VOLUME 30, ISSUE 10. May 2024

Last month our club ran the 2024 Interclub, which, as you all know from the many flyers you received, is the NSWCFA’s major fund raiser of the year. It all went off well, in terms of fund raising, we raised $2164 for the NSWCFA and the event attendees had a great time.

The event took place on the weekend of that April “ East Coast Low” and we had to cancel fishing on the Friday, but everyone was able to fish Saturday and Sunday. The Central Coast Club was the winning club, but Phil Burton made sure the FlyRodders weren’t disgraced winning the plug casting event (???) and the largest fish. David Blackwell did a wonderful job on the catering for the event and received many compliments.

We drew the NSWCFA raffle on Sunday at the end of the event prize giving and first prize – the Loomis Rod was won by Ben Lane the President of the Wallerawang CAS, second prize the Barrington Tops weekend was won by John Robb from the Central Coast Club.

The season is drawing to a close but there are still plenty of fish in the rivers and dams so good luck to the members going to Mitta Mitta and for everyone else - if we ever get a break in the rain grab the chance and go for a fish – for your mental health if nothing else.

Tight lines

Denis

Here are some photos from the Interclub:

From the Editor

Jason with a bass from his canoe taken on a surface fly.

Fellow Flyrodders,

In this issue we have two trip reports from the Snowy Mountains. The first was based at Piste Haus in Jindabyne, and saw some of our more experienced members mentoring those newer to the sport.

Despite challenging fishing conditions, the trip was a great success and learning experience for the attendees. Thanks to Kevin Rue for his trip report and to Scott Newbury for the photos.

The following week, I was lucky enough to spend a few days in the Snowies with a smaller group of Flyrodders. We faced the same challenging conditions – the rivers were low and clear and we saw more mountain bikers than trout. The Moonbah River was the standout with a couple of decent rainbows and smaller browns for the group.

I hope you enjoy the trip reports as well as the regular sections of the Fly Rodder in this issue.

Cheers,

Jason Hemens - Editor

Trip Report: Jindabyne Beginners Weekend

David Blackmore, Peter Adams and Kevin Rue at Tom Groggin.

By Kevin Rue

We arrived at the Piste Haus lodge on Friday to a promised forecast of fine weather and pleasant temperatures. By late afternoon most people had arrived and found their allocated rooms, unpacked the bags, stocked the kitchen fridges etc. The evening was spent getting to know new faces and catching up with existing friends.

Piste Haus lodge in Jindabyne.

The objective of the weekend was to share the knowledge and skills of the experienced fly fishers in the group with the less experienced and newcomers to the sport to allow them to learn something new and ask lots of questions.

Of the 13 participants, the most experienced anglers in the group were David Webster, David Blackmore and James Webber. Others in the party included Peter Adams, Ken Whitehouse, Craig Symonds, Kevin Rue, Doug Chang, Paul Gordon, Vorn & Trevor Sweeney and Paula & Scott Newbury.

Over the course of the weekend, our more experienced members took groups of two or three out for the day to various locations, while other participants were able to do their own thing.

The rivers covered over the weekend included the Mowamba, Murray, Thredbo, Pinch and Snowy (Island Bend). All agreed that the fishing was hard with quite a few of the group not having any luck, though it seems all of the seasoned angers were successful - obviously experience counts.

Of the rivers covered over the weekend, the Murray at Tom Groggin seems to have been the most productive.

A nice Murray rainbow for David Blackmore.

The ladies, of which there were two, were both successful, so 100% compared to approx 60% success rate for the men? I have heard ladies make better fly fishers. A more gentle approach? Finesse? Well done Vorn and Paula!

Paula Newbury with her prized catch. The smile says it all!

On water casting lessons with Paula and David Webster.

James Webber looking for activity in the Mowamba River.

Doug Chang creating a masterpiece.

On Monday I was flying solo so decided I would investigate the Pinch River down along the Barry Way 61 kilometres from Jindabyne. Approximately 32 kilometres of the trip was fairly good gravel road, narrow in places and at the moment possible to drive with a 2wd car but that could change as it appeared to have been recently graded. The last 18k was steep downhill with the last few kilometres affording spectacular views over the Snowy River.

The Barry Way crosses the Pinch River just as it joins the Snowy. On the southern side of the bridge it is possible to drive along the Pinch River for approx 1.5 kilometres giving good access to the river and offering various places to camp (being NSW of course advance booking is required to camp).

The river was running crystal clear and quite fast over a rocky base generally about 300mm deep with the deeper pools approx 1000mm. I had no luck and saw no fish but was pleased with my casting having had two days with the experienced members of the club.

The Snowy River close to the confluence with the Pinch River.

