NQ Flyfishers film night at Heatley Secondary College in Townsville was a great success but we would have liked to double the numbers.
The day started with boats fishing Magnetic Island, but the weather was not kind with a stiff breeze and rough water. Jeff and Steve managed a couple of nice trevally but at the expense of wetting everything including the kitchen sink!
The fly casting competition in the afternoon tested the skills of all participants. The course designed by Richard Wallace and Ward Nicholas was a beauty testing accuracy, control and distance casting. All members of the club participated in this event.
Seven competitors entered the fly tying competition submitting three flies each. There had to be one off-shore, one in-shore and one free choice. These were judged on five criteria with a possible score of 150. Richard Wallace won the best set of three which also held the winning fly overall. Steve Munday and Helen Johnson scored equal second places.
The Hamar Midgley fly fishing Trophy was displayed throughout the evening. Harvey Low explained that this award is a state wide competition for either the most meritorious catch or for someone who significantly promoted fly fishing. He then presented the framed certificate to Ward Nicholas.
Bill Mitchell put together a very good paper on keeping permit and Golden Trevally as a recreational species only. This report was well thought through and well reported and accepted by the audience.
The films started after a sumptuous barbecue meal. We were treated to bone fishing, tarpon fishing, permit fishing and giant trout all on fly in different parts of the world. We finished with giant trout in New Zealand. We had a short break between films for banana cake, chocolate cake, biscuits and beverages. The winner of the raffle and the casting competition were awarded their prizes between films.
The small number of visitors said they enjoyed themselves and we are all looking forward to next year’s film night.
