The Ultimate Fishing Festival at Melbourne in February
by Victorian Fisheries Authority 10 Dec 2022 16:43 PST
18-19 February 2023
Ultimate Fishing Expo © Victorian Fisheries Authority
Melbourne will be the global capital of recreational fishing for five festival-filled days in February 2023 having won the rights to host the tenth World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC), which will include the complementary Ultimate Fishing Expo, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said the Ultimate Fishing Expo on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February would be a weekend extravaganza of expert speakers and fishing celebrities, activities for the entire family to enjoy, and all the latest in fishing gear, boats and equipment.
"Victoria boasts the best recreational fishing in Australia with tuna and kingfish offshore, snapper, whiting and calamari in our bays, and wonderful inland fisheries home to iconic Murray cod and wild trout," Mr Dowling said.
"The free Expo brings under one roof our popular Murray cod and trout conferences alongside the fishing tackle and boating industry for a one-stop-shop experience for all ages.
"VFA ambassador Bachar Houli will be there to share tips and tricks given his love of fishing and a giant 12 metre fish tank will be home to live barramundi.
"Boats will be on display, the tackle trade will have stands, and members of the Women in Recreational Fishing (WIRF) network will provide flyfishing casting lessons."
In between activities, take a breather, pull up a seat and listen in to presentations from experts including:
- Paul and Jed Worsteling on a lifetime of family fishing
- Aaron Habgood and Patrick Dangerfield on bay fishing for whiting, snapper, calamari and more
- David Kramer on Victoria's world class fishing opportunities
- Gawaine Blake on our bay and inlet fishing revival
- Richard Abela on swordfish, tuna and beyond
- Lubin Pfeiffer and Terry George on our trout fisheries
- Colby Lesko and Kate Norman on catching big Murray cod, including at Lake Eildon
- Sascha and Andy Danylchuk from the USA on 'Keep Fish Wet' and the latest in catch and release
- April Vokey on a flyfishing girl's perspective from North America and around the world.
Mr Dowling said the free Ultimate Fishing Expo would feature an unrivalled line up of international speakers such as Sascha and Andy Danylchuk and April Vokey, who had travelled to Melbourne to present at the World Recreational Fishing Conference the following week from 20 to 22 February.
"The illustrious WRFC is held every three years and is the most prominent global gathering of recreational fishing professionals, academics, scientists and industry.
"We're thrilled Victoria is hosting this prestigious event because it's a reflection of our wonderful fisheries, passionate fishing community and reputation for sustainable fisheries management."
For the Expo's schedule on Saturday and Sunday, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/ultimatefishingexpo or wrfc10.com to learn more about the World Recreational Fishing Conference.