The history of fishing goes back nearly as far as the fish. Fishing history dates back to when people of ancient times began fishing for food, when pieces of bone were used as hooks and lengths of vine as line. The oldest known painting of an angler using a rod or staff comes from Egypt and history dates it from about 2000 BC. Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle mentioned angling in their writings, and another Greek writer, Plutarch, gave tips about fishing lines. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, Roman rhetorician Claudius Aelian wrote about Macedonian trout anglers using artificial flies as lures.

The methods and tackle used for fishing evolved slowly through the centuries, and not until the late 15th century did sportfishing as it is now known really begin. In 1496 the book A Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle gave specific details for the first time in English about the use of the fishing rod. Written by Dame Juliana Berners, the prioress of an abbey near Saint Albans, England, the book describes the construction of hooks and rods for angling. The manuscript also describes how to tie knots in fishing lines and how to make and use artificial lures and flies to take advantage of the feeding habits of game fish. Dame Juliana’s precepts were the basis of angling knowledge in England for about 150 years.

In 1653, English angler Izaak Walton published The Compleat Angler, or the Contemplative Man’s Recreation, the single most influential book ever published about sportfishing. In The Compleat Angler Walton addresses the art of constructing tackle, the science of basic aquatic biology, and the philosophy of recreational anglers. Based on a lifetime of observations, Walton’s book describes the craftsmanship involved in making fishing tackle and ponders the methods anglers must use to catch game fish. Walton also gives detailed accounts of feeding habits and life cycles of different species. He believed that the true angler is one who fishes for the love of fishing and that catching fish by sporting means is far superior to other methods of fishing.

Since Walton’s time, anglers have continually improved their fishing gear, tactics, and knowledge of fish behavior. At the same time, many of the sport’s proponents have realized the necessity of protecting fish habitats so that the sport may continue. Notable anglers and writers who have helped to popularize the sport include two Americans: Lee Wulff, whose books contain anecdotes and intricate details about fly fishing, and A. J. McClane, the author of numerous fishing guidebooks.

Through the years, men have dominated sportfishing, but in the late 20th century women took up the sport in increasing numbers. Books by American fly-fishing instructors such as Joan Wulff have resulted in fly-fishing schools, organizations, and specially designed tackle for women. The increased participation of women has been an important part of an overall rise in tourism and business associated with sportfishing.

Contributed By:

Jay H. Cassell, M.A.
Senior Editor, Sports Afield. Member, Outdoor Writers Association of America. Contributor, Business Week, Camping Journal, and other publications.

“Fishing,” Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The result of collecting some nice bait and putting the boat in the right spot and a dash of luck. A nice cobia taken on a relatively light 8 kilo Wilson Live Fibre, Calcutta 400 outfit.

The offshore fishing off Townsville in Queensland is still great, even if it is located near one of the fastest growing areas in Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef, which shadows the east coast of Queensland runs a little further out from Townsville, limiting trips to good weather or larger boats. At around 40 nautical miles, it’s a long trip in a smaller vessel. Just up the highway, at the bottom end of Hinchenbrook, the scene is a little less gloomy with the reef some 10 miles closer and in reach of smaller vessels, though in rough weather it seem a thousand miles away.
Townsville is blessed with the Magnetic Island Shoals. Reported to be remnants of the last Ice Age, the sporadic deposits of rock and shale bottom on the seaward side of Magnetic Island attract plenty of good fish. It’s like the one tree in the paddock theory. Small and large-mouthed nannygai, coral trout, cod and cobia are just some of the bottom fish that call the deep-water shoal areas home. Throw in Spanish mackerel, school and spotty mackerel, the tunas, big GTs and queenfish and you have the basis for a pretty successful patch of water.

