6/9/12
Mick Hall recognised for his work with ATF
Mick Hall has recently been awarded the "Jack Ritchie Medal" by the Victorian Fly Fishers Association for his unselfish and untiring work with the ATF for the benefit of trout fishers.
Mick is only the 7th recipient of this prestigious award in its history with the first person to receive it being James Youl, the man responsible for bringing trout to Australia. It was presented (posthumously) to his grand-daughter in 1993.
For an outline of the history of the Jack Ritchie Medal, please click here.

6/6/12
Lake Fyans Canal Gates
Following a successful grant application for funding, the ATF has organised the manufacture of new gates to replace the old dilapidated ones that were put in place about 30 years ago to prevent fish escaping up the inlet canal at Lake Fyans. These new gates are made of stainless steel and are currently ready to be installed. In an email from the contractor on the 4th June, we were informed "The gates are finished; they now only need installing onsite and we are aiming for this to happen this week".

6/6/12
DSE statement (in Part) - Introduced Recreation Fish Species: Salmon and Trout

"Generations of Victorians have enjoyed catching salmonids (trout and salmon) in the state’s waterways. Not only is fishing for salmonid species a popular hobby, it supports a large industry in regional Victoria. While salmonid fish can impact native aquatic fauna, they are an important recreational species that permanently occur in many of our waterways. All aquatic life benefits from healthy rivers and catchments, including good water quantity and quality, complex food webs, appropriate habitat, and access for movement up and down streams. Consequently there are joint benefits in managing waterways for both native fauna and salmonid fisheries. In waterways where salmonids may impact on the viability of important and highly endangered native species, fish populations will be considered in the context of state and national conservation legislation and policy, and appropriate management plans developed in consultation with recreational fishers.

While native fish remain DSE's primary legislative responsibility, it is common for DSE and CMAs to improve conditions for salmonids as a consequence of restoration works aimed at providing healthy waterways which assist in the recovery of native fish populations. One such example of mutual gain is the more than ten years of work carried out by the Goulburn Broken CMA along the upper Goulburn River. While the CMA was using DSE resources to improve the general condition of the river by fencing and revegetating the stream banks, and by controlling willows, at the same time, the CMA was using resources from the Fishing Licence Grant Program (managed by DPI) to improve access for anglers and build artificial habitat works along the stream."

- It is also the intention of DSE and angling peak groups (including ATF) to establish regular meetings to discuss relevant issues, be they habitat reconstruction, endangered species and recreational angling requirements and needs. The reason we say it is a big win for both recreational anglers and the DSE is that this is the first time that such communication has been implemented. This in turn will lead to a much stronger relationship and understanding between all stakeholders.

For a clearer understanding, we encourage you to read the full DSE statement - follow this link ... http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/plants-and-animals/native-plants-and-animals/freshwater-ecosystems/fish-in-streams-and-estuaries#full

(6/4/11)
Fisheries respond to ATF call for state government to act on S.O.Y.R. Fauna & Flora plan.
As a result of lobbying from the ATF to minister Peter Walsh and Fisheries Victoria, an email from Anthony Hurst (Executive Director - Fisheries Victoria) to Rod Barford (President ATF), said "Thanks Rod, We're taking follow up action on this." - Keep watching here for updates on this matter.

(19/3/11)
The Shire of Yarra Ranges is anti-trout:
The Shire of Yarra Ranges has developed an environmental (Fauna & Flora) plan which states that they are opposed to trout in waterways within the shire. There are many flaws in this plan that affect all users of the great outdoors, regardless of whether or not you are a ratepayer of S.O.Y.R., a trout fisher, or some other user. (The very first water  in which salmonids were introduced on mainland Australia was within this shire, so they have a major historical importance as well).
Responses to the council's plan are to be submitted no later that 4th April 2011. Please read it and have your say.
S.O.Y.R. Env.plan (download)

(19/3/11)
An Aboriginal Land Claim has been lodged on Paddy’s Corner. 
Should this Aboriginal Land Claim be successful then the management and ‘ownership” of Paddy’s Corner will be vested in the Aboriginal Land Claim nominees.  Under this scenario, access to the river cannot be guaranteed. (read)...

(22/12/10)
Restocking hooks anglers more rainbow, brown trout
More than 187,000 trout have been stocked into formerly drought-affected lakes and reservoirs across Victoria
Media Release

(29/10/10)
Have your say on "East Gippsland Fisheries Management Plan"
Fisheries Victoria is encouraging fishers and other stakeholders to contribute their ideas on the Draft East Gippsland Fishery Management Plan which has been released for public comment. (read)...

(28/10/10)
Brumby government releases its "Outdoors" election policy.
It will be very interesting to see what the coalition parties comes up with.
Media release              ALP "Outdoors" Policy Paper     (click on links)

(19/10/10)
Fisheries Victoria and the Australian Trout Foundation Working together to enhance our Trout fishery....
Following the drought breaking winter and spring rains, many of the lakes in our Western district are now full again; several for the first time in almost a decade.  There has been a big call for stocking of these waters and this is underway. (read more)

(19/10/10)
Improved access for trout anglers in the north east.....
Local and visiting anglers heading towards some of North East Victoria’s most productive trout fisheries will soon find approaching the rivers a whole lot easier. (read more)

(2/7/10)
Trout anglers unite to help save a highly endangered native fish species......
Saturday 19th of June 2010 saw a collection of zealous trout anglers working side by side with scientists from DSE, The Arthur Rylah Institute and the Murray Darling Basin Authority who gathered to reconstruct the bushfire affected area around Leary’s Creek, which runs through Marysville. (read more)

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