VOLUME 32, ISSUE 4. October 2025
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Members enjoy lunch and a chat at the recent saltwater social day |
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Casting Practice
12 October 2025: 9:00 AM: Timbrell Park, Henley Marine Drive, Five Dock
Monthly Meeting
13 October 2025: 7:00 PM: Freeway Hotel, 115 Reserve Road, Artarmon
Monthly Fly Tying
20 October 2025: 6:30 PM: Freeway Hotel, 115 Reserve Road, Artarmon
Sunday Morning Saltwater Social - Narrabeen Lake
16 November 2025: 9:00 AM: Deep Creek Reserve, Narrabeen Lake |
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"If you fish the wrong fly long and hard enough, it will sooner or later become the right fly." John Gierach |
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Dear {Contact_First_Name},
With the trout season about to kick off in just a couple of days, there’s a real sense of anticipation in the air. I hope you’re all dusting off your rods, tying up some fresh flies, and planning some trips to your favourite rivers and streams. Hopefully the rivers have good flows after a decent bit of winter rain, so it’s shaping up to be a cracker of a season.
As always, we’ve got a packed calendar of club activities lined up for October. Our regular monthly meeting will be held at the Freeway Hotel on Monday 13 October. Our guest speaker will be club member Jared Klein who will be talking about advanced river techniques that you will be able to put into practice
Don’t forget our fly tying sessions continue on the third Monday of the month under the tutelage of our club’s master tyer, Dave Wilson. Whether you’re a seasoned tier or just starting out, come along .
Likewise, our casting practice sessions on the second Sunday of the month at Timbrell Park have been well attended—thanks to David Caddies and his team and all who turn up, rain or shine. If you’re keen to sharpen up your technique these casting mornings are an excellent opportunity.
We are starting to plan next year’s calendar which will include a week long Jindabyne trip, a couple of Jindabyne weekends, Big River in April, Tumut in May, The Goulburn River in October and a number of closer to home salt water and will have at least. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know as soon as possible.
Finally, a big thanks to all the volunteers helping to organise our events and keep the club running smoothly. Here’s to a safe, enjoyable, and successful trout season for everyone. Tight lines and see you at the next meeting or on the water.
David
President |
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Jason with a bass after dark on the Grose River |
Fellow Flyrodders, After a quiet few months the trip reports are starting to flow again with the new season open and our club saltwater sessions back in the diary. Thanks to Chris Whittle for his Alexandra trip report and to Gavin van der Wagen for organising the recent saltwater day down south at Maianbar near Bundeena. To celebrate the opening weekend in NSW, I went on an overnight hike to explore the upper Tumut River, with fellow Flyrodders Greg Wordsworth, Leigh Atallah and Dave Robinson. The scenery was spectacular, the river looked perfect and the company was first rate. Unfortunately, we did not catch, spook or see a single trout, despite fishing hard and exploring kilometres of river. But in the end, fly fishing is about the places it takes you and the friendships you make. I'll keep telling myself that until I catch my first trout of the season. Jason Hemens - Editor |
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Anticipation was high as we set out |
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A beautiful river in breathtaking surroundings |
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Despite appearances, we aren't sponsored by Jetboil or Grayl Geopress |
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Overnight temperatures plummeted |
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By Chris Whittle
Accommodation for the Sydney Flyrodders Alexandra trip was at the Breakaway Caravan Park right on the banks of the Goulburn River. Nice comfortable cabins all equipped with an innovative drying system. |
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I am a complete beginner, which is apparently why I had to write the trip report, and was in awe of the talent present at the welcome BBQ, even though Glenn Short was there. Having a beer with Bruce, I realised it was a hardcore team, after all who cycles to a trout fishing trip? Tom Jarman gave us a brief rundown of the conditions steering us towards some specific locations including the Delatite (river not winery). General advice seemed to be that the fish were deeper due to the cold and not in the runs. We had a few beers and a strategy session with a couple of anglers, however we did discover in the morning that they had nothing to do with our group.
We headed off towards the Delatite River and checked the river up to the National Park gates. For a beginner, and an old bloke, I found the going pretty tough with fast flow and difficult access. We also tried out the Howqua River down near the Sheepyard Flat campground and whilst access was easier the water was running fast and deep leading to a pertinent question from the National Parks Ranger about whether we were “seriously going to fish in there”.