Being a complete beginner I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend even though I was unsuccessful at catching a trout, everyone was immensely friendly, helpful and above all patient. I picked up lots of tips on line management, reading the river, fly selection and above all my casting ability improved, (it does need more practice though).

Thanks to those who took me out fishing and those who readily discussed everything fly fishing whilst we sat around at night enjoying a glass or two of red. I really appreciated your time and knowledge.

Trip Report: The Jindy Jaunt

Exploring Spencers Creek in the Snowy Mountains

By Jason Hemens

Like moths to a flame, a second group of Flyrodders packed their fishing gear, dreams and aspirations into overnight bags and headed down to the Snowies for a few days' fishing in late April.

The group consisted of Chris Clarke, Dave Robinson, Leigh Atallah and yours truly.

Our first stop was Perisher Creek, which we had heard positive reports about but never fished. After a long drive we arrived at Perisher only to have our hopes dashed - the water level was so low we saw a duck walking upstream with dry feet.

From there we took a short drive to Spencers Creek, which looked far more promising at first glance. There were a couple of large pools near our parking spot, but on closer inspection they were shallow and gin clear. We headed downstream over rough terrain for a kilometre and fished back up without success.

Beautiful water - no trout!

By the time we descended on the pub that evening, a sombre mood had fallen over the group. Without any rain, conditions were going to be tough to fish. We discussed tactics over dinner and a couple of beers, before heading back to our accommodation and watching YouTube videos of fly fishers catching massive trout in New Zealand. After a couple of hours of that we were completely depressed about our dismal performance and decided to call it a night.

But a new day brings new opportunities, and given blind optimism is a prerequisite for a fly fisher, we were up early and on the Moonbah River (aka Mowamba) before the morning fog lifted.

The Moonbah is a special river for me and I love fishing the meandering sections that flow through open grassland. The water level was lower than our last visit a few months back, but thankfully the river is spring fed so there was enough there to be fishable.

Chris 'Can I borrow another fly?' Clarke fishing a shallow run.

Leigh 'Lucky Charm' Atallah prospecting some deeper water on a bend in the river.

By early afternoon, I had landed two trout and fallen down three wombat holes: a 2-3 scoreline I was happy with under the circumstances.

Dave also managed a lovely rainbow that day which was thoroughly deserved after putting in the hard yards.

For a small river, the Moonbah holds some good trout.

The bigger fish were in the deeper water on the bends of the river and fell to nymphs fished on dry dropper rigs. Stealth was key as the trout were spooky. I quickly came to the conclusion that stepping into the river was like ringing an alarm bell for every fish in the vicinity. Casting from the bank was more effective and the preferred approach where possible.

Leigh and Chris thoroughly enjoyed fishing the Moonbah and it was wonderful to see how their fly fishing skills and river craft improve with every outing. They're both a pleasure to fish with and I'm sure we'll enjoy many adventures together in the future.

By mid-afternoon we left the Moonbah and drove to the Rangers Station on Alpine Way for a few hours fishing before dark. The Thredbo River looked gorgeous but water levels were low and the trout played hard to get. Impossible to get, if I'm honest, as we blanked in spectacular fashion.

The Thred-Low.

Still, we returned to our accommodation satisfied after a beautiful Autumn's day spent outdoors in a majestic setting.

We checked out the following morning and fished a couple of sections along the Moonbah before heading back to Sydney. Chris hooked a good trout but lost control of the fly line, threw some slack into the equation and the fish spat the hook. We've all been there.

It was tough going for Dave and I as well on the final morning. We fished the Moonbah for a fair stretch for a solitary brown each.

Dave 'Rolling Thunder' Robinson plays a brown that took a liking to a nymph under dry.

On reflection, we drove a long way for a few fish but still came home happy. And now, just a few weeks later, we're already planning our next mission. All thanks to the friendships made through the Fly Rodders Club.

Last Monthly Meeting and Guest Speakers Report

For our April Monthly Meeting, Jared Klein gave an informative talk on the history of Euro Nymphing, including the techniques and tackle used.

You can view this meeting video and indeed all the previous presentations on our Members Private Video Library on YouTube. To view them please Login to our Sydney Fly Rodders Website; click on Members and select YOUTUBE CHANNEL, as per the picture below.

We have many wonderful videos in our Private Members Video Library, in fact they're all wonderful and informative, plus you can view them at your leisure!

The following are some photos from the March Members Meeting:

Jared shared his knowledge on the world of tight line fishing.

All you need to know about the gear - there's a lot to consider!

Just like Pavolva, the origins of Euro nymphing are hotly debated.

Plenty of nymphs to choose from.

Thanks Jared for such an engaging and informative presentation.

