sufficiently enthused that they then announced the event on the CAA Facebook page just ahead of Shaun doing it himself. We’ve got 47 folk subscribing to the CAA blog for emailed alerts (some are not CAA members). By contrast we have 424 followers on Facebook (almost none are CAA members) and more every day. I wonder if CAA should get onto Instagram and Twitter with the way this newfangled social media is being embraced.
