Fishcare Geelong has hit the ground running!!

The Geelong and Bellarine group recently attended two events in conjunction with the Victorian Fisheries Authority at Albert Park Lake and Pakenham Lake. The Multicultural day held at Albert Park Lake was a great success with almost one hundred children and adults in attendance. The participant’s background ranged from Africa and as well as a number representing various parts of Aisa. It was a great success with everyone involved demonstrating a willingness to learn about the rules surrounding our Victorian fisheries, knot tying and rigging, water safety by Surf Life Saving Victoria and then also getting involved in some fishing along the edge of the lake. Unfortunately, the fishing was tough but they had the opportunity to see some quality rainbow trout. The VFA provided around two hundred trout that were stocked by the attendees and a few happy snaps grabbed along the way. It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm and thankful faces for the opportunity to learn and for many to try and catch their first fish. 

Fishcare Geelong and Bellarine facilitator Mitch McMaster also made it to the Vic fish kids event held at Pakenham Lake in Melbournes north east. Mitch was fortunate enough to teach knots and rigging to more than two hundred and eighty children and their parents or guardians. Everyone took to the knots with a great attitude and the future fishers will likely knot lose a fish as a result (pun intended). It was a busy day with all participants lucky enough to get to fish and learn alongside fishing icons, Rex Hunt and Lee Rayner. Everyone much the same as the multicultural day also got to release a few hundred healthy Rainbow Trout. This and fish stocked previously resulted in a good catch of fish by the clinic participants, friendly locals and left many with smiles from ear to ear. It was a great event as always and will help to leave our fisheries in capable and educated hands.

Lastly, the group also made it to Wilsons Promontory to help out Parks Victoria with their Junior Ranger program by conducting four ‘Creating sustainable angler programs’ during the first week of the school holidays. With average weather, the junior rangers braved some cold weather to catch a few Bream and Trevally in Tidal river whilst learning about all things sustainable fishing practices during the Incursions.