CRACKENBACK MASTERS
Andrew Matenson heralds a new fly fishing celebration in the Snowies.
There is a new way to fish the Snowies! Many FlyLife readers will know Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort. Prettily situated midway between Thredbo and Jindabyne, the resort has for years been a first class ski destination and, for those in the know, also a top trout fishing destination.
Lake Crackenback Resort is keen to capitalise on its position and is offering a masters fly fishing event, to be held throughout the fly fishing season. They say it is a “not so serious competition that celebrates the joy of fly fishing.”
Event activities include:
• Guided trips
• Casting tuition with video analysis
• Meeting with local guides
• Seafood banquets
• Fishing film nights
• Fly tying tuition
There will also be ‘mini events’ to be run in conjunction with these activities, such as a One Fly competition (although I believe the local rule variation will nec-essitate the event being called a ‘Three’ Fly competition!) and casting competitions, for both distance and accuracy.
The resort has worked hard with local fishing guides to put the package together and accommodation packages include half and full day guided tours, casting tuition by professional instructors, and ‘meet the guide’ evenings, where local ‘experts’ can have their brains picked.
The lake at the resort has been stocked especially for the event, and some very big trout are present. There are plans to extend the existing waterways, and for the benefit of resort guests, the lake will no longer be available for public access, as it will be privately stocked.
The Thredbo River is only a short walk from the resort, and even closer is the Little Thredbo, whose snaggy waters hold a surprising number of well-conditioned fish. Of course, entrants are at liberty to fish wherever they like in the Snowy Mountains, including Lake Jindabyne, if they prefer.
The accommodation at the resort is first class, with a superb restaurant and bar on site, as well as offering self-catering facilities in all the apartments.
The competition is catch and release only, and will be run at non-peak times, ie mid week and school term times. The idea is to score as many points as possible over the entire event period (6 months). Points are awarded for age of entrant, first and subsequent catches of the day, guided trips and fish size.
Additional points are awarded for attendance at subsidiary events like the one fly and casting competitions. A newsletter will be produced monthly. Age categories are from 30 to 65+, and prizes, mostly in the form of accommodation packages, to the total value of over $5,000 will be awarded.
For more information contact: Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort on 02 6456 2960, fax 02 6456 1008, or log onto www.novotellakecrackenback.com.au
