04 Oct 2017 Mansfield Courier, Mansfield VIC (General News) FRESHWATER anglers can learn more about Victorias wild trout fisheries at a free one day conference on Saturday, November 11, to be held in Mansfield for the third consecutive year at the Mansfield Performing Arts Centre. The 2017 Talk Wild Trout conference will bring together fisheries, scientists and anglers to share findings from research conducted on riverine trout populations during the last three years. Renowned trout researcher from New Zealand, John Hayes, will provide the keynote address about trout behaviour and the key ingredients of a good trout stream. Mr Hayes has special expertise in recreational trout fisheries, instream habitat and trout feeding and growth. Other conference topics will include: spawning success in 12 wild trout rivers; two stocking trials in the upper Goulburn and Howqua rivers; a fishing pressure study; incubator stocking trials; and how anglers can get more involved in improving habitat, both in-stream and along river banks. Attendees will also hear about Victorias new Freshwater Fisheries Management Plan and the latest on size and bag limit changes for trout, including the introduction of a minimum length. The conference is open to everyone so we can share the results of field work and continue building a better understanding of our trout fisheries and what makes them tick, Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said. New Zealands world famous trout fisheries are envied by many freshwater anglers in Victoria, so it will be a privilege to hear from an expert in the field with so much experience. Fly fishing fanatic and part owner of Millbrook Lakes private fishery in Ballarat, Jon Clelow, will also provide an entertaining talk titled An expensive trout. A panel discussion will follow each of the three sessions with questions from the audience. The conference will be held at the Mansfield Performing Arts Centre, between 9am and 4:30pm. Tea and coffee will be available and lunch will be provided. To learn more about the day, including how to register for free, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/talktrout. The conference is funded by fishing licence fees and the State Governments Target One Million plan for recreational fishing, which aims to get more people fishing more often, and grow participation to one million by 2020. Caption Text: TROUT AND ABOUT: A conference on wild trout fisheries will be held in November in Mansfield, and will be sure to provide intrigue to local fishing enthusiasts such as Graham Godber, pictured here. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.