Greenwells Fly Fishing Club

Our Introduction to fly Fishing Course is over and was very successful. The weather was extremely testing, but I am sure those who took part enjoyed themselves. I sincerely thank John Hawkins, as education officer for his organisation and presentation skills. I also thank the many members who showed up during the theory nights and the weekend. To Pete & Rob, whose casting expertise ensured the success of the course, I give thanks.

A fly-fishing trip has been gazetted for later this month, March 24 & 25,. Please consider becoming a Trip Captain to organise this event. I have a prepared template to assist. This can be a day or a weekend event, staying at the picturesque caravan/camping site at Colac Colac.
This is an important side of our activities to engender enthusiasm and interest. To run an event is very easy and a great way to meet on the river with like-minded fishers to have fun and learn other aspects of fly-fishing.

The event will be cancelled if not enough interest is shown, Please consider!

At the meeting of March 7th, we will hear from Rob Bailey who will talk about the origins and history of Nymph Fishing, European method. An exciting talk given by one of our own members! Club will be open from 6:00pm on Wednesday for casting on the oval or adjacent area with sausage in bread ($2.00).

There are a few members who have not paid their subscriptions for 2017/18. Please check for the colour of your name in the Tippet Topics. Those in black are still outstanding!

Russell Hook

Happy New Year to all!

It is with delight that I welcome Rob Bailey to our committee. Rob will bring a new level of expertise in the form of casting assistance and event ideas for club activities.

Albury Council has replied to our proposal for a casting, catch & release pond. The committee has formulated a response to their requests for further information and clarity on a couple of issues and now we wait for council to consider.

The heat has been taxing and river temperatures & flows have altered which means catches have been difficult. We can all hopefully look forward to a better year in 2018.

By the time you read this, you should have received a copy of a draft calendar of events for 2018. Please study and submit any ideas or improvements that you would like to include and consider being a trip organiser for any of the many fishing trips on offer. A template of information is available to be filled-in for any of the trips indicated.

February will be a busy month with the “Introduction to Fly Fishing Course” beginning Tuesday 20th, and Thursday 22nd. The weekend of 24th & 25th will be at Bowler Lane, camping at the Mitta Mitta River. Volunteer helpers are required to make this event a success. We have about 8 applicants so far which makes for a positive outcome for our club.

It has been proposed to hold casting skill and competition events on the oval during daylight saving times, before the general meeting nights. This is to help in-crease accuracy and precise landing of the fly. Come along and enjoy the activity.

Russell Hook

I am pleased to announce that my spine has mended well, and the brace comes off on Sunday 3^rd  of September.

My thanks to the committee for their wonderful assistance to make the Annual Dinner the success it became.

I remind those members who won gifts at the dinner raffle, to please personally acknowledge the donors, so they will continue their support of our club.

I will endeavour to list agenda items each month from here on.

Agenda for September 6^th

• Open: 7:30pm
• Introduce guest speaker: Will Spry of Spry Fly New Zealand.
• (See photo, & article below)
• Attendance & Apologies: Recorded on circulated sheet.
• Previous minutes/business arising:
• Correspondence In/Out:
• Financials: in Tippet Topics
• General business:
  • Discussion re “Gone Fishing” activity at Noreuil Park Sunday 15th October 2017 9am – 3pm. Volunteers required for tent-cover erection, casting, fly tying, general display material etc.
  • Introduction to Fly Fishing course Oct 24th, 26th & 28-29 weekend.
• Fishing reports:
• Close:

Kelvin is delighted to report that he has been able to secure Will Spry of Spry Fly New Zealand to speak at our September meeting. Many will remember his late father, Mike, who is justifiably recognised as a pioneer in teaching and guiding fly fishing from a base in Khancoban and Will has carried on the tradition in NZ.

Will developed an interest in fishing by spin fishing the channels around Deniliquin and later his summer school holidays were spent assisting Mike with guided float fishing down the Swampy Plains River.

In 1993 Will moved to NZ and established a guiding business there which is now rightly recognised as one of the best in the country and it is obvious when you talk to him that his passion has not waned.

