JULY , 2020

IMPORTANT NOTES COVID-19

CASTING IS BACK ON

THE CLUB HAVE CONFIRMED DUE TO THE REINTRODUCTION OF RESTRICTIONS WE ARE UNABLE TO HOLD THE AUGUST MEETING

A conversation with one of our senior club members

Gordon McComb, member since 2002, is about to become a nonagenarian. He still skis, rides a bike, ties fly’s and

fishes. He kindly agreed to be interviewed recently and below is a summary of that talk.

Gordon has always been interested in fishing from a very young age. Among his earliest memories is of early

primary school at Gladesville where one day he found some hooks in a tobacco tin (the hooks were in Vaseline to

stop them rusting – remember that?). Sometime later his father won £40 in the lottery following which he decided

to buy a block of land and build a house in Fairy Meadow. Thus, Gordon came to Wollongong, and lived in digs at

Thirroul till the house was built. He had kept that tin of hooks till one day at Flanagan’s Creek in Thirroul he saw an

eel. Using a hook from the tin and some line he acquired he caught that eel with a bit of meat as bait. Anyone who’s

caught an eel will know this presented a bit of a problem – how to get it off the hook! Gordon’s solution was he

dragged it all the way home still on the hook!

From 1955 to 1957 Gordon worked as a mechanic on the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme. Here he

discovered fly fishing, as well as skiing. On one occasion he was staying at “The Creel” on the Thredbo river. He saw

someone talking to this ‘old fella’ who’d just got out of bed, and had all his fishing gear on but with pyjamas still

showing underneath. This was a bit of amusement till he heard a waitress address the ‘old fella’: “What would you

like for breakfast Sir Hudson?” It was Sir Hudson Fysh, aviator, and co-founder and chairman of QANTAS.

Subsequently he’d often see Sir Hudson’s Humber “Super Snipe” (remember those, with the long bonnet?) parked

by the side of the road somewhere in the mountains while the owner was checking out spots for fly fishing. (One of

our club’s distinguished members, who shall remain unnamed, was noted for his ability to arrange work assignments

to the Cooma-Monaro area, taking with him his flyfishing gear!)

Gordon on the Murrumbidgeee at

Bolero, 23 October 2017. Photo courtesy

of Michael Parkinson

Gordon’s first memory of fly fishing was

at Bolero on the Murrumbidgee in 1956.

He borrowed a rod from his brother plus

a waxed silk fly line. From the sports

store in Cooma he bought a fly of white

feathers. With this outfit he caught his

first fish on fly in the pool just below the

bridge, though there was no bridge in

those days. We all remember our first

fish on fly, don’t we? However, his first

attempt at tying a fly wasn’t such a great

success. Using pliers with some grass, some fur and some feathers he managed to construct something. But it

disintegrated not long after hitting the water! His first fly rod he acquired from the Cooma sports store – a split cane

rod called ‘The Mitta Mitta”. Ironically, he gave that rod to his brother after breaking his brother’s fibreglass one in

the car door. The nicest rod he’s used was a “soft” fibreglass one borrowed from a son of Ted Morrison while fishing

at Tom Groggin. As Gordon noted “you’d load it up and the rod would do the rest”, which is just how it’s supposed

to be.

Gordon on the Murray R. at Tom Groggin, 17 November 2008. Photo courtesy of Roger Woodward

Gordon’s introduction to Illawarra Fly Fishers came about once his family had grown up. He’d developed the

interest to get back into fly fishing and thought he’d start by tying flies. He went to Ern Webb’s sports store to buy a

vice, “just a cheapie”. At that time the club meetings were held in Webb’s store, and Rowley Hoya, a former club

member, informed him that there was a meeting there that night. So Gordon came along and met then president,

Ted Morrison, and Harry Fuller. He was a keen fly tyer. The August 2002 edition of Flylines showed the result of the

monthly tying competition thus: “1st – Gordon McComb, a relatively new member who beat the regulars at this fine

art”. It wasn’t long after that, having shown his interest and ability in fly tying, he was nominated for the role of the

club’s fly-tying competition coordinator.

