Simon Zarifeh
Simon began fly fishing in 1996, after many years of competitive archery. In July 2008 Simon became a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Master Casting Instructor.
Simon was the 3rd person in Australia to be certified to the Master level, after Peter Hayes and Matt Howell. Simon predominantly chases trout and regularly goes to New Zealand to fish. He has also spent time fly fishing in the rivers of North America where has a love for Montana.
While Simon loves fishing and the challenge of making difficult casts to difficult trout its not uncommon to find Simon on a oval somewhere, or standing outside at night under the spell of a light, casting.
Wherever he is Simon is relentless in his pursuit of the perfect loop. Simon enjoys passing on his knowledge and passion for the sport to anyone that is interested. Simon is a commercial Lawyer when he is not fly fishing.
Matthew Howell
Mat
thew Howell hails from the small Victorian country town of Myrtelford. As a boy in the High Country of the Victorian Alps Matt naturally cut his teeth catching gaily spotted small trout in little creeks and rivers.
From humble beginnings Matt has now fished all over the world including North America, England and New Zealand. He has intimate knowledge of the Snowy Mountains and the Victorian Alps.
Matt completed his Casting Instructor Certification with the Federation of Fly Fishers back in October 2002 and in more recent times has become Australia’s second Master Casting Instructor.
Matt, as he would rather be know, has what he calls ‘The Disease’. He is passionate about fly casting. It possesses his every waking moment and he will go any lengths to meet up with another ‘Diseased Person’ for a cast.
Matt has been a lead Tutor with Peter Hayes for several years. He is an integral part of the Tasmanian, NSW and Victorian Fly Fishing Conclave events.
Muz Wilson
Muz Wilson is one of Australia's best know fly tyers. He is certainly recognized as the most innovative.
Muz, who lives in Camperdown, Victoria, started tying flies back in 1977.
Some major influences for Muz came from his very first teacher and lifetime friend Nick Voce. Later from Randall Kauffman and A.K.Best.
Muz is a unique and strongly individual. He definitely has his own ways of doing things and because of his resistance to copy and the desire to constantly be evolving and doing things better Muz has become one of the greatest tyers in the world.
Some innovative and ingenious fish killing patterns of Muz' include: Fuzzle Bugger (Morsie caught an 18 pound brown in Tasmania last season on one of these), the unbelievably clever Sticky Caddis and BMS.
Apart from great and innovative tying skills Muz is a seriously good angler and he has fished extensively throughout Australia for many different species.
Muz has conducted tying classes and demonstration for the Australian Fly Fisherman, Compleat Angler, Gold Coast Fly Expo, Sandown Fly Expo, Hayes on Brumbys Fly Fishing Conclave and many club events.
In 2009 Muz started his innovative 'Muz Wilson Fly Club'. Members of his exclusive club receive monthly packages of new and proven designs as well as participate in testing and developing future patterns. Call Muz on 0407 931 876 to become a member.
Justin Duggan
Justin Duggan is one of Australia's leading Saltwater flyfishing guides and is based in Sydney where he operates Sydney Fly Fishing.
Justin has spent many years honing his skills on a range of species using and pioneering techniques on the many species of fish that frequent his home waters. These include kingfish, Salmon, Bass and Estuary Perch.
As a writer and photographer Justin has contributed to numerous fishing publications as well as DVD's and Television appearances.
Through the years Justin has expanded his abilities as an excellent communicator and passionate educator including his regular flycasting days conducted jointly with Peter Morse.
From Tonga to New Zealand, Cape York to Exmouth Justin has flyfished extensively for a host of species in both fresh and saltwater. When he's not flyfishing you can most likely find him on an oval or lake practicing his casting or imparting his casting knowledge to others.
Justin is a FFF CCI and has been privately teaching fly casting to his clients for many years.
Nick Taransky
After learning the art from the American master Jeff Wagner, Nick's commitment to the craft lead him to devote himself to make rods on a full time basis in 2004.
Demand for his rods have resulted in a growing waiting list that is currently over 2 years long.Nick has been fly fishing for over 25 years, beginning in Adelaide, before moving to the iconic Snowy Mountains/Monaro region. This has proved an ideal environment for development and testing of fly rods as well as following his passion of sight fishing in streams.
