The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from members who would like to be involved in a Gone Fishing Day (GFD) Committee.
Gone Fishing Day is an important opportunity to celebrate recreational fishing and showcase its social, environmental, and economic benefits. It is an annual national event organised by ARFF and supported by recreational fishing peak bodies, fishing clubs, and state agencies.
The 2026 Gone Fishing Day will be held on 18 October 2026.
To support successful events, ARFF is establishing a small committee to assist with planning and coordination. GFD events are intentionally flexible, allowing groups, clubs, or regions to tailor activities to local fishing community needs. Common event types include:
- Family fishing days at lakes, dams, rivers, and coastal venues
- Tagged fishing competitions and prize categories
- Catch competitions for specific fish species (e.g., carp)
- Knot challenges, casting games, and try-fishing sessions for first-time fishers
Each year, GFD also adopts a thematic focus to promote fishing and community connection. In 2025, the theme “Fishing for Community” celebrated participation, connection, and skills sharing.
Role of the Committee
The committee will support ARFF by:
- Providing input on this year’s theme
- Suggesting low-cost actions and initiatives for ARFF (such as materials for distribution)
- Broadly promoting and sharing the ARFF GFD opportunity and theme for 2026
- Helping to ensure events align with ARFF’s GFD objectives and values
Time Commitment
The committee will meet periodically in the lead-up to Gone Fishing Day, primarily via online meetings, with some out-of-session input as required.
- Expected time commitment: no more than 1 hour per month (March – September)
- The final schedule will be confirmed once the committee is formed
EOIs should be sent to:
✉️ charleybarclay@ozfish.org.au
Deadline: Friday, 6 March 2026
For any questions, please contact the same address above.