FOR Wellington Point resident Tommy McEwan, fishing isn’t just about the thrill of the catch – it’s also about giving back to the environment and his backyard.
The 69-year-old spends days camping along the Logan River at Beaudesert, where he casts his line into the clear waters in search of carp, a declared pest in Australian rivers.
Weighing in at up to seven kilograms, the fish are a challenge to catch and, according to Mr McEwan, make excellent fertiliser under his fruit trees.
“Carp are a pest, and I wish more people were interested in cleaning the rivers up,” he said.
“But they are fun to catch and extremely good under my fruit trees.”
Armed with little more than a can of cheap corn, a bucket and a sturdy landing net, Mr McEwan has turned carp fishing into both a sport and a service.
“The bigger ones are wise and won’t touch the corn, but the smaller ones will always grab them. Even the small ones are four or five kilos,” he said.
Landing one is no easy feat.
“They’ll snap your line, break your rod or straighten your hook,” he said.
“The fish have huge scales, can be 60 to 70cm long and are heavy.
“They’re tough and not eating fish.
“If they make a fuss, they’ll spook other fish too.”
When not fishing Queensland’s rivers, Mr McEwan spends three months of the year in Tasmania with wife Lesley.
“I fish and she walks the dogs and takes photos. It’s a trade-off,” he laughed.
There, he switches to trout and redfin, using spinners to lure them in.
“I smoke the fish straight away with a portable smoker. The fish are beautiful, and they’re free.”
For Mr McEwan, fishing is more than a pastime – it’s a passion.
“Fishing is what keeps me going,” he said. “If you’re starting out, learn to cast properly. I can hit a can 20 metres away, but that’s because I’ve done it 20 million times.”