MAGNETIC ATTRACTION
If you wish to find these shoals then the place to start is directly out from Magnetic Island. By trolling a few lures for mackerel and watching the sounder intently then it may be only a matter of time before you happen across a nice piece of bottom with fish on it.
You will be in 80 to 100 feet of water so a sounder of good quality is probably going to be the most important piece of gear on your boat. A colour sounder would be all the better.
Concentrate on finding a difference in the bottom composition. A spot with some associated bait is even better. If by chance you locate both of these components and happen to see the odd olive sea snake or turtle, things are really looking up. These are all signs conducive to a good shoal fishing location.

HOT BAIT
It stands to reason that when bait fishing for any fish then bait is a very vital link in the chain to it all. It amazes me then how few anglers have a decent live bait setup in their boat. Keeping bait alive in the tropics when it is hot requires lots of water circulation and without it the bait simply dies. Those little buckets out the back of the boat on a bit of rope are good for a couple of small fish but if you are going to have a big session and the bait is plentiful you do not want to have to stop fishing on a hot bite to return to the bait grounds or stop doing what you are doing because the small live bait container could only hold a couple of fish.
Thankfully, most purpose-built rigs these days incorporate a decent live bait well from the start. If, however, you are retro-fitting your existing vessel, then there are still plenty of options for you. Eskies make great insulated live bait wells. Add a purpose-built live bait pump and battery and you have a start. If you can plumb the whole thing to reticulate the water in and out you are further in front. The bigger the pump, the more water movement, the bigger the advantage.
Once a nice school of bait is found then it can be as simple as using one of those pre-rigged bait jig rigs that cost all of a couple of bucks. One tip is to have a purpose-rigged rod with these on ready to go. They are far too prone to entanglement to leave it until the bait is found and believe you me they tangle like nothing else and those little hooks seem to be the sharpest hooks in the world when they get you. Another tip is that kids love catching bait and if you can line up a young angler to complete this task they normally do with plenty of motivation and catching more than one fish at a time is a kid’s dream job.
Best baits are undoubtedly the ones you get to the boat and get back down to the eating zone.
Offshore from Townsville there are scads, herring and a host of other little shiny silver critters that love those jigs and in turn, get eaten quite readily. Another local favourite are pinkies, which are of course a small pink fish that also eat the bait jigs. Grinners also attack the jigs and I don’t know of their credentials up here but a bit further south in the Hervey Bay area my old fishing buddy Charlie used to swear by them as the best cod bait in the world. He sure caught enough of them in his time so for me it’s an irrefutable fact in fishing that grinners are good bait.
BIG BAIT OPTIONS
Don’t stress too much about locating bait out wide. If you are handy with a cast net then there are also plenty of opportunities to gather herring and mullet in the creeks or rivers before heading out.
While plenty of anglers have their favourite baits I reckon at 80 or 90 feet down a big trout or cobia will eat first and think later. Also do not be afraid to put on a big bait such as a Spanish flag or Moses perch.
Bigger baits are good because they also escape the razor gang of small pickers that maul smaller obviously handicapped baits and trout, cod and cobia all have big appetites. As for Spaniards they take it in a couple of bites and GTs are just downright nasty animals that eat anything, sometimes just for the hell of it.

RIGHT TACKLE
You have done the hard work, put in the time looking for fish holding structure and have a bucket load of livies ready to be sent to the depths. You drift down the first livie on your K-MART special and get well and truly assaulted by an unknown and never to be identified assailant.
As far as tackle goes, if you want to stop big fish, everything has to be of good quality and these days with the range of tackle available there is no excuse for turning up with a Cold War edition boat rod and star drag overhead to catch the fish of a lifetime.
Rods should be in the 15 - 24 kilo bracket. Big trout can be likened to a mangrove jack. They hit and are heading back into whatever piece of hell bottom they came from fast so that first couple of feet is the key.
One super gun at this type of fishing is the Wilson Live Fibre 20 kilo Black Bass Rod with 50 pound braid and a Calcutta 400. It bends (under plenty of protest) right through the blank and cushions that first lunge with the drag virtually locked up. It’s not the rod to give to your grandma but it is a weapon of mass destruction when it comes to levering those big fish for the first couple of feet. Be warned though. That blank was not designed for a prolonged fight with a big GT as the leverage will then works the other way so it is a bit of a catch-22 situation, however, it has boated quite a few nice fish all the same.
Also do not be afraid to use one of the new big threadlines on the market on a 15-kilo stick with 50 or 80 pound braid. Those first couple of turns of the handle can mean all the difference and threadlines are the easiest to turn. Handlines are also a good back up if the mood should take you but 90 feet of water is a fair effort on a handline.