Nick has fished widely throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 2001-2 he lived in the mid Atlantic USA. During this time he fished the fabled trout streams of both the East and West, as well as for warmwater species and stripers in Chesapeake Bay.
A dedicated dry fly trout angler, he has also fished in saltwater, including the Australian tropics, Southern waters, Western Australia and Lord Howe Island.
Nick has written articles on bamboo rods and fly fishing for several publications including Flylife, Flyfisher, The Drake, New Zealand Troutfisher and Japan Flyfisher. He became a FFF Certified Casting Instructor (CCI) in 2008, passing his test using a bamboo rod.
Mick Kaksa
I have been fly fishing long enough to remember casting at rising Trout in running water on Jacksons Creek after a forty minute ride on the BMX with the fly rod stuck with electrical tape to the frame.
I started guiding in 1992 in Jindabyne with Ty Smith, when I was too young and new too much to be any good at it.
I have been lucky enough to have fished from Tahiti to Tasmania and a few places in between and meeting some great people along the way.
Fly fishing for me has been the one staple in my life. I have been in hospital beds for weeks and months on end and the light at the end of the tunnel for me has been a fishing trip somewhere.
Fly fishing is not a hobby for me, or just something to do on the weekends, it’s a passion that makes me drive to Laureston Res before work because there may been a hint of a chance of catching a fish.
I have spent countless hours watching the bream on the Maribyrnong River and trying to think like one.
I love to fish at least four days a week or even more in daylight savings trying to work out something I can’t.
I can see the fish thinking, but the only problem is I don’t know what they’re thinking.
This is perhaps why I became a full time guide in 2000 at Millbrook Lakes and then in New Zealand, not to brag about how big fish can grow or how many we caught. It was only to show people and help people achieve just a little of what I have had fly fishing give me.
I now specialize in getting people ready for their big once a year trips away. Fine tuning some casting and fishing techniques. I remember a while back I had to re create a mangrove river scenario and teaching guys how to get a Pink Thing up in and under.
Mick Hall
My passion for flyfishing and fly tying has developed to a stage that can only be best described as professional. I have a deep interest in angling entomology and the photographing of many of our Australian trout food insects.
I am currently sponsored by a number of Australian and International fly fishing and fly tying companies including Jarvis Walker, Spirit River, Whiting Farms, Mustad and Enrico Puglisi.
For just on twenty years I have been a columnist and Fly Fishing Consultant to "Freshwater Fishing" magazine and "The Flyfisher" since its inception. Over the years I have written numerous articles that have been published in international publications such as "The Flyfisher's Journal", London (The Fly Fishers Club) and the Art of Angling Journal, America. Sedge and Mayfly Magazine in Italy and Fly fishing and Fly tying magazine in England.I have also produced a number of fly tying videos.
On the local scene I was the inaugural and founding President of Southern Fly Fishers and Yarra Valley Fly Fishers and was also the inaugural president of the Australian Fly Tiers' Guild (no longer operative).
Again I was also an inaugural executive member of the Australian Trout Foundation and President from 2003-2009 of this very successful organisation, now boasting well over one thousand members.
INTERNATIONAL SCENE
On five occasions I have competed in the One Fly Event held at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA. During the 1996 event I was fortunate to be presented with the highly prestigious and much sought after Peter Crosby/Dick Carlsburg award for Sportsmanship. It was the first and only time this award has been given to a non-American citizen.
By invitation I have also participated three times at the British Fly Fair International held at Stoke-on-Trent in the north of England, on each occasion demonstrating fly tying methods in the feature theatre, not only tying popular Australian fly patterns but also featuring a slide show on our Australian Mayflies.
In September 2007 I joined a team of 21 of the world's most respected fly tyers to judge the World Tuscany Open Fly Tying Competition. Fellow Judges included Hans Van Klinken, A K Best, Charles Jardine, Rene Harrop and Oliver Edwards.Finally: Just recently I have been indoctrinated into Europe’s Fly tyers Hall of Fame which is a great honour.You can find further information on Mick Hall at
www.kossiedun.com.au
Shaun Ash
Fly-fishing and fly tying has allowed me to travel and fish some of the best waters around the world, and make many fly-fishing friends.
I got into fly tying because when I started the choice of fly’s was pretty small and luckily, I had a bit of a knack for it.No matter how well you can spot fish or how long you can cast without a fly you’re not fishing, so angling mates started to use my tying skills to fill their boxes of course they in return had to take me fishing ´good deal in my books.
