Wallerawang Branch of the Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS) secretary Ray Tang has been hooked on fishing since he was 15 years-old.

He now spends his days involved in organising fish releases in our local waters through the Department of Industry (DPI) Fisheries and our annual Gone Fishing Day.

He is also a Recreational Fishing NSW representative for region six, which includes the Central Tablelands, as a recreational fishing advisory council member to the State Minister.

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Tang has had quite the fishing journey which has led him to his roles today and he spoke with the Lithgow Mercury to share his story.

"When I was around 15 my brother and I heard stories from old fisherman who used to visit my father's shop talking about fishing which got us thinking about it," he said.

He said he and his brother often visited an outdoor shop in Lithgow situated across from the Theatre Royal which later moved up Main Street to where St Vinnies is now.

"We saved up and bought our first fly rods from Bob McLachlan and Angelo Cinat at the outdoor centre. They even lent us an old video to learn how to fly fish off... wow that's going back," he said.

Tang said they landed a massive rainbow trout on their first outing at Lake Lyell.

"We were literally hooked on fishing from then on," he said.

Tang then got involved with the Council of Fresh Water Anglers (CFA) when he was invited to compete in the NSW interclub meeting in Wallerawang.

"I started getting involved with them when they invited me to compete in the interclub representing our local area, which eventually led me into helping them organise and score competitions," he said.

This sparked an interest in Tang to look after the local fishery and he decided to join Wallerawang CAS as a representative which led him to appreciate our local waters.

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"Environmental aspects are significant where a constant need for looking after our riparian corridors with rubbish and weed management control, water monitoring and flow management is important for fish to thrive in," he said.

Tang said when it came to fishing he was a keen fly fisherman, particularly for trout.

"I am a big fan for the thrill of the hunt, hooking one up and the release of the fish for next time," he said.

He said his love of fishing had taken him not only around Australia, but also the world.

"I have been to amazing places like New Zealand, USA, Thailand, Japan, Vanuatu, Christmas Island (Kiribati) chasing big angry browns, timid rainbows to hard fast pulling bone fish," he said.

Tang said he had many highlights from his travels.

"I landed a seven pound brown in Nagaski prefecture Japan, my first Bone Fish in Christmas Island and my wife caught a 35 kilogram Catfish in Thailand.

"One particular highlight was my first newborn son's first fish when he was four months old," he said.

Tang's most recent highlight was recently when he reeled in a two metre shark.

"It was about two hours offshore towards the continental shelf which I think was by far the largest fish I have caught and released recently," he said.

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He said if he could fish every day he absolutely would.

"Fishing provides a challenge that changes with every day but at the same time consistent where you can maintain a focus on what you are doing to reach an end goal," he said.

Tang, now with a growing young family finds himself concentrating on working with fishing bodies towards a sustainable fishing future.

"We're working towards a sustainable fishing future for not only within our local area but also on across the state where I can help, working with the DPI Fisheries, Ministerial Advisory Councils, DPI Access managers, Councils, and many other associated consortium's.

"I get involved with all this not only because it interests me but the main driver is my sight to see future generations (like my kids) to have similar or even better fishing experiences as I did growing up," he said.

He encouraged keen anglers to join their local CAS to help make a positive difference.

"Help look after your area, together we can all make a difference."

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