FLYLIFE^51For sharing his thoughts and doing so much to organise
the 2017 (FlyLife Forum) Gathering, Stephen Hill will
receive a $50 gift voucher from the FlyLife online shop.
If you’re looking for a gift to please the most discerning
fly fisher, our handy $50 and $100 vouchers take the
hassle out of shopping. Whether it be some FlyLife back
issues, a subscription, or that must-have book or DVD,
it takes the pressure out of having to choose.Backcasts Winner
ith the FlyLife Forum ‘Gathering’ over for
another year, I thought I might attempt a
composition of thoughts about the what and
why of it all. Here’s what has come out...
There are some things that just work better when done
with others. A party. A picnic. A game of tennis.
On the other hand, some things resonate well with
people when done solo. Reading a book. A walk. Solitaire.
Fishing can be a pastime that divides opinions on
whether to go alone, or alongside others. A good day on
fine water, enjoying the peace and tranquility or rush of
adrenaline can be equally enjoyed alone or with a pal or
two. Both have advantages. Both create challenges. But the
common factor is the fishing — fly fishing.
What happens when people with a common passion,
normally connected solely via electronic means and living
across the country, wish to share the thing that unites
them? They gather.
They overcome the distances. The logistics. The baggage
handlers and delayed flights. And make it happen.
For ten years, The Gathering has happened. Fair
weather, but in March, generally foul.
Between 20 and 30 individuals, once a year, put
aside the urge to fish alone, and take up their rods, their
knowledge and experience, to fish alongside old friends
and fresh acquaintances.
They’ve gathered in the Snowy Mountains and in
Coffs Harbour. Gathered in North East Victoria and New
England. Gathered beside Tasmanian rivers and lakes.
Gathered at Adaminaby, Eibor, Longford and Khancoban.
This year, Liawenee was the focus and Tasmania’s iconic
Nineteen Lagoons the destination. A return to where it
began, all those years ago.
A tough fishery. Stark landscapes. Foreign waters to
most. A challenge. A joy.
Yet while the fishing is the main appeal, The Gathering
is also about the times off the water. Times that can be
even more curious and entertaining than trying to break
your duck on a stream or lake. The banter. The stories.
The sledging. The tales. The legends. Time spent around
the table or near the barbecue. Time spent near a fire or
just on the couch. Stories told over again each year, and
some new ones too. The sounds of laughing, of cursing, of
pride, of embarrassment and of course the sounds of mass,
almost synchronised, snoring each night. All ingredients in
making just another fishing trip into a mystical adventure
for those who are willing and able to join.
So time on the water, time with others, time learning,
time teaching, time laughing, time cursing, good food — so
much good food — good beer and better Scotch are all
part of the appeal of The Gathering.
You might hear of another one soon. You might consider
attending. It might be the best fishing idea you’ve had.
This one was again, just superb.
Stephen Hill, Rosevears, TASW
ell it’s taken a while but I finally have an update.
I’m happy to say that next time I walk into the
newsagent and put my copy of FlyLife on the
counter I will be doing it with an aura of confidence as a
true fly fisherman that catches fish — not a wannabe who
just practices casting.
The last year was a bit of a bugger, with no fishing,
but that is behind us and it’s back to business with lots of
fishing a priority for the foreseeable future.
I can happily say I’ve caught (and released) my first fish
on fly, also my first trout. It was just 500 metres from
where I first laid eyes on the trout in that letter (FL#82).
Caught on the beginner combo I originally bought. It was
lake caught but, hey, you gotta start somewhere. I now tie
my own saltwater flies as the addiction stills grows.
Still loving the magazine, keep ’em coming.Anthony Roberts, Bomaderry, NSWW
was dumbstruck by Jon Clewlow’s incredibly
generous letter in FL#87 (I can’t believe he too is
a Spice Girls fan — this is amazing news), and by
your ongoing generosity in publishing virtually everything
I write to you. I am genuinely touched. As such it’s taken
me a few days to compose both myself and this letter.
Accordingly, please thank JC for taking the time to write
such kind and inspiring words — I’m sure your other
readers were thrilled to hear from him again also.
I appreciate that the possibility of understudying or
temping for the First Casts column is a notion that hangs
in my head by a loose thread of single-ply suggestion, but I
cannot quite cut it off. So attached is another crack.
This one is a bit longer, a draft just over a thousand
words which I estimate to be about the length of the FC
column. It’s a bit rushed as I’m off to Mallacoota for a
month on Wednesday (generating more material!) and I
only worked it up yesterday arvo.
If it’s useful for anything please let me know, and either
myself or my editor in Belgrave South can crop or rework
it to the necessary dimensions for a Short Cast (see page
94), or for the shredder, as necessary. Regardless, thanks to
you both for astonishing support.Nick Withers, Montmorency, VICI
ow, seeing the cover shot on #87 for the first
time was like being tickled across the eyes
with a well swung shovel.
As much as I love fish and fly shots, or pics of flat-
capped tattooed young punks, it’s great to finally see a
mainstream editorial style power portrait on the cover.
Well done to Brad Harris for the shot and whoever
suckered Rob into running it.
Also, wanted to say that IMHO, the best and most ‘shut-
up and take my money — I want to go there NOW!’ shot
in #87 is the inside back cover aerial in the Stravon ad.
Ken Cracker it is.
David Anderson, East Albury, NSWW