The Carpentaria Golf Club fairways were perfect for working on casting techniques during the recent fly fishing workshop held in Weipa. Photo: Supplied.
They may be better known as the dynamic duo behind the menu at Carpentaria Golf Club, but Mick Parry and Lil McKeown are hoping their passion for fly fishing will help drive a new generation of anglers interested in the sport on western Cape York.
As self-confessed fly fishing addicts, the pair organised a workshop at the golf club on 12 November for almost 40 curious and budding fishers with the help of fishing icons Mark “Bargy” Bargenquast and Alan “Fish” Philliskirk, and Tackleworld Weipa’s Nathan Reardon.
Mr Parry said the workshop had been borne out of a love of fly fishing and questions from people witnessing him and Ms McKeown casting on beaches around Weipa.
“Since we took up fly fishing a few years ago, Lil and I have been travelling around Australia to find that the uptake in the sport with women and juniors was few and far between,” he explained.
“Since moving to Weipa – being the saltwater capital of Australia in our view – and fishing every day, we were constantly approached by youngsters on the beach asking ‘what is that?’ and ‘how does it work?’, so we thought why not hold an event to hopefully inspire a new breed of young fly fishers.
“We knew to host an event like this we would need help, so we called on Bargy and Fish to assist us in promoting the sport and teaching on the night.”
The workshop consisted of an information session about the basic concepts of fly fishing, before participants split into two groups to try their hand at a casting clinic on the fairways and watch Ms McKeown put on a fly tying demonstration.
Tackleworld Weipa provided more than $1,000 in prizes and gift packs for the workshop and Mr Parry said he was confident the township was about to see a lot more anglers trying their hand at fly fishing, especially when the “addiction begins” after hooking their first fish.
“It’s a misconception that fly casting is difficult, however, under the right instruction, anybody can achieve a fishable fly cast in a matter of hours,” he said.
“This is why these fly fishing workshops are excellent for beginners, as they get off on the right foot with basic technique.
“Trust me, when you hook up your fish on fly, the addiction begins.
“I like to think that fly fishing acts as a catalyst in connecting us closer to our natural instincts and connecting us with beautiful people from all walks of life.”
Mick Parry talks through the finer points of tying a fly during the workshop on 12 November. Photo: Supplied
