New Norfolk Anglers Club

01/09/2026

2026 Derwent River Interclub Challenge Results-

The New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association hosted the Derwent River Interclub Challenge last weekend on the Derwent River. All Southern Licensed Angling Association Clubs were invited to compete along with a selection of Northern Angling Clubs. A strong field of ninety two anglers had entered by start time at 6 pm on Friday night and although Westerly winds didn't let up for most of the weekend ,some good trout were landed across all age and gender categories. Launceston Angling Club avenged their loss from the previous year and won back the Interclub Shield in 2026 in a what was great effort by the Club. Overall, 105 trout were weighed in with a total weight of 72.030 kg and an average weight of .686 kg. For the winners, Launceston's top five fish weighed a total of 6.984 kg with Nathan Merriman landing the best for the team, a female sea runner weighing 1.919 kg cleaned. Kane Rundle also had a great weekend landing the next two best fish which weighed 1.533 kg and 1.523 kg. Shane Ling also did well with one at 1.013 kg and junior Ethan Howard rounded out the top 5 weights with a solid sea runner weighing .996 kg. Finishing in second place were the New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association with a heaviest 5 fish total weight of 6.671 kg. Marty Evans landed the best fish for the NNLAA weighing 1.566 kg and good mate Tony Robertson had the next best with one at 1.534 kg. Junior Nate Hepburn scored a podium finish with a great fish weighing 1.264 kg with Gerald Russell next on 1.206 kg with junior gun Jayden Slater rounding out the top 5 with a solid fish weighing 1. 101kg.Finishing
in third place were the Bridgewater Anglers Association with a 5 fish total weight of 6.046 kg. Kevin Nettlefold landed four of the top 5 fish for the club with his best, a cracker brown weighing 2.284kg. Kevin's other trout weighed 1.013kg, .936kg and .684 kg with Alistair Duggan on the board with a solid runner weighing 1.128 kg. Finishing in fourth position were Lake Pedder Anglers Club with a 5 fish total weight of 2.629 kg. Dylan Loh landed a good fish weighing 1.066 kg, John Freeman one at .897kg and .383kg and Jarrod Birchall also one at .283 kg

Individual awards were also given out with the senior male heaviest trout awarded to Bridgewater's Kevin Nettlefold for his at 2.284kg brute. Nathan Merriman was also rewarded for his 1.919 kg fish and so were runners up Marty Evans, Tony Robertson and Kane Rundle. The senior female heaviest trout award was won by the NNLAA's Kirstie Chalmers with a nice fish weighing .779 kg . Bridgewater's Jessica Bester was runner up with a fish weighing .532 kg. The junior heaviest trout was won by the NNLAA's Nate Hepburn with his sea runner that weighed 1.264 kg. Runners up who also received prizes were Jayden Slater- 1.101kg, Mahalia Robertson- 1.054 kg, Ethan Howard- .996 kg and Lucy Russell- .670 kg. The average weight award was won by Andrew Slater with his fish weighing .681 kg which was closest to the overall average weight of .686 kg.

Congratulations again to Launceston for their comeback win and for making the journey down and to all clubs for making the effort to have run. The NNLAA would again like to thank all of its generous and loyal sponsors for helping the club to provide great prizes for the competition.

Special thanks to Williams Outdoors ,BCF, Tasmanian Devil Lures,Spot On The Fishing Connection, Rod & Range Sports, Riseley Trout Flies, Hueys Lures, The Fisherman's Shed, T&M Trophies, Gilbert Automotive-Tim Lowe, Jim Robertson Plastering, PK Tackle. Tony Robertson and Laurie & Mandy Harrison

In 2027 the Derwent River Challenge will be a huge celebration with the NNLAA hosting the event on the weekend of its 100th Birthday in October. The NNLAA's next competition is on the weekend of September 18th- 20th also on the Derwent River.

Pic credit NNLAA Treasurer Katie Russell

31/08/2026

A few pics of competitors and anglers from the weekend's Derwent River Interclub Challenge taken by NNLAA Treasurer Katie Russell.
Results will be posted tomorrow.

30/08/2026

Congratulations to the Launceston Angling Club for their win in the 2026 Derwent River Interclub Challenge.

A massive weekend on the water for everyone and thanks to all clubs and anglers who made the effort to get out there in what were definitely trying conditions.

One of the best challenges we've held for some time with 92 entrants taking part and good numbers of fish caught.

Big thanks to all NNLAA committee members for their hard work behind the scenes and to all the sponsors and supporters. Thank you too.

Keep an eye out for more pics and a full wrap up of the results over the coming days.

