sport, local-sport, Fly fishing, Dylan Cassidy
A lifelong pastime has quickly turned into something far more significant for Ulverstone’s Dylan Cassidy. In his maiden national event, the 33-year-old won a bronze medal at last weekend’s Australian Fly Fishing Championships. Held across the Meander and Mersey Rivers, as well as Penstock Lagoon and Arthurs Lake in the Central Highlands, Cassidy finished in a tie for third with Victorian Craig Coltman, but ended up on the podium courtesy of a higher amount of ‘fish points’. Cassidy said it was a nice thrill to end the event so high up the rankings after only taking up the competitive side of the sport last season. “I had no expectations going into the championships and if I had of finished midfield I would have been happy,” he said. “Local knowledge helped a bit but conditions up there were pretty tough given it was late in the season and the lakes were getting colder. Cassidy set up his result with a great opening day on the two river sessions then continued his consistency on day two on the lakes. “I went into it thinking I had to scrape by on the rivers and I’d go better on the lakes but it ended up going the opposite way,” he said. “Everything fell into place, especially on the Mersey where I won that session. “By the end I thought I had fished pretty well and when you start talking to the other competitors they can quickly work out who has gone well and who hasn’t. “They were telling me that I would be high in the rankings, but I didn’t realise they meant right up the top.” Following his strong showing, Cassidy is now looking forward to a possible debut for his country. “It looks like I should qualify to make a trans-Tasman competition which will be in February next year in Australia and either March or April in New Zealand which should be good,” he said. “It’s nice to know that something that can just be a pastime for some can be a competition for others. “I’ve been fishing since I was a kid and the interest in competitive fly fishing began when a mate of mine got me involved and I entered my first event last season. “Learning all about the sport has been great and I’ve got to make a lot of new friends along the way as well.” While you’re with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
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A lifelong pastime has quickly turned into something far more significant for Ulverstone’s Dylan Cassidy.
In his maiden national event, the 33-year-old won a bronze medal at last weekend’s Australian Fly Fishing Championships.
Held across the Meander and Mersey Rivers, as well as Penstock Lagoon and Arthurs Lake in the Central Highlands, Cassidy finished in a tie for third with Victorian Craig Coltman, but ended up on the podium courtesy of a higher amount of ‘fish points’.
Cassidy said it was a nice thrill to end the event so high up the rankings after only taking up the competitive side of the sport last season.
“I had no expectations going into the championships and if I had of finished midfield I would have been happy,” he said.
“Local knowledge helped a bit but conditions up there were pretty tough given it was late in the season and the lakes were getting colder.
Promising debut: Dylan Cassidy drops a line in at one of his favourite fly fishing spots after collecting a bronze medal at last week’s national championships. Picture: Brad Cole
Cassidy set up his result with a great opening day on the two river sessions then continued his consistency on day two on the lakes.
“I went into it thinking I had to scrape by on the rivers and I’d go better on the lakes but it ended up going the opposite way,” he said.
“Everything fell into place, especially on the Mersey where I won that session.
“By the end I thought I had fished pretty well and when you start talking to the other competitors they can quickly work out who has gone well and who hasn’t.
“They were telling me that I would be high in the rankings, but I didn’t realise they meant right up the top.”
They were telling me that I would be high in the rankings, but I didn’t realise they meant right up the top.
Dylan Cassidy
Following his strong showing, Cassidy is now looking forward to a possible debut for his country.
“It looks like I should qualify to make a trans-Tasman competition which will be in February next year in Australia and either March or April in New Zealand which should be good,” he said.
“It’s nice to know that something that can just be a pastime for some can be a competition for others.
“I’ve been fishing since I was a kid and the interest in competitive fly fishing began when a mate of mine got me involved and I entered my first event last season.
“Learning all about the sport has been great and I’ve got to make a lot of new friends along the way as well.”
While you’re with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
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