From there I started doing tying demonstrations for fly-fishing clubs and the public, which included the Brisbane boat shows, the Outdoor camping and fishing show.
I was also very involved with Umpqua in Australia doing in store product demonstrations and fly tying and fly-fishing retreats.I have been a regular demonstrator at the South-East Queensland fly-fishing clubs convention since it started and I still enjoy that three days of fly-fishing overload.
This lead to me to become a regular columnist in Bush n Beach magazine, Fly Angler and to get articles published in Flylife and Fishing World.
These opportunities introduced me to some of the countries top fly anglers and fly tiers they helped me take my fly tying and fishing to the next level. Fly-fishing still teaches me new lessons every time I string up a rod or put a hook in a vice.
Roy Wybrow (Mr Smoooth)
My first memory of going fishing was during WW2. Sitting on the cross bar of ‘Dad’s’ bicycle and going down to the local river with him to fish. I was about 6 years old at the time. I remember it vividly because as we were fishing a’ Doodle Bug Flying Bomb’ went over head, heading for London.
Growing up in the UK I Fished with local clubs in sections of rivers as allocated each month to clubs, for that day. I competed in ‘Match’ fishing competitions until I migrated to Adelaide in the early 1960’s.I did much saltwater fishing in South Australia around, Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln, Seal Island.
I was an International swimmer and Water Polo player in my youth. I represented my state in both Rugby and Power Lifting. I also competed in the1985 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.I have coached a number of Olympic swimmers and Water Polo players, one being my son Christopher who competed in three Olympic Games. Christopher was the Australian Water Polo Captain in Barcelona.
I am a retired engineer, having run my own engineering business for 30 years. I retired to Tasmania in 1996.I have been a ‘Fishcare volunteer’, for the past 6 years where I have taught fly fishing to school children and fishing clubs.I am an active member of the Devonport Fly Fishing Club in Tasmania.
I started my quest to become a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor approximately 6 years ago after attending a Peter Hayes casting instruction clinic.Forever the student I have studied most books on Fly Casting and have a substantial library of DVD’s on the subject.
I am presently studying for my Federation of Fly Fishers 'Masters' which I hope to achieve in the next 2 years.I practice (weather permitting) every day for a minimum of 2 hours.I love casting and I believe it’s never too late to ‘Improve your cast’ and be a better Fly Fisher. I should know I'm a young 72 years of age.
Bintoro
Bintoro is a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor (CCI).
I have somehow become fascinated by two handed spey rod casting.I have passionately fallen in love with it.
After seeing the ease and gracefulness of the technique, I was determined to master two handed spey casting.
Since 2005, I have spent countless hours practicing and studying its mechanics. Now I'd like to pass on my knowledge and help others who wish learn to spey cast with two handed rods.
The lack of opportunities to fish in bigger rivers doesn't diminish my passion for spey casting; instead I experiment a lot with ultralight (3-5wt) two handed rods, either a true spey or short switch rod. I have tried many different configurations of lines and leaders. The result has opened my eyes to how versatile two handed spey casting is for small water.
As an enthusiast, I have many two handed rods, but only a few are favorites. Let me describe them - Beulah Switch 10'6" 4wt, this is a short ultra light two-handed rod, I can play with this rod all day. Casting this little sweetie brings a lot of joy and satisfaction. Above all this rod is well suited our small Australian waters.
My Meiser Highlander 12'6" 4/5/6 is my rod for life and I can't live without it. It's light and short enough to fish in our bigger rivers.
Finally my Meiser Highlander 14' 7/8/9 EVEC, this is a long greased line style spey rod. I cast this occasionally when I want to have fun. I like the way she flexes and the way she recovers to deliver that dream cast. I wish we had plenty of big water here so I can indulge myself casting this long rod with a long belly line to cast ‘fine and far off’ all day long.
Apart from spey casting, fishing and fly tying, my other passion is fly fishing art.
I spend my spare time painting beautiful trout streams and underwater scenery. Here is one of my paintings.
Other than that I work as a graphic designer.
Greg Jackson
Greg is a little known fly fishing identity from Brisbane. I first met Greg at a casting school way back in the mid 90's. Greg is largely self taught and his skills have been honed by literally thousands of hours of park casting.