I thank our new committee member Kelvin Gilder for his comprehensive work in securing interesting guest speakers for our forthcoming general meetings.

Russell Hook

Firstly, I would sincerely like to thank the committee for their assistance to me over this last year.

This month’s meeting is the Annual General Meeting. This gives all members the opportunity to elect or be elected to the committee for the coming year. All votes are important, and I urge everyone to attend and support the election process. Please consider being on the committee and give your experience towards supporting the club.

Friday night’s Fly Tying is being conducted during the off-season with materials and instructions available to produce the outstanding pattern you desire, and an opportunity to practice casting with assistance from other members. It is good to see quite a few members attending. Remember, these nights are occasions to have a social get together.

Our Annual dinner is again at the Siesta Resort, with a delicious menu and of course the traditional serving of smoked trout beginning at 6:30pm. This is our premier social event of the year. Please add your names to the white board and pre-pay Des Walters, so Des doesn’t need to be at the door collecting money on the night. You can also pay by direct deposit to the Hume bank. Details are in the Tippet Topics. Our guest speaker this year is a representative of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which was instrumental in my transfer to Melbourne after my accident. The annual raffle will be running again with an exciting and comprehensive array of donated prizes.

During the year we had a small field attend our introduction to Fly Fishing. 

Des Walters introduced our members to European Nymphing techniques with a successful trip to the Mitta Mitta river.

Our Beef & Reef night was a great success with a wonderful roast beef & prawns.
Thanks to Russ Davies, a trip to Talbingo to compete with Wangaratta Fly Fishing Club was well attended.

We also had a visit from Jim Baumgurtel with his latest supply of gear.
The Face Book page is being well received with some great photos and articles supplied by members.

It has been very pleasing to have an increase in membership again his year.
Our submission to Albury Council to make the “Gravel Pit” trout water with casting facilities is with the Council for evaluation. We are waiting for their decision.
Russell Hook

I wish it was under better circumstances that I am writing this report, unfortunately our President elect Russel has injured himself and will be out of action for a little while. On behalf of all the Greenwell’s members and all the local fly fishing clubs wish him a speedy recovery.

A group of members venture up to Talbingo on the 19th to the 22nd of May, Friday was fine and the trip to Denison found 30 cars in the carpark however the water was low and slow. Some fish had pushed up into the River but Friday night is when we saw a big drop of rain and the river became dirty but the fish started their annual run. By all reports there were 60 cars in the park on Saturday and 4 out of 5 fishermen where spin fishermen (interesting) bring back Fly Fishing Only that will take the pressure off the river?

Fly tying will start on the first Friday night after the closing weekend, now is the time to dust off your fly tying equipment so you are ready for another interesting session of tying with Les Hawkins. At the June meeting we will see what interest there is from all our new members and as in previous years the club will buy the materials to get you started.

The club is planning a trip to Khancoban on the 10th and 11th June, more information and names will be taken at the June meeting, this will be the Broken SAGE trophy week-end for teams.

Looking forward to seeing you in front of the log fire.

John Hawkins
Vice President

Thanks to John Hawkins and the committee, for putting together a calendar of events for the next 6 months. A copy is available for all, and the white board will have provision for names to placed on it.

Our Pit proposal has been adjusted to reflect the information given by Alistair McBernie at last month’s meeting. We are waiting on letters of support from various persons and businesses to assist our submission to council. It looks promising from an interview with a council representative.

This month is the beginning of the spawning run for trout in the Eucumbene River and should be exciting, as the recent rains have helped to increase activity of the trout. Trout season closes on the June long weekend.

Russell Hook

The “Pit” proposal is progressing slowly, due to other projects.

The recent Czech Nymphing course has concluded very successfully. The week-end on the Snowy creek was well attended with nearly all catching (or just missing) at least one fish. The educational value was profound, with the prepared information sheets a great reference source. Sincere appreciation to Des Walters for his enthusiastic presentation, knowledge and assistance. Thanks Des.

Another reminder of our combined competition trip against Wang Fly Fishing Club to be held in May 19th to 21st at Talbingo.

Russell Hook