ANGFA Vic holds field trips every second month, generally the second weekend after a meeting. These trips are a chance for the members to get out around Melbourne with their nets and see what lives in our local waterways as well as getting to know each other better The data collected goes into the ANGFA Survey Database. So don't be shy, get out there with Greg & John the field trip co-coordinators and get your feet wet. Bring the family along and make a day of it.
As part of our ongoing field work gathering data on rivers, creeks and waterways and the species that inhabit them, ANGFA VIC will be running at least 7 Field Trips this year.
Each ANGFA Field Trip is run on a catch, photograph and then release basis. All relevant data on species found on the day, local conditions, water chemistry and temperatures will be recorded for upload onto the ANGFA Database.
Most field trips are family-friendly, with activities including walking, sightseeing, photography opportunities, netting from the bank and even full waist-deep netting, photographing from the field tanks and water testing etc. There are usually 2 longer trips per year. In 2017 we spent the Easter long weekend on the Murray River. Our Melbourne Cup weekend trip is yet to be decided. Last year Wangaratta in April and our annual Long weekend trip down to Victoria’s far south west region- this year to Port Fairy and surrounds.
Please note, due to the requirements of our insurer, only current financial members of ANGFA can participate in our field trip activities. If you are not a member, you are still welcome to come along – as our treasurer is quite happy to sign you as a new member up on the day, so that you can participate in the activities!
Field Trip Dates:
Upcoming field trip 14th October 2017
On our ANGFA Field Trip this October will look at two creeks at two locations: Hughes Creek at Avenel and the Campaspe River at Barfold near Bendigo.
Among other things, we will be looking in particular for Southern Pygmy Perch Nannoperca australis which will be collected on a subsequent trip and used as broodstock for a re-stocking program in the same catchment.
Meet at the Avenel Caltex at 10am where we will start, then after lunch we will head west to have a look at the Campaspe River at Barfold.
Due to insurance stipulations, this field trip is only open to financial ANGFA members.
RSVP Greg Martin 0407 094 313
Previous Trips
Where: Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Centre, Little River
Melways page 11, turn off the Geelong Rd to Little River,
north side of the You Yangs.
When: Saturday 7th May
Timing: 3pm tour of property
4pm committee meeting
6pm BBQ BYO food & drink
7pm to 8.30 night walk (optional). Led by Kwai
Mt Rothwell is a fenced reserve home to many critically endangered native species including Eastern barred bandicoots, rufous bettongs and Eastern quolls.
This event is free BUT a small donation (say $10 per family) to Mt Rothwell is expected.
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Diamond Creek in St Andrews
Our next field trip is Saturday 14th November 2015 to the upper Diamond Creek in St Andrews. Meet at 10am on Ninks Road, roughly 2 km down on the left. Bring long pants, waders, hat, nets, field tank and photographic gear. We will be joined on the day by a local LandCare group.
ANGFA Victoria field trips are run on a catch, photograph then release basis. We do not sanction the taking of fish from the wild.
Priya Crawford-Wilson from Melbourne Water's Water Watch. Some people from Water Watch will be there on 14th November too.
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Previous field trips
Murray River, downstream of Yarrawonga, 28th-29th March
Photo: Neil Armstrong
Joint VIC/NSW ANGFA Murray River fieldtrip
March 28-29, 2015
Where: Murray River downstream of Yarrawonga/Mulwala on the NSW side of the river at Hinches Beach. If you put these coordinates into Google Maps, http://maps.google.com.au/ or Google Earth it will show you the final destination -35.967529 145.943931.
Fishes: This region provides excellent opportunities for collecting smaller and larger native fishes. Many smaller native fishes are present including: Murray Rainbowfish, Unspeckled Hardyhead, Smelt, various Carp Gudgeons (4 types), Flathead Gudgeon and a very occasional River Blackfish. There are lots of exotic fishes like Carp, Goldfish and Gambusia too. This is also a popular area for cod fishing as well as other large natives like golden perch. Note you will need a NSW fishing license.
Accommodation: Camping is permitted at Hinches Beach. Other options include caravan parks, hotels, etc in Mulwala and Yarrawonga.
Murray Cod habitat showing an anabranch of the main river. Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) are a fish species that are known to use both mainstem and anabranch habitats in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Photo:Jason Higham
Source: Finterest, bringing back native fish.
RSVP: Please email Peter Unmack (peter.angfa@unmack.net) know if you are thinking of attending so he can plan appropriately.
More Information: Contact Peter Unmack (peter.angfa@unmack.net), Greg Martin (vicnews.editor@angfavic.org) or David Matheson (dm.matheson66@gmail.com).
Directions: Starting from the Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre, cross the main traffic bridge into Mulwala and drive through Mulwala (on Melbourne Street) until you cross the Mulwala Canal Bridge (approx. 3½ km from Visitor Information Centre). Turn left immediately after Canal Bridge towards Tocumwal - there is a sign post on right "Industrial Estate" and sign on the left "Tocumwal, Berrigan, Savernake". Stay on bitumen road until come to cross-roads (1.4 km) with sign post in centre of road, one points to Tocumwal to the left. Turn left. About 5 km further you cross Mulwala Canal again and on right is the Water Ski Park. On the left is a sign "Mulwala State Forest". Turn left. To the left is a sign "Hinches Beach 4 km" - it isn't that far, more like 2.5 km. Note: the road to Hinches Beach would be impassable after very heavy rain or floods. Beyond this sign there is a fork in the road. Follow the green arrows marked on tree! (I don’t know if the green arrows are still there or not). Hinches Beach is very safe for swimming with small children with clear water. Boats can be launched from this point.
Screenshot from Google Earth showing Hinches Beach on the Murray River.
Remember that we are a conservation organisation; we are not there to rape and pillage. Take only as much as you need to breed or photograph. You need a fishing licence to fish in NSW fresh water.
You can find information on the licence and can purchase one online here: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/licence-fee
You can find the NSW bag and size limits here: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations/fw/fw-bag-and-size
Photo above: Murray River Rainbowfish Melanotaenia fluviatilis. These beautiful Rainbowfish are found in many of the Murray River’s tributaries, and are found as far south as the upper Goulburn River at Shepparton in Northern Central Victoria. Photo: Gunther Schmida
The Lower Goulburn River at Shepparton.
Photo: Greg Martin
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Previous field trips
January 2014- Sat 11th: Werribee River
See you in the field,
Greg Martin, John Lenagan
Field Trip Department, ANGFA VIC
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ANGFA Victoria is starting the year with a survey to the Werribee River on Saturday 11th of January. We will be joining with The Werribee River Association (WRIVA) to survey several sites along the river. http://www.werribeeriver.org.au
The meeting place will be at Chirnside Park located at the corner of Greaves and Watton street Werribee at 10.00 am.
Once we're all there, we will make our way to the nearby river to begin the survey. Please remember if you intend to help survey you will need a current fishing licence (angling) available online. A two day licence costs only $6.
Bring your nets and equipment or feel free to come along and see what wonderful fish we have in the Werribee River. A simple BBQ lunch along the river will be provided for attendees (just a snag in some bread).
This will be a great opportunity to assist ANGFA and The Werribee River Association gain valuable information on what is living in the area. We look forward to catching up with some of you on Saturday 11th January.
Feel free to contact me on 0430434488 if you have any questions.
Cheers Kwai.