• November – Stu’s trip to Weipa (video and talk)
• December – end of year barbq by the lake
• February – Bill will talk on digital cameras
• March – tentative to get a talk on major expedition planning and preparation (eg that trip to Alaska)

Remember Lyle Knowles is coming on 20 Oct and there is a trip (nominally to Brogo) planned for the weekend 20-21 Nov.

It’s been a great month with a very successful course on the lawns of Old Parliament House – yep, we’ll ensure we avoid Father’s Day next year J Many thanks to Stuart for stepping into Mark S’s shoes and conducting the training.

Despite Father’s Day and threats of bad weather we had an excellent turnout no doubt assisted by the possibility of winning a full fly tackle setup donated by Dr Bryan Pratt (from his tackle store in Tuggeranong).
In the end Martin won the prize presented by Stu at the end of the casting day.

As a new innovation (from Geoff’s fertile mind), the third week of the course was on trout water to give the students some real experience. Geoff describes the day below:

The day was successful from both a club and individual point of view. So initially, I must thank all those who assisted. Stuart for the instruction on the previous weekends, Ian, Stefan and Stuart on the day. Also, special mention must go to Chris and Yvonne, owners of the trout farm.

Chris and Yvonne created a catch and release section for the one time use of the club members. (Please note that this is not available for general use when you visit.) Originally, concerned as to how the fish would survive, I can report that all bar one made it through to Thursday, so things are looking good. Chris is a keen fisherman himself and likes to invite other members into the community, so his assistance, tour of the facility and allowances for members to stay past closing to fish the limited hatch on the main lake are greatly appreciated. It is hoped that this is a relationship that we can foster for the future.

The turnout was exceptional, we had approximately 20 people turn up, mostly beginners or new members to the club. This was great and the club hopes that they remain with us in the future.

The team originally met at the Alpine Angler, Geoff was a little late, after being caught behind a cement mixer from Bredbo to Cooma. This allowed all members to tour the shop, gather some flies, eye off new pieces of equipment and meet the staff. When one member was asked how the Dam wall was that morning, the sheepish reply was that he had missed it and slept in. From there we set out for the farm in a mixed convoy of vehicles, arriving about 1pm.

Safety brief out of the way, gear collected and rigged, Chris toured the facility, explaining the history of trout in Australia and showed that apparently dead water can hold lots of trout in the sure catch pool. At this time Ziggy and Geoff tried to work out what the fish would take in the pool and Geoff showed his prowess by catch the infamous ‘branch fish’ in front of the crowd. However, once the first fish was caught, eager members crowded the water and began swatting it profusely. The plans to return people to casting then let them loose on the water collapsed with the enthusiasm evident.

Most members started getting into fish, they were taking flashy flies down low, such as ribbed nymphs, fry imitations and BMS. But amongst the fish the neighbouring trees, lines and compatriots all were hooked. Much to Yvonne’s relief we failed to catch any of her ducks or chickens, although a few tying types were eying off the napes of each respective bird.

With the tight casting conditions, Stuart introduced many to the joys of the roll cast. The women and youngsters seemed to pick this up quickly and profited from it. Regardless, I cannot think of anyone reverting to a lure or not catching a fish. Recollection seems to indicate that everyone at least got two fish out of the pool.

As members left, they decided to either collect a feed from the sure catch pond, chasing the elusive golden, or to finish the hours on the main dam. I did not see anyone catch a fish on the dam, but I left before the final few were overcome by fading light.

All in all, I think everyone had a great day. This is a good point to build on for future activities and an easy going learning environment to continue to develop skills. Once again, thanks must go to all that helped make it a success and we hope to see all those individuals at the upcoming meetings and outings.

Geoff

As a consequence of increasing ‘catch and release’ approaches to fishing, the AGM of 2004 decided to change the basis of our trophies from greatest weight to greatest length. The list of trophies that the association offers is:

Lyle Knowles Trophy – fly only, best bag of up to 5 fish caught in the Cotter River between the Dam wall and the junction with the Murrumbidgee River. Held mid-October on a Wednesday. Named after foundation member.

Mick Cornick Trophy – best trout on fly for the season.

Carp Challenge – best carp from local lakes. Established by a couple of younger members a few years ago.

ACT Angler Trophy – best saltwater fish for the year. Originally donated by Wayne Loddington who ran a tackle shop in Lonsdale Street.

Keith Shields Memorial Trophy – best native fish for the year (ie to 31 July – just prior to Annual General Meeting). Named after prominent member.

Anglers Art Trophy – best trout on outing by any (legal) means. Originally donated by Bob Reid who founded Anglers Art.

Mick O'Brien Trophy – best trout for year to 31 July by any method. Donated by Mick O'Brien, early member of CAA and proprietor of tackle (and barber)shop at the Lawns, Manuka for many years.

CAA Junior Trophy – best trout by junior for the year to 31 July.

Max proposed some ideas to promote attendance on trips. One idea was that the club develop an extended directory describing member’s interests and availability for fishing outside the club calendar. As a start, members might care to email to others information such as: name, contact details (phone/email), fishing interests, availability (for instance Max admitted to being a retired folk available most days be preferring weekends, he also added that he has a four wheel drive, camper/trailer and runabout which he would be willing to share cost of fuel).

No doubt lots of us got out that weekend, but photographic evidence is available only for Peter and Bill. Quick trip to the upper Eucumbene River brought some success (moreso for Peter, 5 landed from 8 or so hooked whereas Bill just landed the one from 3). All were Rainbows in the kilo mark 42-45 cm or so.

In order to speed up the process of meetings (so we can get into the more important matters of learning some more about this past-time), the minutes of the last meeting are here. We hope to minimise club administration on the meeting nights.

Members present: Ian, Bill, Stefan, Peter, Geoff, Bruce and Max.

Apologies: Scott, Cheryl and Darrel.

President, Ian declared the meeting opened.

Minutes of the AGM of 11 Aug 2004 are deferred for approval to 2005 AGM. Key decisions were:

• Stu to pursue an updated valuation for the Hardy rod.
• Bill to pursue resolution of the meeting room.
• Fishing trophies are now to be based on length rather than weight.

Bill to include items in the newsletter:

• Reminding members of the change from weight to length for the trophies.
• Listing trophies.
• Reminding members of the availability of the club boat.

While we received an attractive quote from the Brumbies club, it was decided to continue with Royals (now Raiders) since it was on a formal commercial basis. Cost is $250 pa plus GST from Feb 2005.

Despite several eyes passing over the annual program issued at the AGM, Bruce has noted some errors:

• March trip to Monaro Streams should be 19-20 Mar
• May trip to Eucumbene should be 21-22 May

The audited 2002/2003 financial statement has gone missing – perhaps with Mark F for auditor’s signature. Ian will pursue.

The association has a balance of $1482.92 as end of Aug. Actual position is $1715.42 post the raffles at the fly days. $155 raffle takings to date. $127.50 membership fees have been collected.

In the absence on holidays of Mark F (cheque signatory), authorisation was given to Stefan to make out cheques (including to himself and Bruce):

• Stefan to reimburse for the Post Office Box charge.
• Bruce for membership card printing $42.43.
• Peter for trophy engraving $19.80

Bank forms were processed to change signatories to Ian, Stefan, Bill and Bruce.

The membership application and club information form is to be updated by Bill before Sunday fly casting.

Max reported that the rego for the trailer for the club boat has been fixed. He will chase the ACT lake permit (less Burley Griffin) that normally comes with the rego. The boat has a complicated ownership (mixed between Max and club). Max will get a valuation for his items so that the club can consider purchase. CAA needs to consider value for money for public liability insurance required for boating on Burley Griffin.

The CAA badges (long lost) have surfaced with Stu:

• 147 cloth badges were found (for sale at $5).

• 3 metal badges were reserved for presentation to guest speakers.
• 5 life membership badges.
• 5 teaspoons – for award to ‘best on outing’?

Max proposed some ideas to promote attendance on trips. One idea was that the club develop an extended directory describing member’s interests and availability for fishing outside the club calendar. Much discussion on whether this could/should be put on the web led to a general agreement that this would not be appropriate. Members will be encouraged to email this information individually. Max provided a template to Bill for dissemination.

Bill reported that a web page originally set up by Max has been re-activated. This allows us to have a permanent entry page that can point to any other web presence even if that has to move addresses. The address is to be added to the CAA letterhead and is:

Ian spoke on affiliations that the CAA has had in the past but has lapsed. These provide a lobby group to improve habitat and fishing regulations. He has first considered the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers. This organisation is looking for active membership, not just attendees. The cost is $1.50 per club member and meets quarterly. The next meeting is 20 Nov at Cooma. Ian will look further. Information is also available at:

He is also looking at the Australian Freshwater Fisherman’s Assembly

Bill will check with ACT Fly Fishers to see if they have an affiliations and whether it is seen as good value.

No reports of any significance.

Next event are the final fly casting day and the associated Eucumbene trip. 20 Oct is Lyle Knowles. Max was asked to lead the 20/21 Nov trip to Brogo.

Bill will check with Stu regarding next meeting talk by him and Danny Spelic on their Weipa trip.

Next meeting is on 13 Oct 2004.

The President declared the meeting closed.