Sitting around the pub in Alexandra that night we revised our strategy for the next day. Michael Durkin and I missed the turnoff to the caravan park on the way home which was completely unrelated to the pub visit and like everyone else we are blaming AI and Google maps, although we did do this more than once.
Day 2 for me was a quantum leap forward in catch rate (technically infinite given the anything multiplied by zero rule). I know that many fly fishers emphasise stealth on approaching any fishing location. Once we spotted the cars of some other Flyrodders (Glenn, John, Paul and Rick) we put this into operation, parking our car some distance away and changing into our camo gear. Unfortunately, we were startled by Rick who was still eating a waterlogged bagel in his car.
This part of the Stevenson River was much better. It had good access, although the local landowner had done everything in his power, and possibly outside his power, to make it less so. There was a moderate flow but the water was not quite as deep making crossing easier. It started very positively for me as I found what looked like a very expensive set of fish pliers, although Paul claimed them and after providing proof of purchase and a statutory declaration I’ve agreed to return them. One of our more successful flyrodders had a rod broken by some local cattle after confusing fly fishing with the running of the bulls. |
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You don’t need pliers for that one!
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That evening it was quiet back at the cabins, with most Flyrodders exhausted. Durko suggested a fire was the best way to get a gathering together and meet people. The guys from the Rural Fire Service were great and very understanding, but it did successfully bring a number of members out of their cabins to share the warm glow and some fishing stories.
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David Caddies admitted to me that it was more about the casting than the fishing which explained a lot, and he has promised to organise a women’s day (don’t forget!). Gavin, Paul, Rob (Lord Gadget) and Duncan (a little under the weather after a dodgy Boerewors prepared by his roommate) had all had good days with a few fish, but as always it could have been better. Except for Glenn who had caught about 500 fish, but only provided photographic evidence of one! |
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Most mornings the crew awoke to the gentle hum of Rob’s drone as it took breathtaking video of the Goulburn and Tom Jarman. Although one of the videos seemed to be mainly focused on the bakery in Maryville. |
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A vanilla slice and a Coke. Breakfast of champions.
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There was plenty of fishing (attempted) on the Goulburn River out the front of the caravan park, spinning, bait and Euro nymphing. It was relatively deep and fast leading to a few hairy crossings and some great entertainment.
All in, Alexandra was a fantastic trip. There was a lot of water and I certainly found the fishing challenging. Weather throughout the trip was pleasant with the barest spot of rain. The go to rig involved nymphs. Some of the more expert amongst us got good results Euro nymphing. I personally tried out a dry and a nymph and an indicator with two nymphs and got results on both rigs. The opportunity for dry fly fishing was limited. There is plenty of water to explore and when we were there not a lot of company. In fact, on the way back from the Buxton trout farm (always a great place to enhance your catch rate) we fished Little River just under the bridge in Taggarty and landed a small brown with not another angler in sight.
John Brassil did an excellent job organising and it was a great group, and I surely haven’t done credit to them in this write up. |
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John’s “no alcohol” policy ensured we were all alert first thing!
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Sunday Saltwater Session - Maianbar |
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A pleasing number of Flyrodders travelled to Maianbar (near Bundeena) on Sunday 21 September. There were 22 members in total, plus Tony who brought his wife and daughter all the way from Newcastle.
It was my first visit to this part of the world and I was struck by the quiet beauty of the place, as well as the fishing options on offer.
We walked out along a sandbar that separated a calm beach on one side and estuary sandflats on the other. Most of us tried fishing both sides of the sandbar during the morning, casting surface and subsurface flies for whiting, bream and flathead. Despite conditions proving challenging with strong winds and cold water temps, a few flathead and whiting were landed.
By midday everyone had worked up an appetite and came together to enjoy boerewors and pork sausages on fresh bread rolls. It was lovely to catch up with everyone, share fishing stories and discuss future adventures.
