northwest fly fishers club of tasmaniapage 4-5 the editors line brian cameron page 6 presidents...

Northwest Fly Fishers

Club of Tasmania

April 2020 Volume 11 Number 7

Cover: Internet montage. Let’s stay safe and strong as we launch against the challenges we face.

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Senior Vice President

Jason Smith [email protected] 0409 415 351

Junior Vice President Phil Blizzard [email protected] 0417 108 853

Secretary Librarian

Robert Fifield [email protected] 6431 4289

Treasurer Adrian Hope [email protected] 0417 136 959

Committee David Kirkham [email protected] 0487 354 527

Committee Oliver Mayer [email protected] 0408 147 023

Committee Ian Pickford [email protected] 0437 623 450

Comp Events Coordinator

David Kirkham [email protected] 0487 354 527

Shack Warden Public Officer

Jason Smith [email protected] 0409 415 351

TFFA Delegate Adrian Hope [email protected] 0417 136 959

2019/2020 Committee

- Newsletter of the North West Fly Fishers Club of Tasmania Inc.

Patron: Max Wood

President: John Scatchard

Phone 0400 254 725

Email [email protected]

Life Members

Ron Henry (1982) | Hilton Charles (1982) | Ken McKercher (1985) Will Eygelshiem (1985) | Max Wood (1987) |

Harry Nicholson (1987) | David Aldridge (1987) | Frank Lawes (1988) | Maurice Dawes (1990) | Doug Stephenson (1995) | Cliff Riggs (1995) |

Neil Thorne (1997) | Brian Viney (1997) | Ian Ainslie (2001) | Keith Credland (2001) | Kerry Innes (2009) | Chris Young (2012) |

Robert French (2012) | Len Radford (2016)

Space Available: for short articles, photos, gear reviews, recipes, fly ties, trip reports, insect and other food profiles, funny yarns, member profiles, historical reflections etc.

Page 2 Committee: Office Bearers

Contents

Page 4-5 The Editors Line Brian Cameron

Page 6 Presidents Report John Scatchard

Page 7-8 The lake fly fisherman Des Charles

Page 8-9 Pre-Grasshopper Grasshopper Pt 1 D Dennis

Page 10-12 Georges Bay Salmon and More Des Charles

Page 12-13 Two Foot of Yarn Max Wood

Page 13-15 Meeting Summaries from minutes by RB Fifield

WEBSITE: www.nwffc.org.au (see www.facebook.com/nwffc.org.au)

Mailing Address: PO Box 306 Burnie 7320

Our Meeting base is at 43 Mace St Burnie, mostly the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm

Newsletter of the North West Fly Fishers Club of Tasmania Inc. - Page 3

Contents


The Editor’s Line

Jassid Magazine Editor: Brian Cameron Mobile: 0459 269 512

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: The opinions or views expressed in this newsletter, are those of the respective authors, and not necessarily those of the Editor or the North West Fly Fishers Club. The Editor takes no responsibility,

but takes reasonable care to ensure for the factual content of this publication.

Well, what a month since our last newsletter which contains no mention of something that has come to dominate and change our lives in ways which we could never have imagined.

Whilst our membership could only be considered an ageing demography none of us have personal experience of situations like the Spanish Flu, the last big pandemic that shook the world.

With cancelation of the footy season the only consolation is a few of us will enjoy reigning premiership status for yet another year. It will be a long winter without that interest and distraction from being cooped indoors. Cabin fever will reign supreme throughout the world with many potential negative side effects like depression, increased alcohol consumption, domestic violence, weight gain, un- employment, poverty etc.

What the world needs is something for people to do where they can go outside safely, get some exercise, fresh air, daylight (a form of anti-depressant) and have an aspect that is both mentally stimulating and relaxing. Any ideas or suggestions??

That said we need to be careful to only go out in family groups or maintain adequate social distance. I recently asked a couple of colleagues out for a trip to Talbots and rightly detected an attitude of caution. Unless we are from the one household we should consider travelling to a venue in separate vehicles. A small car cabin is a perfect location to catch something other than a fish.

Without our meetings and the annual dinner being put on hold it might be important to do these things:

Ring, text, facetime/skype a friend to talk fishing and see how they are going

Post something on our Club Facebook site

Send us a newsletter article about a trip, something funny or anything of interest

Buy a Tasmanian fishing magazine subscription. It will take you places (in your head) and get you thinking as well as support some local businesses.

Tie up some flies (or learn how to?)

Go fishing (within government recommended guidelines). I paddle my canoe so

Newsletter of the North West Fly Fishers Club of Tasmania Inc. -

that might be legal under the exercise guidelines but some-one using an electric motor would of course be prevented as they would not be exercising. That said (jokingly) as a nurse I can tell you the fitter and stronger you are, the better your position should you contract any threatening illness. We need to stay strong, encourage each other and I think lobby the powers that be to allow us to safely continue or resume our activity based sport when appropriate. The front cover photo montage of a trout leaping to consume a corona virus particle is my feeble attempt at a political statement of sorts.

I think the community response has generally been good and there are some real positives to come out of our lifestyle re-orientation. People are moving from the ‘all about me’ philosophy to ‘lets think how others might fare’.

I’m going to try to have our newsletters out just before our meetings were to be scheduled but will be ever more reliant on member contributions without Club events to provide us with content.

Think back to a good day you had and send me a few lines to highlight something you learned or some fun enjoyed. I can sometimes use an internet sourced image (we don’t sell our newsletter so it is essentially for private use) to illustrate the subject if you don’t have a photo. I guess there is still some ‘little kid’ in me that likes some pictures to look at when I’m reading an article. They set a scene in my mind and take the imagination places.

As the unfortunate loser of a knife on a ‘swimming trip’ at Talbots I know the pain of losing an old friend (of 45 years). So I submit a photo of the knife I found at the launching ramp at Talbots which obviously ‘got away’ when someone was cleaning their fish. Let me know if it’s yours or you know the owner.

On the subject of contributors I must say a big thankyou to Des Charles and Deryk Dennis as both these members have supplied me with a couple of articles this month (1 to be held over). Please remember that if you have sent me an article and I have not included it within 2 months send me a reminder or a “please explain?” email. Sometimes things get put aside for a month and then overlooked.

Fishing is a sport very much about being in the right place at the right time. Lets make sure that’s what were all doing. This month greeting is not going to be “tight lines” from me, but stay safe and stay healthy. Cheers,

Brian

As we all know by now, we are all living in historic times. The Covid19 virus that is devastating the world at the present time has changed the way we live our everyday lives for the present time. Never has Australia experienced such harsh restrictions on businesses and what we do individually.

And yes we are restricted on how we fish and where we can fish, but I cannot emphasise enough that I hope that all our club members are abiding by the restrictions placed on us. I want to see every one back at our meetings (all in good health), when we are permitted to meet again. As the saying goes ‘a little pain for a lot of gain’. Just imagine how good it is going to feel when we can get to our favourite waters and cast that line again. Just a reminder that Talbots Lagoon is closed to the public and you cannot travel to your shacks unless for maintenance or you are a permanent resident.

Remember just because we are not meeting or fishing with our mates, we still need to keep in contact. Our editor Brian is hoping to continue producing the monthly newsletter and will require your assistance with articles, photos or anything of interest to the membership. This should not be too hard to achieve with the electronic devices that are in use these days. Members can if able place photos or stories on our Facebook page if you are able to access it. Nearly everyone has emails these days and of course the humble phone.

I can only imagine some of the fly boxes at the end of all this, overflowing with replenished flies and new creations. If you do get time to tie of few, we still need flies to fill Bob’s fundraising boxes, which have been a huge success over the years.

The most important thing to do is give your mates a ring to make sure they are ok. I have just spent a week in my home and can tell you it doesn’t take long to start climbing the walls being restricted in what and where you can go.

We wish our Patron Max Wood an ongoing recovery after a recent short stint in hospital.

To our older members please be very careful and if you require anything just give a member a call, and to everyone else stay safe and look after you and your families.

Tight Lines,

Scatch

- Newsletter of the North West Fly Fishers Club of Tasmanian Inc.

The President’s Report John Scatchard

The Lake Fly Fisherman by Des Charles 2020

Newsletter of the North West Fly Fishers Club of Tasmanian Inc. -

They wake before the dawning Quick coffee they do make Time is at the essence To be out on the lake

They crash around to find their gear That’s lying everywhere It’s spread from floor to ceiling Some placed upon a chair

There’s hats and there are Beanies With flies stuck day before There’s shirts with sponsor monograms And that’s not all there’s more

The fly vest is important With secrets not revealed It’s like a suit of armour And lips are tightly sealed

For in this vest there’s many things To catch that wild trout There’s flies and boxes full of stuff To keep his mate in doubt

There’s flys with names you can’t pronounce Like Buggers, Duns and Mudeye Beatles, Spinners and Red Tags too Royal Wulff and even Mayfly

The waders are the next thing That he will try to straddle The bag, the net, the rod and reel Then it’s off to battle

From boat or shore the plans the same Will there be a rise Or can he find a tailing fish And what will be the size

The suns first rays he always sees It’s time for fish to feed Close by the shore it’s stealth and guile A bit of luck he’ll also need

To make that cast not lining fish He waits and looks around The cast must be a good one And made without a sound


The Lake Fly Fisherman by Des Charles 2020

In boat he rows then waits awhile With ears and eyes and senses He listens for that splash or slurp All his body tenses

He spots a fish what ways he’s beat Is it left or right Will he take the fly that’s on If cast within his sight?

Then comes the part he can’t explain When fish does take the fly The feeling that comes over him Is same for wet or dry

Unique are they who cast a line The way that these folk do For patience is a virtue With practice you can too

An annual visit from our interstate visitor (Bob Murray) inspired us to make our annual pilgrimage to Bronte and surrounds. We enjoyed our travels intercepted by a visit to a Deloraine baker’s shop. A quick stop at Little Pine revealed a steady breeze rendering fishing there unlikely. A drop of some 300 metres to Bronte and the conditions were much more favourable. We fished the Long Shore in the company of the melodic Butcher Bird for a while until the breeze spoiled our chances and a comfortable camp was a better option.

After a hearty breakfast we surveyed the weather conditions and headed to Hut Bay in a very light westerly breeze. But by the time we reached the Alexander Kennedy Memorial rest bench the wind had done a complete turn around and blew strongly from the north west straight into our faces. In total disgust we retreated back towards No.2 style to see damsels smothering the washed up weed along the shoreline and attempting to fly in the now warm north westerly.

The Pre-Grasshopper Grasshopper Part 1 by Deryk Dennis

The Pre-Grasshopper Grasshopper Part 1 by D Dennis


We rounded a corner with a small protected bay only to see fish scattered some 40 metres from the shore. They were picking off damsels stranded on the strap weed in the breeze. A well-placed fly on the strap weed risked a snag but at least fish were looking up. We managed a couple of well conditioned fish before the wind found our protected bay spoiling further chances.

From there we had a Cook’s tour of Brady’s, Binney and the outfall from Bronte to Brady’s. Two large eels slithered back and forth across the concrete base in the limited flow. Then, several fish started rising to spinners just below the concrete lip. Despite trying several flies we failed to hook-up. When we returned to camp we were joined by Bryan Green and a mate from Hobart and enjoyed another hearty meal and great comradery. Wednesday was warm and sunny. With our expectation high, Bryan and his companion prepared their craft and headed onto the lake whilst Bob and I went back to the eastern shore. We saw many small fish leaping after spinners but nothing of any note. As a last-ditch effort, we decided to visit a secret location only to be disappointed as the wind was now strong.

As I went to walk away I spotted a fish in the gloom placing a hopper 2 metres ahead of the fish and watched as the fish sped to the fly and gulped it down. After a short struggle I landed what was easily the best fish I have taken from Bronte at 1.6kgs. Bob immediately sprung into action and soon spotted one not far away when another one cruised past me but looked a bit on edge. I watched from some 80 metres as Bob lifted, his rod bowed ...but alas the hook failed to hold. I cleaned my fish while Bob continued searching but the weather deteriorated and that famous fish signal turned off.

On cleaning my fish, I discovered 60-70 grasshoppers of various colours packed into his stomach. We returned to camp only to find our power had been interrupted from mid- morning and no schedule as to when supply would resume. The fire and the BBQ were utilised to cook our meal assisted by candlelight.

Bob and I returned home on Thursday without fishing, encountering light rain for the whole journey except for a compulsory stop at the Deloraine Bakery and Ashgrove, just to break the boredom.

The Bronte chain is well worth a visit in the grasshopper period.

To Be Continued ………... Deryk

A visitor to our shack

GEORGES BAY SALMON and MORE by Des Charles


This story begins back in 2004 a couple of years before I returned home to Tassie.

It was then that netting was banned in Georges Bay St. Helens and from then on this waterway has become one of the most productive areas in the state. “Should I say any more about netting?” The bay now boasts some of the best sports fishing on light gear, and fly, and the species are numerous including fish such as Salmon, Kingfish, Taylor, Whiting, Trevally, Flathead, Squid, massive Pike, Garfish, Bream and even the occasional Snapper.

