“I’m an insatiable story-teller, and I seem to have a knack for explaining stuff to others in a way that resonates with them”

I reckon everyone’s good at something. A few fortunate souls excel at a bunch of tasks, but most of us are happy to be reasonably proficient in just one field of endeavour — perhaps a couple, if we’re really lucky. You might be a whiz in the kitchen, with a deft touch for creating memorable meals. You could be handy at fixing things, or drawing pictures, or interpreting spreadsheets, or playing the guitar, or doing crosswords, or training dogs. In the fishing arena, maybe you’re deadly accurate at casting a lure off your favourite spin or baitcaster outfit, or you can quickly tie strong knots, even with your eyes closed.

In the majority of cases, proficiency in any activity stems from a mix of at least some innate ability, combined with lots of practice. The more we do something, the better we get at it (theoretically!). But it certainly helps if you have some sort of inherent or instinctual aptitude in the first place.

The late Paul Green (who we sadly lost far too young) and Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen: classic examples of outstanding sports people who took to new fishing skills like ducks to water.

Something I’ve repeatedly observed across my decades of fishing is that “sporty” types with above average eye/hand coordination tend to pick up angling skills much faster than those of us with two left feet.

My old man called me “Tangles” when I was a young bloke, and with good reason. I was that awkward kid who’d throw a tennis ball against the wall — only to have it come back and smack him in the face. The only goal I ever scored in Aussie Rules during school sport was at the wrong end of the ground. (Who knew you’re supposed to swap directions each quarter?) I guess my confusion helped explain why no one from the opposing team tried to stop me! To put it bluntly, I was the exact opposite of a “natural” in anything vaguely sport-related. Nothing much has changed.

Because I’ve made a life, a career and even a modest living from recreational fishing, many people assume I must be a gun angler. Trust me… I’m not!

If I had to identify that one thing I’m good at — my “gift”, if you like — I’d say it’s the ability to observe, analyse and then teach. I’m an insatiable story-teller, and I seem to have a knack for explaining stuff to others in a way that resonates with them. (What’s that old saying? Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach… It could well be my epitaph!)

Starlo rates Bushy as the best multi-species, multi-technique angler he’s ever fished alongside. It’s impossible not to learn from guns like Bushy! And who could forget that “BlackDeath” rod?

Twenty-odd years ago, my mate Bushy and I co-authored a book about lure fishing for bream. I devoted one long passage in it to a highly detailed description of Bushy — perhaps the most talented multi-species angler I have ever met — casting and retrieving a small floating/diving hard-bodied lure to fool some finicky bream. When he read the draft text, Bushy commented that he had no idea he did half the things I’d described in that chapter. I suspect his observation rather neatly summarises the contrast between a “doer” and a “teacher”.

I’ve made a career from helping others to fish better, catch more, and have fun doing it. The feedback I constantly receive indicates that I’ve been reasonably successful in this endeavour. Along the way, I’ve spent so much time fishing myself — often in the company of truly great anglers — that I’ve gradually become better at it, almost despite myself. These days, I don’t suck. Mostly, I do okay — I guess for exactly the same reasons that the caddies for gun golfers often become reasonably proficient at the game themselves… Some of the magic does indeed rub off!

Starlo and Bushy on WA’s mighty Ord River with legendary guide Macka and a monster barra, back in the day.

For the lion’s share of my working life, I’ve taught fishing via magazine articles, columns, books, TV shows, videos, DVDs, on-stage presentations and — most recently — through my “Starlo Gets Reel” channel on YouTube. But the time has finally come for me to take things to the next level, and to begin offering in-depth, personalised, on-line courses to those who’d like to take their learning up a notch or three. I’m excited about this evolutionary step, but also a little nervous. I want to make sure I get it right, and that I offer the knowledge that potential students most want and need. To that end, I’m seeking your help. I’d love you to tell me what you most want to know. I’d like you to email me and answer one or both of the questions below. (I realise the answers to both questions may be identical or very similar, which is fine. Just give one answer if you prefer.) Anyway, here are the two questions:

1. What’s something you know NOW about fishing that you wish someone had explained when you were getting started?
2. If you were just starting out in fishing today, from scratch, what’s the main thing you’d do differently this time around?

Please email your answers to me at

As an incentive to help with this vital research, I’ll publish two or three of the most thought-provoking responses I received right here in next months Fishotopian newsletter — with your permission, of course. PLUS, I’ll give their creators a FREE download of one of my species-specific e-books (their choice of titles). By the way, if you didn’t realise that I have a small library of e-books, you’ll find them all here.

What do you wish someone had explained to you about fishing when you were just starting out?

Finally, if you’re interested in going on a waiting list to be notified in advance when I do launch my first course (which I’m seriously considering calling “How Not To SUCK At Fishing!”), click the blue button below to join the waitlist. These courses will have strictly limited student numbers, and pre-registering is your sneaky way of jumping the queue, but it doesn’t mean you’re obligated to take the course… it simply means you’ll have first dibs on doing so, if you choose to.

I really hope you’ll take a few minutes to do both things: answer my two research questions via email, and also indicate your interest in learning about my first course when it drops, but obviously it’s completely up to you. Either way, I’ll keep doing my best to share what I’ve learnt and continue to learn with you, to hopefully enhance both our fishing journeys… it’s just what I do, and the only thing I’m any good at!

Tight Lines,