The first flies he tied were “Red Tags and some horrible looking things”. His favourite fly to tie would have to be

Royal Wulff and Parachute Adams, followed by the Red Tag. He finds tying a fly a challenge, but it presents a

diversion when one is frustrated. He ties a lot of nymphs. In fishing, Gordon’s Favourite flys are the Kosi Dun and

Yellow Stimulator, often with a nymph dropper. His preferred nymphs would be Trout MRE (Meal Ready to Eat),

Prince Nymph and Bead Head Nymph. The challenge is getting the depth right given the water flow is faster on the

surface than underneath. The way the nymph hangs is critical. “It’s a frustrating game”, he says.

Gordon playing a fish the at Tom Groggin, 17 November 2008. Photo courtesy of Roger Woodward

Gordon has been a member of the Club since 2002 when meetings were held in Ern Webb’s sports store. In May

2003 the meeting venue was changed to the present one, Collegians. Gordon remembers that this change came not

without some friction, with some members disquieted about meetings being held on licenced premises. There was

some concern that the club would lose its identity, but fortunately that has not eventuated. He commented

favourably on the steady stream of new members joining the club. He sees this as introducing “new blood”,

balancing the preponderance of more senior fishers like himself. He spent some time on the club committee in the

role of Fly Tying Coordinator. He feels that the monthly fly tying workshop fell away gradually partly because of the

ready availability of excellent tutorial resources on the internet.

Gordon’s favourite fishing grounds are in the Snowy Mountains. Perisher Creek is probably the water that he fishes

most. It’s about a 30-metre walk from his ski lodge where he spends a lot of time. (Yes, he remains a keen cross-

country skier!!) Although it holds mostly small fish they are plentiful and feisty. In addition, there is the odd big fish.

He’s never fly fished in New Zealand but would consider that as somewhere to go if he had his ‘druthers’. Summing

it all up he says: “I’ve had a good life”. What more could we all wish for?

Michael Parkinson – July 2020

DRAFT STATE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR CROWN LAND – I have attached a copy

of the draft for your perusal and below is the links for any submissions and comments

Crown land is highly valued and enjoyed by individuals and diverse communities across the state. It is used

for a wide variety of purposes, from farms, parks, reserves, roads and cemeteries, to showgrounds,

campgrounds, surf clubs, community halls and industrial sites.

Under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (the Act) the NSW Government is required to create a State

Strategic Plan for Crown land. The State Strategic Plan will set the vision, priorities and overarching

strategy for the management of Crown land and outline timeframes and outcomes.

Have your say

Feedback on the draft State Strategic Plan for Crown land can be provided until midnight Thursday 20

August 2020 using any of the following options. Please make sure you specify your privacy preference

when making a submission.

Online submission - Use our online submission tool to have your say now.

Mail: PO Box 2155, DANGAR NSW 2309

Please quote the reference SSP Crown Land and ensure your correspondence is posted in time to be

received by the department prior to the closing date.

“FISHING REPORTS “

Fishing Report – Club Meeting 7 July 2020

Given the recent hiatus in club meetings quite a number of members were keen to record their

exploits over the past couple of months:

Clinton Farrelly has recently been out and about in his home territory of “The Shire” – Bundeena

and Maianbar. Though fishing with lure rather than fly he had variable success with a number of

species, including flathead, whiting, tailor and silver trevally. That indicates they could also be

caught with the right fly!

Ricky Rankin sight-fished the Kangaroo River for carp, bagging 4-5 food fish each trip. They

were caught on a bream fly or bread fly

Ben Carden fished Thompsons Creek Dam (in the company of many other anglers). Although

many fish were seen false-spawning none were being caught. An example of the frustration was

when he put his fly out in front of a large brown trout which turned and took a close look at his

Caddis and the Pheasant Tail nymph below it and swam away. He finally did have a take from a

4-5lb Rainbow which took off with an egg pattern fly only to head towards some snags and bust

off.

