Bridgewater Anglers Association Executive 1936 to present

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58 years of the Bridgewater Anglers Association

Prepared by K. Johns

Early History

The original date of foundation of the association has not been able to be established as all the early minutes and books were lost in the early 1930’s. However, verbal dates have been given which vary from the early 1890’s to the early 1900’s, but so far research has not been able to verify any of these verbal dates.

A Petition to the Salmon Commissioners dated July 23, 1884 is addressed from Bridgewater and is signed by many anglers whose names were later to feature in the early life of the association as well as the S.T.L.A.A. Also, the angling column in the Mercury by "Jolly-tail" often mentions "Bridgewater Anglers". The earliest so far found is 29th. August 1903.

These indicate that although the anglers were most likely a group they were not necessarily a constituted association or club.

The earliest record found is in the 1919-1920 annual report of the S.T.L.A.A., where the association is reported as having 22 members. A number of the members listed were also on the executive of the S.T.L.A.A. at that time.

In 1924 the association is reported to be strong in membership and financially under Secretary Mr. A. Dickenson Jnr. having 28 members and a bank balance of £39/7/1, but in 1927 it is reported that the membership is falling and the association is almost defunct.

In 1929 the then Secretary Mr. W. N. James reports that the membership is now only 9 and that interest in the association has been very slack.

In 1932, the then Secretary of the S.T.L.A.A. reported that he communicated with persons interested in the defunct association and suggested that the members of that centre should consider joining up with New Norfolk. The letter was acknowledged but no action was taken. The finances of the branch were considered satisfactory with a credit balance of £6/16/4 as against £5/10/6 last year. Except for the affiliation fee of 10 shillings the bank interest has more than paid for the expenses incurred.

There is no further information on the association until 1936 when it was reconstituted. Since then it has been a very active association both in angling matters and the running of the S.T.L.A.A.

1936-40

A meeting was held on July I8, 1936 at the "Railway Hotel" at Bridgewater at which 11 anglers attended to reform the Bridgewater Anglers Association. The 11 anglers were Messrs A. F.Johnson, J. Barrow, W. Sidney, E. James, E.F. Goodwin, Artie Johnson. A. Rayner, A. Hickman, D. Witzerman, J. Hobden and M.O. Wood. Many of these were to be the backbone of the association for many years to come.

Mr. A.F. Johnson was elected President and Mr. M.O. Wood elected Secretary, A constitution was adopted in which all memberships were subject to committee approval, and the subscriptions being 2/6 for adults and 1/- for members under 17 years of age. The objects were "the stocking of rivers and streams. Preservation of fish and furthering the interests of angling matters generally".

During the first year membership grew to 58 and they ended the year with a bank balance of £5. They also held several competitions, in the area from James Point to Mason Point on the Derwent River. The most interesting would be the one held on October 17, 1936 at which the New Norfolk branch was invited to participate. Mr. Bennett from New Norfolk was the winner with a 10 3/4 lb. fish. These combined competitions continued to be held for many years.

The Positions of Secretary and Treasurer where combined in 1939 owing the death of the then Treasurer Mr. Artie Johnson.

During this period bags of 88-98 fish per season were recorded being taken from the Derwent River with many of the fish weighing 7-18 lbs. Membership grew steadily to 55 and the bank balance increased to £44/7/6. The main concerns of the association were cormorants, night fishing, increase in license cost, and restocking of Arthurs Lakes.

1941-46

These war years saw the membership drop to only 35. Mr. A. F. Johnson and Mr. M. O. Wood remained as President and Secretary respectively and the bank balance remained sound at £34/14/6.

Activities during this period where quiet, however this period also saw the association given its first chance to stock the area. They were given 30,000 fry in 1941, 36,000 fry and fingerlings in 1942, 20,000 fry in 1943 and a further batch of fry in 1945 all were released into the Jordan River.

Fishing in the Derwent River was very poor.

The other concerns of the association were cormorants and the spearing of trout at Claremont by persons floundering.

