There is something special about fishing new water. An expectation of what may be to come, the sense of joy, mixed with trepidation that comes with stepping into the unknown. This goes for water that you absolutely know is going to hold fish, where the big challenge will be figuring them out, all the way through to what I like…
Category: Fly & Tenkara
Catch and release: a little perspective goes a long way
The catch and release movement has grown considerably over the last few decades. Initiative like #keepemwet and others have done incredibly well at building strong support for catch and release in some parts of the fishing community. Social media has helped spread the message, driving a strong commitment to catch and release amongst many angling communities. Which is great! The fishing…
What is the future of the Howqua river?
I spent last weekend camping on the Howqua river at Sheepyards flat. It wasn’t a fishing trip. It was a camping, hanging by the river, hanging out with the kids, making new friends trip. The days were filled with swimming, throwing stones into the river, watching horses, grilling meats over an open fire, drinking cold mid-strength beer during the day…
Guest post: Bass fishing in the USA: experience and tips
Fishing holds a special place is our heart and has been America’s favourite pastime for the last few decades (one might think it is baseball but I beg to differ ;). Even youths nowadays are participating in fishing activities be it with families or competitively. I have found out about the statistics regarding them and I was pleasantly shocked. So…
Fly fishing notes from a Tassie holiday
I was lucky enough to spend 10 days in Tassie over New Years with my partners family (and my folks for the first few days), celebrating my father in laws 70th. The trip was a joy, revolving around tennis, walks, swims, food, hanging out and finska and was a chance for the extended family to spend an extended amount of…
BOYS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
A great little guest write up (and some great photos) from keen fisho, Jay Hayles. Enjoy! ____ It started like many a trip before. Late one arvo I get a text from a mate who says he is heading on a weekend trip with some of the other boys from work and would I be interested in coming along. Now I…
Kayak bassin’
The plan was to chase kingfish, however once we were out of bed it became immediately obvious we wouldn’t be heading out to sea as the wind was howling, whitecaps peppering twofold bay. Time for plan B(ass), which we developed over coffee and google maps. After toying with the idea of an epic 15km car drop in order to fish…
Guest post: What to Expect Fly Fishing in Alaska: It Isn’t Australia, But That’s OK
It might seem like we’re pretty far north of Australia. Flip that over, and it looks like Australia sets pretty far south of Alaska. Still, we have a lot in common stretching across those 7,400 miles. Both our homes give way to incredible backcountry, and fly fishermen all over the globe daydream about a chance to cast into our waters.…
Fishing in Scotland – the majestic Loch Morar
I called Viv at about 10am on a Wednesday morning after seeing an advertisement in the window of the Mallaig tourist bureau. The advertisement for ‘local guided loch fishing’ was similar to Mallaig; quaint and decrepit in places, but seemingly honest and real. At 60 pounds for a half-day trip, I was thinking that I might get to sit in…
9 tips for fly fishing with a baby
The little dude turned one a week ago and after a year of parenthood I feel that its high time that I share what I’ve learnt about fly fishing with infants. 1- Get someone else to look after the baby and leave them at home Its cheating, but it is by far the easiest, most enjoyable fishing option for both…
Fishing on Little Pine Lagoon, and observations on observation
I was reading some Gierarch the other day and he was describing his approach to writing. After getting home from a fishing trip, he’ll often wait a few weeks before reflecting on the experience. The story—if there is one at all—should naturally bubble to the surface. It might be a story about the fishing, but it might be something else…
The old man and the fish
The old man was there when we arrived. Crouched down behind a tussock a few rod lengths from the bank. His quarry soon became apparent. Just a few feet from the shore, a dorsal fin and then a tail broke the surface. The old mans attention was totally focussed on the fish. Not once did his gaze wander as we…