Local trout anglers left high and dry

CHARLES Wooley rarely offers up an article in the TasWeekend magazine that is not interesting or relevant to Tasmanians. Last week was no exception, and followed a letter I had published recently regarding the marginalisation of Tasmanian trout anglers to open access of their own waters, due to high-end tourism developments around the fringes of some of our most pristine environments.

You could also add to this restrictions on Tasmanian bushwalkers, to camping along the Three Capes Track, and the fact that we pay the same fees as oversees and interstate visitors for access to our national parks and walks such as the Overland Track.

Perhaps we should consider higher fishing licence fees and restrictions on visiting anglers (as is now practised in New Zealand to protect the integrity of their back country). This is certainly a consideration, with our 19 lagoons being vastly over-patronised, diminishing the experience of locals and visitors alike. The Golden Egg is only laid once. Charles Wooley’s concerns are an extension of the point I’m making, the gratification of a few, mostly visitors, at the expense of locals.

I am a member of Kingborough Angling Club which, along with many others, has a shack at Bronte Lagoon. For many seasons, I have listened to members complain about the deterioration in fishing. This is undoubtedly due to sudden draw-downs, leading to diminishing insect activity and fewer rising fish.

Perhaps it is time for our voices to be heard. Tasmanian anglers, bushwalkers and hunters are an unlikely combination, I know, but maybe one that will be listened to in the halls of power.