FLYFISHING PRECINCT PLAN FOR YARRA BEND

The Red Tag Fly Fishers are making plans for a top-notch fly casting precinct at Yarra Bend Park and recreational fishing licence fees are helping make it happen.

Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous MP, said the $74,000 project is one of 14 to share in nearly $1.1 million from the Recreational Fishing Grants Program, which aims to make wetting a line even better, and complements the Victorian Government’s $96 million package to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture.

The Grants Program is backed by anglers through the reinvestment of their fishing licence fees – which means this generation of fishing fans is making sure the next generation has the same great fishing they have experienced.

The Red Tag Fly Fishers are one of Australia’s oldest continuous fly fishing clubs, having been established in 1932.

They have enjoyed a presence at Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield since 1968 and are well known for their casting pool, which enables novice and experts flyfishers to practice their graceful craft before venturing into the great outdoors for the real thing.

Unfortunately, the Red Tag Fly Fishers’ club rooms were closed in 2018 and that is where this new project kicks in.

The $74,000 project will involve vital planning activities to establish a quality fly fishing precinct at Yarra Bend Park. The plan will cater for competitive fly casting, including hosting state and national-level casting competitions. It will also improve accessibility for people of all abilities, enhance lighting for nighttime practice, and outline steps toward developing a new clubhouse or pavilion.

The aim is to develop a precinct plan that will cater for competitive fly casting on the national stage, create access to their casting pool for people of all-abilities, improve lighting for nighttime practice, and sketch out a pathway to a new club house or pavilion.

It is early days in a bold undertaking but mapping out what’s envisioned step-by-step in a comprehensive plan will ensure it is done once and done right.

Learn more about all 14 new projects at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/feesatwork2024

Quote attributable to Kat Theophanous, Member for Northcote

“A dedicated flyfishing precinct in Yarra Bend Park will help the next generation get hooked on fishing and enjoy all the benefits of spending time in the great outdoors with family and friends.”

“The Recreational Fishing Grants Program is a wonderful example of reinvesting licence fees to further improve fishing opportunities so more people can catch a new hobby that connects them with nature and improves wellbeing.”