Fly fishing is an angling method that was first referenced to the Roman Claudius Aelianus around 200 A.D.

Fly fishing is renowned as the best fishing method for catching trout and salmon however it is also used to catch a wide variety of fish species including pike, bass and carp.

Fish are caught by using artificial flies that are cast with a fly rod and a fly line.  Using a heavier plastic fly line the fly is cast to the target fish.  The main difference with fly fishing and bait fishing is that the weight of the line carries the hook through the air rather than the weight of the lure which is used in bait fishing.

A special casting technique is used and it can take some time to perfect the art form of fly fishing.  With the help of our guide Mark, some of our recent guests to Blue Mountains Private Safaris, Dagur and Heba perfected it pretty quickly and reeled in a carp in no time at all!

A curious whale shark was spotted last week only 40 metres beyond the edge of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, heralding the arrival of its brethren behemoths.  The whale shark was estimated at 3.5 metres.

In addition to the sharks' arrival, Qantas have also announced the launch of their new Perth-Exmouth service.  The new Qantas service operates on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with the first scheduled flight departing on Wednesday March 30th. 

An exhibition capturing Arkaba Station on canvas opened last night at the King Street gallery. A series of paintings by renowned artists Leo Robba, Wendy Sharpe and Joanna Logue are on display. 

In September 2010 these artists spent 5 days at Arkaba Station capturing the outstanding landscape of Arkaba - one of Australia's most beautiful outback properties. 

The exhibition will run until 5th March 2011 at the King Street Gallery on William, 177 William Street, Darlinghurst. 

On 7th May 2011, renowned landscape artist, Leo Robba, will host a luxury retreat on Arkaba Station for painters of all persuasions and partners.  

March heralds the arrival of the annual whale shark migration off Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef.

Qantas have also announced the launch of their new service between Perth and Exmouth bringing an injection of new blood to the route (in addition to the daily Skywest service) and some great new airfares to work with.

The new Qantas service operates Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with their first scheduled flight departing on Wednesday 30th March 2011.

Qantas flights and connections available from:

• Ex Perth from $199 one way
• Ex Adelaide from $299 one way
• Ex Melbourne from $339 one way
• Ex Sydney from $349 one way

Snorkelling alongside a whale shark - and getting a close-up perspective of their massive, 1.5 metre diametre mouths - is one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences. The plankton feeding sharks are harmless to humans - and have even been known to 'play' with divers.

Sal Salis offers three and four night whale shark packages between March 31 and July 16, costing from $3,100 and $3,700 per person, twin-share respectively. This includes accommodation and meals and beverages at Sal Salis; guided activities including snorkelling, kayaking and gorge walks from camp, and a whale shark tour exclusive to Sal Salis guests.

This month Australian Gourmet Traveller are offering you the chance to win a Wild Bush Luxury Escape for two people!

The winners getaway package includes: 

• 3 nights' accommodation in a safari bungalow at Bamurru Plains inclusive of all meals, beverages and scheduled activities and return flights on our scheduled air service between Darwin and Bamurru Plains 
• 3 nights' accommodation in a guestroom at Arkaba Station inclusive of meals, beverages and scheduled activities
• Flights from the winner's nearest capital city to Darwin, Darwin to Adelaide, and from Adelaide to the winner's nearest capitial city 
• Four days' car rental from Adelaide 

All you need to do is pick up a copy of the February issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller, complete and post off your subscription form to go into the draw!

An annual subscription costs $74.95

Tony Maniaty of Australian Gourmet Traveller experiences our outback beauty - Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges.