Angling Report of the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association

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Index Editorial ................................................................................... 2 Inland Fisheries Service ......................................................... 3

Ministers Report on Inland Fisheries 2008/2009.................. 3 From the Director.................................................................. 5

Hydro Tasmania Report....................................................... 10 Hydro Storages ready for a Good Fishing Season .............. 10

MAST Report ........................................................................ 12 Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) Report ......................... 14 IFAC Report - Reflections Season 2008/2009..................... 16 STLAA Reports..................................................................... 17

STLAA Executive............................................................... 17 STLAA President’s Report ................................................. 18 Club Reports ....................................................................... 20

Australian Polish Anglers Club ...................................... 20 Bothwell Angling Club ................................................... 21 Bridgewater Anglers Association ................................... 23 Clarence Licensed Anglers Club .................................... 25 Huon Licensed Anglers Association............................... 28 Kingborough Anglers Association.................................. 30 Lake Pedder Anglers Club .............................................. 32 Maydena Anglers Club ................................................... 34 New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association .................. 35

Features & Special Reports.................................................. 38 A Day on Dee Lagoon ........................................................ 38 The 17th Annual Eddie Wigston Memorial........................ 39 Kaz the Fisherman .............................................................. 41 Inaugural Derwent River Interclub Challenge.................... 44 A Big Fish? ......................................................................... 45 Season 2008-2009 Photo Gallery........................................ 47

Our Angling History ............................................................. 60 A Brief History of the Introduction of Trout to Tasmania.. 60 New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association - Images ....... 66

Trout 2009 Tasmanian Angling Report of the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association is published annually by the association and it’s affiliated Clubs.

Cover Photo: Beautiful shape & markings of a superbly conditioned 1.46 kg Woods Lake Brown Trout.

Photo – Justin Causby

Report Committee: Terry Byard Bridgewater Anglers Ph 0429 977 185 Norm Cribbin Clarence Licensed Anglers Ph 0408 144 587 Louis Molnar Bridgewater Anglers Ass. Ph 0419 309 932 Neil Pinkard Clarence Licensed Anglers Ph 0427 342 245

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Editorial

eason 2008-2009 has once again been dominated by record dry

conditions. These conditions have seen our once abundant lakes reduced in size, exposing barren lifeless shores. Our rivers and creeks in most regions have faired no better. Some have been reduced to trickles or worse, transformed into dry channels. Some of our waters experienced algal blooms limiting both recreational and agricultural use. The record dry climatic conditions have impacted on hydropower generation, domestic town water supplies, recreational and tourism over the entire angling season. Overall, I would have to say the conditions have not been ideal for angling. However, despite the challenging conditions anglers have generally managed to achieve reasonable levels of success through out the season. Water such as Great Lake, Arthurs Lake, Woods Lake, Little Pine and Penstock Lagoons in the central highlands saw increased angling pressure and appear to have managed reasonably well. Our northern and west coast waters possibly faired a little better than those on the east coast and through the midlands, but overall all regions were impacted by the continued “big dry”. Given the forced concentration of angling pressure it was pleasing to see tolerance being shown by anglers, campers and other recreational users towards each other. In “normal” time’s recreational users tend to spread themselves out over a much wider footprint, resulting in significantly less interactive contact. At this point we should reflect on the stewardship shown by the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS), Hydro

Tasmania, Angler Alliance Tasmania (AAT) and the many angling clubs and shown over the preceding years. For without the effort and planning that these organisations have put into looking after our fisheries future, we could be in a far worse situation. I known some decisions that have been made have had many recreational users wonder “what are they doing that for?” but in reflection the management of our fisheries has generally been “pretty good”. As this edition of Trout 2009 is being prepared, significant rains over winter 2009 have commenced to recharge our water ways. Lakes are commencing to spill, rivers are in flood and the recent memories of the “big dry” are starting to fade. I am already hearing many anglers saying “This is the best start to a season they have seen in years”. Let us all hope that things do return to “normal” and we see our world class fishery flourish for many seasons to come. As in past years special thanks must go to the Report Committee and Club Delegates who have spent many hours arranging advertising sponsors, following up on reports and collecting the articles that appear within Trout 2009. I would also ask you to acknowledge our advertising sponsors for without their support it would not be possible to continue to publish this annual report. So next time you are making use of any of our sponsor’s services, take time to thank them and mention that you swather advertisement in the Trout 2009 book. Norm Cribbin

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Inland Fisheries Service Ministers Report on Inland Fisheries 2008/2009

am pleased to provide a general report on the major achievements and

issues relating to the State’s inland fishery over the past year. A milestone this year was the release of the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishery Management Plan 2008-2018, which sets the direction for the management of the trout fishery for the next ten years. A number of the Plan’s recommendations which related to regulation changes were implemented for the start of the new season. These were largely aimed at protecting fisheries and enhancing fish stocks, and the estuarine sections of several rivers were opened permanently to all methods of fishing to give anglers more options closer to home. I am well aware of the significant value of the recreational fishery to the angling community and Tasmania in general, and so the progress made on the Plan as well as the agreement reached by the Inland Fisheries Service on the way forward for the management of the fishery, was particularly pleasing and significant to note. Also this year, the important issue of drought proofing the State was addressed and significant funds were set aside by the Government for irrigation development. As the water resource became increasingly scarce due to the ongoing drought conditions, the concern of recreational anglers for adequate consultation about future irrigation inevitably increased. It was important that I was able to respond to these concerns by establishing the Irrigation Development Special Working Group, chaired by John

Cleary. The Working Group is designed as a forum to discuss angling community issues and to disseminate information regarding development schemes. It has enabled a strong representation of the recreational fishery perspective on proposals for the State’s water resource development in an ongoing capacity. Through this mechanism, the long term benefits to the angling community from future water development schemes can be realised. The positive aspects of these initiatives include the creation of new fisheries, like Huntsman Lake, as well as improved environmental flows through the construction of major water storages. I must say that the Government’s drought proofing initiative is based on the understanding that an holistic approach is required to manage water quality, land use and water and other development. It’s clear that the demands on our water resource for power generation, farming irrigation, town water supply and recreation, need to be balanced appropriately with both the present and future in mind. I know that the fact that we are dealing with a shared resource is not new, particularly amongst anglers and the authorities involved in water management. Many of Tasmania’s best fishing waters were established primarily for power generation, and a few for irrigation and town water supply. Government authorities have long recognised the need to cater for recreational pursuits at these waters in addition to managing the water’s primary function.

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Besides the bigger picture management of the State’s water resource, it is pleasing to note the practical approach taken by the Inland Fisheries Service to joint management with other relevant agencies and bodies. The Service has focused particularly on the relationship with its key stakeholders, which include Hydro Tasmania, Marine and Safety Tasmania, and Anglers Alliance Tasmania. Although there have been a range of joint projects undertaken with other Government agencies, local councils, private landowners and individual angling clubs, these key partnerships have been critical for the recent development of infrastructure at fisheries around the State. The results can be seen in the increased level of angler access information, including signage and brochures for all major lake fisheries, as well as improved facilities for boating anglers and vehicle access at a number of key waters. These practical improvements, along with the consistent emphasis on targeted stocking by the Service, have helped to ensure that the number of licensed anglers is maintained despite the less favourable climate situation experienced this year. I look forward to reporting on the management progress and major achievements for Tasmania’s inland fishery again next year.

David Llewellyn Minister for Primary Industries & Water

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From the Director

his year, the Tasmanian inland fishery faced unprecedented low

water levels across the State and its future prospects were an ongoing concern for the Inland Fisheries Service. Despite this environmental threat, the Service continued to strengthen its operations in a number of areas and delivered a host of achievements during the year. I am pleased to provide information on this progress in the following report. State Recreational Fisheries Management Plan A major milestone was reached early in the year with the release of the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishery Management Plan 2008-2018. This Plan sets the direction for the management of the trout fishery for the next ten years through a comprehensive structure of management goals, objectives and strategies. Knowing the value of the fishery as a State asset, the Service consulted extensively with the angling community and stakeholders in the development of the State Plan so as to ensure agreement on the way forward for the management of the fishery. A number of recommendations from the State Plan were implemented with changes to regulations for the start of the season. These were are aimed at protecting fisheries under pressure due to popularity or low water levels, and enhancing fish stock, both quality and quantity, at fisheries across the State. In addition, the estuarine sections of the Derwent, Huon, Tamar and Leven rivers were opened on a permanent basis to all methods of fishing. Drought conditions and low lake levels As previously mentioned, there was a real threat to the recreational fishery due to the continuing drought conditions this

year. At the same time, the Government undertook its initiative to drought-proof the State, which heightened concerns by recreational anglers for the long term impact on some fisheries. As a result, members of the angling fraternity lobbied to ensure that the needs of anglers were adequately represented in future water development issues. The attention was focused on Arthurs Lake, which began the 2008-09 angling season with significantly low water levels. The concern for the health of this fishery was legitimate, particularly given its status over recent years as the most popular angling water in the State. After the decline of the lakes Sorell and Crescent fisheries over the past decade, the potential decline of Arthurs, together with the threat to Woods and Great lakes, also as a result of low water levels, provided an ongoing anxiety for the Service throughout 2008-09. A positive aspect was the need to strengthen relationships within Government and seek ongoing communication for support about these issues. Hydro Tasmania, who is the owner and manager of the water resource at Arthurs, kept the Service informed about its decisions for future resource use under the Midlands Irrigation Scheme. This scheme is not expected to have a significant impact on the lake levels at Arthurs since the irrigation water will be provided for within Hydro’s regular drawdown for power generation and Hydro will be compensated for any resulting loss. A number of other fisheries in lowland areas suffered during the year on account of reduced rainfall and the Service attempted to steer anglers to alternative waters through targeted stocking and promotion. Craigbourne Dam, for

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instance, was not stocked for t he second year in a row, and anglers were deterred from fishing at Tooms Lake due to the occurrence of algal blooms. The water levels in Lakes Sorell and Crescent continued to pose a problem, and during the summer months, the level was deemed critical for the survival of the golden galaxias population at Lake Crescent. As a consequence, and so as to reduce the pressure on this threatened endemic species, the Service removed trout from the lake and transferred the fish to Four Springs Lake, Brushy Lagoon and Bradys Lake. Arthurs Lake Low Level Boat Ramp In response to the continued low water levels at Arthurs Lake at the start of the season, the Service undertook a project with Hydro Tasmania and Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST), to construct a low level boat ramp at Pumphouse Point. This included a ramp into the flume, installation of marker buoys, and gravelling of the temporary car park area. Works were also undertaken to improve the ramp at the dam wall and included widening, gravelling and clearing obstructions. Although the low levels at Arthurs may have deterred some boating anglers, the positive angling reports throughout the season of high catch rates and quality fish supported its continued status as a quality fishery. Lake Echo Access Significant improvements were made to the facilities for boating anglers at Lake Echo this year as part of a plan by the Service to promote the value of this fishery to anglers and capitalise on its natural premium characteristics. Safe access to the northern end of the Lake was established with the construction of a 3.S km road and 60 m concrete boat ramp at Large Bay, which was designed for all water levels and has a sheltered aspect. This project was undertaken by

the Service, in conjunction with Hydro Tasmania and MAST. Two other boat ramps, at the dam wall and middle of Lake Echo, were also extended and re-gravelled, and signage was installed to direct boaters to all three boat ramps around the Lake. Although not as well known for its wild rainbow trout population as the more popular fishery at Great Lake, excellent reports were received of good catches and well conditioned rainbows during the season. Lake Catagunya New Boat Ramp & Carpark A joint strategy was developed during the year by the Service, Hydro Tasmania and MAST to concentrate on improving facilities at waters with reliable water levels. As part of this, new boating and vehicle facilities were constructed at Lake Catagunya whilst the lake underwent a draw down for power station maintenance during the year. Funded by MAST and Hydro Tasmania, the work included an upgrade and maintenance of the access road, car park and boat ramp at a combined cost of approximately $30,000. Other Upgrades & Maintenance Minor upgrades for vehicle access, parking and boating occurred at several other waters at the start of the season or during the year. Forestry Tasmania undertook t he improvement s at Four Springs Lake, which included levelling the road surface, clearing the road side vegetation, while the Service committed funding to maintain the Woods Lake road. Brushy and Bronte lagoons also received maintenance works to boat ramps and car parking facilities. Huntsman Lake Stocking & Opening This was the first year of operation of the new fishery established at Huntsman Lake. The Service stocked the water with 1,000 spawning adult brown trout prior to the season to seed the fishery,

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which has ample spawning creeks and a good food base. With its easy access, this fishery quickly became a popular destination amongst northern anglers and a real alternative to highland waters for northwestern anglers. The opening hours were set in legislation at the start of the season and were necessarily restrictive due to the needs of the managing body. Angler Access & Information During the year, the angler access project produced 18 colour brochure s for Brumby s Creek, Penstock Lagoon, Arthurs Lake, Great Lake, Woods Lake, Lake St. Clair and Lake King William, Four Springs Lake, Huntsman Lake and Brushy Lagoon, Lake Burbury, Lake Barrington, Meadowbank Lake, Lake Leake and Tooms Lake, Little Pine Lagoon, Dee Lagoon, Lake Rowallan, Lake Echo and Bronte Lagoon. To complement the brochure information, the Service continued to install interpretative signs at popular fisheries around the State. During the year, signage was installed at Blackmans Lagoon, Curries River Reservoir, Four Springs Lake, Brushy Lagoon, Lake Barrington, Lake Cethana, Lake Gardner, Lake Parangana, Lake Rowallan and Lake Mackenzie. River Fisheries & Access This year, four rivers were designated as rainbow waters and remained open in line with the rainbow trout season. They were the Weld River in the North, the Weld River in the South, a section of the Leven River (between Button Rivulet and Loongana Road) and the Mersey River above Lake Rowallan. The estuarine sections of four other rivers, the Huon, Derwent, Tamar and Leven, were designated as waters open all year. Significant progress was made on angler access to the Huon River, through the identification of access points through

the heavily vegetated and steep bank sections of the river. With the cooperation of private landowners, Huon Valley Council and Forestry Tasmania, the Service was able to negotiate many new access locations for shore based angling or wading, as well as boat launching ramps. Other rivers targeted over the year for improved access work included the Macquarie and Lake Rivers. Stocking of Popular Waters The Service continued its stocking of Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout into popular waters during the season. Trophy sized Atlantic salmon and adult rainbow trout were released into Meadowbank Lake, Bradys Lake, Brushy Lagoon and Lake Barrington. The Atlantic salmon were donated by Saltas, while the rainbow trout were either purchased from Springfield Hatchery or transferred from the Salmon Ponds. Adult brown trout were transferred from Great Lake to several fisheries that require annual stocking including several waters in the Nineteen Lagoons area, as well as Bradys Lake, Brushy Lagoon, Four Springs Lake, Lake Kara and Curries River Reservoir. Hatchery Production & Regular Stocking Program The annual harvesting of eggs from wild brown and rainbow trout spawners from Great Lake continued. Approximately 600,000 brown and 650,000 rainbow trout ova were collected from fish trapped in the Liawenee Canal, and 100,000 brook, 100,000 tiger (brook and brown trout cross) and 50,000 albino ova were also collected from the Salmon Ponds. The brown, rainbow and brook trout were being grown-on to fry and fingerling stages at the Service's New Norfolk hatchery facility. A proportion of these eggs were turned into triploid fish for future release into trophy fisheries or for private sale. Production from the hatchery continued to exceed

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expectations this year, due to low levels of fish mortality and fast growth rates. This meant that good quality stock was available to supplement the State's wild trout fishery as part of the Service's regular stocking program. Licence Sales Promotion The Service developed and implemented a campaign targeting full season licence holders at the start of the season. The rationale for this was based on the importance of full season licence customers as valued customers as well as the significant revenue generated through full season sales and renewals. The promotion included the design of a flyer 'Your little tackle box for trout fishing' which provided a snap shot of news and hot spots for the season ahead. It also included the offer of automatic entry to win $10,000 worth of fishing tackle in prize lots of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 to those full season licence holders who renewed their licence by 30 October 2008. The promotion was supported by Tasmania's leading fishing tackle stores and industry partners, members of the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA). The Salmon Ponds also sponsored the promotion by offering free entry to those full season licence holders who renewed their licence and this offer was also advertised on the licence card. To extend the promotion, the Service also sent the flyer to anglers who had held a full season licence in the previous season but had not renewed their licence in 2007-08, along with the group of Tasmanian resident anglers who held a short term licence in 2007-08. The Service agreed to a proposal by AAT to consider and implement several new communication strategies for the following season. Work commenced on the redesign of the Tasmanian Fishing

Code refocusing it purely on fishing regulations as an essential pocket guide to be carried by anglers whilst fishing. More general information about the fishery as well as advertising and promotions were not included but under AAT's proposal, would be included in a triennial newsletter produced under the AAT’s Fishing Tasmania brand. The promotional planning to target full season licence holders continued towards the end of the year, with the development of a project based on the concept 'Take a Mate Fishing'. The aim was to continue to reward repeat full season licence holders through the offer of voucher for a free one or two day licence to take a mate fishing during the season. In this way, the Service hoped to encourage these dedicated anglers to share their passion for trout fishing with another person, which would hopefully lead to an increase in participation in the sport thus bringing increased revenue from licence sales. Implementation of the concept was refined to target full season licence holders through the renewal notice, involving a redesign of this form in order to promote the take-up of the ‘novice licence’ offer and its subsequent conversion to a complimentary two day licence. Trout Weekend at Liawenee The Service held its annual Trout Weekend at Liawenee in May, which was a successful event attracting a huge attendance of around 4000 people despite the cold and misty weather. Use of the overflow car park was required and local police spent three hours on the Lake Highway directing traffic on the Saturday and one and a half hours on Sunday. Exhibitors this year included MAST, Hydro Tasmania, Quarantine Tasmania, the Cancer Council, tackle stores, outdoor equipment stores, Cressy Trout Expo and AAT. The children's fishing lagoon run by Fishcare

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volunteers was a major attraction, as was the wild brown trout stripping and the buses to the bottom fish trap were extremely popular. Environmental Fencing Projects The Service continued its work with community groups, landowners and angling club volunteers to complete important environmental fencing projects at lakes Sorell and Crescent, as well as at Bronte Lagoon. Some of these projects began in 2005 and included the extensive installation of stock exclusion fencing to protect valuable wetland areas as well as the mending of fences to help preserve the environmental values of the fisheries. The fencing of the Long Shore at Bronte Lagoon, this year enabled water quality and environmental obligations under the Derwent Catchment Management Plan to be achieved. This work will also benefit anglers through the removal of cattle from the Lagoon's margin. Carp Program The carp eradication program at lakes Crescent and Sorell was hampered this year due to boat launching difficulties as a result of the record low water levels. Despite this, a total of 48 carp were captured in Lake Sorell. No fish, other than transmitter fish, were captured in Lake Crescent over the 12 month period,

which means that it has been eighteen months since the last female carp was captured from that lake. Towards the end of the reporting period, the State experienced early winter rains. As a result, previously close to empty impoundments in the East and South began to fill and the concern regarding the dangerously low levels at some of the State’s premium highland fisheries, was alleviated. It is with relief, therefore, that I now look back on the 2008-09 year, knowing that the fishery sustained the drought conditions and has been given an opportunity to recover. The Service maintained its focus throughout this period and responded appropriately given the environmental circumstances beyond its control. I look forward to the coming year with confidence and to providing a report at the end of the year, demonstrating further achievements by the Service. John Diggle Director of Inland Fisheries

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Hydro Tasmania Report Hydro Storages ready for a Good Fishing Season

ecent good rains have seen hydro lakes increase to over 30 per cent.

Hydro Tasmania Manager Energy Resources said that Great Lake and Lake Gordon look like being significantly higher than they were last year for the 1 August start of the season. Lake Echo will also be much higher than last year with a forecast predicted to be 40 per cent full compared with last year’s 22 per cent. Other key lakes will be operated close to their seasonal operating levels as they were last year. Arthurs Lake is starting to recover after good easterly rains and should be above the 948m ASL by 1 August, 2009. The pump will remain off for the rest of the year unless there is a danger of the lake spilling, which is unlikely. Closure of Lake Pedder Chalet As announced in April, the Lake Pedder Chalet at Strathgordon is now closed to the public. Visitors will continue to be welcomed to the area and Hydro Tasmania is providing limited services. The business will continue to use the complex for staff and contractors working in the region and there will be a permanent staffing presence at the site. Hydro Tasmania spokesperson, Ralph Jackson, said that while meals and accommodation will no longer be provided to the public, visitor information will be maintained in the area along with other services. “The South West is an exceptional area for visitors who are looking for a wilderness experience and want to see Lake Pedder and the engineering feat

that is the Gordon Dam. It is also a popular destination for anglers. “We will continue to operate the visitor information centre at the chalet along with maintaining interpretive signage at significant locations in the area. Visitors will also have access to a public phone and petrol for emergency situations.” Hydro Tasmania has also put in place a Good Samaritan procedure to look after staff and visitors who may become stranded due to adverse weather conditions. The decision to close the chalet was a result of significant operational losses due to low occupancy levels despite efforts over the years to increase visitor numbers. Hydro Tasmania has advised its staff, contractors, tourism providers and fishing groups of the decision to change the operation of the chalet. Discussions have also been held with the organisers of the Back to Pedder fishing competition to ensure a successful event in January. Information on changes to the operations of the chalet can be found at http://www.hydro.com.au Collaboration on access to inland waterways A collaborative series of projects aimed at addressing the access requirements of inland water anglers is now well underway. Agreement between Hydro Tasmania, Inland Fisheries Service, Central

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Highlands Council and the Southern Highlands Progress Association has been reached to ensure pedestrian and angler access to the foreshore at Brady’s Lake. Access will be improved by the installation of signage at four public access points, including the community boat ramp. During July and August, representatives of Hydro Tasmania, Inland Fisheries Service and Marine and Safety Tasmania will be undertaking assessments of lakes across the State to determine the most appropriate sites for recreational boating infrastructure to facilitate easy access to inland waters. The result of these assessments will be a list of sites showing the best positioning for recreational infrastructure based on a set of pre-determined criteria covering issues associated with demand, cultural heritage, Hydro Tasmania operations, environmental impacts, boating safety and costs. The results of these assessments will be presented at public forums later in the year where comment will be sought from recreational groups. The final result of the assessments will be the development of a Recreational Boating Infrastructure Plan for the state inland waters. The plan will form the basis for the assessment of projects to be funded from the Recreational Boating Fund and other sources. Camping in Central Highlands The Recreational Lakes Committee has recently met with Inspiring Place to further understand camping in the Central Highlands. Inspiring Place will be engaged in developing a supply demand model for camping in the highlands so as to better understand what the camping demand is and if we are currently meeting that demand. If demand is not being met an assessment

will be developed to identify any future camping opportunities that exist on land in the highlands across a range of tenure. Once the demand and supply modelling has been undertaken a Camping Strategy will be developed for the highlands in conjunction with the members of the Recreational Lakes Committee.

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MAST Report

or the past couple of years the news about water levels has just been

depressing. So its been great to have had a normal winter which has seen water levels rise quite significantly. There can have been few sights as bleak as Arthurs Lake over the past summer. By taking quick action IFS, with some assistance from MAST and Hydro Tasmania, managed to continue to provide access to Arthurs Lake at Pumphouse but it was necessary to close the ramp at Jonah Bay. On Great Lake the only access to the water was at Boundary Bay for much of the year. This year looks much more promising and hopefully there is more rain to come. Last year MAST contributed $40,000 to the upgrading of facilities at Tombs Lake, Brushy Lagoon and Lake Catagunya. The MAST Board has recently provided a further $40,000 to upgrade inland facilities from the 2009 Recreational Boating Facilities Fund. We understand that there will also be further assistance from Hydro Tasmania and IFS. We will wait until Spring when final lake levels will be known before sitting down with Hydro Tasmania and IFS and allocating specific funding. In addition to funding from boating registrations MAST also funds facilities from licence fees. Over the past few years we have received a number of submissions to upgrade the ramp at the Camping Ground at Lake Burbury. This coming year MAST will spend a further $80,000 on upgrading this facility, again in conjunction with Hydro Tasmania. A number of angling clubs have put in submissions about a new boat ramp in the North East Corner of Great Lake. In July MAST and IFS visited the area with

a party of anglers who are members of northern fishing clubs and scouted around the area near to the Poatina Outlet. Unfortunately, it was clear that there was nowhere that would have provided a suitable access. The one possible location is within the channel adjacent to the Poatina power station inlet. Hydro Tasmania have serious concerns about the safety of this location not only to anglers but also for their power station.

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MAST is not just about boating facilities. It is primarily about safety. On a happy note there have been no boating fatalities in the past 12 months. MAST has continued with its program of education nights around the State and in particular has held safety and flare demonstrations at a wide range of centres which have been very successful and well attended by both fresh and saltwater anglers. MAST is happy to conduct displays for clubs if you would like us to attend one of your regular meetings.

In our corporate plan this year we are placing more emphasis on our safety programs to ensure that boating remains safe and enjoyable. All boaters carry safety equipment but we have found that there are quite a few who are not completely sure how to use or maintain it. Improving our knowledge of boating safety equipment will be a focus of our safety initiatives in the coming year. Colin Finch

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Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) Report

nother year gone and the Alliance has been busy caring for the

interests of all anglers at ever increasing levels of Government as we progress with our efforts to assist in the sustainability and management of Tasmania’s fishery. The Government’s plans for irrigation are of a prime consideration and AAT has been working hard to ensure that angler’s interests are well represented. To this end the Minister has formed a working group to oversee all the schemes planned and the STLAA’s Terry Byard is AAT’s representative on this Committee. AAT is encouraged with progress thus far and we have been able to make the views of anglers known and listened to by all concerned. We have chosen to not give ongoing public announcements preferring to work effectively with the authorities through the working party and we thank Minister Llewellyn for his consideration in this matter. We expect there to be some good news on the levels in Arthurs Lake and the Midlands Scheme in general as as soon as this is available all anglers will be advised. We are particularly encouraged by the Commonwealth Government’s approach to ensure that all the planned irrigation is well planned and sustainable prior to providing finance to the State Government. Six of the projects for which AAT won funding have been concluded during the year and anglers will have particularly noticed the improved access and signage throughout the State. We are also drawing to the end of implementing the Recreational Fishing marketing plan which is due for completion in March 2010.

Anglers will have noticed the new license code format and “take a mate” fishing promotion and you will all see improved communication from the IFS throughout the year. AAT has been actively assisting the IFS with all these changes and from August onwards there will be a monthly electronic newsletter and a three times a year paper which will keep anglers abreast of all things in the fresh water fishery. In association with Gin Clear Media AAT has marketed the State’s fishery in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Aust and Western Aust and this has provided a significant boost to the IFS’s data base to enable more effective marketing communication. 2010 will see the continuation of this marketing representation but with Tasmania’s own film footage which we have now completed and will be produced by December. AAT, through the marketing plan have been able to assist in a number of angling tournaments throughout the year and will do so again in 2010. Our role is one of facilitation and AAT has no management or financing role in any of these tournaments. Given the always precarious levels of IFS funding and an aging Tasmanian population AAT believes that it is essential that visitor angling numbers increase for the good ongoing good of the IFS. The Junior Anglers Programme is now complete and the necessary collateral delivered to the IFS and clubs interested in involvement will soon be contacted by them so that the programme can get underway.

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Our web site www.fishingtasmania.net is increasing steadily in content and this will continue over the next 12 months and include an AAT forum. AAT has appreciated the support of the STLAA and particularly that of vice Chairman Terry Byard, throughout the year as balancing the views and opinions of the whole angling fraternity is no easy task.

The support of all anglers is essential to the ongoing success of your peak representative body in our efforts to ensure the sustainability of the IFS and Tasmania’s fresh water fishery. Richard C. Dax (Consultant Executive Officer)

Peter Finch 4X4 PARTS SALES SERVICE

HOBART

Peter Bonavia Phone: 6273 3480

1/481 Main Road, GLENORCHY Mobile: 0419 337 619

W/Shop Mb: 0407 325 376 Fax: 6273 3484

SOMERSET Leigh Walters

Phone: 6435 1884 24 Wragg Street, SOMERSET

Mobile: 0408 178 361 Fax: 6435 2696

www.peterfinch4wd.com.au

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IFAC Report - Reflections Season 2008/2009

our meetings of the Inland Fisheries Advisory Council were held during

the year. The issue that dominated discussion during the year was the threat to our fishery caused by the continuing drought conditions throughout the state. The last two years have seen Hydro storages reach unprecedented low levels with many waters being subject to severe environmental risks. Low water levels at Lakes Crescent and Sorell have seen trout removed from Lake Crescent in an attempt to save golden galaxia and predictions that the lake could dry. Tooms Lake and Lake Leake on the east coast reached dangerously low levels (below 20%) restricting fishing access with algal blooms in Tooms Lake. In the south Craigbourne Dam’s level dropped to less than 5%. At the time of writing this report, thankful, parts of the state are experiencing floods and many Hydro storages are spilling. The Minister’s announcement of the government plan to drought-proof the state by constructing twelve irrigation projects, in particular the plan to use water from Arthurs Lake for the Midlands Water Scheme, resulted in concern being expressed by anglers across the state. As a result a special IFAC meeting was held to consider the concerns being expressed by anglers. The outcome of the meeting was advice to the Minister that there was a need for anglers to have input into the development of plans and operational rules for the proposed irrigation schemes

and that minimum environmental levels be established. Following advice from the board the Minister announced the establishment of an Irrigation Anglers working group chaired by the IFAC chairman comprising a representative from IFAC, Inland Fisheries Service, Hydro Tas, Tasmanian Irrigation Development Board, Department of Primary Industry and Anglers Alliance with terms of reference to • Be informed of potential irrigation

projects and their progress. • Impacts that projects will have on

water management arrangements. • Articulate how angler interests ought

to be included in the complex balance that will need to be struck in the operating rules developed for the new irrigation projects.

Two meetings of the working group have now been held with a productive exchange of information and constructive input by all the participants. I would like to express my thanks for the contribution of all IFAC members in particular Ashley Artis, Pheroze Jungalwalla and Laura Vandenberg whose terms expired in February 2009 and I welcome new members Phillip Cooper, Michael Bidwell, and Robyn Lewis who have been appointed by Minister Llewellyn. John Cleary - Chairman Inland Fisheries Advisory Council

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17

STLAA Reports STLAA Executive

OFFICE BEARERS 2008-2009

POSTAL ADDRESS: GPO Box 159 Hobart 7001

PATRON: Mr Bob Ward

PRESIDENT: Mr Norm Cribbin VICE PRESIDENT: Mr Bernard Creed

SECRETARY: Mr Louis Molnar

HONORARY TREASURER: Mr Neil Pinkard

HONORARY HISTORIAN: Mr Ray Aitchison

AAT DELEGATES: Mr Norm Cribbin, Mr Terry Byard & Mr Neil Pinkard

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Messers Norm Cribbin, Louis Molnar, Neil Pinkard, Laurie Harrison and Don Emery

CLUB DELEGATES:

Australian Polish Tom Hazi, Bob Ilic Bothwell Anglers Shane Jones, James Whittaker Bridgewater Anglers Bernard Creed Clarence Licensed Anglers Norm Cribbin, Neil Pinkard Huon Anglers Rob Chandler, David Roberts Kingborough Anglers Association Tom Kruiswijk, Ivan Brinklow Lake Pedder Anglers Laurie Harrison Maydena Anglers Club Bill Cornelius, Don Emery New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Duncan Hughes, Justin Causby Tarraleah/Bronte Anglers Jenny Beard, Anthony Jones

LIFE MEMBERS:

E.T. Smith 1970 A. Maclaine 1979 Mrs J. Walker 1981 C. Smith 1983 R. Cairns 1983 K. Morley 1983 D. Lynch 1983

R. Ryder 1983 C. Bourke 1985 L. Ward 1987 B. Creed 1992 P. Lowe 1992 R. Aitchison 1995 K. Jones 1999

D. Cranfield 1999 R. Bradshaw 2002 T. Byard 2004 L. Harrison 2008 K. Hansson 2008

ANGLING CERTIFICATE AWARDS:

R. Bradshaw 2000 P. Woods 2000 L. Datlen 2000 K. Hanson 2000 W. Knight 2000 N. Cribbin 2001 B. Sherriff 2001 D. Triffitt 2001 T. Sutton 2001 W. Seabrook 2002 N. Pinkard 2002

F. Johnson 2002 J. Bluett 2003 B. Jordan 2004 E. Aitchison 2004 K. Walker 2004 B. Johnston 2004 M. Sherriff 2004 R. Walker 2004 D. Cranfield 2004 D. Driver 2005 P. Richards 2005

K. Russell 2005 M. Russell 2005 H. Chivers 2005 M. Pinkard 2006 R. Aitchison 2006 S. Granger 2007 B. Andrew 2007 J. Barratt 2007 B. Barratt 2007 M. Harrison 2008

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STLAA President’s Report

t is with much pleasure that I present my first Presidents Report for the

2008/09 angling year. Firstly I must thank the immediate past President, Terry Byard for his excellent stewardship of the Association during his ten years as STLAA President. Terry’s contribution has made stepping into the role as President for me personally a much easier task. Over his ten years as President he has consolidated the Association into a cohesive and relevant group supporting angling in Tasmania. Terry has now taken on the role within the Executive of Anglers alliance Tasmania (AAT) and therefore will continue his contribution to angling in Tasmania. The past year has seen another season of solid performance and contribution by the Association, ably backed by our member clubs. It is the continued collective commitment of the Clubs that makes our Association strong and this commitment has continued and strengthened throughout season 2008-09. Through the Association, Clubs continue to support each other through difficult times and this strengthens the ties between us all. Of note are the contributions by Lake Pedder with the “Back to Pedder Competition”, New Norfolk Anglers hosting the season opening event on the Derwent River and Clarence Anglers efforts with the IFS Free Fish Day at Norley Dam. The peak body, Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) continues to make great strides in implementing its agenda of improving angler access and facilities, the rolling out of uniform and improved angler information sign posting across the State and the development of its recreational fishing and angler marketing plan. AAT has been able to attract major

funding grants for these reforms and the STLAA continues to support AAT's agenda. On the wider front it is heartening to here that our north western counterpart the NWFA, are again becoming involved with AAT following a number of years of estrangement. This re-engagement will only continue to strengthen the angling structure in Tasmania particularly at a time when our most valuable resource, water is under pressure from various fronts. The Association's social events for the year were again highly successful and well attended. I thank the members for their support and the Executive will continue to ensure that our social program is in line with member expectations. I would particularly like to thank our sponsors, many of whom who have been supporting the Association for a number of years. Hydro Tasmania has kindly supported our local publication, Trout, since its inception. Stormy Australia, J Boag and Sons, Spot on Fishing Connection and Bridges Bros. have been great supporters of our social events and activities program. Advertisers have also played a key role in making Trout possible. To all these groups I say thank you, for without your generous support much of our activity would not be possible On the fishing front, I think many would agree that the season had its ups and downs. We saw some good early season activity but then the hotter weather and low levels of many waters took their toll resulting in inconsistent hatches and returns. Surprisingly, there was some good dry fly fishing very late in the season, particularly on some of the lakes and midland rivers. Arthurs Lake, Tooms Lake, Lake Leake and

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Craigbourne Dam to name a few were waters significantly impacted by the dry conditions. I am sure that all anglers sincerely hope that there is some serious recovery from the present situation in the not too distant future. I would like to thank the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) for its support of the STLAA and its activities. The STLAA has strongly endorsed the work of the IFS and its predecessor organization since fisheries management came under the control of government in the 1950's and over this time, our Association has developed a friendly and supportive relationship which continues today. I

know that this will continue into the future. Lastly, I would like to say thank you to Club Delegates for their participation and support and Executive Committee members Neil, Laurie, Don and Louis for all of the extra hours. A thank you also goes to our Patron Bob Ward and STLAA Historian Ray Aitchison for your continued commitment. I wish all members and their family’s great outings and tight lines for the season ahead. Norm Cribbin – STLAA President

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Club Reports Australian Polish Anglers Club

ello from the Aus – Pol anglers club, there is a outline of last

season detailed below. Competitions were well attended this season and some good bags of fish were taken by members, but they had to work quite hard for them as fish numbers appear to be down on previous seasons. The competitions were held over 7 weekend trips and included the Derwent River, Lake Binney, Wayatinah Lagoon, Lake Echo and Lake Pedder. There were some good size fish taken from all trips but at Lake Binney, 1 in every 7 trout was 1kg or over and at an average size of over 600g (and throw in some rogue salmon) made for a fantastic weekend out. The Christmas BBQ was held at Tolosa Park and there was a good turnout by members, family and friends, which all

contributes to a great day, which I think, was had by all that attended. Once again the club catered for the STLAA dinner which was held at the Polish Club at Newtown and according to feedback, everyone had a very full stomach when they left and thoroughly enjoyed their meal. So I would like to say thank you to all that were involved in the very successful night. Well done. Last of all I would like to thank all of our hard working committee members for their time and effort throughout the season and again thank our sponsors for their support, and remember, if we support them, they support us. Thanks to all, and good luck next season. Bob Ilic - President

Here are some stats for the 08-09 Year: Location Number of fish Bag weight

(kg) Average

Weight (g) Anglers

Derwent River 30 15.740 524 20 Derwent River 61 31.655 .520 17 Lake Binney 41 25.647 .625 14 Wayatinah Lagoon 69 31.870 .461 20 Lake Echo 50 25.915 .518 14 Lake Pedder 18 8.700 .483 6 Lake Echo 12 6.665 .555 8 TOTALS 281 146.192 .520 99

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President: Bob Ilic Secretary: Kristel Banaisik Treasurer: Rodney Haigh Postal Address: 486 Lachlan Rd Lachlan 7140 Contact: Ph 6261 3711 Meetings: 2nd Wednesday Monthly

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Bothwell Angling Club

he season went quickly and I hope that all of you had some good trips

and even better catches. I would sincerely like to thank all our Executive office bearers, patron, delegates, weigh in stewards and all those who have attended meetings, competitions and helped out in many different ways when needed. Pam Jones remains as our Secretary (a job that not many will take on), Felicity Jones Treasurer, Shayne Jones and James Whittaker as delegates, Mark Whittaker and Harold Chivers as proxy delegates and Andre Datlen as Vice President. A club is not a club without support such as this. Our Annual Dinner and Presentation Evening was held last July with an enjoyable night had by all our members, their families and our official guests. Members also attended and represented the club at the STLAA dinner enjoying another good dinner and evening. At our dinner Pam Jones was presented with her life membership. Pam is our secretary and has held this position since 2006, one of these years she held the secretary/treasurer position when our treasurer had to resign because of other commitments. Before this, Pam was treasurer for 6 years she also filled our social organizer position for 3 years. Pam first joined the club in 1979 and she has been a continuous member since 1995. In this time she has always helped the club in any way possible from organizing raffles, dinners, fun fish days and has only missed a handful of meetings. All the members would like to thank Pam for her contribution to the club, it is greatly appreciated.

We have had our usual competition weekends, most of these have had good nominations with some good sizes catches. Our 5th competition saw 17 nominated members weigh in 47 fish with the total weight of 40.569kg. We also held our annual Fun Fish on the 3151 of January at Arthur's Lake. The family barbecue, weigh-in and drawing of the raffle and nomination prize ended this enjoyable day at Pumphouse Bay. 16 members also enjoyed the interclub challenge at New Norfolk and plan to return and hopefully catch more fish. The clubs monthly meetings are held on every second Thursday, it would be good to see some new faces even if you can only attend some of the meetings, either to put forward your ideas to the club or find out what is happening at club and STLAA level. New members welcome. We donated a book for Anzac Day, this is laid at the local cenotaph and then goes to the Bothwell Area School library. We also made a donation to Camp Quality at the inter-club challenge at New Norfolk. A very special thank you must go to all our sponsors, without their continued support, some over many years our events such as our presentation dinner would not be the success that it is. A list of these sponsors goes to all members and their support is greatly appreciated. Thank you to the Central Highlands Council for the use of the hall, club rooms and in kind support such as photocopying. A thank you also goes to all property owners who allow anglers to access some of the best fishing in the world.

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President: Leanne Datlen Secretary: Pam Jones Treasurer: Felicity Jones P.O. Box 44 Bothwell 7030 Ph 03 6259 8373

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We have 13 new members, 2 being juniors and with low water levels 81 more fish were weighed in by our members than last season. Congratulations to all our trophy

winners, these will be announced at our Dinner and good luck for the coming season. Leanne Datlen - President

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Bridgewater Anglers Association

t is with much pleasure that I present the President's Report for 2008/09

angling year. My previous five year term as President commenced in 1993/94 when the then IPC was to undergo massive review in existence, organisation and funding and talk was rife that it was to be swallowed up in Government Departments. We weathered that storm. Today and in recent times it has been the drought and water management plans but more importantly it is to ensure that this Club continues to be a fishing club that is strong, viable and enjoyable, its members go fishing and many are available with drive and commitment to continue and build its heritage. Our thanks go out to Club stalwarts Bernard Creed and Terry Byard. Bernard and Terry have given long and distinguished service as Presidents of the STLAA, Terry recently retiring after ten years. His leadership, passion and commitment to his loved sport has guided fishing, the IPS, marketing and water management into what it is today. Our thanks also go out to our retiring President David Goss for his four years of hard work in the Chair, highlighted with the finalisation of the Club Shack upgrade and land purchase at Dago Point Lake Sorell, the securing of a $4,900 grant from the Department of Sport and Recreation for this upgrade and ensuring the Club remained in a sound financial position. Our thanks also go out to our retiring Treasurer Royce Jessup for six years dedicated service. Royce's commitment and rigour has seen the Clubs finances being managed in a very professional manner with the introduction of a budget and quarterly performance. Royce also initiated and established our Club web site. To all

these Members on behalf of the Club. Thank You. The Club records with sadness the passing of Cyril Gard (19-3-1918 - 28-8-2008).Cyril was one of a core of members that lived in the Old Beach area. Cyril was an active member for many years and served on the Committee for six years. (82/83 - 88/89). He was one of the gang that for many years was on Bridgewater Bridge at one minute past twelve for the opening of the Season following our Friday night AGM. The Club had a very active programme during the season including seven General Meetings and nine competition weekends or days. General Meetings were well attended (average 16). Speakers included Tom Crawford (Fishing Connection) and Alistair Creed on soft plastic fishing; Tim Farell (IFS) Derwent River Monitoring Programme and Regional Fishery Management Plan, Robert Bradshaw’s slide show of the Western Lakes and other Tas. Walking tracks, Alex Green From Spot On describing his recent bone fishing expedition to Christmas Island, and Malcolm Riley from the Bureau of Meteorology - weather issues that concern fishermen. Competitions were attended by the usual core of members. The best being the weekend and day competitions on Derwent in August (31 attended) and September; Huon - October (14 anglers, 15 fish caught); Arthurs - October (19 anglers, 87 fish); Arthurs - January (10 anglers, 40 fish mostly from Woods Lake); Dee - St. Clair - March (6 anglers, 26 fish).

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President: David Goss Secretary: Gary Chaffey Treasurer: Royce Jessup STLAA Delegates – Bernard Creed Meetings: Last Tuesday of each month except January & June - wetfly@tasmail.com

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Competition summary: 208 fish caught, 150 kg, average 0.721 kg. Social events included the usual Christmas barbecue at Tolosa Reserve, back to Sorell gourmet meals and the Bradshaw Cremorne barbecue. The Club continued its community work within the Brighton Municipality with the annual clean up of rubbish at the Bridgewater boat ramp, Wood's and Mason Point. The Club was involved in a six week free fishing course for thirty students from Bridgewater schools. The course was run in conjunction with Jordon River Service, The Veterans and PCYC at the new jetty recently constructed at Masons Point. "Knot tying, casting, how to exaggerate the size of fish as well as some responsible fishing eduction have all been part of Wednesday night fun." Said John Klug Brighton Council community liaison officer. "drag kids away from computers and into the fresh air." "Its about getting kids outdoors and doing something that's traditionally Australian" and future new club members. Thanks to Angus Maclaine, Bob Ward, John Bluett and John Talyor The Club shack working bee was very interesting this year apart from the usual wood brigade it created plenty of fun and comradeship. We undertook the demolishing of a two cell treated pine toilet block at Dago Point on behalf of Parks and wildlife Service. In exchange for this work Parks donated the materials. This enabled us to re erect with some modification a magnificent shelter shed (house) for our outside barbecue area slab that was already in place. Our thanks to John Steele for the idea and all the gang who attended the working bee and subsequent week end. To our guest speakers, trophy donors, members of committees, participants at

working bees, material and fund donors I on behalf on the Club extend thanks and gratitude. In closing thanks to the Secretary Gary Chaffy for all his hard work, Treasurer Royce once again, STLAA delegate Bernard Creed, Weigh persons Noel and Jane Bester, shack booking officer Angus Maclaine and all the Committee and Members for their hard work and support for a very successful year. Good rains (had some) and tight lines for Season 2009 - 10. Peter Wood - President

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Clarence Licensed Anglers Club

he 2008-2009 season has been another fantastic season for the

Clarence club. Our club has remained steady with membership this season but also picked up several new members along the way. I would like to welcome these new members and hope they get as much out of the club as myself. The club has again been involved in many activities through out the year including the New Norfolk Anglers competition on opening weekend, Free Fish Day at Norley Dam, casting championships at Cressy and the Liawenee Open weekend. Our club has also had several field trips and club events for the year. The field trips this year have been very well attended with a couple of new locations added at the member's request. The fish numbers caught are down again for the season as has been the lake levels at some our more popular locations. The challenge for the 2009-2010 season is to get more members on these field trips and club events. In September the club held a trip to the Cressy Trout Expo. The club entered a team in the Fly casting championships. I would like to congratulate Neil Pinkard for picking up an individual 3rd place in the wet fly accuracy casting. November saw the club again involved in Free Fish Day at Norley Dam. Norm Cribbin along with Catch Toy & Leisure gained us the use of Norley Dam and the Inland Fisheries kindly stocked the dam with over 200 rainbows. A fair proportion of the fish been caught by young anglers from the Catch Cubs that were experiencing trout fishing for the first time and maybe the odd one caught by club members.

In February saw Alex Smith and Charlie Harris move the One Fly, One Lure event from Meadowbank to Arthurs Lake hopefully to lift the numbers of fish caught and the attendance at the competition. This was very successful with Lyn Simmons taking out the One Lure trophy. This is a first time a female has won this competition. The One Fly trophy was won by Neil Pinkard the competition was again a fantastic success. I would like to thank Charlie and Alex for organising this event year after year. The end of the season again rolled around too fast and the annual fundraising weekend was on again at Liawenee. The funds raised from this weekend all go into the kitty so we can one day erect a shack on our block at Arthurs Lake. I would like to thank all the members involved in making this weekend a success, as your on going support of these fundraising events all goes towards the building of our club shack for the members enjoyment. Our club dinner this season had the biggest turn out I have seen in years. The main highlight of the night was again the annual presentation of the Ace Award. This award is presented to the club member who has committed the craziest act for the season. Congratulations go to Leigh Garth. Leigh mainly won due to waking up to go fishing early one morning. Then waking her husband Scott and telling him to hurry up and get ready to go. This is when Leigh realized the power had gone off and the alarm clock was actually flashing. Instead of been 5 am it was actually 2am. I would like to thank Norm Cribbin and Neil Pinkard for their on going work

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President: Timothy Holloway Secretary: Neil Pinkard Treasurer: Warwick Bonney Postal Address: PO Box 281 Rosny Park 7018 Contact: 0408 144 587 Email: norm.cribbin@hydro.com.au

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with the STLAA Executive this season. Norm this season stepped up to take over the president position which for along time was held by Terry Byard. I would like to thank the club committee for their on going support and work they do for club each season. I would also like to thank them for running meetings and club events I have been unable to attend this season. I would also like to thank all the club members who quietly work behind the scenes to help the club.

In closing I hope the 2009-20 I 0 season will be another fantastic chapter in the Clarence anglers club history. I would like to encourage all members to get along to club events and field trip~ this season, not only for the fishing but they are a great way to make new friends and fishing buddies. Finally I would like to wish every one tight lines for the coming season and hopefully we will see waters rise in some of our popular fishing locations. Tim Holloway - President

Season Awards Trophy Location Angler Fish Method Weight Heaviest Fish for Season - Senior Men (Trout)

Derwent River

Stephen Granger Brown Lure 2.60 kg

Heaviest Fish for Season - Senior Women (Trout)

Cheryl Wagner Brown Lure 1.34 kg

Heaviest Fish Field Trip (AC Walker Memorial Trophy)

Vince Coyte Brown Fly 2.01 kg

Club Member Award Alan Shaw "ACE" Award Leigh Garth One Fly Perpetual Trophy

Arthurs Lake Neil Pinkard Brown Fly 0.78 kg

One Lure Perpetual Trophy

Arthurs Lake Lynn Simmons Brown Lure 0.34 kg

Heaviest Atlantic Salmon for Season

Derwent River

Norm Cribbin Atlantic Salmon

Lure 1.04 kg

Consistent Angler Norm Cribbin 246 Points

Field Trip Awards Date Location Angler Fish Method Weight 02/08/2008 Derwent River Adrian Tanner Brown Lure 0.890 kg 13/09/2008 Derwent River Stephen Granger Brown Lure 1.795 kg 11/10/2008 Lake Echo Norm Cribbin Brown Plastic 0.980 kg 23/10/2008 Woods Lake Norm Cribbin Brown Fly 1.245 kg 15/11/2008 Huon River Andrew Simmons Brown Lure 0.360 kg 22/11/2008 Woods Lake Vince Coyte Brown Fly 2.010 kg 05/12/2008 Arthurs Lake Vince Coyte Brown Fly 1.140 kg 10/01/2009 Lake St Clair Adrian Tanner Brown Lure 0.530 kg 26/01/2009 Lake Burbury Vince Coyte Rainbow Fly 0.815 kg 07/02/2009 Bronte Lagoon Neil Pinkard Rainbow Fly 0.760 kg 21/02/2009 Arthurs Lake Lynn Simmons Brown Lure 1.203 kg 08/03/2009 Lake Pedder Simon Hadbolt Brown Lure 1.070 kg 21/03/2009 Great Lake Andrew Simmons Brown Fly 1.200 kg 02/05/2009 Tungatinah Cheryl Wagner Brown Lure 0.830 kg 06/06/2009 Lake Meadowbank David Driver Brown Lure 0.165 kg

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Huon Licensed Anglers Association

ts that time of year again, the annual dinner is not far away and the new

trout season is fast approaching. I remember writing this last year thinking and hoping for more rain in the coming 12mths for our rivers and especially our lakes. At this point in time it looks like we may be getting it, with a very wet start to our winter. I visited Arthurs Lake early in the season this year and was very surprised at the lake level. My usual fishing spots were nothing but mud. Now to the Huon. The largest fish caught this year for our club was by member Luke Woolley, a nice rainbow of 4.450kg coming from Bradys Lake. This year 49 Atlantic Salmon were weighed in. (Down from 126 last year) All of those (as far as I know) coming from the Huon River (and some surrounding rivers). The average weight of those was a quite hefty 2.128kg (up from last years average 2.083kg. ) Comparing to our trout weighed in –364 (up from 228 last year) with an average weight of 0.854kg (very close to last years average of 0.862kg). Some interesting figures there. We again held weekends away (Arthurs Lake, Lake Burbury and Lake Pedder) and trout in the above total came largely from the Huon and surrounding rivers - as well as from Arthurs Lake, Lake Burbury, Lake Pedder (giving up quite a few this year) and Great Lake.

Our shack again was well used this year, a number of new members joining to take advantage of our great facilities. Thanks to all involved in shack maintenance this year and our recent working bee. The shack is looking smarter than ever and it even has a second toilet now!!! The club also held its annual casting competition. Once again it proved to be a very popular and fun day. The day was again held at member Rob Chandlers lovely property in Crabtree. It involved fly casting and lure casting at targets to test our skills and casting accuracy. Or at least what we thought were skills. Again quite a few club members tried their hand at fly casting doing quite well. Proving that is not nearly as hard as you think to get started in fly fishing. Although a little practice during the year rather than 5mins before the competition might help next year!! The lure casting also proved to be harder of the two disciplines. Events and well deserving winners were: Open Dry Fly: 1st Rob Chandler 2nd Leigh Martin 3rd Larry Paul Open Plug casting: 1st Larry Paul 2nd Barry Page 3rd Mark Woolley Novice Dry Fly: 1st Leina Riley 2nd Craig Woolley 3rd Tricia Woolley

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President: Leigh Martin Secretary: Patricia Woolley Postal Address: 29 Tunbridge Rd Glen Huon Contact: Ph 0428 660 130 Meetings: Monthly

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Novice Plug Casting 1st Carol Woolley 2nd Tricia Woolley A HUGE thankyou must go to our sponsors who helped make it a great day (and a great year for our club), Rod and

Range of Glenorchy, Mike Tennar of Rod and Fly of Mountain River, Aurora Energy and Griggs Butchers of Huonville. Leigh Martin - President

30

Kingborough Anglers Association

his past season has been a very good one both for the Club and for the

members. The field weekends have been very well attended and we have been rewarded with some of the best fishing that Bronte Lagoon has seen for years. The opening weekend and subsequent field day at Bronte resulted in the biggest catches that I can remember even though the majority of the fish were caught by the two boats that stayed and fished Bronte rather than trying further a field. We learned our lesson for the next field trip and all stayed at Bronte. The trip to Woods Lake was productive but the best fishing day of the Season was the Sunday morning in January at the Arthurs Lake Weekend.. After the mist lifted we were treated to schools of trout approaching the boats eager to eat anything that moved! A sight we may never see again. Congratulation go to James McIlhenny for taking out the trophy for the total season aggregate of fish and to Tom Kruiswijk for the best conditioned fish. The Working Bee and Gourmet Dinner were both well attended and productive. A new kitchen was installed including a new hot water system. This year we hired a wood splitter to save the aching backs and we managed to build a new woodshed and cut enough wood to last for many years to come. Once again the Gourmet Dinner resulted in a large range of appetising dishes. The fly tying weekend at the Shack prior to the season opening was great fun with

fishing videos to watch , flies to tie and a portable aquarium to see what critters live in the Bronte waters. Thanks to Glen for organising it. Once again the K.A.A team won the One Fly Competition, well done Tom, David, Rob and Phill. The Annual Dinner was another success. Numbers were good and we raised a lot of money for the Club and again my thanks to Frank Hussey for most of the fund raising side of things. It was decided that we should retire some of the older trophies so the trophy for the season aggregate of fish was renamed the Hayden Spencer Trophy in honour of our weigh master of many years service. Congratulations to all the field day winners and Club trophy winners. I would like to thank Wayne Seabrook for his invaluable assistance as Club Secretary and also Chris Edie for his good work as the Treasurer. Congratulations go to James McIllenny for the Scholes Trophy for service to the Club and also to Greg Atkins who won the Presidents Trophy for all the work he did during the year and especially for overseeing the installation of the new kitchen. With a bit more water about I am looking forward to the commencement of another good season and the continued friendship of all the members. Peter Thompson - President

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President: Graham Davis Secretary: Wayne Seabrook Postal Address: GPO Box 242 Kingston 7050 Contact: Ph 62 672 556 Meetings: Last Thursday of month.

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32

Lake Pedder Anglers Club

s the new president of the club I welcome you to this year’s

competition. This year is even bigger than the last and that seems to have been the trend for a number of years now. We welcome once again Camp Quality Families to our competition and from the club we hope that you have an enjoyable time with us. I would like to thank the following the outgoing committee, especially Don Camm and Mick Corner as without their dedication and commitment the competition would not be as large as it is today. All of our sponsors and to Dan and his team at the Lake Pedder Chalet for all their help and assistance in making Back to Pedder 2008 as good as it was. Thanks must go to a very small but active club committee to Mike Stevens, Vic & Steve from IFS, Roy Bennett (Vic) Wayne Perkins, Barry Hickman, and Bruce Williams for their assistance with Camp Quality families at Back to Pedder 2008. The prize list has grown again this year and we have made some changes with daily prizes given out at the end of each daily weigh in. There will also be random prizes given out during each weigh in with the condition that the winner must be present at the draw otherwise the prizes will be re-drawn. We the committee has decided to have a number of Major prizes which will be won by way of a random draw from all names entered in the competition again ; with the added condition that the winner

must be present at the draw on Monday 26th otherwise the prize(s) will be re-drawn. We would appreciate your feedback and value your suggestion on any changes we have made, as this helps us to plan in the future. All anglers please make sure that you have all the necessary safety equipment onboard your boats, and ensure that you abide by the rules as laid down by MAST. Take care if fishing from the shore as the water depth changes constantly and remember to be sun safe. Finally, on behalf of the committee, I would like to thank all our sponsors for 2009 both big and small for their support and I would personally like to thank all the committee members who put in countless hours preparing for this event and will put in many more during and after the competition. I would like to say a big thanks to Mandy, Bradley and Daphne for their patience and assistance. Also to Nigel Heaven and Carla Hogan of PMM Real Estate for their great contribution to our booklet and the work they have done behind the scenes. Any queries can be directed to me or to any other committee members. So enjoy the weekend and safe fishing. Laurie Harrison – President

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President: Laurie Harrison Treasurer – Don Camm Postal Address: 63 Giblin Street Lenah Valley 7008 Contact: 6278 1454 Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of month

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Phone: 03 6289 1143

Mobile: 0438 725 562

lakeboathire@bigpond.com

www.boathiretasmania.com

34

Maydena Anglers Club

nother season has come to an end and the 25 or more members have

not done much fishing, mainly due to a lack of competitions conducted by the Club. In the coming season, 2009 - 20.10, we hope to do a bit more, with at least one member and hopefully more, taking part in the annual Wigston Memorial competition at Bronte. The Club has elected a new Treasurer, Tony Richardson, who I am sure will do an excellent job. Together with the help of others on the Committee, the staging

of some interesting competitions and social gatherings, should keep all members happy throughout the coming year. In closing, I would like to thank our members and the committee for their support during the 2008 - 2009 Season and wish you well, for an enjoyable year ahead. "Tight Lines for the 2009-2010 Season." Don Emery – President

Photographs of days gone by at Lake Pedder

Ken Nichals – Scotts Peak Dam 1978

Don Emery – Lake Pedder 1978

Angling party at Edgar Dam

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President: Don Emery Secretary – Carolyne Mapley Postal Address: C/O Post Office Maydena 7140 Contact: 6288 2234 or 6254 1374

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New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association

s another fishing season comes to an end I hope everyone had a

successful time on the water chasing the wily Tassie trout around the various waters across our state. What a big start to the season it was for our club with the successful running of the Derwent River Intra-club Competition during the opening weekend. Luckily we had magnificent weather to accompany this event and it was good to see so many anglers from other STLAA clubs turn up, with many of them taking home a prize from the fisherman’s prize draw. On the water the competition was fierce with some superb trout being weighed in by all the clubs. With a little local knowledge the New Norfolk club just scrapped in for the win. The NNLAA would again like to thank the sponsors of this competition including Norske Skog, Eastern Shore Marine, Wigstons Sports, Spot On, Rod ‘n’ Range and Repco. Another great coo for the club was the establishment of a junior angling pond with the help of Bushy Park Estates, Inland Fisheries Service and the Derwent Valley Council. The club held two successful events here during the course of the season with heaps of kids turning up and having a great time learning how to fish with most of them landing at least one trout and having a ball doing it. I must again thank the club members who helped out with the above mentioned events but also for another clean up day at the Windsor’s Corner redevelopment site and running the weigh-in at the Eddie Wigston Memorial Trout Fishing Competition at Bronte Park Highland Village.

The club meetings are the third Wednesday of each month at the New Norfolk Library from 7:30pm and have been well attended during the course of the season by the committee members. The Christmas BBQ was also well attended by club members and their families. It was great to see so many faces and Santa Claus even managed to drop by with a sack full of presents for the kids. The club’s membership has nearly tripled this season thanks to the opening weekend competition and the junior angling pond both up and running, which is a great result for all the hard work the committee has put in to run these events. During the course of the season the club held 9 rostered competitions with 365 entries (270seniors & 95 juniors) weighing in a total of 453 fish with a total weight of 340.155kg at an average weight of 751 grams. The number of anglers entering the rostered competitions was up on last season as well as the number of fish caught and the average weight with some impressive fish being weighed in including 1 fish over 7kgs, 3 fish over 4kgs and another 3 over 3kgs and numerous fish weighing between 1-2kgs. More impressive fish were weighed in during the course of the season through our monthly competitions 47 fish over the 1kg mark including 1 fish over 7kg, 1over 6kg, 3 over 5kg, 2 over 4kg, 4 over 3kg and another 4 over 2kg. In total there was 10 fish weighed in at 4.5kg (10 pound in the old scale) or better during the season.

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President: Tim Lowe Secretary: Elaine Aitchison Treasurer: Ray Aitchison Post: 14 Warner Ave. New Norfolk 7140 Contact: Elaine Aitchison – Phone 6261 4083 Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of each month at the IFS Offices

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Overall it has been a pretty triumphant year for the club and once again I must thank the committee & the members for their efforts in making it the season that it was. Tim Lowe – President.

OBITUARY Ken Russell

Passed away 21st May 2001

Ken’s name first appears in the New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association’s records as a competition entrant in 1981. He was elected to the Committee in 1991, as was his wife, Mavis, and they were still serving Committee members at the time of Ken’s death. Over this period Ken rarely missed attending meetings and hardly missed entering the Club’s rostered competitions, having more than his share of success. Ken also attended most

projects and working bees over the past 20 years, usually being the first to volunteer. Ken and Mavis also served, for many years, on the Committee of the Upper Derwent Anglers Club, for the past few years Ken was President and Mavis as Secretary, they were also the major fund raisers for that Club. Ken Russell will be sadly missed by his family and these two Clubs, members like Ken are rare.

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G O LF A LL SPO RTS

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Features & Special Reports A Day on Dee Lagoon by The Woolley Bugger

t was a couple of days before the start of the Eddie Wigston Memorial

Competition in March when my fishing partner and myself were deciding on a destination we were going to fish for the weekend. After much discussion we decided to fish the Dee Lagoon, a challenging water but the rewards of a quality fish was the reasoning behind our choice. We set out Friday night to sleep in the 4WD at the Brownie Bay boat ramp. Saturday morning we were early rise to be on the water before day break to chase the midging trout in the wind lanes. We found a nice wind lane out in the main stretch off Brownie Bay with my fishing partner using small midge imitations on the fly while I tried a couple of wets on a sinking line to whip past the nose of a trout to induce a strike. I had read about this method in an angling book and thought I would give it a go as midge fishing can be a very frustrating affair to say the least. After about an hour of no luck and the sun starting to rise over the Lagoon I finally hooked up on the wet fly and eventually landed a nice rainbow of 1.3kg. With the sun on the western shore tree line the fish were working hard up the wind lane and we were casting to multiple risers before the sun would hit the water and send them down until later in the morning. A nice fish was working along side the boat and my partner put a Jassid Beetle pattern just in the right spot. The rainbow moved up a gently sucked it in. The fish unfortunately was facing directly at the boat when it took the imitation and after a lengthy pause and a rather cautious strike there was no hook up this time.

As the sun climbed and temperature started to rise we moved up to Mentmore Bay and waited to see if any fish were working in the shallows and as luck would have it we found a couple of fish on top still mopping up the evenings insect life. I changed to a dry fly set up and my fishing partner changed his flies and then we started to chase these fish which was proven to be tricky with a couple of refusals in the glass calm conditions. We were also very appreciative of the trout guide that ventured into the top bay with two clients, did a lap around us before leaving (thankfully before the fishing started to heat up). Once a breeze picked up and put a ripple on the water my fishing buddy hooked up and landed a brown of 900g on a Bibio Hopper. The wind started to really pick up from the NW so we decided to just drift out of Mentmore Bay and down the shore when we started to notice a few gum beetles falling out of the trees and this when the action really picked up like we had never seen in the Dee Lagoon before. With our gum beetle patterns on you could just sit and watch the fish moving up into the wind and sipping gum beetles off the surface. As soon as they were in casting range set your fly on the water and they would just come up and sip it down and the fun started. With the sun at our backs drifting with the wind trout could be spotted some 50m from the boat in the crystal clear water. It’s a remarkable sight and the anticipation builds as you wait for the trout to reach ‘the zone’. A couple of eager strikes missed a couple of early fish. A gentle lift of the rod was the right method today and every hook was set from there on in.

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Talk about being in the right spot at the right time as the fishing was incredible for about the next 3 hours with 9 fish landed and a few lucky ones getting away from us it was just an extraordinary afternoon. Both browns and rainbows were in the bag with the browns fighting dirty by diving into the weed beds and really struggling to get them out to the rainbows putting on a magnificent aerial display in a day not to be forgotten. The fished all were in great

condition and all weighed between 1-1.4kg. Dee Lagoon can be a frustrating fishery at times but under the right conditions as we experienced it can truly be one of the best and most rewarding fisheries in the state. One of the best afternoons we have enjoyed on the water for many years and will probably be hard to top for some time.

The 17th Annual Eddie Wigston Memorial by Ray Aitchison

The 17th Annual Eddie Wigston Memorial Trout Fishing Contest March 21st -22nd 2009

he third weekend of March is a popular time in the Bronte Park

region with many anglers descending on the surrounding lakes for the annual Eddie Wigston Memorial trout Fishing Contest. Now in its 17th year the competition is still held in high regard and many anglers return to the event that they have entered every year since commencing in 1992. The 17th event saw the organising committee implement several changes to the prize structure. Major prizes were awarded in the past to the team with the heaviest bag of trout for the two day competition. This year the three main prizes previously presented to the winning team were entered in to the Fisherman’s Pie Prize Draw. This was in an effort to attract more families to the event with an emphasis on rewarding participation rather than keeping as many fish as possible, in turn promoting sustainable fishing for the anglers of tomorrow. The changes were seen as a positive with entries up on previous years with 2009

seeing 71 anglers in 34 teams taking part. A total of 151 fish were weighed in which was down on the previous year but perhaps a reflection on the rule change also. Total weight was 89.730kg with an average weight of 0.596kg. The waters open to fishing in the Eddie Wigston Comp are Bronte Lagoon, Bradys Lake, Lake Binney, Tungatinah Lagoon, Dee Lagoon, Lake Echo, Clarence Weir, Laughing Jack Lagoon, Little Pine Lagoon and Pine Tier Dam. Overall Results: Team Section 1st Place: Valley Boys & Girls consisting of Jeffrey Heawood, Vano Kink & Noreen Shearing with 35 fish at 19.220kg – Average 0.549kg. 2nd Place: Devil Worship – Justin Causby, Tim Lowe & Tom Cleary with 18 fish at 13.845kg – Average 0.769kg 3rd Place: Tyenna Boys – Lex Wilson, Harvey Wilson & Tony Raspin with 17 fish at 9.820kg – Average 0.578kg

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Individual Prizes Heaviest Fish Angler 6-13 yrs: James Pearce 1.470kg Rainbow from Dee Lagoon – Spinning rod combo from Wigston Sports valued at $150 Heaviest Fish Angler 14-17 yrs: Tom Cleary 0.895kg – Fly Rod Combo from Bridges Bros valued at $260 Heaviest Fish Overall – Ian Wigston Memorial Trophy: James Pearce 1.470kg – Penn spinning rod combo valued at $300 There were around 30 prizes in the Fisherman’s Pie Prize Draw giving a great opportunity for all entrants a great chance to take home a quality prize. On offer were Plano Tackle Boxes loaded with Tassie Devils, fish smokers, fishing rod combos, nets, maps and tackle store vouchers to name a few. The fishing this year was a bit hit and miss. Lake Echo received the largest number of anglers and the lake returned a good number of quality trout. The rainbows which were heavily stocked by the IFS in previous seasons are growing well with a number now over the 1 kilo mark. Trolling anglers did well with hot pink Tassie Devils doing very well. The Brady Chain also received a large visitation with multiple camp sites on the

Eastern shore either side of the Dee portal. The three lakes were not co-operating with very few fish landed here. Bronte Lagoon returned a few trout but nothing much to speak of. The Dee Lagoon has a few boats and some excellent trout were taken here. Trolling was slow but anglers using soft plastics did well along with one party fly fishing taking a bag of 11 on Saturday afternoon with 8 rainbows over the 1 kilo weight. All anglers who entered the event will be posted an entry form for next year’s event. This will go to the team captain and address lodged with last season’s form. The Wigston Family would like to thank and acknowledge the generous sponsors who support the contest each year. Without this assistance the event would not be the success it is today. JM Gillies – Wigston Sports – Wigston’s Lures – Jarvis Walker – Lake Pedder Anglers Club – Eastern Shore Fishing – Spot On, The Fishing Connection – Bridges Bros – Rod & Range – Highland Lakes Boat Hire – Catch, Toy and Leisure World – New Norfolk Anglers Club. Justin Causby - Manager Wigston’s Lures

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Kaz the Fisherman by John Stefankowski

az came to Tasmania with his family from Poland some 45 years

ago. He hoped to improve his prospects in Australia but never forgot his birth place and was always proud of his heritage. He settled in Claremont and worked as a fitter at Cadburys for his working life in Tasmania. He did return to Poland for a few years but eventually returned to Tasmania. Whilst living in Poland Kaz was an ardent stream fisherman and caught fish such as Szczupaki (pike), Plotki (roach), Karp (carp) and Okon (perch). On his arrival in Tasmania he was soon drawn to river fishing in southern streams such as the Coal, Jordan, Clyde, Ouse, Tyenna and Derwent. Kaz bait fished most of the time but did at times do some spinning especially in the bigger rivers and his occasional forays to the lakes. But his chief love was fishing with worms and galaxia under a float. It was this form of fishing in which he excelled. He was the master stalker who walked on tip toes to reduce the chance of the fish hearing him approach. Whilst in Poland he had perfected the technique of catching redfin and pike using live fish bait. Using this method he was successful in catching many large perch and trout here. Whilst this method of catching fish is no longer lawful in Tasmania (except for estuarine waters) it was a most successful method of catching big perch. The biggest perch which he caught was some 6.5 pounds in the Jordan which then had a large galaxia population. Kaz was a generous person and was open about his successful techniques. However, if you did happen to come up

to him on the stream side to see how he was going with the fishing ( and he always had a few fish ), he would kindly leave his spot to you and move on a bit to where it was a bit quieter. He also soon adapted to bait fishing for trout especially in the early season when the streams were high. In this situation he fished without a float and used a running sinker. Over the years he managed to catch many trout over 10 pounds from the Jordan River even when it was hard to imagine that there were such big trout in so small a stream. I once saw him catch his bag of trout in the Ouse (not far from the Bridge) on worms when the river was in flood. Later in his fishing life he was converted to fishing for trout with live grasshoppers on a fly rod which he became very adept at and which he really enjoyed. He used this method especially in the Coal, Dee and Ouse Rivers. Over the years this method caught him many trout which he happily smoked together with any eels he had already caught and frozen. He enjoyed nothing more than to share his fish with family and friends and a few vodkas. On his return from Poland the second time, his health was not too good as he had a weak heart. After a car accident which left him in even poorer health he passed away in 1988. During this period of ill-health, I managed to take him to his beloved Coal River, when he could barely walk the few yards to the river side, but he still managed to catch a few trout on the grass hopper. A fisherman to the end! I was glad to have known him and am proud to call him a friend. He is still sadly missed by his family and friends especially by his son Bysh with whom he had a close relationship.

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26 The Avenue - New Norfolk Ph 03 62612244 Fax 03 62612255

• Trophies and Awards • Plaques

• Medals & Ribbons • Plastic signage • Printed plaques • Plastic signage • Name Badges

• Computer engraving (Free engraving on our trophies)

• Sublimation printing available. • Personalised printed coffee mugs, Mouse pads, Stubby holders, Name badges, Luggage tags, Polo

tops and TShirts, Jigsaw puzzles. • Have your photos or club logo printed onto any of

the above products with no minimum order.

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Bothwell Bakery & Cafe

Open 7 days a week

On your way to the lakes why not call in and see us!

Great Coffee - Delicious Cakes

Tasty Homemade Pies Hot & Cold Take-Aways

Pizza Night Friday’s – Available from

4 pm till 8 pm

Gavin & Chantel Ryland

Phone: 03 6259 5551

Saturday – Thursday 5 am to 5 pm Friday 5 am to 8 pm

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Inaugural Derwent River Interclub Challenge by Justin Causby

nglers were greeted with lovely weather on the opening of the

Brown Trout season on the weekend. The New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Associations Derwent River Inter Club Challenge, sponsored by Norske Skog, was the big event and attracted a large number of anglers from the Southern Tasmania Licensed Anglers Association. The only condition of entry was to be a member of one of the 10 STLAA clubs. Held on the Derwent River with the weigh-in on the New Norfolk Esplanade a total of 161 seniors and 51 junior anglers took part in the event with the NNLAA contributing 137 of these entrants including an encouraging 42 junior entries. The fishing was good and while large numbers of fish were not caught there were plenty of well condition trout to 2kg in many people's bags. The river itself was holding a good amount of clean water and many fish caught contained whitebait, prettyfish, crabs and lamprey eels. The NNLAA took out the Derwent River Inter Club Challenge shield with the clubs heaviest five trout coming in at 8.385kg, narrowly edging out the Bridgewater Anglers Club at 7.420kg. For the NNLAA, junior anglers contributed three of the five largest fish with Kye Walters landing two fish at 1.650 & 1.645kg and Isaac Harris with a 1.505kg trout. The Australian-Polish club were in 3rd place at 5.020kg. Overall there were 183 trout weighed in with a total weight of 118.635kg giving the healthy average of 0.648kg. Of those 183 fish 34 were at 1kg or better.

Arthur Weigand of the Bridgewater Angler Club landed two trout at 1.800kg and 1.665kg. Bridgewater members Bernard and Alistair Creed land fish of 1.385 and 1.390kg respectively. NNLAA members also to do well were Brett Gordon 1.375kg, John Plunkett - 1.335kg and junior member Jason Harrison - 1.380kg. Overall winners for heaviest trout were all from the NNLAA. Senior male - Adrian Slater 2.135kg Senior female - Amanda Rooke 1.375kg Juvenile male - Kye Walters 1.650kg Juvenile female - Lana Graham 0.900kg Junior male - Jacob Kelly 0.830kg Junior female - Claire Johnson 0.270kg / No one was lucky enough to catch the tagged trout released by the IFS on Friday at the Millbrook Rise Boat Ramp. The fish was worth $500 to any competition angler on opening weekend. On conclusion of the main prize presentation the NNLAA conducted the Fisherman's Pie Prize Draw were around $5500 worth of items were up for grabs. Anglers did not need to catch a fish to take home a terrific prize and there were certainly some happy faces on some of the anglers who were unlucky on the water. Drawing the lucky tickets was from Norske Skog, Jenny Phillips and John Laugher and IFS Director John Diggle. The NNLAA had decided to donate profits from the event to Camp Quality and at Saturdays major weigh-in the club collected a gold coin donation from those attending and combined with profits from the day were able to raise

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$1852.20, this included a generous donation from the Bothwell Angler Club that was greatly appreciated. The NNLAA would like to thank its major sponsor Norske Skog, not only for enabling the club to host such a wonderful event but for their own efforts in reducing pollution entering the Derwent from the paper mill. While the work dates back further then the past six years, in this time we have seen the Derwent River fishery improve to now stand as one of the top waters in the state. We were able to attract a large number of people to the Derwent fishery and the big crowd on the New Norfolk Esplanade on the edge of the Derwent on Sunday really enjoyed the weekend. One of the aims of both the NNLAA and

Norske Skog was to attract junior anglers to the sport and utilise the great resource that flows through the Derwent Valley and it was extremely encouraging to see over 50 junior anglers at the event. Not only did they take part they also caught many of the better trout and right out of the New Norfolk township at that. The club would also like to thank sponsors Inland Fisheries Service, Eastern Shore Marine, Rod and Range, Wigston Sports, Catch Toy and Leisure, Spot On - The Fishing Connection and Wigston's Lures. The NNLAA would also like thank everyone who attended and made a donation to Camp Quality. Also a very big thanks to the club members who assisted with a variety of tasks on the two days at the Esplanade.

A Big Fish? by Ray Aitchison

or a fish as big as the one reportedly caught by Committee member, Mr.

Reg Triffett, in 1976 there was surprisingly very little interest shown in what should have been an Australian record catch. The only mention of the fish in the New Norfolk Licensed Anglers’ Association’s records are in the President’s Report for the 1976-77 season, this simply states that it was the heaviest fish for the season. Likewise, in the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers’ Association’s Annual General Meeting minutes it is mentioned as being the heaviest fish for the season by a member. There are no photographs of the actual fish and contrary to the “Derwent Valley Gazette” report of 1977 it appears that the fish was not weighed by the Angling Club. The letter of confirmation is from the storekeeper of the Apollo

Supermarket at Claremont. Also, the fish was weighed in October, 1976, not caught in November as per the press report. Unfortunately at this particular time in the Club there was reportedly very little interest by the Committee or the members and consequently the opportunity to re-write history was missed. The record weight for a trout caught in Tasmania on a rod and line has stood since November, 1887 when Governor Hamilton landed his fish of 28 3/4 pounds (13.04 Kg.) from the Huon River, this was uncleaned weight.

