With a bit of space since a hectic but very positive event in Mansfield on Saturday, it’s probably a good time to take a breath and think about what it all meant.
Having a Friday fish on the way to Mansfield to get in the mood!
While it’s hard to nail down a highlight among so many, front of my mind right now is that we have a fisheries authority (and other government agencies) which unequivocally support trout fishing; enough in fact to wholeheartedly back an event like this in both word and deed. Graeme ‘Gus’ Dear, the Victorian Fisheries Authority Chair, was the MC for the day, while CEO Travis Dowling was there supporting the event, and more than happy to answer audience questions. Dr Taylor Hunt, Fisheries Manager, was the opening presenter. Several other VFA staff were very much on the ground, making sure everything ran as smoothly as possible, and generally doing a fantastic job to make the day work.
VFA Chair Gus Dear opens proceedings at the Mansfield Performing Arts Centre.
Back to the agenda, and ARI’s Jarod Lyon was a supportive presenter, while the Catchment Management Authorities were well-represented and ‘on board’. In both cases, proving it’s possible to be in favour of the best environmental outcomes, while not gunning for trout.
If all that sounds like I’m gushing a bit, that’s because I was around to experience official support (or lack of!) for the Victorian trout fishery 30-odd years ago. And we don’t have to look too far beyond our borders to see how other states and territories treat trout fishing these days. My humble advice is, whatever your political views or personal wish-list, don’t take Victoria’s official support of trout fishing for granted.
Representing North-east CMA as joint partner in the Mayfly Rise Project, is CEO Katie Warner. (Another example of great multi-agency collaboration benefiting trout and natives.)
To the presentations again, and in front of an audience of hundreds, Australian Trout Foundation legend Terry George received a rock-star reception, and an award for his amazing and indefatigable service. Blokes like Terry don’t come along too often, and I think the unanimous verdict from the crowd was, and we’ve been so lucky to have him.
So well deserved!
Another standout for the event was hearing from Shea Bloom and Karen Brooks. Both gave remarkable insights into the female perspective, and offered invaluable advice to women who are into trout fishing, or still finding their way.
Andrew Briggs and James Norney drove home further what turned out to be a prevailing TWT message about the value of habitat. Once barely on the radar of anglers and fisheries managers, good habitat is now seen as central to good trout fisheries – and investment to create good habit (or to improve existing habitat) comes with the added bonus of contributing to trout fishing’s social licence among the broader community.
All desirable species – trout or native – benefit from decent habitat work… and very quickly.
As important as all the above though, were John Billing and Matt Tripet’s presentations on the health benefits of trout fishing. While those of us who trout fish are intuitively aware of how it boosts our wellbeing (and why we can end up just a little bit addicted!), John and Matt gave some evidence-based information – and real-life examples – of just how profoundly our pastime can support both physical and mental health.
John Billing talking about Mending Casts.
Blend the presentations and Q & A, with the fly-tying, casting, and general catching up with like-minded trout anglers during the breaks, and it was pretty decent way to spend a Saturday. Dare I say, even worth missing a day on a stream for.
For more about TWT, keep an eye out on Victorian Fisheries Authority socials over coming days.
In the meantime, here’s a short VFA video of the day.
