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…
The best lure in the box
The trout were there. I could see them. Every few casts, a fish would follow the lure. Every so often, one would swipe, its white mouth flaring as it tried to kill its prey. I even hooked a few, but kept losing them to their jumping antics. Part of the problem was that the fish were small. This is definitely…
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…
The best worst day of fishing – Hawaiian bonefish, broken leaders and the curse of the banana
The alarm sounded at 5:30am but I didn’t need it, I was already awake and bristling with anticipation and nervous energy. The kayak from the hire shop was strapped to the roof of the car, the esky was full of ice and two rods and a backpack waited by the door. I grabbed my belongings, say goodbye to my dozing…
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…
Finally…a legitimate winter cod
I drafted this post in late winter but for some reason didn’t get around to posting it. Anyway, thanks for reading 🙂 ___ It’s always good when a plan comes together. Over the last year or so, I’ve been lucky to tangle with three sizeable Murray Cod (and a few slightly smaller, but very satisfying ones). Big cod are undoubtedly…
Rediscovering the NSW south coast estuaries; Merimbula lake fishing report
Down in numbers, but all of good size – early spring fishing in Merimbula lake What a treat to be able to spend the labor day long weekend down on the NSW south coast at Merimbula. Our extended family had gathered to celebrate the old man’s 70th birthday and accordingly we had splurged on some nice cabins and were treated…
3 tips for eating raw fish and why it’s a good thing
Do you remember the first time you ate raw fish? Do you eat it regularly? Are you afraid to prepare it yourself? The first time I remember eating raw fish was during my 20’s when Hamish prepared Kingfish sashimi on the south coast of NSW. It involved thin slices of white flesh arranged neatly with just a little wasabi and…