Final Tasmanian Blog



Gill Mandeno Chairman of the Commonwealth Fly Fishers

Chris Bassano waiting to make his winning speech

With Peter Underwood's ( Governer of Tasmania) sergeant at arms

With Garth my controller after my final session on the Meander River we got on really well from the start. He relaxed me after seeing 30 plus Comorants in a tree next to my peg!! On the session on the South Esk river I had a Platypus swimming in my first pool ,I did't know whether to scare it, shoot it, shout at it,  or eat it!!!!- Any way the picture shows Garth having called time- 6 fish measured-Done all I can ,finally I can relax!

With Malcolm Crosse who brilliantly organised the event with his team, over 18 months.


Finally a big thank-you from Janet and me, to all in Tasmania for your kindness hospitality, and generiosity on our trip, and especially the Controllers who gave up their time.

For those planning to visit Tasmania, you will have the holiday of a lifetime.

Bernie Maher
28th February 2012

Some more pictures- final Tasmanian blog tomorrow.

 Some more photos from the trip

With Jim the Welsh Guide

The ever friendly Scottish Ladies who always look after us.

With Brett who took us on Arthurs lake

With Trevor who supplied with enough fly tying materials to open a shop. Thanks Trevor.

With Chris Bassano at his place near the Great lake where he runs his Guiding Business

For anyone who has never been out to Tasmania but are going, you are in for a treat, as the people over there are wonderful.

After a day practising on the Little Pine lagoon ( named Little Swine) an lake that has no master- a blank is no disgrace

With Mark Youngman our host discussing flies

BACK HOME

Friday 24th February 2012
Second day back Jet lag as annoying as expected.
After the journey home one can reflect on the competition and practise etc.All te team had therir different strengths and dispite such a close competition for Silver and Bronze with 5 teams going for these medals, it showed some character from the lads to keep their heads under pressure-  as a blank session by any one of us on th elast day, would of meant that we were out of the medals.

JT fished really well throught getting a well derserved Bronze medal and Stu Wardle fishing brilliantly under pressure on the 'Little Pine Lagoon' ( named' Little Swine' Lagoon) to get a fish on the last session using his 'Kate McClaren' fly. Dave Grove our captain and Andy Gooding fished consistantly well throughout.It shows a team that have different strengths, bond together, and get on well with Stu's humour keeping us all going are the key to success.
The girls that came with us travelled the sights in the day, and prepared the Bar b que for us in the evening.
( special thanks to 'The Mum: Fiona' and Linda)

First Views of Tasmania 3rd February 2012

The Taem Janet and Me, Fiona' Mum', Dave Grove,John Tyzack,Alison,Stu wardle,Mel Parot (manager) Andy Gooding, Fiona

Fly Tying every night and morning with JT was compulsory,in order to get the magic fly Picture c/o  JT

First days Practise 7 am leave back at 8pm

Dave's Fiona's and Linda's Bar b Ques

 kept us going we couldent of done without them.

Volunteers giving up their time to take us out in their boats

The Opening cermony and March around the town of  Deloraine

The team and Volunteers Boatman Brett and Flytyer Trevor

Pipers leading the March

The strong Aussie team

JT brilliant as usual on the Rivers

Final Session on the Meander River - under pressure to finish in the top three ( caught 6 fish dropped 3)

A typical beautiful Tasmanian Brown that we were catching

Mel Parot our manager the pressure of wating for us to report in with our results was all too much- and the Savignon Blanc was the only solution. At least Stu Andy and m only had to put him to bed 3 times!!!!!! Thanks Mel

    

JT fished really well getting a well derserved Bronze medal and Stu wardle fishing brilliantly under pressure on the 'Little Pine Lagoon' ( named' Little Swine' Lagoon)to get a fish on the last session using his 'Kate McClaren' fly. Dave Grove our captain and Andy Gooding fished consistantly well.

Monday
at Launceston airport heading to Sydney
left the country hotel yesterday and travelled up on to Chris and Krystal Bassano's place up on the high plateau.

Chris won the Gold team and the individual by some way i.e he had 31 fish the Irish angler who came second had 18. Chris was moaning about how many he lost!!!!
We travelled to his farm ( where he wanted me to fish!!!!!- no a good move with the wife there who ghas hardly seen me!!!) we then went onto Liffey falls before travelling up the hill.

We met John Horsey later in the evening- chris is helping do a photography piece for' tight lines' in March- so we had a glass of red or two.

The hospitality has been unbelievable from all the locals.

Tatics wise the Australia team were streets ahead - as expected with four Tasmania anglers in their team.
As expected with Australia with all their sport they have great spirit and resources at heir disposal.

Finally managed to get on line

After 2 weeks of practise and 2 1/2 days of competition I have some good news with the results in Tasmania
The final result are out of 16 teams
Australia A 1st
England 2nd
N Ireland 3rd
Australia B 4th
NZ A 5th
Scotland 6th
South Africa 7th
Canada 8th
IOM 9th
Wales 10th
I have never been in such a hard competition with venues switching off and on.
The two rivers were contrasting with the Meander river being a more conventional river with ripples and runs. The South Esk was more like a spring creek, when you caught your spooky fish they dived in the weeds. most people losing 50% of the fish they caught.
The bank session on Little pine ( the lake of death)a 30 acre lake 70% of the competitors blanked. England used 26 foot leaders to catch the really spooky fish.
Finally the boat sessions were on Woods lake and Arthurs lake- where the fish after pressure were found close in on the weeds.
I am really proud of the England guys- going into the last day we were 3rd and all the team avoided a blank session under pressure.
Only a few points separated teams 2 to 5 and had chris Bassano not fished so well for Australia A the final result would of been more interesting as 2 of their Anglers blanked on the last day.

For those who do not do competition trout fishing its practising for 12 days  6 hours per days plus travel to the lakes /rivers ( normally 1 1/2 hours away) refining techniques, then back for some dinner and team meetings and flying until midnight.
The competition consists of 5 sessions each 3 hours long where you fish in groups of 16 anglers- the pressure comes if you catch no fish ( blank) where you put the team under pressure as the points system penalises you.
Our team individual results from 80 anglers were john Tyzack 3rd Dave Grove 7th  myself 15th Stu Wardel 23rd and Andrew Gooding 31st.

Planning and Preparation for Tasmania trip

Final stages of packing ready trip. Due to quarantine regulations bought new waders and wading boots.
Getting Fly-tying materials together. 5 rods and 15 reels too much stuff!!!

I will be glad when on the plane!!!!