Leeann Payne

Leeann Payne is one of Australia's foremost women anglers, regularly submitting articles to national and international magazines as well as making regular appearances at boat and fishing expos.

Leeann has been employed full time in the marine and tackle industries for over five years in the capacity of writer, photographer, sales representative and consultant to rod and clothing companies. She is proficient in the use of baitcasters, threadlines, side cast reels and fly fishing outfits and has a good knowledge of estuary, beach, freshwater and offshore fishing.

Her great passion lays with flyfishing though and she regularly travels throughout Australia in the quest of targeting as many species as possible on the fly rod. Leeann has made many noteable captures on fly tackle and has landed Longtail Tuna over the 14.5kg mark on 8kg tippet as well as Black Marlin and Sailfish. She regularly conducts fly fishing lessons for beginners in her home town of Brisbane.

Although she has a preference for saltwater fishing, Leeann also loves walking the rocky, gorge country of the New England area to chase Murray Cod. Australian Bass are another target in which she regularly catches. Leeann has been submitting articles to Australian magazines since early 1994. This magazine exposure has led her to participate in seminars and product demonstrations at boat and fishing shows, tackle and marine outlets as well as at fishing club meetings.

She has made guest appearances in many fishing videos and has been a presenter for a national television-fishing programme. She has produced her own fishing video "How to Hook a Beauty" which features the fishing skills of five other lady anglers. She readily admits that the fishing game is, and always will be a male dominated sport but delights in seeing females out on the water wetting a line and enjoying themselves.

Leeann's Site Articles:

Townsville Barra
Women and Fishing
Queensland’s Hervey Bay
The Gold Coast