FISHING may be a relaxing pastime for some, but for competitors at this year’s Australian Fly Casting and Plug Accuracy Championships, competition is red hot.

And this year’s two-day event is coming to Yarrambat, with more than 70 casters honing their fishing skills on Yarrambat Park lake.

“Spectators will have the chance to see the best casters in Australia competing in a range of disciplines that test their skills in accuracy and distance casting,” said Northern Suburbs Fly Fishing Club president Pat Sheridan.

The event, held on behalf of the Australian Casting Federation, kicks off on 21 April and will be held at the club’s casting facilities with events covering three categories of competition – fly distance, fly accuracy and plug casting.

“In the fly distance category some competitors will cast a fly line in excess of 70 metres, which is quite spectacular to watch,” Sheridan said.

“Fly accuracy casting requires casters to hit a range of short, medium and long-distance targets in a specific sequence.

“The plug accuracy event will also attract plenty of interest as some of Australia’s best exponents show how they can land a lure on the spot every time.”

In its 56th year, the national championship casts off with a plug accuracy event at 1.30pm on Friday 21 April, which will be followed by fly distance casting from 9.30am on 22 April and fly accuracy from 9.30am on 23 April.

Admission is free.

Meantime, with just two months until the competition, the club is offering free tuition to the public at the Yarrambat Park lake during the daylight savings period from 6.45pm.

“Everyone is welcome and we have equipment for those who haven’t tried to cast a fly before,” Sheridan said.