For those of us with work and family commitments that make longer trips difficult, these saltwater days near Sydney are a great option to have a fish and catch up with club members. I encourage you to register for the next one at Narrabeen Lake on 16 November. Thanks to Gavin van der Wagen for organising these events on behalf of the club. |
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Last Month's Club Meeting |
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At our last monthly meeting, Steve Peach gave an informative presentation on bass fishing. Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise Steve - I'm sure members will use your tips and tricks over coming months. |
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For those members unable to attend our meetings, we take videos of presentations and uploading them to our Club Members Private Video Library on YouTube. Below is a graphic showing where you can access them from the members section of our website:
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The next Monthly Meeting will be held on the 13 October at our regular venue, The Freeway Hotel, 115 Reserve Road, Artarmon, 2064 (Google maps) commencing at 7:00pm. Members will arrive from around 6pm so feel free to come early and enjoy a drink and some dinner with fellow members.
Jared Klein will be presenting a talk to members about river tactics. Anyone who has fished with Jared will know that has an amazing ability to read the water and spot fish, that most of us miss, and he will be sharing some of this knowledge with us at the meeting.
So come along and enjoy another great night out with fellow members.
Many of our attendees arrive a bit earlier and have dinner either before, else the bar staff will deliver your meal order to our meeting room and you can enjoy your meal, and or drink, whilst the meeting is underway. The food is good value for money and the company is priceless!! So come along and have a relaxing and entertaining meeting where you can meet other members and pick up on useful snippets information that is shared amongst the group.
Our Meeting is normally held on the 2nd Monday of each month, unless it is a public holiday; in which case it will be delayed a week.
There is ample parking in the parking garage under the Freeway Hotel, which is accessed from Dickson Avenue (at the back), just off Reserve Road, in Artarmon.
Looking forward to catching up at the meeting.
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Last Month's Casting Practice Report |
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By David Caddies
We had a very fine spring day to make up for rainy August. Seventeen dedicated casting pilgrims turned up to re-dedicate themselves. Really? Whatever, it was a bit of fun.
There was actually a whiteboard on display illustrating some of the finer points of basic casting – meaning a drawing of what is a good loop, a poor loop and a rotten loop. Just so we can fix on what we are actually doing with that line in the air and whether it’s any good. That visual imprinting is really important to understand cause and effect; ie I see what I am doing, so how am I getting the line to do that? These elements of practice are important if you are self-teaching yourself. And we all are doing that, in reality.
Anyway, that was only a part of the session. We did set out to pull apart the idea of distance casting and which skills are involved. When asked to explain ‘distance’, some members put a number on it. Eg. Sixty feet or 100 feet. My view would be that anything over 45’ is a threshold for distance casting because most casters need to be slipping line or shooting line beyond that length. In other words, you need to bring in these two separate skills that long-distance casters all utilize. These are the necessary actions to get more line out. Up to that length of cast, you ordinarily don’t need those skills because the distance is within the normal range of fishing distance casts we all tend to employ most of the time. Ie up to 40-45 feet. Eg pick up 40’, cast 40’.
So, we also added slipping line and shooting line to the list of modules we need to sort out to cast “distance”. Most casters can slip line by teaching themselves but, like everything in life, there’s a thing or two to know to improve technique. Most casters can shoot line too, usually without really thinking about how much they should be shooting or when to shoot. Here too, are places for improvement. Improvement = more distance.
So, slipping and shooting line are part of the skills. However, they are only number 2 and 3 in the list. Hauling is a clear 4th and need not be used until 1, 2 and 3 are being competently done. Did I miss something? What is number 1 again? A good loop of course.
Then, it’s all in the arithmetic. Eg. If you can cast a good loop at 40’, then slip line to be making a 50’ loop which is still a good loop shape and then shoot 10’ of line at the right time, your distance potential is 60’. I say potential because this all depends on competency at each length of line. If the loop wobbles (polite term for ‘goes wild’) when you’ve slipped to 50’, your 10’ of shot line may cause wobble even more and the cast falls well short of even 50’ because it’s gone wide and not at all fully straightened. So, you found your ‘point of failure’: you can’t ‘hold’ a 50’ loop. Even if your slipping and shooting is faultless.
So, what we do is, we go back to our good 40’ loop, then slip 5’ of line. Then shoot 10’. If that goes to 55’ fairly accurately, happy days! All you need to work on is keeping the loop in good shape as you practise slipping extra line. Do it in increments of 1’ (ie slip 5’ into the good 40’ loop, then 6’, 7’ and so on). Whilst ever your cast is hitting 56’, then 57’ and so on, you are still finding out your real ability to hold a specific length of line in a good loop. Of course you could put some emphasis on a longer shoot length, but nothing beats competency at forming and holding a good loop to improve your distance cast.
