TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU, YOUR FISHING HISTORY AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH WIRF

Having not grown up in a fishing family, I wouldn’t have described myself as a keen angler prior to meeting my husband. Fishing is in his blood, born and bred! It was a 10 year challenge for him to get me to reluctantly join him on any fishing trips, but once I did, it didn’t take long for the fishing bug to hit and I was hooked! You will now see us and our 2 children (aged 4 & 8) out on the boat fishing at every chance we get!

I am one of the faces behind ‘Cod and Yella’, which is a Facebook and Instagram page dedicated to our fishing adventures. Made up of two families who share a love of fishing and are keen freshwater anglers, primarily chasing Murray Cod and Yellow bellies! We aim to encourage fellow fishers and get more families and women out fishing to share and discover this wonderful lifestyle!

This year I was incredibly humbled to become a WIRF Leader and kicked off this journey at the AFTA conference on the Gold Coast. The WIRF network is like a warm hug! This amazing group of women and the sisterhood that has developed is incredibly supportive and encouraging! I have also just started writing a regular monthly article for ‘Fishing Monthly Magazine’, where I showcase what the team have been achieving, fishing advice, upcoming events and other fun facts!

I am passionate about educating women and showing them that it really can open up the door to enriching their lives (it isn’t necessarily just about catching fish!).  And what a bonus if this can encourage them not only to get out there but actually pick up a rod and discover a passion and fishing addiction!!

MY DEFINING FISHING MOMENT WAS

Definitely landing my first Murray Cod! We were out evening fishing on the boat in Bridgewater and the sun had well and truly gone down. We hadn’t had any luck and had started to head back in, I declared that I wasn’t done until I caught a fish (famous last words!!). Well low and behold, I decided on one last cast before calling it quits. I was using a Bridgewater Lure 1/2oz lime green and spotted a nice looking fallen log in the water. Apart from the glow of the lights from the boat and the moon rays, visibility was a struggle! Almost instantaneously, as the lure broke through the water surface, I felt the hit! The sheer thrill of that feeling was out of this world! And what a great fight it was! My first Cod, a true iconic native beauty, measuring in at 58cm, I was stoked!! Releasing the fish was an equally joyous moment and a memory that will last a lifetime!

I KNOW I’M ONTO A GOOD FISH WHEN

I’m a believer that any fish is a good fish! Especially for kids, it’s seeing the excitement in their eyes as they carefully reel in their line, hoping not to drop it!

However, when you hear the ‘zzzzzzz’ of the line being taken and the drag is tight, you know it’s going to be a fish worthy of a photo that’s going ‘straight to the pool room’!!

THE THREE BITS OF A GEAR I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT ARE

Only three?! That’s rather restrictive! Ha!! Well given that we usually set out early on the boat, by the time the sun comes up, I’m ready for my coffee, so we don’t leave home without the portable espresso machine! Secondly, an obvious choice being my rod and lure collection! Thirdly- the lure retriever which is imperative for retaining lures if you fish around structure! (I would hate to think how much money we would have lost without this…)

MY LURE OF CHOICE IS

Well, I have a bit of ‘a thing’ for surface lures that resemble small wildlife so in my collection you will find a bat, rat, manic budgie, duck and smugglers just to name a few!

MY LOCAL FISHING SPOT IS

Living in the Macedon Ranges, within a 1.5hr drive we generally mix it up between, The Loddon, The Goulburn or Lake Wendouree. Depending on the weather conditions and time of day will dictate the direction we head.

MY TIP FOR FISHING HERE IS

The Loddon and Goulburn- lure fishing with spinner baits (daylight hours) and look for structure, and as the sun either rises or sets try your luck with surface lures.

Wendouree- Tassie devils always seem to be a winner here whether bank fishing or out in the boat

I find the three P’s are important to remember, these being, ‘Persistence’, ‘Patience’ and ‘Perseverance’

IM I’M TAKING A FRIEND WHO’S NEVER FISHED NAGAMBIE BEFORE, I TAKE THEM TO

For a first timer, I would stick to the Lake itself! There’s a great chance you will catch a fish, the scenery is lovely and you can pull up the boat up and have a sneaky wine at the Nagambie Brewery and Distillery! And you never know your luck, you may even be serenaded to by Nagambie’s local Roy Orbison impersonator (speaking from past experience!!)!

IF I COULD GO FISHING WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD IT WOULD BE

Ohh I have a few on this list! I can narrow it down to two….

#1. Sir Billy Connolly- Not only could he teach me how to fly fish (something on my to-do list) but imagine the hilarious banter and fishing rants!! My sides would be sore for days from all the laughing! He truly is an incredible man!

#2. Bone Lim- Having met Bone at AFTA and discovering he is such a great guy, I would love to visit Singapore and head out on a fishing expedition with him! I mean have you seen the fish he catches!! Seriously!! It also helps that we caught a winning fish using one of his lures!

I ENJOYED GOFISH NAGAMBIE BECAUSE

This is an easy question! Our ‘Cod and Yella’ families all entered the comp and we made a pact to share the prize money if a winning fish was caught! One of our boys landed the winning Redfin (on Bone’s Focus 130 lure- clearly aiming for Cod! Turns out it’s a multipurpose prize winning lure!!) and we took home the $5,000 novelty cheque! Of course we also enjoyed the festivities hub and entertainment!

I’LL BE BACK AT GOFISH NAGAMBIE BECAUSE

Well we have to defend our title for 2020 for a start! LOL!

For me personally, I am so pleased to see that GoFish took on feedback, actively listened and are making changes to encourage more women to attend the 2020 comp! Next year is set to be more family friendly around fishing comp hours, more amenities around the waterways and many other exciting new additions!

Our accommodation is booked and the kids are already talking about the festival! Bring it on!