Welcome to coverage of the Red Tag Fly Fishers’ IDAHOBIT event!
Scroll down to read the heart warming reflections from the participants and Red Tag members and check out the pics ...
Red Tag Fly Fishers hosted a ‘Come and Try’ day for the LGBTIQA+ community on Saturday 17 May 2025, which is IDAHOBIT – International day against homophobia, biphobia, interphobia and transphobia.
Our friendly members were on hand to share their knowledge, teach the basics and introduce participants to the fascinating art of fly fishing. There were prizes, competitions, show bags and a light lunch to keep up the energy levels!
All equipment was supplied, so participants were invited to come along and try their hand at casting a line, tying a fly and checking out the gear – dressing up was half the fun!
Our friendly members were on hand to share their knowledge, teach the basics and introduce participants to the fascinating art of fly fishing. There were prizes, competitions, show bags and a light lunch to keep up the energy levels!
All equipment was supplied, so participants were invited to come along and try their hand at casting a line, tying a fly and checking out the gear – dressing up was half the fun!
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Come and join the fun – we’re keen to get you hooked!
"Listen to the Joy FM interview to find out more about fly fishing and the event".
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Proudly supported by the City of Yarra. |
‘Catch a Rainbow’ Feedback from Participants on the Day
Wrap Up
On Saturday 17 May, Red Tag Fly Fishers proudly welcomed members of the LGBTIQA+ community to celebrate IDAHOBIT during a come and try day at the Club. We had a great turnout despite the grey skies with about 25 people attending and more than 20 Red Tag volunteers on hand to assist. Participants were welcomed by club allies and put through their paces with hands-on practice in casting, fly tying and an informative discussion about all aspects of the sport. Next it was time to put their new skills to the test with some fun competitions and a chance to score a prize before finishing the day with lunch.
For Red Tag members, it was a wonderful opportunity to share expertise and pass on the joy and benefits of fly fishing. Participants came away with big smiles, flies they had tied themselves and a truly unique celebration of IDAHOBIT – perhaps a world first?! We're looking forward to building on the success of this event and to delivering future events that celebrate diversity and inclusion. If you’re keen to join us, please get in touch, we can’t wait to get you hooked!
Have a look at the feedback from participants and Red Tag members, it will make your day!
Participant Feedback
“Just a big thank you. I never got to fish with my dad, and it felt for a day I had 30 dads.”
“I hope you do more events like this, it was a unique experience for me, and I would recommend it to other people in my community.”
“Leaving the day I realised I’d received the most positive affirmation and genuine encouragement I’ve ever received in one day. I enjoyed how I felt truly included by the passionate volunteers who just wanted to share their skills and knowledge and have a good time together. As a trans person it was incredibly important for me to connect with people outside of my community, who out in the world I would ordinarily be wary or hesitant of due to the animosity toward our community. I’m also obsessed now with finding things to make into flys.”
“I thought it was a great initiative and the culture in the club was really progressive and welcoming.”
“We enjoyed our time so much. We felt safe, included and welcomed. I think I might have found my new summertime hobby! Thank you for providing such a fun event.”
“I came to understand the importance of grasping the basics and that fly fishing isn’t all about catching fish.”
“It was a very sweet and kind event to attend. I don’t think I’ve gone to an event quite like it.”
“I had a wonderful time at the IDAHOBIT event. I felt very welcome and was touched at just how many volunteers greeted us with warmth and kindness. I didn't know what to expect but was so pleasantly surprised by such a welcoming environment. It was clear to see just how much it meant to everybody involved and I would like to thank everyone very much for all your hard work organising the event.”
“There were a couple occasions of misgendering and gendered language - however, this did not make us feel unsafe at any point. It was great to see the members learning.”
“The biggest highlight for me was seeing healthy masculinity on display in the form of men showing a range of emotions and sharing their experiences and stories.”
“I thought it was a great initiative and the culture in the club was really progressive and welcoming which has put me off from reaching out in the past.”
“Everyone I spoke to was really enthusiastic about the day and loved talking about flying fishing to me as a novice.”
“Often, we see clubs/organisations put a rainbow sticker on the window or website and it is not enough. It’s great to see this club making a conscious effort to learn how to be inclusive and to invite us to see/enjoy the progress you’ve made. Keep up the good work!”
Red Tag Member Feedback
“It was a lovely thing to be part of with many good aspects we can share with other groups who would like to follow this excellent lead.”
“It was such a good event! Made me proud to be part of Red Tag. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who contributed.”
“I felt so proud to be able to help today at this great event, it was an awesome day with credit due in particular to Jackie and Stuart. I got some wonderful glowing feedback from some of the participants, thanks mostly to the work of everyone who helped out on the day. 11 years I have proudly been at this club, and this was by far the best event I can remember. Well done everyone!”