TIME FOR THE TERMINAL-ATOR
It should go without saying that the terminal tackle should be strong and good quality also. Strong live bait hooks and 100+ pound leader. Use braided line 30 – 80 pound.
Learn to tie a good Bimini Twist and then an Albright knot to join the leader. The rig is simply a ball sinker on the hook or a metre or so of trace to let that live-bait get around a bit. If you have the sinker on the hook, another tactic is to let it hit the bottom and then wind it up a few turns. Cobia love baits at this height off the bottom as do Spaniards.
You can use wire if you are targeting Spaniards but be aware that there is no shortage of sharks in any length, size, colour or shape off the coast of Townsville. There is even a place known as Shark Shoal. They get so thick that they black out the sounder at this spot, which must be the all-time favourite hangout for sharks. If you like staying connected to 10 feet of whaler then you are in for a treat. To avoid getting cut off by Spaniards, still use a set of gangs and only use the bottom hook in the bait.

VERDICT
Townsville’s offshore fishery is a great alternative to actually fishing the Great Barrier Reef itself. Even on a bad trip you’ll probably get a feed of thumper Spanish flags, or their other smaller Lutjanid cousins, which taste as good as anything else in the ocean.
As for a ‘good trip’ you’ll certainly have plenty to brag about.
Remember your boating safety gear and make sure it’s up-to-date and in reach. Also put a VHF radio call into the Townsville or Ingham Coast Guards on your way out so they can log your trip details.
Most local fishos guard their little shoal hot spots with vigour but with a little detective work, and good gear you can be out there enjoying a fabulous fishing experience.

OUTSIDE PILOTAGE AREAS
LOCALITY: CAPE MORETON
ACTIVITY: CONTAINERS LOST OVERBOARD
Mariners are advised that thirty-one shipping containers have been lost over the side from a ship
about 7 NM east of Cape Moreton in approximate position Latitude 27° 01.5′S, Longitude
153°36′E. There have been no reports of any containers floating, however the containers may be
floating just under the surface of the water. The containers were reported overboard at 03:15hrs
11 March 2009.
Mariners are advised exercise extreme caution when navigating in this area and report the
position of any shipping containers to Brisbane Port Control.
AUS Charts Affected: 235
Maritime Safety Queensland Charts Affected: Moreton Bay – Manly to Mooloolaba (MB1)
Maritime Safety Queensland Beacon to Beacon Directory 7th Edition map 5
Maritime Safety Queensland Beacon to Beacon Directory 8th Edition map 5

Urgent Warning: Do not buy another piece of fishing equipment…

…until you have seen this hidden discovery from the 1940’s that
has just been revealed!

http://www.systemsalesmachine.com/app/?Clk=2897586

Courier Mail -Amanda Watt February 27, 2009.

MORE shark attacks are likely off the Queensland coast if plans to dramatically slash the commercial catch goes ahead in July, experts have warned.

The Queensland Seafood Industry Association this week formally withdrew from a State Government review of the shark fishery because of its opposition to a 40 per cent reduction in the allowable shark catch.

President Neil Green said the changes - under which the total annual inshore shark catch will be cut from 950-1000 tonnes to 600 tonnes and the number of shark fishing licences slashed from 1400 to fewer than 200 - will significantly increase dangers for swimmers and hit the net fishing industry.

