Catch the fish of a lifetime at the Mudgee Field Days

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Catch the fish of a lifetime at the Mudgee Field Days
29 Jun 2012 - NSW Fisheries

Anglers keen to catch and release a trophy-sized rainbow trout are in luck with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) again hosting special fishing sessions at this year’s Mudgee Small Farm Field Days.

DPI fisheries education officer, Brett Smith, said the free fishing sessions are a great way to introduce families to this fun and healthy outdoor sport and teach them how important it is to protect our fish stocks for current and future generations.

“Fishcare volunteers and fisheries officers will teach fishing basics including sustainable and responsible fishing practices, catch and release techniques, rod rigging and casting methods,” Mr Smith said.

“Participants will then get the chance to put their new skills to the test and try their luck in the dam, which will be stocked with rainbow trout to ensure a good chance of making a catch.

“The catch and release sessions are open to all ages so if you are a first time fisher who wants to give fishing a go, or a dedicated angler keen to test your skills, make sure you don’t miss this great opportunity”.

Mr Smith said the fishing workshop program is run using funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust.

“All monies raised from the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee are placed into the Saltwater and Freshwater Trusts, and used to improve recreational fishing opportunities across the State,” he said.

“All kinds of fishing workshops are held across NSW, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to educating people about sustainable recreational fishing.

“The DPI L.P. Dutton trout hatchery at Ebor, which will supply the fish for the dam stocking, produces 1.6 million rainbow and brown trout each year for release into public waterways across the State, with the help of acclimatisation societies.”

Information regarding stocking in farm dams and NSW fishing rules and regulations will be available on the day.

Fishing sessions will take place twice a day over two days on Friday 13 July and Saturday 14 July at 10.00am and 2.00pm at the dam (site L38).

More information about DPI fishing workshops is available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/info/workshop