CHARLES OSWALD HOLMES

1890–1963

Holmes was a continuous member of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Commission from its inception in 1925 until it was replaced by the Inland Fisheries Commission (IFC) in 1959. He became Chairman of the SFFC in 1957 and was chairman when the IFC was formed. Mr Holmes was the first Associate Commissioner for the Northern Tasmanian Fisheries Association (NTFA), a position he held until shortly before his death in 1963. He was President of the NTFA for 12 years and inspired Association members to assist him in creating the Corra Linn Fish Farm which unfortunately had to be abandoned due to river flow reductions caused by the Esk Water Scheme for Launceston. The work done by Holmes resulted in the farm being named as the ‘The C.O. Holmes Fish Culture Park’ in his honour. He was without doubt the ‘father’ of trout fishing in the north of the State and was an inspiration to all anglers who came in contact with him.