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…
Tag: hamish webb
A deeper look at “wild” places (and is stocking threatened native fish outside their range a good idea?)
By complete coincidence, me and Graz unknowingly both wrote drafts about a similar topic. You can read Graz’s piece about the “Natural trout stream paradox” here. This piece touches on similar topics, however its not about trout and takes a far broader brush to the issue (and is way longer- if you want punchy read Graz’s piece). Conservation strategies,…
Different lures catch fish with different “personalities”
A study has just been published in PLOS one looking at whether certain angling techniques catch fish with different behavioural traits, or more colloquially, “personalities”. The study angled 100 rock and largemouth bass using two separate techniques, actively fished flashy lipless crankbaits or passively fished artificial worm lures and then tested in the lab whether the fish caught using each…
When you cant match the hatch, throw them something juicy: the story of the dry bugger
The story of the dry bugger began on the opening day of last NSW trout season. Myself and Perrin had headed out to a stream to hopefully christen the season opener with a few trout. After a relatively fruitless morning, Perrin spotted a decent trout. He was gracious enough to give me first shot. I slowly and meticulously stalked to…
What does good recreational fisheries management look like?
What started out as me looking at fish stockings has slowly mutated into a series of posts rambling on about recreational fisheries and conservation. So, down the rabbit hole we go once again. This time looking at what “good” recreational fisheries management should look like? To start with, the management of all our fisheries, recreational or commercial or “mixed” should…
Fishers vs environmentalists: is it time we found common ground?
I haven’t been able to get out fishing much over the last month. So instead I find myself thinking and writing about fishing instead. One thing that I have been thinking about for a long time is the seeming antagonism and lack of cooperation between some recreational fishers and conservationists in Australia. I have to admit, it doesn’t make much…
Native fish stockings: successes, failures and the future
A little while ago I looked at the effectiveness of trout stockings. One of the things that the research makes clear in the case of trout, is that in many circumstances, stockings are not effective. In fact, under some conditions, they can actually be counterproductive. Rather than helping grow fish stocks, they can significantly hurt stocks, leading to fisheries that…
Carp in Australia- past, present and future
I was recently interviewed about my carp fishing habits by some researchers at the University of Wollongong. It was an interesting interview and forced me to think a little harder about my relationship to carp. To put it bluntly, the relationship I have with carp is a little quixotic. On the one hand, I think they are one of the…
A day chasing cod.
It was going to be a “late” start, we both wanted half an hours more sleep. I set the alarm for 3.30am. Despite the extra sleep, it was still a rude shock when the alarm went off. Coffee was brewed and I walked outside and hopped in the car. It was time to chase cod. A two and a half…
Should you fish the Eucumbene spawn run?
Fishing the Eucumbene spawn run is a pretty controversial topic amongst some. Its referred to disparagingly as “unsporting”, “shooting fish in a barrel”, “not fly fishing” and “disrespectful”. Fair enough I suppose, chucking around a couple of glo bugs and four split shot isn’t everyones cup of tea. For the rest of us though, should we be fishing the run…
How to become a better fisherman: learn to fail.
The biggest factor in me becoming a better angler over the last three years has been learning to fail. When I started fly fishing three years ago I sucked. I could barely casts 30ft, I spent most of my time with my flies tangled in trees and stream-side vegetation. Generally it was a disaster for the first few months. If…
Fishing alone
Soft light filters through the mist and trees. I pull up to my chosen spot. I hop out of the car and take it all in. Its good to be here. After a few minutes I start setting up. I chose a fly. The car door clicks and I make my way to the river. I make my first cast,…