Fishing Australia

Keen young anglers looking for a bit of excitement and fun these school holidays can learn more about recreational fishing at two NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) fishing workshops during the October school holidays. The fishing workshop program is one of many initiatives implemented by the NSW Government using funds from the Recreational Fishing Trusts to improve fishing opportunities across the State. NSW DPI Education Officer, Brett Smith, said the fishing workshops would give children aged between 8 and 14 years the chance to learn basic fishing skills.

“Youngsters will also learn about recreational fishing rules and regulations, sustainable fishing practices, native and introduced fish species and aquatic habitats,” Mr Smith said.

The workshops will be held on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 October at the Narrandera Fisheries Centre, Buckingbong Road, off the Sturt Highway, from 10am to 3pm.

“The Narrandera Fisheries Centre is a centre of excellence for native fish species research and is the ideal place for community groups to learn more about freshwater fishing,” he said.

“Children will get the chance to put their new skills into action when they fish in a pond specially stocked to improve their chances of a good catch.

“The fishing workshop program is assisted by local Fishcare Volunteers, who are instrumental in the running of the program across NSW and are essential in teaching the next generation of anglers about one of Australia’s favourite pastimes.”

Every year $50 000 from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust is allocated to providing community engagement fishing workshops as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to teaching children about sustainable recreational fishing and habitat conservation. Each workshop costs $40 a child, which includes a quality rod and reel, tackle box, shirt, hat and a BBQ lunch. Parents are encouraged to ensure children participating have plenty of sunscreen, bring along a drink bottle for water and wear enclosed footwear. Numbers are limited to a maximum of 30 children a day and bookings are essential. To secure a place please telephone (02) 6958 8200 by Tuesday 4 October before 10am.

THE SPOTTED DOG IS BACK!

‘Spotted dog’ is the name given to a paint job on a lure that makes it look lit up like a brown trout in attack mode. When painted correctly, this pattern stirs an extremely aggressive response off other brown trout and indeed any other freshwater fish that is territorial and doesn’t want to give up its home to another hungry fish.

Rapala’s “Spotted Dog” was first made famous in the mid-to-late 80’s by Rapala’s Head of International Export, Erkki Norell, as a superb trout & native freshwater lure coloration; however due the complexity of this pattern, supply was limited and as a result it was common to see avid anglers painting their own Rapala lures, Spotted-Dog-style. Times have not changed as the Spotted Dog pattern is still widely sought after; commonly painted as an aftermarket lure; and is still very difficult to create.

With the drought breaking and anglers celebrating a time of plenty, Rapala have made available, for a limited time only, the Rapala CountDown 05 and Rapala Original Floater 07 in Spotted Dog. Each individual lure is hand-painted by the Rapala factory in Finland, the result is a stunning lure that is a joy to use. No doubt many will be brought by collectors too-unique original lures like this have proven to be a very good investment. The coloration is exclusive to Australia, and any good tackle store in our country will be able to get them in for you.

See you on the water
Rob Paxevanos