Mr Green said the government would have no choice but to beef up existing shark control netting and drum lines as larger sharks move closer to shore.

He said he would no longer be allowing his family to swim in the ocean.

“I would give it 12 months under these restrictions and you are going to see a huge amount of shark interactions with humans and different varieties of shark as well,” Mr Green said. “Anyone who enters the water does so at their own risk.”

The July 1 changes are designed as a precautionary measure for three years to allow the shark catch to be monitored and a better picture gained of the status of the species.

The QSIA agreed to a temporary cap of 700 tonnes a year but pressure from environmentalists led to Federal Government intervening and a 600 tonne limit.

Queensland Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Resource Manager Mark Lightowler said best estimates were that sharks known to attack humans were a very small percentage of the commercial catch.

They believe the predatory bull sharks represent less than 5 per cent, while the equally dangerous tiger sharks are less than 1 per cent. Great Whites are already protected.

James Cook University shark scientist Dr Colin Simfendorfer, who was on the original State Government working group, insisted the new shark fishing rules would have “negligible” impact on bather safety.

“The species that are taken in the fishery are very different to the ones that cause concerns for humans; you are talking about two fairly distinct groups of species,” Dr Simfendorfer said.

“Most of the commercial catch is things like milk sharks, black tips, spot tail sharks and scalloped hammer head, which are relatively small and really don’t hassle the people.”

But commercial shark fishermen say the percentage of tiger and bull sharks hauled up in their nets is far greater than what the Government claims.

Townsville fisherman Greg Radley, 45, whose entire catch is sold and consumed domestically, said that while he accepted most of the sharks he caught were “completely harmless”, common sense said if there were less sharks of any variety being caught, more would be in the ocean.

He said the Government’s “very conservative” estimates of 1 per cent for tiger sharks and 5 per cent for bulls still equated to thousands more predatory sharks off the coast each year from July 1.

“The ramification from this decision is you are putting human life at risk,” Mr Radley said.

“I’m not being an alarmist, I’m just being a realist. People that allow their children to swim in the ocean deserve to know these things so they can make up their own minds about the dangers.”

The QSIA is seeking compensation from the Federal or State government for what it says will be industry-wide job losses and a reduction in fish for sale.

“If you are going to wipe out industry jobs and protect the shark, someone’s going to have to pay,” Mr Green said.

A similar debate is raging in NSW where commercial shark fishermen have an annual quota of 160 tonnes.

from www.fishingmonthly.com.au/Articles/Display/7758-Barra-on-fly-for-summer

Author - Wayne Kampe

How lucky are we Queenslanders to have magnificent, barra stocked dams from Cairns to Maryborough? Such widespread distribution puts these fish within range of a lot of fly anglers. And make no mistake, barra are very catchable on fly.
when the bite is on…

Barra, as we know, are notoriously changeable and moody fish and are hard to understand at times but when the bite is on, the fly will certainly work. But let’s take that a bit further; there are times when a fly will out fish lures.

Most of our barra dams seem to be either red hot or stone cold since late September, (with the possible exception of Teemburra, which fires along nicely most times,) so timing a trip to your favourite dam won’t involve special moon phases, tide times or other issues. You will most likely go when you can, around work and family commitments, the same as me.

The weather is probably the most important variable to factor into a successful dam session, whether it be the pesky southeasterly or a hot northerly that’s blowing. From my experience if the weather has been stable for a few days chances of a bite are stronger.

While we cannot organise weather for our trip we can at least have some expectation of fishing quality. If things look good there’s a huge confidence boost, which is important for all fishing but especially if you are casting the fly and are not really sure if it will work. Trust me, it will.
Big fish need big gear

Gone are the days when dam barra were little tackers around 70-80cm. The last three that came into my wife’s tinny from Monduran Dam were 101cm, 104cm and 105cm. They were big, fat fellows that pulled like tractors. These fish demand definite respect so my advice is to become accustomed to the use of ten weight tackle.

