The NSWCFA Fly Fishing Interclub Meet, an annual event, was again held this year at Wallerawang near Lithgow, from Friday to Sunday, 28 to 30 April 2006. Fifty four representatives of fly fishing clubs travelled from the Illawarra, Sydney, Orange, Bathurst, the Central Coast, the Hunter, and the North Coast to take part. Central Coast Fly Rodders were represented by John Humphries, the event co-ordinator, Steve Tizard, Ken Colmer, Paul Jones and Bob Beamish.

We hoped to continue our club’s successes at previous meets: in 2002 Bill Sonnenberg caught the largest trout and, last year, Steve successfully took out the fly tying event.

The venue was again Rob and Linda Cluff’s Black and Gold Country Cabins at Wallerawang, a quiet coal mining village near Lake Wallace (Wallerawang Dam), on the upper Cox’s River, which supplies water to the Wallerawang Power Station. As well as Lake Wallace, other trout fishing options were nearby Thompson’s Creek Dam and Lake Lyell, and for those willing to travel further, the Fish River and Oberon Dam.

Unfortunately, continuation of drought conditions, as in past years, made for tough fishing. With the exception of Lake Wallace, which was close to full, the other dams were around 30 percent capacity and still falling. Although, surprisingly, the Fish River was flowing well in the lower reaches around Tarana.

Whilst fishing conditions may have been challenging, weather conditions were perfect for the event: light winds, mild nights and warm autumn sunshine encouraged most of us to fish the lakes or streams and take part in the casting events.

And despite the drought conditions and tough fishing, as in previous years, the event again attracted a good turn-out. The enthusiasm and dedication of event co-ordinator, John Humphries, Rob and Linda Cluff’s hospitality, and the generosity of prize sponsors continues to keep most of us coming back year-after-year. This year, the principal sponsor was Ross Salvato, of the World of Tackle. Prizes included: fly fishing rods; fly lines, instructional courses, books and DVDs; fly tying kits; accommodation and NZ car hire.

Registration was from midday Friday, with most participant arriving by the time Mat Ryan, of DPI Fisheries, gave a short evening presentation on fishing conditions, and the activities of Fisheries in enforcing the freshwater fishing laws.

According to Mat, Lake Wallace was fishing well for the locals (using lures and bait). But, in view of our lack of previous success with fly on that fishery, Steve, Ken, Paul and I, along with most other meet participants, chose instead to fish Saturday at Thompson’s Creek Dam, where the largest fish of the previous year’s meet had been captured.

Perfect fly fishing conditions – slightly overcast, with a light breeze riffling the lake surface – did not translate into fish, with most fly fishers unable to get connected. But after hooking, and then pulling the fly out, of a very large rainbow during the late morning, I was finally able to hook, land, measure and then released a 46 cm rainbow about two hours later.

This trout proved to be the largest fish landed during the day -- those who fished the Fish River around Tarana enjoyed delightful stream fishing, but only encountered small rainbows. And, to the surprise of most, my trout took out trophies for both largest trout and largest rainbow at the presentation dinner later that evening.

As in previous years, the dinner was a great social event and, due to the generosity of sponsors, almost everyone was able to receive a prize. Money from raffles and silent auctions raised valuable funds that NSWCFA is then able to spend to regenerate freshwater fish habitats and improve the quality of fishing for the benefit of all anglers.

Casting events were held Sunday morning and, going into the events, Central Coast was well in contention to take out the champion club trophy. Unfortunately, our enthusiasm for fly casting was not matched by our skill level or the final results, and we were well outclassed by the expert casters from the Lakeside Fly Fishing Club, who regularly compete in competition casting events at a high level.

The meet concluded with a barbecue lunch and final presentation.

It’s a great fly fishing event. I’m sure most participants will be back again, next year.