A total of 8 club members attended the club outing to Swansea chasing salmon over the weekend

26-28th June. In addition, several members fished there on Friday 12th June. On both occasions

there were fish caught; but the single day was the best fishing. For instance, Barry Gentle said

he “lost count” of the number he caught, and his son caught his first salmon on fly there. On the

second outing there was only one session of about two hours on the Friday that the fish were on,

and those that were on the spot had plenty of action – Leo Harding, Ray Ellis, Mal Lowe. For

the remainder of the weekend it was very quiet, with all, including Chris and Liam Harding, Neil

Nelson and Mike Parkinson motoring around the channel looking for the elusive fish. There were

fish out around the island but the large swell made it very uncomfortable, as Mal will attest. Barry

managed to land several in the trying conditions. Mike finally got one good fish in the channel on

Sunday afternoon.

Over the “closing weekend” 6-8th June several members visited the Monaro region. Barry Gentle

went to the Eucumbene on Fri 5th, for the day! – “10 hours driving for 8 hours fishing”. He was

rewarded for his efforts with several good fish. Fishing upstream from the Portal he landed 2 fish.

In the afternoon he went downstream and took another 4 fish the best at 4lb. Successful flies

included Globug, Black Nymph, Scramble Egg and San Juan Worm. It is noted that Barry’s catch

was in contrast to the general experiences reported from the weekend of very few fish seen or

caught. Chris and Tom Harding were in this latter category. Chris landed one fish from the lake

at Kalkite, but elsewhere zip. They fished the Thredbo from Paddy’s Corner to the lake for nil.

They extended their range to the Moonbah, the Snowy at Dalgety and the Maclaughlin but with no

success.

Gordon Wilkinson and Mike Parkinson avoided the crowds by fishing the few days before the

long weekend. Conditions varied from snow/sleet on the Monday to bright sun by the Wednesday.

Fishing was tough in all places visited – Denison, Kiandra (Eucumbene and Racecourse Ck.),

Yarrangobilly and Bolero. The sole action was a hookup at Denison, followed by self-release!!

Eddie Melinz reportedly fished the Thredbo River between the National Park entry and Paddy’s

Corner on the Tuesday before the weekend, and took a few good fish. It was following a fall of

rain on the Monday.

Over the weekend Neil Nelson along with David Screen also fished some little-visited water – the

Badja outside Cooma. The area had been badly affected by fire, and no fish were seen. They

went higher, to Mosquito Ck near Tantangera and the Murrumbidgee at Long Plain. Again zip.

They gave Denison a miss on account of the hordes of people there. Arriving early at the

Gungahlin where they encountered good flow, they thought they had it to themselves until the

crowds started to arrive. Only one fish seen.

Peter Fragiacomo tried some new ground, fishing the Little Plains River near Delegate, and

enjoying the “rustic charm” of a cabin in the bush there (he emphasised he had a log fire every

night!!). Fishing was tough with only 1 fish seen.

Overall, not a great experience for the closing of the trout season.

CASTING PRACTICES – Casting for July saw a turnout of 6 attendees.

The rain manage to hold off so we had a quite pleasant morning. For accuracy, Neil Nelson came 1st with 29 points, Michael Parkinson 2nd with 21 points and Peter Fragiacomo 3rd with 9 points. For accuracy, Neil Nelson came 1st with 25 metres, Peter Fragiacomo 2nd with 22.5 metres points and Michael Parkinson 3rd with 20.5 metres.

FLY TYING – August competition fly is the Shrek #8

FLY CASTING TRAINING OPORTUNITYS

Juan Del Carmen, of Advanced Fly Fishing School Australia has forwarded us the following message. If you

are interested in taking up the offer of any of these workshops please call Juan on the number below or

email him at juan@affsa.com.au As a club we have had an association with Juan over several years.

Anyone who has attended his workshops will verify that they offer good value. I myself am actually

attending the Advanced Casting Techniques this Saturday.

1st August 2020 Stream Craft, Nepean River

5th September Salt Water Flyfishing Workshop, Sans Souci, Sydney

3rd October Single Handed Spey Techniques, Nepean River

More information available at http://www.advancedflyfishingschool.com.au or on Facebook.

Mobile: 0410 935 609

juan@affsa.com.au

This fly has become a popular pulling fly on the competition fly fishing scene.

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/shrek

2020 FLIES February - Twilight Beauty #14

March Mutant Clouser #2/0

April - Duracell #16

Hook – TMC 100 Size 10 – 16

Thread – Black

Tail – Hackle fibres

Body – Charcoal quill, floss or dubbing

Rib - Optional

Hackle –Brown

Wing – Grey Mallard flight feathers

I have always found that the buck tail which the

original Clouser is tied out of to not be very

durable.