Greg Jackson is the smoothest long distance caster of an 8 weight in Australia, perhaps the world. Greg is the only person I know that can hold the nail knot to the backing and continually cast perfectly controlled 90' loops. He does this while he casually talks you through the process and he admits that he gets better after an hour or so of it.
You will never meet a more passionate fly caster or a more personable teacher than Greg.
Brian Aherne
The first time I saw guys casting flies for trout on the Loddon River below Cairn Curran.
I knew that I had to learn how to do it. It was just too interesting to a 12 year old that loved any sort of fishiing he got a chance to do.
After lots of hinting I came home from school one day to see a fly rod and reel leaning against the door of my bedroom and the collection of gear has just kept getting larger ever since.
Most of my fishing has been concentrated around the Central and Western Victorian lakes and rivers with many trips to other interesting waters around the state, interstate, saltwater and overseas.
I have fished a number of state flyfishing competitions as well as comps with my local club the Sunshine Fly Casting Club.
About 18 years and plenty of casts later someone suggested I should have a go at the FFF CCI accreditation.
I think i have probably learnt as much in the 2 year journey toward achieving my CCI than I did in the previous 10 and I think I now realise how much there is still to learn. I am really looking forward to it.
The CCI is a journey that I highly recommend to all people interested in improving their fly casting.
Andrew Connell
Fishing tiny creeks to the continental shelf, flyfishing is
my passion, using rods ranging from 2wt’s through to 17wt cannons, Carbon or
Cane, Trout, Carp, Cod, Tuna…
I started flyfishing in ’96 and soon found casting
performance was the key to improving my catch rate.
I wore out a line and a set
of guides in the first month, casting lunch times and after work, any time I
could.
From the beginning I have been able to learn and improve,
casting from better casters like Rick Dobson, Mick Kaksa and Dash Laver
as well as pitting my skills against others in competition when I have the
time. There is no fear or shame in pitting
your skills against better casters, there is so much to learn, I believe in
forever being the student.
My FFF journey started in 2008 the year I got my CCI and I’m
looking towards achieving MCI in the next year.
Currently I’m working on casting instruction with Millbrook Lakes and I’ve also completed qualifications in
work place training and assessment to improve my casting instruction. I am a keen fly tier and Split Bamboo Rod maker.
Jim Gilchrist
Jim is a FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor (CCI) and a prominent member of the Sydney Fly Rodders Club. Jim coordinates the clubs casting tuition sessions on
three Sundays a month in Centennial Park.
Like many other Fly Casters Jim went from
beginner to FFF Certified Casting Instructor under the tuition and
guidance of Tasmanian Fly Casting coach Peter Hayes.
Jim is a devout believer in Peter Hayes' mantra "Life
is too short to be a bad fly caster", and he continues to hone his skills at every opportunity.
Jim works with club members developing practice drills and exercises designed to improve basic casting
skills as well as teaching more advanced techniques.
Jim develops personal 55 minute training
programs for Fly Casters to take to the park themselves. All committed
sportsmen need to practice and Jim is a coach and trainer who will assist a Fly
Caster to improve significantly.
Billy Ryan
Billy Ryan was fortunate enough to have experienced fly
fishing from an early age after a disgruntled local farmer saw him illegally
fishing for his prize carp in his dam and presented him with an option – learn
to fly cast or explain yourself to the local bobby.
That was the end to his course fishing career aged 14!
The eldest son of 7 from Irish stock, Kilkenny’s River Nore
was one of Billy’s local stomping ground as a kid and would watch and pester
locals with gusto of “Why What Where When and How” to as many questions finding
out anything he could about fly fishing.
That passion is similar today - he will read, view and ask
to absorb a thirst that has remained since that kid in the farmer’s field - not
even a “Pint of Kilkenny” could quench!
A professional photographer for over 20+ years specialising
in media relations and published in over 20 countries a personal highlight photographing
major sports events was being published in L’Equipe sport magazine in France.
His learning curve over the past 2/3 years is at a level due
to what he calls the 3 “H’s” – "Hayes, Howell and Henderson who I owe thanks and
gratitude as well as other individuals who have shared their experience and
time".
Billy greatly enjoys teaching children and beginners and absorbing
their delight and accomplishments as they achieve that “beautiful first cast”! I think it is very important we share as much as we absorb
and give something back to this unique sport!
Brian Henderson