1947-55

Mr. M.O. Wood on retiring as Secretary was made the association's first Life Member in 1947. He remained a member of the committee. Mr. A. F. Johnson continued as President and Mr. H. Paice was elected to secretary in 1947.

Membership grew slowly to a maximum of 78 in 1953 and 1954 but dropped to 54 in 1955. The association was in a very sound financial position with a bank balance of £42/11/5 at the end of the 1955 season. This Period saw two more Life Memberships granted, Mr. L. Neilsen in 1949 and Mr. A. F. Johnson in 1952.

In 1951 the association was pleased to note that one of its members, Mr. G. Cramp was appointed to the Inland Fisheries Commission. An honorarium of £1/1/0 was granted to the secretary in 1948.

The fishing in the Derwent River improved drastically in 1948 and a few bags of 78-88 fish for the season are recorded for the next few years, but in 1952 the number of fish caught started decreasing. In 1950 a new constitution was adopted and the subscriptions increased to 6/- for adults and 2/6 for juniors. The major concern of this period was the decline again in fish in Tasmanian inland waters.

1956-63

Mr. A. F. Johnson remained President until he stood down in 19359, and was followed by Mr. G. Lewis for one year and then Mr. E. L. Marshall was elected in 1960. Mr. H. Paice was made a Life Member in 1956 and remained on the committee while Mr. M. O. Wood was elected to Secretary in 1956.

Life Memberships were granted to both Mr. E. F. Goodwin and Mr. G. Lewis in 1960. Membership took a sharp rise from 67 in 1956 to 145 in 196. so also did the finances to be £87/7/9 in 1963.

In 1956 the committee was increased from 9 to 12 members. The association donated £5/8/8 to the Oatlands Branch to assist with the Red Rock race at Lake Dulverton.

The 1955-56 annual report states "that fishing in Derwent has deteriorated to such an extent that it was not worth taking the £1/0/0 license". The association then decided to ask the commissioners to start re-stocking the Derwent River. From October 1956 to August 1963 the association was given 155,000 fry, in excess of 4,500 yearlings and 3,070 mature fish to re-stock the Derwent River as well as others for the Jordan River and Arthurs Lakes.

The fishing in the Derwent River for this Period is reported as being excellent with the annual report 1953-68 season estimating there to be "1588 anglers and 288 cars lining the river banks on opening weekend". The method of fishing mainly used was Jollytail or pretty-fish mounted on a crocodile or "Archer" type spinner (usually called a drag). Many members caught 158-288 trout for the season with many being 61b. and over.

The reports claim that the increase in anglers membership and fish caught were the result of the re-stocking program.

On November 24 1953 there was a meeting in association New Norfolk and Glenorchy branches to organise a casting competition. Other concerns of the association were cormorants, grub fishing at Great Lake, children being licensed and the appointment of the new commissioner.

1964-68

Mr. E.L. Marshall continued to be President until he stood down and was made a Life Member in 1968. Mr. W Gunn was then elected President. Mr. M.O. Wood remained Secretary until he also stood down in 1968 and then Mr. A.R. Maclaine was elected Secretary after serving 9 years as assistant secretary.

Membership fell drastically to about 83 in 1964 and continued to fall to be only 68 in 1968. The reason given for this sudden fall is the sudden decline in fish being caught in the Derwent River.

The decision by the Inland Fisheries Commission to stop re-stocking is blamed for the poor fishing in the Derwent River during these years. The number of trout caught in 1964 by members was down by between 58% and 75% on the previous years bags although good catches of bream/ mullet and colonial salmon are reported. It was thought that the removal of the old floating Pontoon bridge at Hobart may have let these fish travel further up the river and also the completion of the Meadowbank Dam stopping the flow of fresh water down the river. Most members stopped fishing the Derwent River and travelled to the lakes for their trout.

To try to generate more interest in angling maters the association decided in 1967 to hold three general meetings per year and show films or have people address these meetings.

In 1967 the annual subscriptions were made $1.60 for adults and $0.20 for juniors. The finances were sound with the association having a bank balance of $135.33 in 1968.

The association was also concerned about trout being speared in the Derwent River by persons floundering, platypus and trout being killed in the commercial eel nets and fish-out ponds.

