CANBERRA ANGLER’S ASSOCIATION Inc. GPO Box 2237 CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601 http://www.actco.org.au/canberraanglersassn/index.html

Minutes of the February meeting are at the end.

The next meeting is at 8pm on Wed 9 Mar at Royal's (now called Weston) Club near Cooleman Court. Stefan is arranging for a talk by a local artisan who makes cane fly rods. Future talks will be by a local professional fly tier and two local tackle shops on different topics to be confirmed.

Peter and Bill recently braved a 3 am wake up call to set off to meet the morning rise on the Eucumbene - well … at least one of us managed to get up on time. Despite a brief delay, the sun had not risen to burn off the valley fog when we arrived and started to set up. Whilst we were pleased that there was no-one in sight, we did not expect that this lack of competition would last as it did for the entire day.

Mixed results ensued (Peter even had the audacity to take a 43cm male rainbow on his first cast from the back of the car before Bill had even finished rigging up !).

Bill proceeded to get strikes, but only a few were hooked and none landed, Peter rubbed it in with two more good sized fish onto the shore.

We came across a number of snakes beside the river, but we were surprised to see, on two separate occasions, small Brown snakes swimming in the river - one took quite a shine to Peter and followed him downstream for quite a way. Bill was happy enough on the other bank with no desire to wade across to get close enough for a photo.

Summary quotes: "All in all my best day here"; "Well at least the weather was kind" - I'll leave the reader to guess whose is whose.

It's now March and we are more than half way through the club's financial year. If any club members have not paid their subscriptions, can they do so as soon as possible.

Our inquiries into re-affiliation with the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers (www.freshwateranglers.com.au) have already borne some fruit. The CFA have on the web a very interesting article on safety with waders and the benefits of a wader belt:

www.freshwateranglers.com.au/waders.htm

At long last, the raffle for the hand-turned priest was drawn. As so often, it seems, Scott was the lucky winner.

As decided in our Feb meeting, we replaced our Googong trip scheduled for 20 Feb with a mid-week barbq and fish from Black Mountain Peninsula on Thu 17 Feb. A number of members showed up and had a very social occasion. There was even a surprise in that our newest member (Robert) was helping to celebrate his father Bill's birthday - cake and bubbly followed. In regard to the fishing, several members, especially young Robert hooked up with relatively small red-fin. They certainly weren't as active as had been expected. Nevertheless, a nice get-together.

As editor I'd like to record my appreciation for those who have submitted material (especially with photos) for the newsletter - please keep them coming. Stories, for sale ads, instructional material, birthday wishes - all manner of material welcome.

Members present: Ian, Bill, Stefan, Geoff, Peter, Scott, Fred, Stu, Max, Cheryl, Darrel and Bruce.

Apologies: John and Robert

President, Ian declared the meeting opened.

December meeting by the lake was cancelled due to the storm.

The executive met before the meeting to review actions arising from last meeting. Key points and general discussion in main meeting:

• Stu has received a ‘new’ price for a similar Hardy Rod – not yet determined whether that is an appropriate figure for audit purposes. His action to propose a fishing ‘jumble sale’ remains extant.
• The books for 2003/2004 have been now fully audited and submitted to the ACT Government.
• Stu and Scott to provide receipts for engraving the trophies they won when available.
• Investigations with respect to affiliation to NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers (www.freshwateranglers.com.au) continue. Ian will distribute minutes/journals in due course. Next feasible meeting attendance will be in May.
• Speakers program for next few months was discussed.
• Stefan will arrange March (cane rod maker);
• Bill will arrange talk on saltwater (2 speed game reels and saltwater fly suggested topics) from Angler's Art for April;
• Bill will arrange talk on DIY/group expeditions (esp overseas) with Alpine Angler for May.
• Moved Ian, Seconded Geoff, carried: Meeting agreed to purchasing items related to the boat from Max at a cost of $800. These comprise the motor (4.5hp), trailer jerrycan and filler etc. (Max will retain the electric motor but is happy for it to remain on long term loan to the club.) Discussion ensued on implications:
• Stu will compile some draft policy on boat use (borrower responsibilities, checklist etc).
• Geoff will investigate situation with respect to liability insurance.
• Max will investigate and or produce a canvas cover so that all items can be stored in the boat.
• Stu will continue to house the boat at home.

No significant financial transactions aside from the boat purchase tonight. Until that purchase we had $1743 at bank

See Feb newsletter - not a lot added.

Discussion was concerned with the low level of Googong for our planned trip on Feb 20. Instead a Thursday evening session at Black Mountain Peninsular was suggested.

Reminder that Monaro Streams is on Sat/Sun 19/20 Mar (Canberra Day long weekend). Arrangements will be made in the runup to the March meeting.

Stefan noticed an ad in the newspaper seeking two studies for the Department of Environment and Heritage. One examines impact of aquarium fish (ie carp and goldfish in our waters) and, perhaps more of interest, impact of imported salmonids (trout etc). We should watch for opportunities for public submissions. The second study ion Tender 12/2005DEH "Updated Overview on Impacts of Introduced Salmonids in Australia" . www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/notices/index.html

Geoff noted that an attractively priced cane rod was being sold by Goulburn Fly Fishers.

Next meeting is on 9 Mar. Stefan is arranging for a split cane rod maker to speak.

The President declared the meeting closed. Bill then spoke on digital photography - no-one seemed to fall asleep and some good questions were asked.

Ian Bill

President Secretary