Red Tag Fly Fishers Club

27/05/2026

IDAHOBIT Event Wrap Up
A huge thank you to all our members for making our IDAHOBIT ‘Catch a Rainbow’ event such a standout success. Once again, our club showcased the very best of fly fishing and community spirit. More than 70 people joined us for a fantastic day featuring three rotating sessions—fly tying, an introduction to fly fishing, and casting—with the fishing simulator proving a crowd favourite. With plenty of food, great weather, and strong interest right across the day, every session ran smoothly and reflected the club at its very best.
It was a true team effort, and the positive feedback has been overwhelming. We’ve heard how welcoming, well organised, and enthusiastic our members were in sharing their passion for fly fishing. Thank you again to everyone who contributed—you helped create an event that was memorable, inclusive, and a real credit to the club 🌈❤️

06/05/2026

Andrew Slater snagged this whopping 6.3kg brown trout recently. Read Adam Rice's latest fishing column here: https://tinyurl.com/37xkf4w2

06/05/2026

Tonight's Activity features Special Guest - James Norney
James is a fly fisher, expert guide and ‘Fly Fishing International’ Certified casting instructor (CCI). He's had a passion for fly fishing since picking up a fly rod as a young teen. Since then he has spent nearly every waking hour with fly fishing on the brain and has dedicated his spare time to his love of fly fishing. It has taken him all around Australia and the world including the Cocos (Keeling) islands, New Zealand, Japan, Kiribati and Aitutaki in the Cook islands.
An adventure seeker who loves a laugh, James thinks if you’re not having fun while catching fish, you’re not doing it right. He loves to teach and is well equipped to tutor all levels and ages of anglers.

We are very lucky to have James as our guest, and he is keen to share his knowledge, so come along and be ready with your questions.

- Wed 6 May commencing at 7:30 pm sharp
- Red Tag Clubrooms - Yarra Bend Park, Fairlee Rd

See you there.

01/05/2026

The Red Tag Fly Fishers’ Club are once again hosting Catch a Rainbow: a come and try day for the LGBTIQA+ community to get hooked on fly fishing.

We thought we’d take a look back at some great pics from Catch a Rainbow 2025. We hope this gets you all excited for Saturday 16 May this year for another brilliant IDAHOBIT event!

Remember to register by 12 May for this year’s event. Secure your spot at www.redtagflyfishers.com.au

24/04/2026

The Red Tag Fly Fishers are hosting a ‘Come and Try’ day for the LGBTIQA+ community on Saturday 16 May to celebrate IDAHOBIT - International day against LGBTIQA+ discrimination.

Our friendly members will introduce you to the fascinating art of fly fishing and help you catch a ‘rainbow’ (trout!) using a fishing simulator (thank you Knox Boat Fishing Club). You’ll be guided through fun activities including an introduction to equipment (think - rods, reels, flys, nets), fly tying and casting.

There will be prizes, competitions, party bags and a light lunch to keep up your energy levels! We’ll have activities outdoors and inside, so bad weather won't stop us, and all equipment will be supplied.

Come along, bring your crew and join in the fun – we’re keen to get you hooked!

This free event is proudly supported by Yarra City Council

When: Saturday 16 May, 10am – 2pm
Where: Fairlea Reserve Netball Pavillion, Cnr Fairlea & Yarra Bend Roads Fairfield
Register: Places are limited, so register to secure your spot at www.redtagflyfishers.com.au
Registrations close on: 12 May

Red Tag Fly Fishers, a fly fishing club situated at East Ivanhoe with a casting pool at Yarra Bend Park, Fairfield, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Fly fishing trips, competition casting, fly tying and casting tuition at our casting pool

20/04/2026

Red Tag thank Bruce Ratcliffe for his impromptu mini masterclass in Accuracy Casting at the Fairfield casting pool Saturday. Grey skys but generous knowledge sharing. Thanks Bruce

31/03/2026

Tonight is the Cane Rod session with David Anderson. Shall be a very informative evening, be there!

Red Tag Club Night – Cane Rods with David Anderson

Join us for a special Red Tag Club Night with master cane rod maker David Anderson from Riverstoned Cane Rods.

David will be bringing along a selection of beautifully crafted split cane fly rods for members to try on the night. Under the lights at the club rooms, you’ll have the opportunity to cast these rods yourself while David talks through the history of cane rods, the techniques behind casting them, and why they remain such a special and rewarding part of a fly fisher’s journey.
Split cane rods have a rich heritage in fly fishing, and David will share insights into how they are made—from the careful preparation of bamboo to the craftsmanship required to create a rod with its own unique feel and character.

If you’ve never cast a cane rod before, this is a great opportunity to experience the smooth, progressive action that makes them so distinctive. For those already interested in traditional tackle, it’s a chance to learn more about the craft and the history behind these remarkable rods.

Come along, have a cast, ask questions, and enjoy an evening celebrating one of fly fishing’s most enduring traditions. 🎣

- When: First Wednesday of the month commencing at 07:30 pm sharp
- Where: Red Tag Clubrooms - Yarra Bend Park, Fairlee Rd

09/03/2026

Red Tag Club Night – Cane Rods with David Anderson

Join us for a special Red Tag Club Night with master cane rod maker David Anderson from Riverstoned Cane Rods.

David will be bringing along a selection of beautifully crafted split cane fly rods for members to try on the night. Under the lights at the club rooms, you’ll have the opportunity to cast these rods yourself while David talks through the history of cane rods, the techniques behind casting them, and why they remain such a special and rewarding part of a fly fisher’s journey.
Split cane rods have a rich heritage in fly fishing, and David will share insights into how they are made—from the careful preparation of bamboo to the craftsmanship required to create a rod with its own unique feel and character.

If you’ve never cast a cane rod before, this is a great opportunity to experience the smooth, progressive action that makes them so distinctive. For those already interested in traditional tackle, it’s a chance to learn more about the craft and the history behind these remarkable rods.

Come along, have a cast, ask questions, and enjoy an evening celebrating one of fly fishing’s most enduring traditions. 🎣

- When: First Wednesday of the month commencing at 07:30 pm sharp
- Where: Red Tag Clubrooms - Yarra Bend Park, Fairlee Rd

06/03/2026

Check out and support the good work from the AFFC. This is fly fishing history in the making!

19/02/2026

Watch: A surgeon's surprising prescription for coping with trauma 🎣

Robin Coupland spent decades in conflict zones treating war wounded. Between postings, he found his antidote to the intensity: fly fishing in New Zealand's rivers.

Catch his interview on Seven Sharp where he shares how casting a line became more than a pastime - it was how he recharged, refocused, and maintained his wellbeing through years of traumatic work.

"I came to associate the exercise and the focus, together with the calm environment, with a very physical feeling that my mental batteries were recharging."

A fascinating insight into why so many of us find genuine restoration at the water's edge.

Watch the full interview:
https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/freshwater-fishing-in-new-zealand/fishing-in-action/tips-and-info/dry-flies-and-wet-socks-book-by-robin-coupland/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQDViJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJkaTk1Nk5PTm1ka2lUQkpLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHq2zk-PLnbJSv7slG3ba4yMTKmatll1N85j1O7dPe-rRidDg2QAWiTXjRbmu_aem_vRQBu59x-qLC1BAJPN1VtQ

Postal Address: PO Box 25055, Wellington 6146.National Council Phone: 04 499 4767Email: [email protected]Email for media: [email protected]Regional Offices: Call your region