Everything trout under one roof

FRESHWATER fishers from across Victoria are being invited to learn more about the state’s trout fisheries at a free one-day conference to be held in Ringwood on Saturday 1 August.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) chief executive Travis Dowling said the annual Talking Trout conference attracts anglers, scientists, guides and opinion leaders to share the latest in research, fisheries management, habitat improvements and trout trends.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting this year’s Talking Trout conference in Ringwood, Melbourne. It’s a great opportunity for anglers from Melbourne and beyond to get out for the day to hear, learn and talk about all things trout,” Dowling said.

“The event is jointly hosted by the VFA and Australian Trout Foundation, supported by fishing licence fees and the Victorian government’s $96 million Go Fishing and Boating Plan.”

This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Australia’s national fly fishing champion Tom Jarman, who will present on “showcasing a season on Victoria’s trout waters”.

Tom has been a competition fly fisher for 15 years and has represented Australia seven times in the world championships in Spain, Italy and the United States.

During his keynote, Tom will discuss the systems he fishes at through different times of the year and angling methods and tips for fishing those waters.

Paul Stolz from the Australian Trout Foundation will explain the habitat, water and food needs of trout and how we are fulfilling them, while Lauren Johnson from the Arthur Rylah Institute will shed light on how trout populations have responded in the Upper Murray after the 2020 bushfire.

Sessions will also be dedicated to spotlighting some of the Victoria’s best cool water fisheries, with Aussie Angler’s Jo Dobson discussing the joys of small stream fly fishing in her talk ‘Small stream trout fishing’, Mountain Fly guide James Norney’s presenting on ‘Trout AlterNatives’ and Wimmera angler Alastair Vanstan highlighting Lake Fyans and surrounds as premium destinations out west.

VFA senior project manager Andrew Briggs will deliver the opening talk, while fisheries manager Mark Adams will discuss the tools of the trout fishing trade in his talk ‘Outside the tacklebox – using modern tools to improve your chances’.

Panel discussions will accompany sessions with questions from the audience.

The conference will be held at the George Wood Performing Arts Centre in Ringwood between 8.55am and 4.15pm on Saturday 1 August.

Learn more at vfa.vic.gov.au/talktrout

If you see or suspect any illegal fishing in Victoria, call the 24/7 reporting service, 13FISH (133474), to speak directly to a fisheries officer. You can remain anonymous.

FISHING REPORTS

Anglesea

Once again, poor weather is affecting reports.

Reports courtesy of the Rusty Anglers Angling Club Anglesea.

Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove

* Still reports of salmon off the beaches when weather permits

Lorne

Now that the pier has re-opened, reports are coming in again.

* The pier is producing good catches of King George whiting, salmon, mullet, trevally, snapper, leatherjackets, calamari and several species of sharks.

* A couple of boats have gotten out when the conditions are right and have reported good numbers of snapper, flathead, gummies and schoolies.

Reports courtesy of The Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club.

Torquay

Reports remain poor with weather still not conducive to fishing.

* Reports of a tuna being caught out wide but little else at this stage

Reports courtesy of the Torquay Angling Club.

St Leonards

Weather conditions are still not great.

* Reports of some nice whiting but not in numbers

Indented Head

* Still reports of some nice whiting

Reports courtesy of The Bellarine Pirates and St Leonards Angling Club.

Grassy Point

* Reports of some whiting but once again not in numbers

Queenscliff

Poor weather is affecting reports.

* The odd whiting reported

Point Lonsdale

· Reports of salmon being taken on blue bait at the pier

Portarlington

* Salmon being caught

* Snappers up to 50cm also reported

Clifton Springs

* Some whiting in 5–6m

Reports courtesy of Drysdale Bait and Tackle

Club Corner

Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club

The sea wall is finished and it is a ripper. The operators from ‘ROCK-A-FELLAS’ have sensational skills, had the job done very quickly and have done a great job.

The formwork has just started around the perimeter of our slab for a 500mm high concrete wall that the timber framework will attach to.

The replacement for the Co-Op is about to have the slab poured.

People are still calling it the Co-Op but it’s no longer a Co-Op, so we need to come up with a new nickname for it.