Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:15 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:15 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Apply fly fishing skills
Apply fly fishing skills
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOFSH309A
SISOFSH309A
State Code
D6386
D6386
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Transition (Deleted)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/03/2013
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
22/03/2013
Nominal Hours
10
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to catch fish in freshwater environments, using a fly. This may also apply to saltwater environments where flies can be used to catch fish. The unit focuses on identifying fish habitats, selecting fly and tackle, and applying appropriate fly fishing techniques, including the safe handling, landing and releasing of fish.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to fly fish.
- 1.1. Identify target recreational species, their habitats and seasonal cycle.
- 1.2. Identify potential hazards associated with fly fishing and procedures to minimise risks.
- 1.3. Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information that may impact on the activity.
- 1.4. Determine most appropriate fly fishing techniques for the target species.
- 1.5. Select appropriate fly, fly fishing rig and support equipment for target species and check working order.
- 1.6. Select safety equipment and gear to minimise risk of injury.
- 1.7. Assemble and balance fly fishing rig to suit target species, habitat and fishing platform.
2. Catch fish using a fly.
- 2.1. Locate appropriate fly fishing location and outline safety measures according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.2. Utilise personal protective equipment according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.3. Cast fly using an appropriate technique and present fly to the target species in a natural manner.
- 2.4. Monitor fly and fishing rigs performance and change settings as required, to optimise outcomes.
- 2.5. Retrieve rig and land fish in an appropriate manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
3. Handle fish.
- 3.1. Handle and release fish in a humane manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 3.2. Release fish using appropriate tagging and return techniques..
- 3.3. Despatch retained fish in a humane manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
4. Finalise fishing operations
- 4.1. Analyse performance of the fly and fishing rig.
- 4.2. Identify improvements or modifications for future fly fishing sessions.
- 4.3. Clean, maintain and safely stow fishing rig and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Recreational species may include:
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout
Bass
Atlantic Salmon
Sooty Grunter
Barramundi
Saratoga
Trout Cod.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards
slippery or unstable shore
poor posture, poor technique
poor carrying techniques
loose or insecure craft when being transported.
other craft.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Fly fishing techniques may include:
dry fly
wet fly
nymphing
streaming
czech or polish nymph technique
floating line
sinking line
intermediate line
match the hatch
dead drift or static
moving, slow retrieval of fly
lure stripping, fast retrieval of fly
fishing the booby
strip strike
side strike
overhead cast
slide or sling cast
false casting
single haul
double haul or feeding or shooting fly-line
curve cast
roll casting
sidearm casting.
Fly fishing rig and support equipment may include:
fly rods
fly lines and care products
strike indicators
fly reels and care products
leaders and tippets
flies
wading equipment.
Fly fishing locations may include:
tropical, temperate and cold environments
fast and slow flowing rivers
streams
freshwater impoundments
saltwater environments.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
safety and emergency procedures
use, maintenance and storage of fly fishing equipment
procedures for handling dangerous fish
humane handling of fish policies
procedures for returning undersized and unwanted fish to water
manufacturer's design specifications and recommendations for equipment use
code of ethics.
Handle and release fish may include:
using fish handling tools, crates and rubber landing nets
removing hook or cutting the line
de hooking with fish still in the water
using gentle release practices
fizzing a fish
releasing weights.
Recreational species may include:
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout
Bass
Atlantic Salmon
Sooty Grunter
Barramundi
Saratoga
Trout Cod.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards
slippery or unstable shore
poor posture, poor technique
poor carrying techniques
loose or insecure craft when being transported.
other craft.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Fly fishing techniques may include:
dry fly
wet fly
nymphing
streaming
czech or polish nymph technique
floating line
sinking line
intermediate line
match the hatch
dead drift or static
moving, slow retrieval of fly
lure stripping, fast retrieval of fly
fishing the booby
strip strike
side strike
overhead cast
slide or sling cast
false casting
single haul
double haul or feeding or shooting fly-line
curve cast
roll casting
sidearm casting.
Fly fishing rig and support equipment may include:
fly rods
fly lines and care products
strike indicators
fly reels and care products
leaders and tippets
flies
wading equipment.
Fly fishing locations may include:
tropical, temperate and cold environments
fast and slow flowing rivers
streams
freshwater impoundments
saltwater environments.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
safety and emergency procedures
use, maintenance and storage of fly fishing equipment
procedures for handling dangerous fish
humane handling of fish policies
procedures for returning undersized and unwanted fish to water
manufacturer's design specifications and recommendations for equipment use
code of ethics.
Handle and release fish may include:
using fish handling tools, crates and rubber landing nets
removing hook or cutting the line
de hooking with fish still in the water
using gentle release practices
fizzing a fish
releasing weights.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
applies safety measures to conduct fly fishing activities and selects safety equipment and gear to minimise the risk of injury
applies a range of fly fishing techniques and processes to catch and handle fish using flies
evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths and weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple fly fishing activities in locations that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
freshwater or saltwater fly fishing environments
equipment to fly fish in various environments.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of safe participation and demonstration of all practical tasks during fly fishing
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of fly fishing techniques
observation of safe and humane catching and handling of fish
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
applies safety measures to conduct fly fishing activities and selects safety equipment and gear to minimise the risk of injury
applies a range of fly fishing techniques and processes to catch and handle fish using flies
evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths and weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple fly fishing activities in locations that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
freshwater or saltwater fly fishing environments
equipment to fly fish in various environments.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of safe participation and demonstration of all practical tasks during fly fishing
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of fly fishing techniques
observation of safe and humane catching and handling of fish
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J761 | SIS30413 | Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |