At least 18 species of garfishes are known from Australian waters. They can be difficult to accurately identify so I won’t even try. Most have very elongate silvery bodies with a long lower jaw and short triangular upper jaw. The particular species of garfish that is common our area is the Eastern Sea Garfish (Hyporhamphus australis) which is found in sheltered bays, coastal waters, and occasionally in the lower reaches of estuaries from Moreton Bay in Queensland to Eden in New South Wales, including Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Read More »

There are four types of queenfish present in Australian tropics but the two mainly encountered by most fishermen, these are the Giant Queenfish Scomberoide scommersonnianus and the Lesser Queenfish Scomberoides lysan. They are one of the most commonly encountered saltwater fish in the coastal waters of the Northern half of Australia and are often found in schools. Read More »

There are two species of Saratoga found in Australia – Scleropages jardini and the Scleropage leichardti. The distribution of the two species is quite different with the generally larger jardini found in the Northern Territory from the Gulf of Carpentaria across the Top into Western Australia. Read More »

Often misidentified as sole, the two flounder we are most likely to encounter in our area are the Small-toothed Flounder (Pseudorhombus jenynsii) and the Large-toothed Flounder (Pseudorhombus arsius).

Flounder prefer areas of mixed sand, weed and rock with good numbers of small bait fish present and access to deeper water nearby. Read More »

Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are a slender and elongated fish that generally resemble a Brown Trout in form. Brook Trout can be differentiated by their large mouth which extends beyond the level of the eye. They have an olive-green background body colour with pale, worm-like lines and spots (called vermiculation) of lighter shades across the flanks and back and extending at least to the dorsal fin, and often to the tail. Read More »

The following is from Guide Recommended, a great little site I stumbled upon filled with useful hints and tips from fly fishing guides themselves.

We’ve all struggled with something while fly fishing. The struggle could be as simple as, “Am I using the right fly?”

From Harvard Mahony Neuroscience Institute‘s On the Brain newsletter.

In the mid-nineteenth century, the avid fly-fisherman and physician James A. Hensall, MD, elucidated what for many is the allure of that often solitary form of angling. “Fly-fishers,” he said, “are usually brain-workers in society. Read More »

Here’s a handy tip from RiverBum.com.

Don’t have the time or the inclination to make your own leaders? Then do what Club member Rodney Adams recommends – buy pre-made ones. It’s easier. Some even have a loop on the end. Read More »