Nation celebrates the gentle art of angling

Picture: Hunter Raspin holding his winning 1.3 kg rainbow trout that won him the heaviest fish award for the boys at last Sunday's event associated with Gone Fishing Day at the Bushy Park Junior fishing pond.

LAST Sunday the nation celebrated "Gone Fishing Day" which is an initiative to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the great experience that fishing provides.

Gone Fishing Day was an angling licence free day which meant an inland trout angling licence wasn't needed for anyone wanting to fish inland waters anywhere in Tasmania

Junior angling events were held around the state which gave opportunities for kids up to 17 years of age  to catch a trout or Atlantic salmon.

This year’s theme was “Fish for Balance and Get Back to Nature”, which highlights the important role that fishing plays in the lives of Australians around the country. From building social connections and allowing us time for relaxation and recovery, fishing also connects us to nature which gives us an increased appreciation for the environment and what it provides.

Events were held at Brumbys Creek - Tasmanian Trout Expo hosted by the Longford Angling Club, Lake Dulverton hosted by the Dulverton Angling Club, Taylors Dam hosted by the Devonport Anglers Club and Northwest Junior Anglers Club and in the South our own New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association held an event at it's Bushy Park junior pond.

The NNLAA is proud to host this event – the only one in the South and it's always a massive day and one a lot of people enjoy and never forget.

bout 100 people attended with about 50 keen kids casting their arms off for most of the time they were allowed to.

A limited number of rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon were caught and it was noted that cormorants had been working the area which most likely put a lot of the fish off biting.

The NNLAA ran awards for the best performing anglers on the day and the heaviest fish for the boys was won by Hunter Raspin with a 1.3 kg rainbow trout and the heaviest fish for the girls was won by Audrey Smallwood with a 1.375 kg Atlantic salmon.

Three outstanding angler awards were given out for the next best performers with Tex Folmer receiving one for a 1.270 kg salmon, Noah Rodman caught two fish, his best was a 1.175 kg rainbow trout and Casey Cordwell also caught a nice rainbow trout weighing 1.126 kg.

Special mentions go out to Amelia McCarthy, Chloe Oates, Zeph Johns and Harley Campbell who also managed to catch nice fish. Big thanks to the Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz for attending and helping present awards to anglers and also acting IFS Director Ryan Wilkinson for attending and also contributing to the cause.

Also thanks to sponsors the AAT IFS ,T&M Trophies, Tassie Devil Lures and BCF for their support on this great day and to all of the NNLAA committee for their hard work in organising and running the event.

Keep an eye out in the future for more updates with the NNLAA set to host other junior fishing days in the coming weeks and months.

ANGLERS fishing Bradys Lake had better boost their breaking strain and hook quality after the Inland Fisheries Service released 30 triploid rainbow trout into here late last week.

All of these fish weighed on average a massive 8 kg and they were donated by the Salmon Ponds and will provide many a thrill to those chasing and hooking them over the next few weeks/months.

A couple of these big fish had been caught over the weekend and it was good to see that at least one was released back into the water for someone else to catch.

Also remember that there aretwo yellow tagged brown trout in Brady's Lake as well as other waters which are worth $5000 to anyone who is lucky enough to catch one.

In other stocking news more wild rainbow trout have been transferred into Lake Sorell from Great Lake with 75 fish weighing around 0.450 kg stocked into the water on October 9.

These young fish, along with others transferred in the past, will replenish wild stock as they spawn and reproduce in the future.

SQUID anglers were out in force last weekend stocking up the freezer with fish before the closure of the South East region for spawning from October 15 to November 14.

An increase in calamari catch levels by both sectors combined with a depleted stock status in the South East and a depleting stock status in the North has seen new spawning closures put in place. The North coast region was closed on September 1 and will reopen on October 31. To help maintain future populations the closures limit catches to make sure that calamari won't be targeted when they are at their most vulnerable.

Tight Lines until next week.

Tip of the Week - Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service have mentioned that the boom gates on Lake Augusta Rd and Double Lagoon Roads were reopened on October 11. Access to Lake Pillans and Talinah Lagoons will stay closed with a hope to be reopened by November 1.

Send in your fishing reports,pics and tips to valleyfishes@gmail.com and keep track of the Derwent Valley Gazette Fishing column at derwentvalleygazette.com