Next Monthly Meeting and Guest Speaker

Our April Members Monthly Meeting is at our usual venue, The Freeway Hotel in Artarmon, on Monday the 13th May 2024.

The Meeting will kick off at 7:00pm, but come along earlier and enjoy a pre meeting drink with fellow attendees. The doors will be open from 6:00pm.

Our May Meeting Guest Speaker is Lyall Crawford. Lyall is a very interesting speaker who hails from Canberra, a former Australian ambassador to China and an experienced fly angler, also a qualified casting instructor through his business Capital Fly Casting (www.capitalflycasting.com).

Lyall will be talking to us about chasing sailfish on fly in the South China Sea, which should be fascinating. As a former ambassador to China I'm sure he has the lowdown on fishing this region!

So come along and enjoy another great presentation.

For those unable to attend the meeting we will be recording the presentation and then uploading it to our Club Members Private Video Library on YouTube.

You will also be able to view all the previous meeting presentations that we have recorded, and view at your leisure.

Many of our attendees arrive a bit earlier and have dinner either before, else the bar staff will deliver your meal order to our meeting room and you can enjoy your meal, and or drink, whilst the meeting is underway. The food is good value for money and the company is priceless!! So come along and have a relaxing and entertaining meeting where you can meet other members and pick up on useful snippets information that is shared amongst the group.

Our Meeting is normally held on the 2nd Monday of each month, unless it is a public holiday; in which case it will be delayed a week.

There is ample parking in the parking garage under the Freeway Hotel, which is accessed from Dickson Avenue (at the back), just off Reserve Road, in Artarmon.

The address is 115 Reserve Road, Artarmon 2064 (for GPS).

Looking forward to catching up at the meeting.

New Members

We extend a warm welcome to new members Adrian Clegg and Andrew Worotniuk.

We encourage new members to join in on the many activities that we run as this is a good way to meet other club members and also to improve your fly fishing skills and most importantly to have a great time.

Looking forward to meeting you at our Monthly Members Meetings and at events throughout the coming year.

Last Month's Casting Practice Report

By Gavin Van Der Wagen

Whilst our intrepid casting guru was away, playing up in Weipa, his two lieutenants George Nolevski and yours truly, filled the breach to run a “slack casting” practice session.

Once again we had good attendance with around 18 club members pitching up for the morning. It was also very pleasing to have a number of new members at the session.

Gavin kicks off the session.

The two trusty lieutenants - Gavin and George.

This session was all about putting some slack into your cast, if you get my good drift.

Putting a slack mend into your cast is a key element towards getting a longer drag free drift. Which as we know will result in catching more fish, or at the least missing more fish.

As you know this is a very important element to convince the trout in target that this is a real morsel of food and behaving in an expected and normal manner, without raising any suspicions or red flags for the wily trout.

We started with the foundation bread and butter accurate “pick up and lay down” cast to a 30 foot target. Always have a specific target and goal when practicing your casts.

Targets were set up for participants.

Then the idea was to add a couple of feet to your cast, casting to two feet beyond the target for the setup; then to lift and cast and add some slack into your mend whilst then hitting the target. Then once you’ve achieved this about two or three times, add another two feet to the cast and repeat the exercise; and continue this increase until you reach your “point of failure”. It’s all about understanding your casting limits and to then improve on that, so you continue your progression in this forever learning journey that is fly fishing.

During this exercise of introducing slack to the cast, we also “played” with various trajectories to the target to learn more about the science. For example; aiming directly at the target, then a foot above the target, then a bit higher again. To achieve this you need to apply the “stop” in your cast earlier and earlier, resulting in the different trajectories whilst always maintaining the correct plane. Once again we did this until we reached our point of failure.

It was all about experimenting and understanding the cause and effect of the various “casting with slack” scenarios.

I thought it was a very slick slack casting session all up; but then I have to say that.

Fortunately our master will be back in May, and by all accounts he had yet another wonderful trip up north.

Members take their mark for a 50 metre sprint as a warm up.

Club Monthly Casting Practice - Details and Event Schedule.

SFRC MONTHLY CASTING PRACTICE 9am Sunday 19 May 2024

Reminder: Leave your 9 – 10’ trout leader with the 5X tippet at home. Bring one which is 8’ – 8’6” and terminating in 8 or 10 lb tippet. This session will suit DT or WF floating lines, for the single-handers. Two-handers, bring what you got.

Start time is 9am:

HOWEVER: If you wish to have a go at being evaluated for any one or more of the casts in the Bronze Skills Development Program and you would like to come earlier than 9, send me a text message to that effect on 0434 671 085 and I’ll be there to set it up, from 8am. Coaching and demonstrations will be going on after 9, but with not much opportunity for individual evaluations. Early notice would be appreciated, but don’t let that stop you from a late practice on Saturday to see if you’re ready!