1968-72

Mr. W. Gunn remained President until Mr. T. Newman was elected in 1971. Mr. A.R. Maclaine continued to be Secretary. Membership continues to remain at about 68 and the finances buoyant. Mr.W. Gunn and Mr. H. Barham were made Life Members in 1971.

The general meetings were attended with between 43 and 38 members being in attendance.

In 1971 the constitution was amended so that Life Memberships moved at a General Meeting be a recommendation to the Committee before it is confirmed.

The fishing in the Derwent River in 1963 improved. The reason given was that the sudden lowering of the water level at Meadowbank Dam may have let a number of fish out. Fishing continued to be reasonable for the 1978 season but dropped back to its Previous Poor state in 1971 with one trout being caught per six hours of fishing and in 1972 one trout per ten hours fishing. There were however good catches of bream, colonial salmon, cod and whiptail is reported each year.

In 1972 the association prepared a comprehensive report on trout fishing in the Derwent River and was disappointed when the findings did not convince the Commission to undertake a re-stocking program for this water.

The association he1d two field days per season, usually at Lake Sorell. These were we11 attended with many trout being caught.

During 1978 and 1981 the association started inquires about a shack or shack site in the lakes area for use by members.

The other major concerns of the association during this period were the ch1orination of water, brook trout escaping from stocked waters, long-lining at Lake Crescent using wattle grubs as bait, fish-out ponds, the attempt by the In1and Fisheries Commission to make the Great Lake a rainbow trout water and the possible amalgamation of the Commission with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

1973-77

Mr. A. R. Maclaine and Mr. H.J. Jessup were elected to President and Secretary respectively in 1973. Mr. B. Sherriff was elected Secretary in 1977.

Membership grew steadily to be approximately 128 including juniors in 1976. Finances remained buoyant at about $358 for this Period although subscriptions were increased in 1975 to $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for juniors.

Life Membership was granted to Mr. G. Briggs and Mr. L. Jolley in 1976 300,000 fry were released into the tributaries of the Derwent River and 400 tagged adult trout were 1iberated in the Derwent River in 1973. This good news was however overshadowed by the news that the Derwent River was heavily polluted with heavy metals. The pollution and the fact that the adult fish released were lake reared were blamed for the poor return of tags. Generally fishing in the Derwent River was poor to very poor with very few trout being taken although in 1975 a number of small trout were caught. It was thought that these were from the fry released in 1973. Good catches of salmon and bream were reported.

The number of general meetings was increased so that members could be kept up to date with matters concerning the association. These meetings replaced the committee meetings to the extent that it was often twelve months between committee meetings. Although over the years the attendance at these general meetings fell with often only 12 members attending.

Fly casting lessons were given to pupils of Claremont High School by members during the winter months of 1975.

Field days held mainly at Lake Sorell were usually well attended with many fish being caught. Entry fees to these field days were abolished in 1976, the fees were" previously $0.40 for adults and $0.20 for juniors. In 1976 the association was visited by the Lufthansa Sports Club for a week. They were taken open sea fishing from Pirates Bay and then spent the weekend camped at Silver Plains fishing for trout in Lake Sorell. Memories of this week are still often recalled today by those who participated.

Mr. Thompson owner of "Hatham Park" at Brighton offered the use of a dam to the association as a Juvenile Pond in 1975. The dam was investigated and found unsuitable as it was also used to irrigate the golf course.

In 1975 the association commenced annual litter cleanups both in the Interlaken area and the foreshore along the Dromedary Road.

The association continued to investigate possible sites for an association shack. Other concerns of the association were Dromedary Road closure, boat ramp at Ravenswood, logging at Lake Sorell., cormorants, fish ladders and access to Woods Lake.

1978-83

Mr. P. Creed and Mr. K.J. Hansson were elected President and Secretary respectively in 1978. Mr. B. Creed was elected Secretary in 1982.

Membership remained reasonably steady at between 128 and 188 until 1988 then there was a steady decline to be only about 68 in 1983.

