Comments on: Contact

By: philipweigall

philipweigall — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:31:40 +0000

Peter I wondered how you might have got on so it’s good to hear you at least hooked one. I’m obsessive about knots and tippet (see my book Fishing Sense) because of exactly the scenario you describe. Can I make two suggestions:
- never fish anywhere with less than 8 lb fluorocarbon or 6 lb Maxima mono as your tippet unless you’re truly forced to because of tiny flies. Btw, that stick caddis works perfectly on 8 lb fluorocarbon or 6 lb Maxima.
- practice a half blood knot (8 to 10 turns) during the ad. breaks or some other lazy time off the water until you can tie it perfectly in your sleep – and don’t lock it. Do the same with a 3 turn Surgeon’s Knot for joining tippet.

I like those two knots not because they’re the best ever devised, but because they’re simple and relatively easy to tie well under adverse conditions. Master those knots and fish tippet as heavy as you can get away with, and you’ll avoid a lot of disappointment.

Best

Philip

By: Peter kellam

Peter kellam — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:40:27 +0000

G’day Philip,
I stumbled in to you in the Wallace pub two Sundays ago (you weren’t drinking……… I was) and you kindly directed me to Newlyn to attempt to get my new hobby off to a start. You also kindly gave me a fly to try (stick caddis) with a bit of advice on how to use it.
There were fish cruising after bugs and can I tell you that I actually briefly hooked up with what appeared to be a lovely brown. Unfortunately I think I need to hone my tying skills as the bugger took the fly and left me with some curly bits on the end of the tippet. Tried some other flies that I had but no good.
Thanks again and I’ll save up to book some lessons.
Cheers, Peter.

By: philipweigall

philipweigall — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:37:08 +0000

Gordon if at all possible postpone your trip for another month at least. Unless we have an unusually dry spring, most of the north-east streams will be too high and cold in October to enjoy the best they have to offer. If you must come in October, try the tailwaters like the King River in the Whitfield area and the Mitta between Callagahans Ck and Tallandoon. Both tend to be lower in flow and somewhat ‘warmer’ than the natural streams early season. Of the natural streams, the best early are those flowing from the slightly drier, less snow-fed catchments; perhaps the Buckland, Rose, Victoria and Livingstone as examples.

Good luck

Philip

By: Gordon Wilson

Gordon Wilson — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:53:12 +0000

Hi Phil,
We are 4 guys from Sydney Flyrodders who plan to spend a week fishing the North east of Victoria next october .Having never been this way before we were wondering if you could help us to plan a productive trip.
Do you have any web links for where to access streams and where to base ourselves.
We have your books but are unsure where to get started,
cheers
Gordon

By: philipweigall

philipweigall — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:29:32 +0000

Stephen, none that I know of. Newlyn, Hepburn, Dean, Tullaroop and Bostock have all been pretty good lately. I expect many of the others are good too but I haven’t visited recently so can’t be sure.

Regards

Philip

By: Stephen Payne

Stephen Payne — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:08:21 +0000

Hi Philip,
Can you please advise if there is a website that provides current fishing reports for the “Golden triangle” lakes?
Regards
Stephen

By: philipweigall

philipweigall — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:33:46 +0000

Will try to have a look at those reels next time I’m down Mick,

Regards

Philip

By: Angela Allardyce and mick

Angela Allardyce and mick — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:42:02 +0000

gday phillip my name is mick allardyce and i live in anglesea i have know you folks for a few years as i used to slash the land around there property and the common land and a few years ago i sat next to mark on a flight i fly fish bit mainly salt water but i have designed and built fly reels i would be cean to catch up some time if your down at anglesea and show yourself my reels i bumped into your mum today and that reminded me to catch up regards mick allardyce

By: Jan Korrubel

Jan Korrubel — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:13:21 +0000

Hi Philip,

I’d like to get autographed copies of your two books “Fishing Season” and “Fishing Sense” – can I get them direct from you? And what would the postage be to South Africa?

If you would be so kind as to drop me an email, that would be great!

KInd regards,

Jan Korrubel

By: Martin Scuffins

Martin Scuffins — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:17:56 +0000

Thanks Philip.
I’ll have a look at Hepburn for sure. I’ll pick a cloudy weekday if I can. Wow, a Sea Eagle at Millbrook is certainly a surprise. I did see a Juvenile bird at Moorabool resevoir years ago but that is my only local sighting of this species.
Thanks for the fishing tips!

Martin