Reely good time for anglers at lake fest

BUDDING anglers will be able to spring into a new hobby when Lake Wendouree hosts the annual Ballarat Fishing Festival tomorrow.

Running from 9am to 2pm, the festival will take place near Windmill Drive on the lake’s western shoreline within the Botanical Gardens precinct.

Now in its 10th year, the event will include a range of educational activities – even cooking and filleting demonstrations to inspire home chefs.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the annual festival marked the opening of the trout fishing season in rivers (Lake Wendouree is open to trout fishing throughout the year) and would give families the opportunity to get into the great outdoors and pick up an active, healthy pastime.

“Ballarat is one of our biggest population centres and the beautiful Lake Wendouree is an excellent fishery that hosts national and international fishing competitions, so it’s perfectly placed to hold this event each year,” Mr Dowling said.

“Youngsters will get the opportunity to learn from Fishcare volunteers about casting, rigs, baits and what to do if they catch a fish.

“There’ll be plenty to do on the day including fishing personality Cara Cummings providing cooking and filleting tips to get you into the kitchen cooking up a seafood sensation.”

Mr Dowling said the nearby Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society would offer free tours of its facility, which has been growing trout for more than 150 years.

“Local fishing clubs will have freshwater boats on display and will host fly-tying demonstrations, including explanations about how their handmade flies imitate insect life in lakes and streams,” he said.

Mr Dowling said catchable-size trout had been stocked in preparation for the event, but children will still be able to help Snobs Creek hatchery staff release live fish tomorrow.

“We’d love to see a big crowd at Lake Wendouree for what promises to be a terrific day of fishing fun for the whole family,” he said.

The event website is vfa.vic.gov.au/ballaratfishfest.