LIFELONG PLEASURE
Rob Sloane looks forward to
fly fishing in old age.

The title ‘Lifelong Pleasure’ is perhaps a little obscure but most readers would realise that this book is not about tea or sex, but rather about fly fishing—John Brookes’ account of ‘Seventy years of fly fishing’ to be precise. And it makes great reading, especially for those familiar with the Tasmanian highlands and with more than a casual interest in Australian fly-fishing history.

Regrettably, John Brookes passed away shortly after the book was launched, so this review also serves as a brief tribute to a great and knowledgeable Victorian angler.

With annual visits to fish Tasmania’s Shannon Rise dating back to December 1934, aged thirteen, Brookes certainly qualified as a member of the Old Brigade, but he was equally familiar with and well known to the new breed of trout guides that flourished in the 1990s. Reading the book I am reminded of John Sautelle Snr who was still actively fishing beyond 80, keeping up with the latest trends and not dwelling on the glory days of a bygone fishing era. Both share a matter of fact writing style, sprinkled with a dry sense of humour—Brookes’ back to front tie of the Lagoon Moth being christened the Galoon Moth, for example, and small fish on the rivers being referred to as GPs (Guide’s Pounders).

The exact chronology can get a little confusing at times, especially in the early chapters, and there is a bit of back-tracking and repetition, but the historical thread is there and makes fascinating reading. Imagine sharing the water with Dick Wigram, Malcolm Gillies, Critchley Parker and Max Christensen, or venturing into the Western Lakes prior to development of the Augusta scheme. Shannon, Penstock, Great Lake, Lake Leake, Lake Sorell, the Swampy Plains River, Murrum-bidgee and Lake Eucumbene—there are diary-based accounts of fishing all these places in their glory days.

Points of interest include Brookes’ original Stick Caddis imitation dating back to 1945, the first to be tied without any hackle, and few would know that Critchley Parker’s original Yellow Peril had no body—the yellow and red dyed cock hackles were simply attached behind the eye of the hook and were not tied down matuka style. Who would have thought that John Brookes and Malcolm Gillies first used Polaroid glasses on Shannon Lagoon in the late 1930s! There are early references to nymph fishing, and even field testing a then new Yeti fly for Max Christensen at Calverts Lagoon (south-east of Hobart) in 1959.

There are many great black and white photographs too—scenes on the Shannon, Arthurs prior to flooding, Great Lake in the early days including the Accommoda-tion House at Miena, and the Swampy Plains River in its natural state.

There is an interesting chapter on tournament casting and Brookes’ involvement in its genesis, even a diary account of successfully competing in a landmark UK event in 1957. Contained also is a fitting tribute to John Malcolm Gillies, a genuine pioneer of the Australian tackle industry. There is even a chapter on fishing in old age with a suggestion for those not yet 70 to “file for future reference.”

In the modern era John Brookes and his sons regularly used the services of professional guides to maximise returns and minimise time wasted. Jetson, Hayes, Harker, Weigall, Hall and Pickering all get a guernsey in a book which genuinely bridges the gap between the early writings of Wigram and Scholes and the modern day rash of books and magazine articles.

Publisher Mike Stevens is to be commended for publishing this book. My only regret is its limited production (only 500 or so) which will stifle its general availability. Lifelong Pleasure, Seventy years of fly fishing is a fitting tribute to the fly fishing life of John Brookes.

Limited numbers of the softcover edition can be ordered from the FlyLife website: price $60. www.flylife.com.au