About

As fly anglers, we care about the fish we love to pursue and the environment they live in. Whether you like throwing Pink Things to Barramundi in tropical estuaries, Crazy Charlies to Bonefish on the flats, or a Parachute Adams to a blueline brook trout, the one thing we all have in common is a deep rooted respect for the resource.  We all want to conserve and protect our beloved fisheries - even restore them to their former glory.  Now, more than ever, they need our help.

The Torrent was created to raise awareness of the environmental needs and issues facing fish and their habitats:  a place to share ideas, news, links etc., with the aim of improving the fly fishing experience for ourselves, and future generations, the fish, and the places we love to visit to pursue them.  True, there are a lot of things to be concerned about when trying to make a difference, and it can be daunting and overwhelming knowing where to start.  So lets pick it all apart in The Torrent and have some fun doing it!  And remember, whether you picked up a piece of rubbish from the beach or river, paddled or used the electric instead of the petrol outboard, or just respected the closed season and didn't fish today, YOU are making a difference - so be proud of that!

​

 

The Author: Ben Mackereth

BSc. (Ecology) Hons, Fly Fishing Writer

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

First, thanks for visiting The Torrent.  I have enjoyed fly fishing for 30 years chasing a range of species in many beautiful places and my passion for this sport just keeps getting stronger!

Growing up in South Australia (often known as the driest state in the driest continent), it might seem odd that a kid could develop a freshwater fly fishing addiction, but I was drawn in, like a moth to a candle, from the very first fish I caught (a common carp) at the age of three.  Sure, that fish was caught on bait, but fishing was embedded from that point and I tried every form possible before settling on fly fishing as a teenager, visiting every trout stream I could, as often as I could, once I had my driver's licence.  I continued to dabble in bait and spin fishing until moving to Canada for five years, choosing only to bring fly gear with me.  Working closely with Pacific salmon was a highlight of my time in Canada, leading me to roles on the board of a vounteer run ecological society there.  Building custom fly rods for a few years was another highlight.  If it wasn't already, the time spent in Canada cemented my addiction for fly fishing and increased my skills and knowledge exponentially with each salmon, trout and steelhead hooked (but not always landed!).  Now, settled back on the Australian coastline I continue to enjoy fishing the salt, brackish and freshwater opportunities surrounding me.

I have written for fishing magazines since 1994 with my articles having been published in FlyLife (Aus/NZ), The Flyfish Journal and The Drake (US), MidCurrent (Can) and Fly Culture (UK) among others.  My love of writing is almost as strong as my love of fly fishing itself.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

I have always had a passion for the natural environment and my involvement working with Coho and Chum salmon and their river habitats led me to wanting to, formally, further my knowledge .  In 2021 I completed a Bachelor of Animal Ecology followed by a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2022, researching native Australian freshwater migratory fish and how instream barriers (dams/weirs) and water flow requirements affect their critical life strategies.

​

Find out more about the author on this episode of the FlyFishing97 Podcast, or this recent episode of the Fly Culture Podcast.