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Season 2008-2009 Photo Gallery

Toby Causby – Derwent River

Toby Causby – Bushy Park

Tim Lowe – Woods Lake

Adrian Slater – Derwent River

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Annalee Branch - Woods Lake

Felicity Jones & James Whittaker - Woods Lake

Jake Branch - Woods Lake

Jake Datlen – Arthurs Lake

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Jake Datlen - Woods Lake

Keith Jones - Woods Lake

Steven Jones - Woods Lake

Junior Angling Day Bushy Park

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Bothwell Angers - Great Lake

Brady Slater - Wayatinah Lagoon

Brett Gordon

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Darren Turner - Derwent River

Justin Causby - Derwent River

Junior Angling Day Bushy Park

Jack Aitchison – Bushy Park

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Lake Pedder - Green & Gold Teams Fish

Bothwell Fun Fish Presentation - Arthurs Lake

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Mandy Harrison - Lake Pedder

Justin Causby – Woods Lake

Tim Lowe – Dee Lagoon

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Tim and Liam Lowe – Bushy Park

Brett & Jack Gordon – Derwent River

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Bothwell Juniors 2008 Dinner

Greg Brown – Norley Dam

Neil Pinkard – Lake Pedder

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Back to Pedder - Bruce Sam Laurie & Mandy

Back to Pedder - Camp Quality

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Michala Coyte – Norley Dam

David Driver – Lake Echo

Stephen Granger – Lake St Clair

Vince Coyte – Lake Echo

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Andrew Simons – Lake Echo

Junior Angling Day Bushy Park

Norm Cribbin – Norley Dam

Neil Pinkard – Bronte Lagoon

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David Driver – Norley Dam

Lynn Simons – Arthurs Lake

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Our Angling History A Brief History of the Introduction of Trout to Tasmania by Ray Aitchison – Honorary Historian

oon after the early settlers arrived in Tasmania from England they became

aware that Tasmania’s freshwater river and lakes only contained native blackfish, galaxias and grayling. The catching of these fish didn’t offer any sport compared with England’s salmon and trout. A decision was made in 1852 to transport trout and salmon ova directly from England to Tasmania aboard the barque “Columbus”. Fifty thousand ova were placed in a tub containing sixty gallons of water, in the cooler climates six gallons of water was drawn off and replaced with fresh water every six hours. As the ship neared the Equator this occurred every four hours. The journey to Hobart took four months and on arrival no sign of fish or ova could be found in the tub, this unsuccessful attempt cost two hundred pounds. James Youl experimented with ova and found that hatching periods could be varied from thirty to one hundred and forty days by lowering the water temperature. Consequently, the Australian Association that concerned itself with furthering the interests of the Colony in many areas including flora and fauna raised six hundred pounds by public subscription to fund another attempt at transporting ova. An icehouse with a capacity of fifteen tons was constructed in the clipper ”Sarah Curling”. The melting ice gave a constant flow of cold water over the

thirty thousand Atlantic salmon ova laid on gravel in swinging trays. A Mr. Alexander Black was in charge of the shipment and he was promised a sizeable reward if the ova arrived safely. Prior to the “Sarah Curling” sailing from England no preparations had been made in Tasmania to receive ova should they be successfully transported. Ponds were rapidly constructed at North West Bay River but were never used. The ship left Liverpool on the 25th of February 1860, for Melbourne. Unfortunately within fifty nine days the ice had melted and all of the ova had died. Black studied the Derwent River and reported that he was confident that a profitable salmon industry could be established there. A Select Committee recommended to the Tasmanian Government that another attempt be made to transport ova. A Salmon Commission with Dr. Robert Officer as Chairman was established. After viewing sites a decision was made by the Commissioners to build ponds on Mr. Robert Read’s property “Redlands” on the Plenty River. Named the Salmon Ponds, these were constructed in 1862 at a cost of seven hundred and ninety pounds. During this time James Youl had been busy in Europe studying fish culture. The Tasmanian Government sent William Ramsbottom from Melbourne to England to take care of the next shipment of ova. The Tasmanian Government allocated three thousand pounds, the Victorian Government five

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hundred pounds and the New Zealand South Island Government two hundred pounds for the next attempt with Youl in charge. A three hundred and twenty ton steamer, “Beautiful Star”, was to be sent to Australia in ballast for the coastal trade, it was chartered for five hundred pounds. She was rigged as a barque and was to sail under canvas only. An icehouse with a twenty five ton capacity was built and between fifty and eighty thousand (conflicting figures) Atlantic salmon ova were laid on gravel in trays. Five hundred gallons of cooled fresh water per day flowed over the ova; this could be increased to two thousand gallons if necessary. Youl also placed a box containing living moss and a few hundred ova in the icehouse as an experiment. The “Beautiful Star” sailed from London on the 4th of March 1862, within a few days between six and seven thousand ova had died.

After experiencing problems the ship had to return to port for repairs before she eventually sailed again, making poor headway. Even as the voyage progressed letters were sent back to James Youl in England to keep him up to date with developments. After seventy four days the ice was gone and all the ova were dead. The ova in the little box was found to have survived for eight hours longer than the rest. As well as the costs in England another two thousand three hundred pounds had been spent in Tasmania in expectation of the arrival of the ova, this included the cost for the Salmon Ponds. The Salmon Commissioners encouraged the Tasmanian Government to organise another shipment under Youl’s directions. William Ramsbottom was again sent to England. During 1863 these two carried out further experiments concerning water temperatures and the packaging of ova with encouraging results. Youl was confident that the next attempt to transport the ova would meet with success. Ship owners, Money, Wigram and Sons, offered fifty tons of space aboard their clipper “Norfolk” which was leaving for Melbourne on January the 20th, 1864. Due to the departure of the ship being late in the salmon spawning season difficulty was experienced in obtaining ova with the first of them only arriving two days before the sailing date. The ship owners extended their generosity and delayed the sailing by twenty four hours to allow all of the boxes to be packed.

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This time the packing of the ova was simplified. One hundred and eighty one pine boxes, 11 ¾ inches long, 8 ¾ inches wide and 5 ¼ inches deep with many holes to permit water flow were carefully prepared. Charcoal was placed in the bottom of each box, the ice followed by a bed of wet moss, after ova was poured onto the moss the box was filled with more water soaked moss and ice and the lid was screwed down. One hundred and sixty four boxes were placed in the icehouse and nine feet of ice was piled on top, the other seventeen boxes were placed in other parts of the icehouse. Saw dust was used as insulation. Just before the ship sailed gifts of three thousand brown trout ova for the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria were delivered and these were included and placed in the icehouse with the one hundred thousand Atlantic salmon ova that had already been packed. Instructions were given that under no circumstances was the icehouse to be opened before the ship arrived in Melbourne. The “Norfolk” sailed from London on January the 21st, 1864, arriving at Station Pier, Melbourne, on Saturday the 16th of April, a trip of eighty five days. The icehouse was unlocked and one of the small boxes opened with the ova being found in good condition. Eleven

boxes of salmon ova were left in Melbourne with the Acclimatisation Society. Despite Youl’s earlier instructions, Ramsbottom refused to leave the trout ova in Melbourne. Arrangements had been made with the Victorian Government for their navy’s steam sloop, “Victoria”, to take the ova to Hobart. The remaining one hundred and seventy small pine boxes of ova were packed into eleven large wooden packing cases with broken ice placed on top. After these packing cases were placed in the hold of the “Victoria” they were covered with about twelve tons of ice that was remaining from the shipment from London, bags of sawdust and blankets were then piled on top. On Monday the 18th of April the “Victoria” left for Hobart where she arrived at 3 p.m. on Wednesday the 20th. A big crowd turned out to witness the successful arrival of this cargo. The river steamer “Emu” was waiting with a barge she was to tow to New Norfolk, the eleven large cases were soon loaded onto the barge and again covered with the ice that still remained and straw was placed on top. The “Emu” set sail at about 9 p.m., arriving at the steam wharf at New Norfolk at 1 a.m.

Salmon Ponds circa 1864 showing the tent where the first ova was hatched.

On Thursday morning two row boats towed the barge to the “Ark Inn”, now known as “Atherfield”. Here, forty to

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fifty Derwent Valley men had assembled to carry the crates the four miles to the Salmon Ponds. Several horse drawn carts were also there to carry the ice. Bamboo poles were passed through the handles of the packing cases and each case was then carried on the shoulders of four men with another four on hand to act in relay. By midday the first five cases had reached the Ponds, another five cases were carried up during the afternoon with the last one arriving next morning. Ramsbottom and Morton Allport carefully unpacked the ova and it was estimated that about 30,000 ova had survived the journey, of these only 300 were trout. The ova were placed in hatching troughs in a tent provided for shelter. On the 4th of May, 1864, the first brown trout hatched, next day the first of the Atlantic salmon also hatched. By the 8th of June there were 300 healthy young trout and several thousand salmon in the ponds. The brown trout were reared in a circular clearing pond and most of them had survived when counted in April, 1865. At this time Ramsbottom released about forty of the small fish into the Plenty River with those left kept as brood fish. In June, 1866, the first ova were obtained from the on grown Tasmanian trout and over the next few years some of these were sent to Victoria, New

Zealand and New South Wales. In Tasmania where access to many waters was difficult various methods were used to transport the brown trout fry for stocking purposes. Attempts to establish a wild Atlantic salmon fishery in Tasmania failed. Over the years there have been many developments at the Salmon Ponds that continue to operate as a hatchery, and although initially rented from the Read family it was willed to the people of Tasmania by Dr. George Read in 1942. Today the Salmon Ponds is a very popular tourist destination. To expand the Tasmanian freshwater fishery, Brook trout were introduced in 1883; Rainbow trout in 1898, Quinnat salmon in 1902 and Sebago salmon in 1910, the introduction of the latter two was unsuccessful. Several further unsuccessful attempts were made to introduce Atlantic salmon and although the ova could be hatched and the salmon released, they did not become established in the wild. Today, escapees from salmon farm pens offer some reasonable sport at times. Some popular waters, close to population centres, receive regular stocking with big ex brood salmon, this attracts some anglers looking to land a big fish but most see it as a bit of a gimmick.

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New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association - Images by Ray Aitchison – Honorary Historian

Club members before a competition in 1936 at the stone wall. Photo courtesy of J.J. Cowburn Collection

New Norfolk and Bridgewater members on the Black Jetty for a joint competition in 1936

Photo courtesy of J.J. Cowburn Collection

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New Norfolk members on the Black Jetty prior to a competition in 1938 Photo courtesy of J.J. Cowburn Collection

Contestants in a 1932-33 fishing competition on the New Norfolk Esplanade. Note the dress including hats

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Members on a picnic competition at Hayes in 1935 Photo courtesy of J.J. Cowburn Collection

Believed to be for the Coronation in 1936

(L to R) John Jones, Alan Plunkett, Bill Devine, Bert Wigston (Eddie’s father) & Albert

Prentice. Photo taken corner Pioneer Avenue and Stephens Street. The truck (‘A’ Model Ford) belonged to Richard Hay.

Photo courtesy of Jan Ryder

Don’t do safety on the fly

As well as being valuable sources of sustainable energy, our lakes also provide excellent fishing, along with other recreational water activities. While we want to share them with you, we would like to remind you that safety on the water should be your first priority, just as creating clean, renewable energy is ours.

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www.hydro.com.au