All members are welcome to join in the club’s usual monthly practice session. If you want to know everything about the club’s casting practice sessions, read the whole blurb in the Flyrodder magazine.

WHERE: Timbrell Park, Henley Marine Drive, Five Dock. Go to the western end of Henley Marine Drive, past the cricket pitches, baseball nets and just past LIvvi’s coffee kiosk and kids’ playground area. There is an open area opposite where Ingham Avenue intersects with Henley Marine Drive which we usually use. It is not part of the sports fields. If conditions there are not suitable on the day, we will be just opposite, across the canal, or anywhere within sight that I can find.

So come and give it a try, as there is so much to be gained by attending these sessions. And they are Free!!!

If you can’t make it this time and want some good practical instruction to guide you, check out this site: https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/Learn/Learning-Center-Resources/Fly-Casting/Casting-Instruction

I don’t know if that link works for you. Google FFI flyfishing and delve around. Most stuff is open to non-members.

For 2024, we have moved to the second Sunday of the month, except for May as it's Mother's Day.

So put these dates in your diary for 2024:

19th May 2024

9th June 2024

14th July 2024

11th August 2024

8th September 2024

13th October 2024

10th November 2024

8th December 2024.

Next Monthly Fly Tying Meeting

Our next Monthly Fly Tying Meeting will be held on Monday, 20 April 2024, from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. The doors will open at 6:30 pm to give you time to set up for a 7:00 pm start.

Beginners are very welcome with experienced tiers giving help.

We provide all materials. If you don’t have your own tools, we have loan kits.

We normally have experienced tiers to help and look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

For those who don't have a vise, we have ample spare one's available.

We particularly welcome first timers and all levels of fly tiers as you will all learn something from these wonderful sessions.

If you would like to just come and observe, then please do so to see if this is for you. You'll be surprised at how "easily" you can get into tying your own flies.

The venue is the Henley Community Centre in Hunters Hill, and we meet in the Green Room on the right as you enter.

The venue address is: Crown Street, Henley, NSW 2111. As you turn into Crown Street, from Victoria Road, take the first left and drive down a bit of a bumpy road, and it's the last building about a 100 yards down the drag. There's parking off the track and walk through a small road, but it's a short walk to the front door.

Sydney Fly Rodders Facebook Pages

We run two SFRC pages, one is our public page and it posts events and activities of the club. It also shares posts from other pages like CAS, DPI on things relevant to the places and areas that we fish.

I post some fly tying every now and then and share links to events I find that might be of interest to followers. This page is a little like our Web page, it showcases the club to attract members and provides details of club events. It has about 450 people following the page and any post will be seen by between 180 and 240 people.

We added another page. This is reserved for members only and cannot be seen by anyone outside of the group. You will need to send a request to join. Any member can post on this page and it is a great opportunity for members to put up a post or two about anything fly fishing. I would like to encourage members to use this page to post fishing reports or photos of flies that you tied. Being connected to other members you can ask for some casting or gear advice, or organise a short trip when you suddenly have some spare time.

There are also hundreds of other groups; bream on fly, carp on fly, bass, trout....areas like alpine trout, Sydney Kayak Fishing....fly tying groups, buy sell swap fly gear pages and individuals like Aussie Flyfisher, Sydney Flyfishing to check out.

Phil Burton
philipburton@bigpond.com

Sydney Flyrodders Instagram Page

The Sydney Fly Rodders are now on Instagram. Many thanks to our Member Maddie Chew Lee, who offered to set us up and apply her significant experience with marketing and communications in particular within the social media space.

Please follow the site and add your comments, and lets grow this platform for the club. It will also attract new members to the club.

Below is a snapshot of the site. We aim to sync (in particular look and feel) the Instagram account with our Facebook account and also our new Website, which I talk more about in the preceding section.

Sydney Fly Rodders WhatsApp Group

We have an Exclusive Group on WhatsApp for our Members, which is a great way to communicate informally and to share ideas, seek advice and also to plan and seek interest for impromptu/planned fishing trips.

I can highly recommend this to members. We have arranged a number of trips now from a weekends bass fishing through to a casual and social Sunday morning or afternoons fishing at Narrabeen Lake or Hen & Chickens Bay etc. And there could even be a BBQ thrown in for a social get together afterwards. This will happen on most if not all occasions.

Should you wish to be included in this group, then please email me to request your inclusion, quoting your mobile number which is required to link you into the Group. You will need to download the WhatsApp first if you haven't already done so.

Please contact me for inclusion.

Jason Hemens

Editor, Flyrodder

jasondh1972@gmail.com

The End