From left to right “Bream Flies, Salmon Flies, Squid

Fly

Not all these species of course can be taken on fly but you would be surprised how many species can. I have been fortunate to catch Salmon, Taylor, Bream, and even Squid. Other species like Silver Trevally, Flathead, Whiting and Kingfish are on my bucket list (as at writing I have just heard that our local



charter operator has landed a Kingfish on fly. (What am I doing sitting here writing this article?) Outside of a Kingfish the fish to catch on fly is the Blackback Salmon. This humble fish that is ranked by some as cray bait, to me one of the most underrated species in the fishing kingdom ( here here according to the Editor and Lionel White if they’re not too large).

This fish taken on a 6/7 weight fly rod will give you a morning or afternoon adrenaline rush a fly fisherman would pay big money for. Seriously, I have compared this fish with Barramundi, and even Canada’s Salmon. Pound for pound Blackback Salmon beats them all (Big statement I know). The Blackback Salmons’ runs (and I say runs for there are many) is aggressive with jumps a metre high and if this is not what we want as a fly fisherman, then I have missed something.

One of many salmon taken on fly

At times Georges Bay can hold acres of these fish and in late January this year there was a school in the shallows of Moulting Bay that produced some exciting fishing. Among these fish were schools of big Taylor that you could actually sight cast to, so I could not help myself and chased these fish on several occasions.



When they are on there’re on. Two more to fly.

The best outing had Salmon and Taylor smashing both fly, and soft plastics, and after boating 12 or so

we released 20 or more hopefully to fight another day. On all occasions we walked away from the fish simply to give them a reprieve.

The bonus fishing for the schools of Salmon and Taylor is now and again something big will bust you off, and it has happened to me a couple of times. This could be a Kingfish or even a big Pike as these fish are sometimes feed under the schools.

Right: This guy will take your fly and all

So anybody who wishes to come down give me a ring and I can tell you if the

fishing is on or not

There’s a bed here at home and if we can’t get a big salmon we

might venture outside for a flathead or two.

As the owner of an outdoor shop for 20 odd years in Burnie trading mainly in hunting and fishing gear I found it very rewarding and gratifying to be able to talk the same type of 'lingo' as my customers. I suppose it gave them a little confidence that maybe ' this bloke knows what I'm talking about'.

Being raised on the NW coast hunting and fishing came at a very young age. I still have my Lithgow Slazenger .22 single shot rifle that my Dad bought for me when I was 11 years old. Being just after the Second World War the purchase was limited to one box of 50 Civic hollow point bullets

It is safely locked away with my heavy barrel small bore .22 target rifle and my water fowling side by side 12 gauge shot gun. I was also involved in full bore .303 Lee Enfield long range competitive target shooting when most towns in Tassie had a rifle club and a 600 or 900 yard rifle range .

Two Foot of Yarn by Max Wood

Two Foot of Yarn by Max Wood


The fishing started in the creek that flows down from Romaine through South Burnie where I lived and entered the sea just West of Bunnings. It was alive with 'mountain’ trout that were taken on a bent pin and garden worm, a length off cotton and a 3 foot willow stick.

Next there were the schools of cocky salmon that invaded the sparkling green salt water as the tide pushed in to the Emu. It was shoulder to shoulder as homemade lures attached to green thread line were cast out from bakelite reels. These were anchored to a bamboo rod, but the paper mill and its black liquor put an end to that.

We could always fish off the Burnie wharves for couta, squid, cod and what ever grabbed your bait.

Then, in the sixties, along came salmo trutta in the Northern rivers and Highland lakes of Tasmania, a bit in the Cooma district, a couple of trips to the South Island of New Zealand and a visit to Christmas Island (Kiribati) on the bonefish with Kerry Inness and Greg Templer.

So as they say ‘I have walked the walk and can talk the talk'.

If a customer had stayed at the Captain Cook he had been after bone fish at Christmas Island, been down to Beaufront he had been chasing fallow deer at Stewarton they were on the Macquarie for the red spinner hatch if they had stopped at Twizel to top up their gear they had been in NZ, the ‘pine' was Little Pine Lagoon, 'out the back' was Nineteen Lagoons, the 'pulp bush' was roo shooting, to the Henty they were after white bait feeders and so on.

