There was a particularly good rise in Yens Bay in Eucumbene last weekend and Nathan Walker landed five rainbows in quick succession on small Woolly Buggers which he tied himself. Colleague Chris Skillin landed an excellent 2kg rainbow on the same fly.

Other catches included some good browns on Power Bait and wood grubs near the dam wall at Eucumbene and three rainbows at East Jindabyne on wood grubs in the early morning.

Anglers are reminded that all trout streams in the ACT and NSW are closed until the opening of the trout stream season on Saturday, October 3. There have been several reports of illegal fishing in the Cotter River, the Goodradigbee River and Flea Creek recently and anglers should be aware that they will be prosecuted and heavily fined if detected by fisheries inspectors.

The annual Grabine Fishing Classic held last weekend at Wyangala Reservoir attracted about 1000 anglers who struggled with the muddy conditions following heavy rain in the area but who were rewarded with some excellent fish catches. The largest cod was 108cm in length and the second largest, caught by the same angler in the same spot immediately afterwards, was 95cm in length. Some excellent silver perch, golden perch and catfish also were weighed in, then released, as the event was catch-and-release only. Plenty of carp were caught on sweet corn and scrub worms.

The open season for Murray cod in the ACT and NSW closed on 1 September and will not reopen until 1 December. During the closed season, applied to allow the fish to spawn unhindered, anglers should refrain from deliberately targeting cod and any caught accidentally must be returned to the water immediately.

Coastal areas have been hammered by heavy rain, high winds and cold weather generally and fishing has been difficult. Boaters who made brief forays offshore reported lots of floating debris and discoloured, muddy water for about seven kilometres out to sea and all they caught were a few small snapper. Beaches where gutters have been reformed by storms should be worthwhile fishing this weekend and are the best bet for salmon, tailor and bream.

The Canberra Anglers Association is expecting a big roll-up for the first of its free pre-season fly fishing classes on Sunday. The classes will be held from 10am until 12noon on the lawns of Old Parliament House, near the Treasury Building, and people of all ages are invited to take part. Women and children will be particularly welcomed. Members of the CAA will be on hand to teach newcomers the gentle art of fly fishing and to assist more seasoned anglers to brush up their existing casting skills. All gear will be provided and all participants need to bring is a cap and sunglasses but can bring their own gear if they wish.

Most participants no doubt will be surprised to learn how easy it is to cast a fly. After a 10-15 minute lesson most people should have enough skill to tackle their first fish and after that it is simply a matter of practice to hone the skills needed for longer distance and other forms of casting.

As an additional treat, International Fly Fishing Federation casting instructor Nathan Walker will be demonstrating a new two-handed fly rod which is particularly suited for casting in tight situations and also for women and others who lack the shoulder strength of their male counterparts.

There will also be a sausage sizzle, soft drinks and raffles for batches of flies and a complete rod, reel and line fly fishing outfit donated by a local tackle store. Should be a great day.

Dr Bryan Pratt is a Canberra-based ecologist.