Throwing a line in the water and waiting for a bite has long been a relaxing pastime for fishermen, either solo or as a social activity. The Canberra Fisherman’s Club is continuing this tradition with their regular meetups, meetings, and fishing days.

“There are a few fishing clubs that are pub based. They’re more about telling fishing stories and having a few happy ales. We’re not averse to that but we tend to go fishing more and maybe catch up for a few whales at the end of the day,” smiles Glen Mallam, vice president.

The family club is welcoming to everyone – old and young, all genders and family units, though it is mainly men. They toyed with changing the name to a more gender-neutral term – Fisherperson’s Club but it was decided that was a bit silly and the original name stuck.

Every second Tuesday of the month, the club meets at Deakin Soccer Club where they organise upcoming meets and club business. It is also a chance for members to get together and discuss their latest catches or boat enhancements. There are trophy-length catches within the club, with people crowned legendary if they wrangle a longer one.

“I tagged and released a 150-kilo striped Marlin,” says club secretary, Chris Head. “Everyone has a goal, a trophy fish is a-metre trophy Murray cod.” 

Not missing a chance to capture a new trophy fish, the club has 12 dedicated fishing outings a year, divided between fresh and salt water bodies and covering distances between Sydney, Wollongong and Bega.

“We try and go places that are fishing best at the time. Nowhere is ideal all year long, so we tend and go find where the fish are fighting best each month,” says Glen.

Attendee numbers differ for each outing with factors like family life, the time of year and, most importantly, the weather coming into play. A club event averages around 20 people hoping to score a big catch, while interstate competitions can draw over 200 anglers.

“We participate in the Australian records compilation process. If someone catches a real stonker, it’s a potential Australian record we can register through the organisation,” says Glen.

As far as native fish are concerned, they say the local lakes are one of the premier fishing spots in the country.

“They would have to be the best access for Murray Cod … every year there’s a couple 1.2-1.3 metre fish pulled out. They are so valuable to the ecology and to recreational fishing they usually go straight back in,” says Glen.

Changing times have led to more restrictions on what can be caught and kept; Chris says he keeps only about 25-30 per cent of all his catches. The club supports catch-and-release fishing and slot limits, particularly when it comes to those that will aid in breeding programs.

“The big ones, the breeders that are so important to the future of the species, let them go. Half the time you catch one that’s so big, they’re a bit tough, they’re past their prime, but they’re really important for breeding,” says Glen.

On the hook in Lake Burley Griffin are Murray cod, redfin, yellow belly, and silver perch. One fish they aren’t keen on seeing in our waterways is the carp.

“In Australia, our local fish can’t cope with the level of turbidity, churned-up sediment that these things create. The native fish find it very, very hard,” says Glen.

A passionate fisherman, Glen’s grandfather put his first rod in his hand when he was just five, a stumpy wooden thing. He says when he was a kid, fishing was a nice, aimless day out with a bit of bait on the hook and maybe a few bites. Joining the club, his world exploded and, under the guidance of fellow members, he learnt techniques and where the fish were.

Originally from South Australia, Chris recalls when fishing as a toddler, his father tied a rope to him and attached it to the bumper of his car so he didn’t fall in the water. As he grew up, he started fishing alone.

“Mum and Dad went shopping; they actually dropped me off at the jetty at Kingston in South Australia and I’d fish just off the jetty with bait while they went and did the shopping,” says Chris.

First joining the club at 16, Chris stayed for a few years before life got busy, then re-joined about 20 years ago. He says it’s common for members who join young to take a break until they have a family of their own.

For many members, angling is more than a sport; it’s a way to feel at one with nature. Glen has spent many a quiet day watching the world around him.  

“Ive had little marsupial mice run along the ground up over my foot; you become invisible if you stay still and it’s just fantastic,” he says.

The type of rod matters in fishing. Glen says you wouldn’t use a trout rod when you’re out scouting for Marlin. Species-specific and situation-specific gear makes things easier, but you can use multi-purpose options if you know where to go. While you don’t need fancy equipment, many of the club’s passionate members like to splurge on their gear.

“It’s like a five per cent difference at the very limit of its abilities; 90 per cent of the job is being in the right place at the right time with the right bait doing the right thing,” says Glen.

Stainless steel is out, and mild steel hooks are hot in the club’s books, as they’re cheaper than their indestructible counterparts and better for the fish and ecosystem. The chemically sharpened hooks can disintegrate quickly if swallowed or left on a lake or ocean bed.

“If you catch a fish and it’s swallowed it the whole way down, if you try and pull it out it’s going to really hurt it. Just cut the line and you know, within a couple of days, that’s all gone,” says Glen.

Aligned with the Australian National Sports Fishing Association, the club is heavily involved in the local branches to address recreational fishing issues. To help stock the lakes with fingerlings in association with the ACT government, they run an annual fundraiser and have been installing tackle bins.

Just two years out from their big 50th birthday, the club is hoping to regain some of the member numbers they lost during the pandemic. Currently sitting about 50 keen anglers on the books, they say many people watch from afar on social media which has over 3,000 followers.

It isn’t just fish they encounter; the other sea life keeps them engaged, having spotted everything from whales and sharks to playful schools of dolphins. One they love to hate is the cheeky seal, which often wait for a line to be cast before stealing the bait.

“They have had some issues at the Narooma boat ramp where there’s a couple of seals that have now decided to set up home there and people have been attacked,” says Chris.

Hoping to reach wannabe anglers, the club will host a kids’ fishing clinic on Sunday 21 May at Lake Tuggeranong.

For more information on the clinic, other club events and membership, visit the club website: canberrafishos.com

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