So as you are aware Laughing Jack Lagoon is that lovely little lagoon that feeds water from the Clarence River and eventually into the Clarence pipeline and spills in to Bronte Lagoon. When a local angler called in to the sports store in his town that had been taken over by a mainlander the conversation turned to fishing and conditions in the area,

When the angler inquired " and how is Laughing Jack going ?”, the reply was " I don't know, he hasn't been in lately"

Max Wood

Tas Water account bill for $351.75

The IFS Trout Weekend is Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May at the Inland Fisheries’ Liawenee Field Station, yingina/Great Lake (tentative?)

Proposal by Ian Pickford for the Club to organize a dam for tuition purposes.

A concern was expressed that a member was unable to find the club’s address on the website but found it in the Jassid. Could it be added to the web site?

Committee Meeting Correspondence

Working Bee for the Shack to be held in the off season?

Doors and TV antennas.

Shack barbeque needs replacement. Approved Jason to purchase a new Barbeque $300.00 approx.

Combination numbers are to be changed when we have the new door installed.

Power outage but no emergency backup power options. John to purchase candles.

Light fitting outside front door broken and needs replacement.

Wood supply in outside toilet to be used first.

Mailing address to be changed for the bills.

Front entry and bathroom floor to be done.

New TV to be purchased.

Do not leave food at the shack.

Liawenee Weekend We need five people if it goes ahead.

New Member: Kenneth Menzies of Wynyard. Welcome.

Fund raising Bryan Green has offered a custom built drogue as a fund raiser.

Deryk followed up the Casablanca venue (shut until further notice) for our dinner.

General meeting is to have some minuting.

Novice expo

Deryk would like someone to take over the overall running of the event.

Electric Outboards at Talbots

Proposed to ask Forico about allowing Electric outboards.

Discussions were put forward for and against. It was put to a vote with as many abstaining as voted, and an equal number that voted for and against. The Club is divided on this issue. John to contact IFS and find out the situation.

Mentoring new fly fishing novices

More experienced fishermen to help the less experienced.

Club Dam Proposal. Fromburgs Dam or Natone Fishery put forward as options

Jason to check out Natone. Deryk to check out Fromburgs Dam.


General Meeting Points

Newsletter of the North West Fly Fishers Club of Tasmania Inc. -

What’s on

Lots of fly tying and casting demonstrations via YouTube and other sites.

Wild casting demonstrations are allowed (No-one will go anywhere near you)

Exercising is allowed within constraints of social distancing regulations.

A trip in separate cars within your municipality to fish (subject to current regulations)

Other Activities ( and Non?)

It was good to welcome the return of Stuart Tulloch to our March meeting after a significant injury sustained to his back. (The editor recommends hydrotherapy for you Stuart. I know you like a swim.)

All meetings and annual dinner are suspended until further notice.

Max Wood (our Patron) sent this in:

This is not a 'fishy 'story but it might be of interest to our members.

To FRIENDS OF THE JASSID

I have just spent a few days in St Vincents Hospital in Launceston

The head male nurse on duty was a friend and colleague of our Jassid editor Brian and the nurse who discharged me from the hospital was the sister of our President John.

Cheers, Max

Thanks to this months calendar sponsor

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Booking is by current financial members only.

Persons booking shack are to leave their contact details (a telephone number for sharing purposes).

The Shack may only be booked by a member attending the shack Advance booking for a maximum of four consecutive nights only. Members may use a second four night block when the shack is available. People sleeping in vehicles and using shack facilities pay the full rate.

Members must either pay in advance or make full payment within 7 days of vacating the shack. You must confirm your booking by telephoning Jason Smith on 0409 415 351

or email [email protected]

The booking is not confirmed until the webpage dates change colour.

The password to book can be obtained by contacting Jason (as above) and the current shack door lock combination will also be available from Jason.

Members are advised not to disclose the combination unnecessarily. Problems incurred by doing so will result in suspension of privileges.

When paying by electronic transfer put your name and ‘Shack Hire’ in space provided and send treasurer an email advising him of your payment to [email protected] The account is

BSB Number: 037 002 Account Number: 156358

Shack Hiring Charges

Member - $10.00 per night

Family - $20.00 per night

(2 adults only per “family”)

Guest of a Member $20.00 per night

(Children under 18 yrs. stay free)

Shack Booking Procedure


northwest fly fishers club of tasmaniapage 4-5 the editors line brian cameron page 6 presidents...

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