Some of the members went away from the session with a firm idea of how much line they can hold in the air in a good loop. That base number is the most useful part of the arithmetic.
We also had the pleasure of seeing new (old, really, because he was a member many years ago) member Josh Mulders come along to help. Josh is a certified casting instructor and will likely be known to those of you who use guides in the Tumut area. Great to have you along, Josh!
See you in the park.
David
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Club Monthly Casting Practice - Details and Event Schedule. |
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SFRC MONTHLY CASTING PRACTICE 9am Sunday 12 October 2025
Reminder: Leave your 9 – 10’ trout leader with the 5X tippet at home. Bring one which is 8’ – 8’6” and terminating in 8 or 10 lb tippet. This session will suit DT or WF floating lines, for the single-handers. Two-handers, bring what you got.
Start time is 9am:
HOWEVER: If you wish to have a go at being evaluated for any one or more of the casts in the Bronze Skills Development Program and you would like to come earlier than 9, send me a text message to that effect on 0434 671 085 and I’ll be there to set it up, from 8am. Coaching and demonstrations will be going on after 9, but with not much opportunity for individual evaluations. Early notice would be appreciated, but don’t let that stop you from a late practice on Saturday to see if you’re ready!
All members are welcome to join in the club’s usual monthly practice session. If you want to know everything about the club’s casting practice sessions, read the whole blurb in the Flyrodder magazine.
WHERE: Timbrell Park, Henley Marine Drive, Five Dock. Go to the western end of Henley Marine Drive, past the cricket pitches, baseball nets and just past LIvvi’s coffee kiosk and kids’ playground area. There is an open area opposite where Ingham Avenue intersects with Henley Marine Drive which we usually use. It is not part of the sports fields. If conditions there are not suitable on the day, we will be just opposite, across the canal, or anywhere within sight that I can find.
So come and give it a try, as there is so much to be gained by attending these sessions. And they are Free!!!
If you can’t make it this time and want some good practical instruction to guide you, check out this site: https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/Learn/Learning-Center-Resources/Fly-Casting/Casting-Instruction
I don’t know if that link works for you. Google FFI flyfishing and delve around. Most stuff is open to non-members. 2025 dates for fly casting practice
12 October / 9 November / 14 December |
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Next Fly Tying Night - Mrs Simpson's Secret |
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The next fly tying evening will be held at the Freeway Hotel at 6:30pm on 20 October, where Mrs Simpson’s secret will be revealed to Sydney Fly Rodder Club members.
Too many people have difficulty tying Mrs. Simpsons and other NZ Killer style patterns. The 6 killer patterns are: Hamills Killer, Mrs Simpson, Kilwell No.1, Kilwell No.2, Mallard, and Lord’s Killer. The most popular is the Mrs. Simpson and Hamills Killer.
The problem in mounting side feathers is stopping them from flipping out of alignment and getting them to lay flat. Tiers resort to super glue or flattening the stem with the back of scissors to control flipping.
NZ Fly Tying authority Keith Draper in his book Tie-a-Fly says: “Some tiers have a lot of trouble with this fly. The main cause of problems is pulling too tight on the thread where the feather is tied in – however the butt of the feather must be tied in tightly or it will pull out”. In his book NZ Fly Tying, Hugh Mc Dowell says of the Kilwell No1: “Like all Killers it is not simple to tie”.
THE “SECRET” IS ENSURING A FEW FIBRES ARE TRAPPED EITHER SIDE OF THE STEM WHILE PULLING THE FEATHER UNDER LOOSE WRAPS TO ALIGN IT. Tight wraps must not invade the loose wraps area.
Fibres trapped either side of the stem act as Spakfilla and stop flipping.
If tiers cannot execute both loose and tight wraps, then tying the NZ killer series will always present a challenge. Pulling material under loose wraps is one of the core skills of fly tying. If you are having trouble aligning tail feathers on Deceivers / Whistlers and other saltwater flies, then it is likely you need to pay attention to this core skill.
(The FFi Fly Tying Group refer to Loose Wraps as “Holding Wraps”. These wraps simply gather and hold materials into position without binding them down tightly. The FFi refer to Tight wraps as “Tightening Wraps”. These wraps bind materials tightly to the hook).
Beginners are very welcome with experienced tiers giving help.