The rod is your choice. If you can afford a premium one then go for it, as it will be much easier to use in the long term.

That aside, I’m currently departing from this model and putting a ten weight G Loomis Xperience (a budget priced rod) to work and have caught a nice 105cm fish on it so far. It’s stiff but strong and casts a country mile, which is more work, but you should understand that no matter how good the dam is fishing there won’t be a barra behind every drowned bush or tree so plenty of casts are going to come between fish. So the sweeter the rod the easier your day will be.

Your reel will need a good quality drag and capacity for at least 100m of backing. You will need two fly lines. An intermediate sink rate line for most times with a floating line for fishing at change of light or during darkness when surface popping. After dark surface popping is a lot of fun, if somewhat frightening as those big fish make a huge explosion when boofing a surface fly.

A rod length leader can be simply made by connecting sections of 30kg, 15kg and 20kg line in even lengths. With the 30kg connected to the Gudebrod loop at the end of the fly line (or onto the incorporated loop if the fly line is a Rio) the next section should be the 15kg bit with the 20kg tippet on last to prevent gill razers from cutting off flies. The fly should be tied onto a loop, too, so it can work freely when retrieved.
Flies

Your chosen fly needs to be on a very strong hook, mine are tied on size 4/0 or 6/0 Gamakatsu SL12’s. If you could only get one fly onto the water I’d opt for a gold one with some black along the back and a bit of red under the chin. It’s easy to buy a Gold Bomber fly or other custom rolled jobs, which will work fine but if you like to make your own flies try a Deceiver tied with the afore mentioned colours.

I’ve taken barra on virtually every coloured Deceiver imaginable plus Pink Things tied as black Things, red Things and green Things. That aside, gold is a great starting point when tying a Deceiver, the same as it is in a hard bodied lure. The one outstanding thing about all my barra flies is that they are bulky jobs and are hard to throw on less than ten weight tackle but displacing plenty of water when retrieved.
Stealth mandatory

Barra in most impoundments will have seen a lot anglers and their tackle since the weather warmed up and have consequently become a bit nervous. Wouldn’t you if every time you got comfy someone pelted a lure into close proximity?

While most barra won’t have seen a fly they will certainly be wary of boats by now so the idea is to employ as stealthy an approach as is possible. I use the trusty Watersnake electric motor to get me close to the bank (as nearly every barra that Denise and I take on fly comes out of less than 2m of water) then drift as much as possible to keep the noise levels to a minimum.

The clue when using the intermediate line is to cast as far ahead as can be achieved then retrieve as slowly as possible without snagging up. The rod tip should be kept in the water to avoid slack.

When using the floating line with a Gartside Gurgler, large Dahlberg Diver or other popper on the tippet it’s a different scenario. After each small strip follow by pushing the rod towards the fly to get some slack into the system or the fish will not be able to inhale the fly properly.
Where to find them

Unlike lure anglers the flyfisher will need to keep away from the heavily timbered areas if you want to take the tackle home in the same condition it went to the dam. We are not, after all, using 50lb braid and an overhead reel with the drag done up with multi grips. Flyfishing is hand-to-hand combat. Good fun but a bit rugged.

Accordingly we look for lightly timbered flats, points, bays and the like as good places to work the fly. Any small bushes protruding in less than a couple of metres of water are likely spots for a hook up but as I mentioned we just cannot expect a fish to be behind every one.

Without doubt the best times are around change of light but we’ve taken a lot of barra on fly gear when it has become decidedly hot, and we needed to pour a bit of water down the back of the shirt to keep cool.

The key to success, in my book, comes down to keeping the faith and working hard. Keep the casts going and don’t make noise.

When the weather is favourable sooner or later a fish will get in on the act and then the fun begins. Impoundment barra on fly are a real test of skill. In my view, they are the best fresh water can offer.