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/mutant-clouser

Designed by, as I understand it, Craig

McDonald it is a very popular fly in Europe

and fast developing a following in

Australia and New Zealand.

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/duracell-jig-

nymph

May - Plume #14 June - Elk Hair Caddis

July - Royal Wulff

This is an incredible fly for delicate presentations

to mayfly feeders

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/plume

Hook – TMC 100 Size 10 – 18

Thread – Black, Brown, Tan

Rib – Fine copper wire

Body – Superfine dubbing – Colour to suit

Hackle – Brown or ginger Rooster Neck

Wing – Elk Hair

Hook – Dry Fly – TMC 100

Thread – Black

Tail – Moose body hair

Body – Peacock herl and red floss

Hackle –

Wing – White Calf tail or body hair, or

Synthetic Hair

August - Shrek #8

September- Baited breath #4

October - Bibio #14

fly has become a popular pulling fly on the

competition fly fishing scene.

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/shrek

This is a prawn or shrimp imitation that has

stood the test of time.

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/baited-breath

A great top dropper fly in lakes where

there are large populations of midge.

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/bibio-variant

November – Bead-head spider #12 December – Pelagic candy #8

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/pheasant-tail-and-

partridge-tbh-spider

http://fishonfly.com.au/wp/pelagic-candy

ILLAWARRA FLY FISHERS LARGEST FISH REGISTER

Interstate and International –catches of merit.

SPECIES FLY FISHER Length in

CM or

Weight Kg

FLY AND HOOK SIZE TIPPET IN

POUNDS

LOCATION

Australian Bass Ray Ellis 46.0 Vampire 20 Lake St Clare.

Australian

salmon

Chris Harding 66.0 Surfcandy 16 Swansea

Brown

Trout

Gary Batey 57.0 Purple and black

Woolly Bugger

5 Monaro

Carp

Ray Ellis 76.0 Black and Purple Bass

Vampire

20 Chaffy Dam

Flathead

Mike Parkinson 55.0 Chartruse Clouser 6 Wallaga lake

Kingfish Neil Nelson 54.0 Chartruse over white

Clouser

14 Botany bay

Luderick Alan Griffiths 42.0 Weed fly 12 Bass Point

Mullet

Ray Ellis 43.0 Brown Rabbit Fur fly 20 Shoalhaven

River

Tailor Mike Parkinson 31.0 Surf candy 6 Wallaga Lake

Silver Trevally

Neil Nelson 52.0 Chartruse over white

Clouser

14 Botany Bay

Big Eye Trevally

Mike Parkinson 40.0 Surf candy 10 Brunswick Heads

Whiting Mike Parkinson 33.0 Blood Worm 6 Mummaga

Lagoon

Yellowbelly

Tony

Dimitriesky

62.0 Green Donny Brasco

V2

10 Lake Windamere

ILLAWARRA FLY FISHERS CLUB CALENDAR

THE MEETINGS BELOW ARE SUBJECT TO THE COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS

DATE EVENT TIME LOCATION

AUGUST 3rd Management Meeting 7.30pm Collegians club

August 4th Postponed 7.00pm Collegians Club

August 9th Casting 10.00am Towradgi

August 31st Management Meeting 7.30m Collegians Club

September 1st General Club Meeting AGM 7.30pm Collegians Club

September 6th Casting 10.00am Towradgi

October 05 Management meeting 7.30pm Collegians club

October 06 General Club Meeting 7.30pm Collegians Club

October 11 Casting 10.00 am Towradgi

Weekend Opening of river season TBA Adaminaby

November 02 Management meeting 7.30pm Collegians club

November 03 General club meeting 7.30pm Collegians Club

November 08 Casting 10.00 am Towradgie

T b a Southern Bass Invitational Bendeela

TBA Tuross Lakes – Saltwater Turos Heads

November 30 Management meeting 7.30pm Caollegians Club

December 02 Christmas Dinnner and Presentation

TBA Collegians Club

PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACONS

The club’s 2 Personal Locator Beacons will be kept in the charge of:

- Barry Gentle (Kiama) ph. 0416 127 865

- Mike Parkinson (Keiraville) ph. 0409 321 361

Members are reminded that PLBs can also be hired at no charge from several NSW National

Parks locations. Please see the website

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/bushwalking-safety/technology

Fish Habitat Network on Facebook

FHN has a Facebook page that frequently carries news about fish habitat events and projects as

well as links to news items from other states and countries. Go to http://www.facebook.com/fishhabitatnetwork and Like their page to stay in touch.