NNLAA

28/08/2026

Good luck to all anglers and clubs competing in this weekend's Derwent River Interclub Challenge.

A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes, and all is set for what's shaping up to be a great weekend of fishing.

Big thanks to our sponsors for generously contributing to the competition. Pictured below are just some of the contributions from BCF, Spot On The Fishing Connection, Rod & Range Sports, The Fisherman's Shed and Jim Robertsons Plastering.

Competition fishing starts at 6pm tonight and make sure all entry payment fees are paid into our account by 6pm starting times.

Good luck to all and tight lines.

NNLAA

25/08/2026

A reminder for competing clubs, captains and anglers that are fishing in this weekend's Derwent River Challenge. Please make sure all entry fees are paid before Thursday Night at 6 pm. When paying don't forget to add the club and individual names of each angler classified as either (M/F/J ) to match payments/entries on our account.

Payment and competition details are listed on the attached advertisement.

The NNLAA has been sourcing some great competition and raffle prizes from our valued sponsors and below is just a smidgen of it.

Thanks to Williams Outdoors, Tim Lowe /Gilbert Automotive and Matt Riseley for contributing this lot of goodies.

Get your entries in and keep an eye out for more reminders and updates over the coming days.

04/08/2026

NNLAA -Competition 1 report-Opening Weekend.

The New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association held their first competition of the 2026-27 season over opening weekend. This year saw the NNLAA and Bridgewater Anglers Club reunite to friendly fish against each other for the "heaviest trout" which was in the past an annual opening day competition, last held in 2010. Each club still ran their own individual competitions and for the NNLAA, 40 trout were weighed in, weighing 25.904 kg with an average weight of .647 kg. BLAC anglers weighed in 10 trout weighing 5.451kg which didn't include some fish caught from Saturday. NNLAA angler Adrian Slater started the season well landing the heaviest trout for the NNLAA and overall, with a cracker sea runner weighing 1.788 kg. Adrian will remember that fish for a while too after it busted him off and he recaught it again for the win. Adam Rice had the next best 3 trout which were caught in a short bite window on Saturday with his best weighing 1.693kg cleaned. Adam had another at 1.632kg and another at 1.356kg and Marty Evans had another good one at 1.315 and 1.021 and Kirsty Chalmers another at 1.043kg..Bridgewater anglers to get nice trout were Alistair Duggan .853 kg and Kevin Nettlefold .813kg ,.776kg and .591kg, and Kevin Johns .520 and Shawn Johns .451kg.
For the juniors Jayden Slater, like his dad, started the new season well taking out the junior heaviest trout award overall and for the NNLAA. Jayden's nice sea runner weighed 1.061kg with Darcy Robertson next best with a good fish weighing .702kg and Mason Hutchinson also another at .681kg.Special mention to juniors Laurie and Vincent McMaster and Lee Robertson for also landing nice trout. Glenn Duggan won the average weight award with a fish weighing .619kg and Darcy Robertson and Adam Rice both won runners up awards. With Upper Derwent catchments spilling up until late in the week, flow from Meadowbank Dam only slowed during Saturday which saw conditions improve and some good trout come on the bite. Most of the better fish were healthy and hungry fresh silver sea runners which is encouraging as we push into a great time to be fishing.

Thanks to sponsors Williams Outdoors and Rod and Range for helping out with prizes.

The NNLAA's next competition is the popular Derwent River Interclub Challenge (STLAA Invitation which also now involves Northern angling clubs) from Friday August 28 to Sunday August 30.

Pics by Katie Russell

02/08/2026

The NNLAA had a great opening weekend on the Derwent. Keep an eye out for competition 1 results soon. Below is the advertisement for the popular Derwent River Interclub Challenge held from August 28-30. A big comp and weekend that's well worth fishing in.

27/07/2026

Hydro Tas Update- Arthurs Lake Campgrounds

With the upcoming opening of the Arthur's Lake campgrounds in August, we'd like to let you know about some changes to the management of the Pump House Bay and Jonah Bay campgrounds. Hydro Tasmania now manages both campgrounds following the conclusion of the previous lease arrangement.

From this season: Camping will operate on a first come, first served basis.
Seasonal or long-term site allocations will no longer be available.
There are no camping fees.
Campers must vacate the campgrounds at the end of the fishing season, with the sites closing over winter as they have previously.
Shower facilities are no longer available; however, the existing shower cubicles will remain available for campers wishing to use their own portable shower.
We understand these changes may be disappointing for some of our regular campers, particularly those who have enjoyed returning to the same site each season. However, the new arrangements bring the campgrounds into line with the way Hydro Tasmania manages its other recreational camping areas, while continuing to provide access for everyone to enjoy Arthur's Lake.

