Readers of Newsletter Burley Line would be aware that NSWCFA has been working with NSW DPI Fisheries to improve the DPI Angler Access website. DPI has just formally (re)launched the site.
We’d encourage readers to have a look. NSWCFA have asked that some kind of feedback process be available – I don’t see it yet, but feel free to send any you have to Bill.
There is a nifty way to download a portion of the map as a ‘georeferenced’ pdf. You can then view this file in an app like Avenza Maps to see where you are GPS located in relation to the access point marker. Bill might even be able remember how it is done. 😀
Our President is an avid podcast listener. He’s suggested that this series from The Flyfisher team is worthy of a look. According to their note “What we have in the pipeline is informative chats with some big-name characters that we can’t wait to air. If you’re Aussie and you flyfish, you’re going to love this commentary”.
Freddy von Reibnitz originally published this paper in the Journal of the NSW Rod Fishers’ Society – a very prestigious and exclusive fishing club. The article was subsequently published in the Newsletter of the ACT Fly Fishers where I was able to read and appreciate the significant analytical work therein. It appears here for Canberra Anglers Association through Freddy’s generosity. I hope that others will benefit from the knowledge that has been extracted and presented here.
The analysis provides a mathematical and robust consideration of long term rainfall and air temperature data. The findings are quite sobering to say the least.
The impact on the trout fishery is a major element of DPI and MAS research. It is also instructive to consider some of the research into mitigation that the Victorian fisheries authorities are undertaking.
There is much myth and misconception about the legalities of angler access to river banks.
I was recently sent this link to a very interesting discussion on the law. The photos and drawing examples are very informative. Will put it onto CAA website in due course for continued visibility.
I’ve been following The New Fly Fisher on YouTube for some time. They have a lot of short, sharp videos providing hints that assist not just novices. Here’s one on preparing a new flyline that I’ve not been aware of.
I’ve been providing some informal mentoring to our new member Stephen and have pointed him to Jensen Fly Fishing (on YouTube and their website). Their videography and commentary are excellent. You might consider subscribing to their YouTube channel plus their free email newsletters/videos.
I initially pointed him to two specific videos:
Nymphing Rainbow Trout in Ultra-Low & Gin-Clear Water (Fly Fishing) of Pre-Runoff at https://youtu.be/s1fx5nMUTP4
And Fly Fishing HUGE BROWN TROUT in tiny water. The art of hunting brown trout EPIC at
I offered some observations, especially for the latter:
Watch how you can often see the shadow better than the fish itself
Looking for their white mouth is often a key sighting technique
The refractive effects of water make them look much skinnier than they are … see how wide (but shallow and short) they look when they swim directly away or towards the camera
Some of these takes were of the nymph below rather than the indicator fly – watch both (maybe have to rewind)
Again the refractive index means the fish are further away than you think. When he says his fly is right above the fish the fly looks too far away.
When the fish takes the dry, see the pause till the fish closes his mouth … but then again maybe he misses one strike by being too slow
Watch them working the fish to and fro
Take care, some of this is slomo … sometimes hard to tell. I was taught to strike at the same speed that the trout takes the fly. Traditionally you sing the single line “God Save the Queen” then strike
The very last fish filming is particularly good.
Three flies are not permitted in our streams
I’m not sure if they do this in these two videos, but in their streamer angling, they like to give the fly a series of little jiggles as they lift back for next cast
Some really good streamcraft lessons to be seen here.
I should also put some of the stuff that Ian has been hammering into me over the years too. If you have a nice drift down (eg when you have cast somewhat across the stream) let the fly continue down (maybe a mend is needed) and take real care at the end of the drift when a nymph would rise to the surface as this can induce a strike (how many Mataura fish have I missed with this!). Don’t false cast any more than is necessary (the Jensens emphasise this too).
My NZ guide also has encouraged me to be prepared to cast directly across the current to rising fish – their attention is often on looking forward and they won’t be so attentive watching for me coming from the side – means that the fly has less chance of being dragged – aim for just a rod length at most ahead of the fish.
Interpreting rise forms, especially understanding that fish might be taking just below the surface (bulge), is a topic covered elsewhere here.
In preparation for those who might be loch style fishing (especially at our Jindy trip), Shaun has put this pointer up on our Facebook page. A talk by Tom Jarman.
