Unless you have been living in the Outback without any access to radio, television, or the Internet, you probably know that today, the Games of the XXVII Olympiad opened in Sydney, Australia. The next two weeks promise to be an exciting time for both the athletes and the participants as the quest for gold is intensified over the course of the games.
Australia has a reputation for being rugged. The people are a tough bunch and the no nonsense attitude along with the Australian dry sense of humour goes well with the land and environment. This is well suited for the olympians visiting the country as they struggle with their own inner toughness to perform at their peak.
What has this got to do with fly fishing? In many parts of the world, fly fishing is often viewed as one of those pastoral sports where the angler can get away from it all, find some sense of peace of mind while out enjoying the river. Its what you do when you need a mental break. Of course, developing your skills to become a better angler are important, but being on the stream is often associated with 'having no worries', and 'recharging your batteries'.
Leave it to the Australians to change this! Alex McDonnell is a rural property consultant in Australia who also has an interest in flyfishing. Last year, Alex and I had some correspondance via the message board regarding an adventurous form of flyfishing - this type of adventure would be a match for any Olympic event! This is how Alex described it:
"Great sport can be had up north in the surf when flyfishing for light game fish. Using dark glasses to cut the glare most fish are visible in the shallow water (2/3ft). You need to be fit as you have to run to keep up with a hunting fish then dropping the fly just ahead of the fish. These fish range from 5 to 20lbs and test out the very best fisherman.
You also need to keep an eye out for the crocodiles in most of these areas being able to run can be helpful if one pops up."
Watching out for crocodiles while flyfishing? Hey, I realize that wading through a strong current especially on an unknown river and stepping into a deep hole or losing your footing can certainly distract those 'peace of mind' thoughts, but looking out for crocodiles?
Seems to me that being able to cast a line, run like mad, and keep a look out for crocodiles would be sport of Olympian proportions! But this isn't all of it yet. According to Alex, there are some definite rules one must abide by to be successful in this sport. The judge of whether you kept the rules skillfully enough is Mr. Crocodile himself: "I have seen a lot of people fishing either with their feet in the water or on the edge of a water. We consider this the suicide position. You must fish well back from the water or from a boat." There can be no protests to the officials regarding lost points for bad form, here.
Take A Look:
Aussie Flyfishing Guides | Down Under Flyfishing Info
Apparently, one crocodile took a liking to motor oil with the result of at least one boat losing its stern.
Of course, not all flyfishing in Australia is so intense. The continent offers a wide and diverse fishing experience. If you're visiting Sydney for the games, consider the Snowy Mountains or Monaro Region, about a 5 hour drive. This area apparently offers some excellent trout fishing in dozens of streams, creeks and rivers. As well, it was the location of the 1999 World Flyfishing Championships.
For those who want to stick a little closer to Sydney, you might want to consider contacting the Sydney Fly Rodders Club and see if they can help direct you to some relaxing fishing in the area.
Last Week:
The Muncher is a favorite of Ian James for carp, smallies, more. 
Thoughts of a Chicken Rancher. Doc tells it like it is.