Angling club reels in a grant for fly-fishing

THE Association of Geelong and District Angling Clubs (AGDAC) will re-establish the fly-casting pond at Barwon Valley Park in Belmont through a state government grant.

The $49,979 grant has been awarded under the Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) Grants Program, which see funds from the sale of recreational fishing licences invested into a range of programs and projects to improve recreational fishing across Victoria.

It will enable AGDAC to re-establish the water supply to the fly-casting pond.

This project involves replacing the old defunct water pump to draw water from the Barwon River into the fly-casting pond which has been dry for many years.

This will allow members of the Geelong Fly Fishing Club and other fly-fishing enthusiasts around Geelong to again practise their craft and provide tuition to members of the public who want to learn fly-fishing.

Re-establishment of the casting pool will also allow the club to again host the State and National Fly-Fishing Championships.

AGDAC welcomed the grant, with association secretary John Hotchin successful in implementing many other projects over the past 20 years via Recreational Fishing Licence Program grants to improve recreational fishing in the Geelong and southwest through the support of grants from the

Geelong MP Christine Couzens announced the approval of the grant on Thursday last week.

“I am thrilled that the fishing community will have this place back to practice and teach the art of fly fishing, this will allow the club to host events and expand their skills and memberships,” she said.