Life Memberships were granted to Mr. A.R. Maclaine in 1978 and both Mr. C. Millhouse and Mr. J. Creed in 1982.

In November 1978 the association took possession of a Lands Department site at Dago Point, Lake Sorell for a shack. Plans were drafted for a three unit shack but it was decided to only complete two units at first. The estimated cost of this was $7,000. To raise funds for the building, the association issued 9 indentures at $100 each and ran many other fund raising events. The largest undertaken was an ox-roast dance held at the Tea Tree hall in November 1979, this raised over $500. The ladies of the association also catered for the S.T.L.A.A. annual dinner for a number of years.

Construction of the shack commenced in 1980 and was to lock up stage in 1982 and was officially opened in November 1983. The Construction was done by members at working bees with most members assisting. Memories of these working bees are recalled today, especially the one at which a semi-trailer loaded with timber and wall frames got bogged down to all axles. These working bees produced very high spirits amongst members and brought them together.

One of the units was named the "Ken Smith Memorial Unit" in memory of the late Mr. Ken Smith who worked hard on the committee for many years and was instrumental in getting the shack off the around.

The finances of the association were very sound with a balance of $575 in 1978 and $398 in 1983. This must be considered very good as during this period the shack was also constructed and valued in excess of $15,000. The annual subscriptions were increased in 1988 to $5.00 adults and $1.00 juniors, mainly due to the increased affiliation fees. In 1982 a $20 nominating fee was introduced for future members.

The association had a badge designed and made in 1978.

The fishing in the Derwent River is reported as remaining very poor. Field days and field weekends were usually well attended, and usually held at Lake Sorell where members could make use of the shack.

An honor board was made in 1982 listing all Patrons, Presidents, Secretaries, and life members of the association. This board is hung in the association's shack.

General meetings were attended by between 11 and 25 members who were entertained either by guest speakers, films or demonstrations after the business of the association was dealt with.

The low water level at Lake Sorell was of great concern, although this enabled most of the hazards to be located often by the leg of an outboard.

Other concerns of the association where stocking of the Derwent River, netting in the Jordan River, fish farm at Brady’s Lake, boat ramps, possible amalgamation of the I.F.C. with other Government departments, formation of the Freshwater Anglers Council of Tasmania, Brady’s Lake slalom course, facilities at Dago Point, the introduction of Atlantic Salmon, changes in the I.F.C. Commissioner and Associate Commissioners.

1984-86

In 1984 Mr. B. Creed was elected President and Mr. P.J. Wood Secretary.

Membership remains steady at about 68. In 1984 Mr. and Mrs. V. Dell were granted honorary membership in appreciation of their efforts for the association. Mr. P. Creed was made a Life Member in 1985.

A government grant of $1,200 in 1985 to assist with the completion of the shack helped the finances to remain very sound.

In 1984 the association prepared another submission to have the Derwent River stocked with fry in the marshes near Bridgewater, but appeared to have been unsuccessful.

By running raffles in conjunction with social events the association was able to cover the overhead expenses of the shack.

General meetings were usually attended by about 28 members with a guest speaker being present at most.

The traditional field day on the Derwent River and a number of field weekends at Lake Sorell continued, although the number of members attending these has dropped to between 6 and 12.

Fishing in the Derwent River is reported to be slowly improving although many hours are spent fishing for little result.

It was decided in 1985 to construct the third unit of the shack but only as a storage area for the present.

The association was also concerned with the construction of boat ramps, access to Woods Lake, the possible raising of the water level at Lake Crescent, change of land ownership on the Central Plateau particularly the property of "Interlaken", netting of trout in the Derwent estuary at night, the opening up of spawning channels, electro-fishing by the I.F.C., litter on the Central Plateau and the low number of Juniors in the association.

An Illustrious Member

Many members have left their mark upon the association over the past 58 years, but perhaps none so indelibly as Mr. M.O. Wood. He has been involved on the executive of the association since it was formed in 1936. He served on the committee for 32 years, for 23 of these as Secretary and has been a Vice President for 18 years. In recognition of his services he was made the association's first life member in 1947.