ADVERTISING

FOR SALE – Jo has a Medium / large size wading jacket by Stalker comes with zingers and

new pair of nippers call Joe 0438610324 for extra pics or to inspect – Never worn $100 BARGAIN

Below is a list of several hardly-used fly fishing items for sale from Terry Fisher of Thirroul. Terry is no longer able to

fly fish on account of medical issues and would be happy to see them go to “a good home”. If you are interested in

any of these please contact Terry on 0408 001 584.

Item Asking

• Loomis IM6 FR1085 2-piece Fly Rod, 2.7m 5wt $80

• Silver Creek by Daiwa Seiko 5-piece 2.5m 4-5wt (new) $80

• Simms Vest $25

• Simms Neoprene Waders, Size 10 $30

• Simms Wading Boots, Size 10 $20

• Horns Waders, felt soles, Size 10 $10

• Fly Boxes and assorted flys $15 each

• Vice and tools $10

• “Bibs and bobs” – tippet spool, hooks, feathers and flys $10

LIFE JACKET AND RMS SAFETY - http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/safety-

equipment/flare-disposal.html

RAINBOW SPRINGS FLY FISHING ACADEMY

Peter Walsh, owns a private fishery at Wamboin just outside Canberra and Queanbeyan. This

fishery is an absolute jewel and just in case our IFF members don’t know about it I thought I would

bring it to your attention so I took these 4 ‘snippets’ off his web site

http://www.rainbowsprings.com.au/… pictures are worth a thousand words.

This is a place where you can improve your casting skills and fly fishing knowledge, target monster

cruising fish, learn how to better prospect, partake of a 101 class or master class in fly fishing.

SLOVINIA GUIDES Urko fishing adventures www.keepemwetfishing.org

TASSIE GUIDES NORTHERN REGION UNIQUE FISHING TOURS –

www.uniquefishingtours.com.au, info@uniquefishingtours.com.au

TOURANGI –

Creel Tackle House & Café –

info@creektackle.com www.creeltackle.com

Christos Anastasiadis (the grumpy greek) 0274793357 - B & B maximum 4 people

also guides

MERCHANDISE

HOODIES – you would all have seen a recent email from the committee about the purchase and

order of Club Anniversary Hoodies. I have attached this for your information. I saw these at the

casting day very nice and good quality.

● IFF Shirts - Vented back, gusseted pockets, long

sleeves, UV protection

● IFF Stickers

● IFF hat pins

● IFF Embroidered Patches

“Support the club. Buy some merchandise. Wear a

shirt. Put a sticker on your boat. Stick it on your car. Or

esky. Buy an Illawarra Fly Fishers embroidered patch.

Stick on your vest!”

LIBRARY Gary Batey wishes a reminder to members for the return of any outstanding

borrowed library items.

.Our Sponsors

The Illawarra Fly Fishers’ Club is supported by a number of sponsors. Remember them

when buying new gear that you want more than need. Support them as they support us.

Also please remember Collies provide us the room for meetings gift vouchers it would be

appreciated by the committee if you could become an affiliated member of the Club. You

also receive discounts on food and drinks with this membership.

● Complete Angler Sydney kindly donate a $50 voucher for our monthly club raffle. Members

receive 10% discount on all purchases.

● Collegians Football Club kindly allow us use of its room for Club meetings as well as donate vouchers for meals at the Club. Don’t forget to become a member to support them.

The Club maintains a library of books,

videos and DVD’s, as well as over a

hundred magazines including "Flylife" and a

number of English and American trout

fishing magazines. To borrow books etc.,

see the club librarian (Gary Batey) and fill

out the appropriate sheet… it’s as easy as

that. Please endeavour to return your

borrowings at the next club meeting.