Further information, including campground information and seasonal opening dates, is available on our website. Arthurs Lake campgrounds | Hydro Tasmania

We appreciate these changes represent a different way of managing the campgrounds and understand there will be an adjustment for many regular visitors. As we move through the first season under these new arrangements, we'd welcome your feedback on your experience. If you have suggestions for how we can improve the campgrounds or their management in the future, we encourage you to share them via the Have Your Say section on the campground webpage. Your feedback will help us understand what's working well and identify opportunities for future improvements.
Thank you for your understanding and support. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Arthur's Lake for another great season.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Breandan McKeown
Engagement Advisor Hydro Tasmania

Send a message to learn more

05/07/2026

The New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association held their dinner and Trophy Presentation for the 2025/26 season at the New Norfolk RSL Club on Friday night. Around 60 members and guests enjoyed a sensational spit roast meal before outstanding anglers were presented with awards for their achievements from the season past. Special guests included Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis, MLC Craig Farrell and wife Lee and IFS representatives Brett Mawbey and Vanessa Britten. Guests addressed the audience as well as helped present awards to winners, backed by valued sponsors, NNLAA life and general members, families and friends.

Major Awards for the 2025/26 season are as follows -

Heaviest Brown Trout Overall (Senior)David Triffitt and Peter Hodge Perpetual Trophy and Heaviest Trout Caught on An Artificial Lure- Bert Wigston Memorial Trophy- Martyn Evans -3.136 kg.

Heaviest Rainbow Trout Overall- Barbara Morley Memorial Trophy- Jayden Slater- 1.837 kg.

Heaviest Trout Junior-14-17 yrs- Lucy Russell -.768 kg
Heaviest Trout Junior- 4-13 yrs- Jayden Slater- 1.837 kg.
Heaviest Trout Derwent River- Michelle Williams Memorial Trophy- Male- Martyn Evans 3.136 kg Female- Kirsty Chalmers- .984 kg.
Most Consistent Angler- Male- Tooney Aitchison Perpetual Trophy-Adrian Slater-22 points.
Female- Des Cranfield Perpetual Trophy-Kirsty Chalmers-30 points
Junior- Ken Morley Memorial Trophy- Jayden Slater-37 points
Smallest Trout- Jayden Slater
Encouragements Awards- Juniors- Luca Bailey-Harrison, Addie Bailey and Darcy and Lee Robertson.
Mavis and Ken Russell Best Club Person Award- Stephanie Fulton.

With the club set to celebrate its 100th Birthday during the 2027-28 season some new commemorative flags and banners were also revealed during the night. Plans are well underway for the NNLAA to also offer some limited-edition celebratory merchandise and clothing for the Birthday season as well . The NNLAA is also invested in communication with the Derwent Valley Council, MAST, The Derwent Catchment Plan and other identities in regards opening up river access from the NN Bridge to Millbrook Rise. Our input is not just to create a few more fishing spots, but we believe the whole town and community will benefit from river activation with its growing population and tourism sector.

The NNLAA would like to thank all sponsors for their support last season and every season. Thank you too Williams Outdoors, BFC, Spot On - The Fishing Connection, Rod and Range Sports, Tasmanian Devil Lures, The Fisherman's Shed, T & M Trophies, Gilbert Automotive, The Inland Fisheries Service, Banjo's New Norfolk, Huey's Lures, Jim Robertson's Plastering, Riseley Trout Flies, Sherriff Agencies PTY Ltd, PK Tackle and more. Your input and contributions within our club as well as a lot of other clubs is always greatly appreciated.

The NNLAA also elected new office bearers for the 2026-27 season on Friday night at their annual AGM.

Office Bearers for the 2026-27 season are.

President- Laurie Harrison
Vice President- Shayne Langford
Treasurer- Katie Russell
Secretary/Public Officer-Adam Rice
Competition Master- Adam Rice
Assistant Competition Master- Wayne Parker
Patron- Brian Crosswell
Historian- Ray Aitchison
Committee- Paul Fulton, Elaine & Ray Aitchison, Wayne Marshall, Mandy Harrison, Gerald & Lucy Russell, Brian Crosswell, Wayne Parker, Jim Robertson, Adam Williams, Anita Rice, and Paul McKenzie.
STLAA Delegates- Laurie Harrison & Ray Aitchison.

NNLAA 2026-27 memberships are now available online or by visiting Williams Outdoors in High Street New Norfolk.