iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Our local trout river season opened this past weekend. I'm spending the next three days fishing around Tumut, NSW. Fished this stretch this morning and was rewarded with a well conditioned 40cm Rainbow. #Flyfishing #Australia #rivers

A stretch of the Goobarragandra River near Tumut, NSW, Australia. Grassy banks and River Red Gums line the banks of a fast flowing free-stone stream.

171

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Guessing, but the notation in the centre of the casts on the second page looks a lot like a price in (English) shillings per gross. 24 /_ gross (144) would equal 2 pennies per fly - around 1 pound 20 pence per fly in today's prices.

110

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

My NZ licence arrived today. That must mean that November is getting closer - and therefore the anniversary of me breaking my ankle on a NZ stream. I'm so looking forward to NOT repeating that ever again. #flyfishing #NewZealand

A photograph of the front of a New Zealand fishing licence for 2026/27 - itself a photograph of a woman angler holding a larger brown trout for the camera.

031

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

A nice mayfly - by wing position (upright) and three "tails"

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

The somewhat pained expression on my face in that first photo was because I had fallen and twisted my ankle during the fight. Now diagnosed as a broken ankle and I am in cast for 6 weeks. #flyfishing

040

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

And despite my often poor casting, I hooked and landed another clunker of around 4lb the next morning.

020

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Nothing quite prepared me for the fight these monsters put up. They are many generations down the line from stocked fish and each one totally owns the pool or glide.

020

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Well, that worked a treat for a fisher getting a bit despondent at going fishless on too many trips. New Zealand was the answer. Hooked, but broke off, another two a bit smaller this morning. #flyfishing #trout #NewZealand #rivers

Fly fisher in brimmed hat and polaroids holding a 26 inch male brown trout caught on a small New Zealand river.

4140

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Travelling to Christchurch NZ for an initial 3 day guided FF trip. To follow-up with other areas. Looking forward to this one for ages. #flyfishing

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

I'm a gear junkie but do agree that a good line is essential. BUT, I'd really recommend getting a few casting lessons from a certified instructor before spending too big. Knowing what a good cast feels like is very important. Make sure you are casting distances and style to suit the fishing you do

230

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

WooHoo! Just booked my second ever trip to New Zealand! Will try to get three guided days out of Christchurch before heading south on my own. #flyfishing

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Australia's river trout season starts on 4 October this year. I thought one of the Bluesky fly fishers might be interested in spending a season or two guiding downunder with my favourite outfitters. One of the few float fishing specialists here #flyfishing www.tomsoutdoors.com.au/pages/career...?

"Guide Wanted" ad for Tom's Outdoors in Tumut Australia. https://www.tomsoutdoors.com.au/pages/careers-at-toms-outdoors? for details

040

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Not a problem. I have been researching and pricing Hardy Marksman 10ft #4 rods for a couple months and I definitely do not intend buying one. Seriously.

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Keep your friend away from the dry fly purists.

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

I am on a reconnaissance mission to the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. This is the Fish River near the town of Bathurst. A fingerling trout was jumping at hovering midges in the shallows. I will return. #flyfishing #rivers #Australia

A river flows towards the viewe. A boulders covers the foreground and rocks protrude from the water. Trees line the banks.

0181

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Back home until next time and had a chance to compare notes with the local #flyfishing crowd. All have been blanking in low, clear #rivers except for those who have gone higher and found running water. Not easy when south east #Australia is so dry.

020

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

My final morning on the Goobarragandra River (for this trip, anyway). Having exhausted my dry and dry/dropper skills for no reward, I fished this run with tight-line nymphing gear for exactly the same result. Clear and low, but a lovely morning. #flyfishing #rivers #Australia

A long straight run of a river surrounded by Australian trees. Looking downstream.

Looking upstream on a shallow river with a stony bottom. Trees line the banks and the morning sunshine highlights foliage.

1141

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

I have decided that I must be in a deep "intermediate trap" with my fishing. (see youtu.be/I9DhZGfr8iA?...) #flyfishing #excuses

youtu.be

Fly Fishing: The Intermediate Trap…

YouTube video by Peachy Fly Fishing

000

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

This is the pool I fished this morning. Long harvey-style leader with a small dry/dropper rig. Long, delicate casts into bubble lines and deeper holes near the far bank and behind boulders. Nada. Nothing. Nil. I am cursed. #flyfishing #rivers #Australia I hate Mondays.

A river pool with a large island-like boulder and a sheer rock wall on the far bank. There is a rock-strewn sandy beach in the foreground.

