1 Name and birthplace?
Kris Sweres, born Sydney, NSW.
2 When did you first start fishing?
I can hardly remember yesterday these days but I’m told that I had a rod chucked in my hand about 3 years of age, pinning yakkas and chopper tailor down at Mosman Wharf.
3 When did you start writing for Fisho?
I had my first article published with Fishing World Magazine in December 2005. It was an
article on Lenthalls Dam and its wonderful bass and (occasional) barra fishing. It was a
proud moment and a dream of mine to write for Fisho ever since I was a boy!
Watch out for crocs – Kris with a lure caught mega flattie.
4 What’s your favourite form of fishing?
I love all types of fishing. If I had to narrow it down to a few styles they’d probably be
centred around lure fishing and light line estuary spinning, all things freshwater, snapper, squid and jew spinning … too hard to narrow it down! Fishing to me is one of the best addictions anyone can have!
5 What do you enjoy about writing for a fishing magazine?
Obviously it’s a great thrill to see your words and pics in print but what I really love is sharing techniques that have/are working for me with like minded anglers. One of the great things about fishing is that it’s never a guarantee. I love finding out new methods of catching fish and love sharing that information as well.
6 Who do you most admire in the fishing media and why?
I think “fishing media” is a pretty general term these days. There are so many anglers both young and old(er) that I admire and for totally different reasons. Some are lovers of the spotlight, some aren’t. I always enjoy seeing fishos that seem to share my same level of “sickness”. Things like rolling out of bed at 3am despite it having rained for 2 days straight just in the hope that it will clear up and the fish will be on type thing!! Or never leaving a tackle store empty handed…
Steve Starling, Ian Miller, Rod Harrison, Ron Calcutt, Dean Butler, Bushy to name a few.
7 What do you reckon is the best or most satisfying article you’ve written for Fisho?
Hard to say but I really enjoy the destination style articles particularly one I did a while back on Brunswick Heads. This place is just heaven on earth to me; relatively unchanged for 20 years, no netters, fish and scenery everywhere. I suppose writing it just brought many great memories flooding back! Boat reviews and the short recipe column I did for a while were also a great deal of fun!
Reddie on plastic.
8 What camera gear do you use?
I have used a Canon 7D for many years now with a fairly wide range of lenses. This
particular camera has been superb for me and I would highly recommend it. Very fast, built well and trouble free (touch wood). I mostly use my 17-40mm L wide angle for most pics but my 100mm L Macro is a close second. Great fun shooting eyeballs and scales up close! I would really love to purchase a cheaper waterproof camera soon as I love the new wave of underwater action shots getting around these days.
9 What advice can you give anyone wanting to get into the fishing media?
Have a chat to the various editors of magazines and see what they need/and are looking for. These guys do this stuff for a living and will give you the best advice. Being “normal” and a little bit humble is a nice start too I would suggest. I get a bit funny about the seemingly hundreds of people these days that think a Facebook page is enough to get you sponsored with boats/cars/free tackle etc etc.
Take heaps of pics and get good at them. Read other articles by guys that are awesome at it (Starlo, Greeny) and have something to offer. At the end of the day it’s just fishing and should be about sharing ideas and having fun!
You don’t have to catch big fish to have fun!
10 What’s your favourite fishing destination?
So many: Pittwater, Noosa Everglades, Mallacoota, Melbourne Docklands, Moreton Bay,
Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, Shoalhaven, Brunswick Heads, Tweed, Hervey Bay,
Goldy – the list is endless!
Smile for the camera – alligator gars are cool looking fish!