We particularly welcome first timers and all levels of fly tiers as you will all learn something from these wonderful sessions. These sessions are for all levels of fly tying abilities.
We have all the necessary fly-tying materials for the flies being tied in the session. For those who don't have a vice, don't worry, we have many spare vices you can use.If you would like to just come and observe, then please do so to see if this is for you. You'll be surprised at how "easily" you can get into tying your own flies.
Event Organiser
If you have questions, please email the event organiser, David Blackwell. |
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We extend a warm welcome to new members Cary Asper, John Bruderlin, Vaughan Guan, Rick Jones and Josh Mulders. We encourage new members to join in on the many activities that we run as this is a good way to meet other club members and also to improve your fly fishing skills and most importantly to have a great time.
Looking forward to meeting you at our Monthly Members Meetings and at events throughout the coming year.
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Sydney Fly Rodders Facebook Pages |
We run two SFRC pages, one is our public page and it posts events and activities of the club. It also shares posts from other pages like CAS, DPI on things relevant to the places and areas that we fish.
I post some fly tying every now and then and share links to events I find that might be of interest to followers. This page is a little like our Web page, it showcases the club to attract members and provides details of club events. At last count it has more than one thousand followers.
We added another page. This is reserved for members only and cannot be seen by anyone outside of the group. You will need to send a request to join. Any member can post on this page and it is a great opportunity for members to put up a post or two about anything fly fishing. I would like to encourage members to use this page to post fishing reports or photos of flies that you tied. Being connected to other members you can ask for some casting or gear advice, or organise a short trip when you suddenly have some spare time.
There are also hundreds of other groups; bream on fly, carp on fly, bass, trout....areas like alpine trout, Sydney Kayak Fishing....fly tying groups, buy sell swap fly gear pages and individuals like Aussie Flyfisher, Sydney Flyfishing to check out.
Phil Burton
philipburton@bigpond.com |
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Sydney Flyrodders Instagram Page |
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The Sydney Fly Rodders are now on Instagram. Many thanks to our Member Maddie Chew Lee, who offered to set us up and apply her significant experience with marketing and communications in particular within the social media space.
Please follow the site and add your comments, and lets grow this platform for the club. It will also attract new members to the club.
Below is a snapshot of the site. We aim to sync (in particular look and feel) the Instagram account with our Facebook account and also our new Website, which I talk more about in the preceding section. |
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Sydney Fly Rodders WhatsApp Group |
We have an Exclusive Group on WhatsApp for our Members, which is a great way to communicate informally and to share ideas, seek advice and also to plan and seek interest for impromptu/planned fishing trips.
I can highly recommend this to members. We have arranged a number of trips now from a weekends bass fishing through to a casual and social Sunday morning or afternoons fishing at Narrabeen Lake or Hen & Chickens Bay etc. And there could even be a BBQ thrown in for a social get together afterwards. This will happen on most if not all occasions.
Should you wish to be included in this group, then please email me to request your inclusion, quoting your mobile number which is required to link you into the Group. You will need to download the WhatsApp first if you haven't already done so.
Please contact me for inclusion.
Jason Hemens Editor, Flyrodder jasondh1972@gmail.com |
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Piste Haus Ski Lodge - Jindabyne |
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The Fly Rodders have access to the Piste Haus Ski lodge in Jindabyne during the off season at an affordable rate:
- Positioned in Jindabyne village walking distance to Banjo Patterson Pub and short drive to shops/restaurants/etc.
- 8 bedrooms, mix of doubles, twins, triples and bunks
- Sleeps 14 all up and 10 comfortably
- $75/room/night
- SFRC get access from October to end May (off-season for skiing)
- Large open plan and well-appointed shared kitchen, dining and relaxation area with log stove
- Bring your own linen, towels, pillow, sleeping bag, blanket
- Parking for up to 4 or 5 cars on site and others on the street
The syndicate that owns Piste Haus has been very generous in allowing the Sydney Flyrodders access to this excellent facility at such a low price. Therefore, we encourage members to feel free to make use of this offer (either in groups or as individuals – it does not have to be an official club trip), as long as we always remember to follow the house rules and leave the place clean and tidy.
If you are interested in booking please reach out to James Webber (treasurer@sydneyflyrodders.com.au
https://pistehaus.com.au
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