1110

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

The local outfitters and fly shop assures me that fish are being caught not far upstream from where I am fishing. I am still blanking out. Luckily, the scenery is so inviting. ##flyfishing #rivers #Australia

A freestone river run looking upstream. Willows and native vegetation line both banks.

0121

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Back on the river tomorrow after a few days at home. I'm determined to fish better - longer leaders and greater stealth to cope with the low, clear water. May even get a guide to audit my presentations - or just do a day on a drift boat from Tumut to break my bad run. #Flyfishing #Australia #rivers

020

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

The fishing (possibly the fisher) has been total shyte. Which lead me to ponder the phenomenon of wombat poo. Yes, it is cube-ish, but just as strange is that, for an animal whose arse is so close to the ground, they go to a lot of effort to poo on top of protruding rocks. #flyfishing #Australia

Three black cubes of wombats feces on a rock.

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Great article. Thanks. I, too, love an old click and pawl reel, especially Hardy's. For all the charm of the early models, I find myself reaching for a Lightweight series reel more often. A Princess, or a Prince, especially the Golden ones, have become my reels of choice, especially for older rods.

210

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

You would think this tailout would hold a few trout. But not this morning. I have been staring so intently into the water that I am now hallucinating fish. But that's #flyfishing, I guess. #rivers #Australia

The bottom of a short run in the river flowing over stones. There is a riffle and gum trees in the distance.

030

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Nymphed this run for two hours this morning for no result. It's usually productive for me, and I reckon my casting and drifts were not too bad. I'm getting a bit disheartened to be honest. #flyfishhing #rivers #Australia

Looking upstream on a shallow stream flowing through the Australian bush. The water is clear and the bottom composed of rounded stones.

140

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

A crisp autumn morning on the river. Saw a platypus feeding in the shaĺlows. An echidna nearly walked into me while I was fishing last evening and a (rare) Murray crayfish walked onto my boot while I was wading. #flyfishing #rivers #Australia

Looking up a quiet river pool at dawn. There is a bank of smooth rocks in the foreground and (exotic) willows overhanging the water in the midground.

091

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

That should be "Skunked", of course.

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Back on "my" river for a week. First time fishing since Christmas. Water is low and it has been a hot, dry, and long summer, but a bit of rain in the past week has freshened things up and dropped the temperature. #Flyfishing #rivers #trout #Australia

Looking upstream on a stretch of the Goobarragandra River near Tumut NSW Australia. A pool and shallow run surrounded by mature eucalyptus trees.

040

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Please don't mention the war.

110

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Went to the lake at dawn for some casting practice. #flyfishing #Canberra

Looking out over a calm lake at sunrise with more than a dozen hot air balloons against the cloud. Canberra, Australia

1100

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Sadly, US fishing gear brands may also suffer from the growing "buy local" - or "don't buy USA" - movements now trending in countries targeted by US trade barriers. And, like Tesla, they are simultaneously seeing the rapid rise of quality Chinese gear manufacturing. Huge realignments are coming.

000

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Hardy (now US owned) was having rods made in S. Korea. I'm not sure if that was the entire range or not. Korea had a very good reputation for blanks a few years ago.

000

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

It is doubly confusing when so many fly gear manufacturers fully outsource to Asia anyway.

000

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Happy Festivus to all who celebrate. I have dusted of our aluminium (prone. aluminum) pole for the holiday. Aluminum has a very high strength to weight ratio.

040

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

As a dad, I approve of this joke.

020

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

I'm guessing you'll turn sixteen before this gets implemented anyway.

030

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

This year I was gift a day's guided drift boat fishing with my son. Best day's fly fishing I've had for ages and it would have suited a beginner.

120

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Tbf, the dick is the tastiest bit.

000

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Tasmania also has an endemic flightless rail called the Tasmanian Nativehen - better, and more appropriately, known as the Turbo Chook because of its speed.

180

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

I grew up in Brisbane and that was my reaction too. In fact, their schtick is more Brisbane than Sydney IMO. I'd love to be wrong, but I suspect they'll do well.

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Husbands, and men generally, only have one mood. Unless there has been a loss by his favoured sports ball team.

020

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

I quite like that every new discovery of ancient hominid remains "rewrites the human evolutionary story!" when, in reality, it mostly just adds a footnote.

020

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Update. I took the rod to the local outfitters, Toms Outdoors in Tumut, and they are arranging to get me a replacement section from Orvis in the US. They are God's chosen people.

010

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

No fish or platypus today, but this guy was taking a walk as I left the river. There were also plenty of wombats. #echidna

An echida walking across a grassy patch.

051

Paul Garrett @paulgar.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Great article, Bernard. I laughed and cried.

130