“A great day. Thanks to all those who put in so much hard work. It was a memorable day for me.”
“It is no small thing for a fishing club to be brave and welcoming in such a visible way and I can echo the thoughts of the many people I spoke to that it is something that we should all be proud of. Feedback has been amazing with the attendees that could make it, and we absolutely showed the best of ourselves and what we represent.”
On Saturday 17 May, Red Tag Fly Fishers proudly welcomed members of the LGBTIQA+ community to celebrate IDAHOBIT during a come and try day at the Club. We had a great turnout despite the grey skies with about 25 people attending and more than 20 Red Tag volunteers on hand to assist. Participants were welcomed by club allies and put through their paces with hands-on practice in casting, fly tying and an informative discussion about all aspects of the sport. Next it was time to put their new skills to the test with some fun competitions and a chance to score a prize before finishing the day with lunch.
For Red Tag members, it was a wonderful opportunity to share expertise and pass on the joy and benefits of fly fishing. Participants came away with big smiles, flies they had tied themselves and a truly unique celebration of IDAHOBIT – perhaps a world first?! We're looking forward to building on the success of this event and to delivering future events that celebrate diversity and inclusion. If you’re keen to join us, please get in touch, we can’t wait to get you hooked!
Have a look at the feedback from participants and Red Tag members, it will make your day!
Participant Feedback
“Just a big thank you. I never got to fish with my dad, and it felt for a day I had 30 dads.”
“I hope you do more events like this, it was a unique experience for me, and I would recommend it to other people in my community.”
“Leaving the day I realised I’d received the most positive affirmation and genuine encouragement I’ve ever received in one day. I enjoyed how I felt truly included by the passionate volunteers who just wanted to share their skills and knowledge and have a good time together. As a trans person it was incredibly important for me to connect with people outside of my community, who out in the world I would ordinarily be wary or hesitant of due to the animosity toward our community. I’m also obsessed now with finding things to make into flys.”
“I thought it was a great initiative and the culture in the club was really progressive and welcoming.”
“We enjoyed our time so much. We felt safe, included and welcomed. I think I might have found my new summertime hobby! Thank you for providing such a fun event.”
“I came to understand the importance of grasping the basics and that fly fishing isn’t all about catching fish.”
“It was a very sweet and kind event to attend. I don’t think I’ve gone to an event quite like it.”
“I had a wonderful time at the IDAHOBIT event. I felt very welcome and was touched at just how many volunteers greeted us with warmth and kindness. I didn't know what to expect but was so pleasantly surprised by such a welcoming environment. It was clear to see just how much it meant to everybody involved and I would like to thank everyone very much for all your hard work organising the event.”
“There were a couple occasions of misgendering and gendered language - however, this did not make us feel unsafe at any point. It was great to see the members learning.”
“The biggest highlight for me was seeing healthy masculinity on display in the form of men showing a range of emotions and sharing their experiences and stories.”
“I thought it was a great initiative and the culture in the club was really progressive and welcoming which has put me off from reaching out in the past.”
“Everyone I spoke to was really enthusiastic about the day and loved talking about flying fishing to me as a novice.”
“Often, we see clubs/organisations put a rainbow sticker on the window or website and it is not enough. It’s great to see this club making a conscious effort to learn how to be inclusive and to invite us to see/enjoy the progress you’ve made. Keep up the good work!”
Red Tag Member Feedback
“It was a lovely thing to be part of with many good aspects we can share with other groups who would like to follow this excellent lead.”
“It was such a good event! Made me proud to be part of Red Tag. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who contributed.”
“I felt so proud to be able to help today at this great event, it was an awesome day with credit due in particular to Jackie and Stuart. I got some wonderful glowing feedback from some of the participants, thanks mostly to the work of everyone who helped out on the day. 11 years I have proudly been at this club, and this was by far the best event I can remember. Well done everyone!”
“A great day. Thanks to all those who put in so much hard work. It was a memorable day for me.”
“It is no small thing for a fishing club to be brave and welcoming in such a visible way and I can echo the thoughts of the many people I spoke to that it is something that we should all be proud of. Feedback has been amazing with the attendees that could make it, and we absolutely showed the best of ourselves and what we represent.”
Some images from the day ...
IDAHOBIT Event Access and Parking Locations
The Red Tag Clubrooms are located next to the netball courts on Yarra Bend Road. Parking is available along Fairlea Road, Yarra Bend Road and in the parking area that sits parallel to the Eastern Freeway (accessible via Yarra Bend Road). Disabled parking is available immediately outside the Clubrooms which can accessed via Fairlea Road.