This is an old interview with Peter but it is one of my favourites. I thought I may share it with you here.

Peter MorseAustralia’s Peter Morse talks about the four species of bonefish found around his native land, the jaw-dropping power of New Guinea Bass, the amazing species of fish found on the Australian mainland, and wade fishing in the land of crocodiles.

Peter Morse Podcast

Interviewer: Zach Matthews | Itinerant Angler

Podcast Excerpt: “The New Guinea bass is the pit bull terrier of the fish world. It lives in dense river cover. It’s a freshwater species. There’s very little known about it actually, scientifically. It grows to 50, 60 perhaps 70 pounds. It’s a member of what you would call the snapper family. A cubera snapper would be a close relative. So imagine a cubera snapper living in dense, fallen jungle trees that have tumbled into the river amongst rock bars in these big rivers, and basically it eats whatever it wants to. There are two species: one is the black bass and the other is the spot-tail bass, and I recall when I was guiding up there a fellow landed a spot-tail bass about 35 pounds. And we used to lip-gaff these things and lift them into the boat for photographs, and as it came in this 35-pound bass spewed up a whole possum.”
Podcast music by permission of Old Medicine Crow Show and Steve Hemkens of Orvis and the Wailing’ Jennys.

This last week has seen some fantastic fishing action with Golden Trevally on the flats, Longtail Tuna ,Spotted and Spanish Mackeral, Queenfish and Giant Trevally just offshore on baitballs. One client Neil Shepherd from sydney caught some great fish on fly with over 30 fish in one session.

The highlight for the week was this 26kg plus (or 60 pound) longtail tuna sight cast from 6 feet of water. The fish took a tiny 2/0 white clouser off the rod tip and the first run was over 300 meters. Neil was using a 12 weight outfit with a 30 pound tippet and the fish took nearly 30 minutes to land

Some Awesome Fly Fishing Moments

Beautiful Male BrownTrout

JOHN COLES FLY FISHING

CENTRAL TABLELANDS, NSW

Fishing Report Mar 09

January and February have been very hot with little rain falling over the Central Tablelands. Some rivers fair better than others in these conditions.

Areas in the west including the Campbells, Brisbane Valley and Native Dog have all suffered and many stretches of these rivers were dry a few weeks ago.

Good rain fell across much of the district especially around the Lithgow and Blue Mountains in the last week or so. The main dams are all on the rise and should fish well in the coming months.

I  ran a  Beginners Introduction to Fly Fishing course down at  beautiful Wee Jasper, this was the weekend of the terrible fires in Victoria.

We had temperatures 40+ degrees, it was  still an enjoyable weekend just very hot. The river temperatures became very high and not good for trout or fishing. I will be running a similar course there over the Easter break, it should be much cooler then.

I also have courses at Tumut which again fishes well towards the end of the season.

Mid February I ran a Beginners course staying on a beautiful property on the Fish River.

We observed lots of feeding trout and I managed to hook a couple when demonstrating to the class.

I also fished a dam and had a terrific session, I managed 5 fish up to 5lbs and lost a couple of real thumpers, one lept clear of the water and threw the hook.

I will be running some Lake Craft courses in the coming months, these will be held at a private dam stocked with trophy trout. So join me and learn some tactics for catching trout in still waters.

As we now go into Autumn the weather conditions usually stabalize and the fishing

in the Central Tablelands becomes very good. You can often encounter rising fish throughout the day. I have several options for staying up there.

Further afield I leave this week for a trip to NZ , South Island. I will be running a winter trips to fish the famous Tongariro River on the North Island. So register your interest now. I will also be running trips to the South Island starting in November let me know if you are interested in receiving information on these trips

Check out my Web site www.jcflyfishing.com.au

Or give me a call to talk about your fishing trip 02 9907 0682.

Tight Lines

John Coles

Member of the Professional Fishing Instructors and Guides Association of Australia