When you’ve spent half a century knocking around with someone, the stories tend to pile up—tall yarns, belly laughs, and the sort of memories that quietly become part of who you are. For John Paul Young, one of those mates was Butch: fisherman, storyteller, and all‑round good bloke.
Before we dip into some of Butch’s best all‑round fishing advice, it’s worth knowing a bit about the man behind the rod.
From Ukraine to Maitland — The Early Days
Butch’s family came to Australia from Ukraine after the Second World War, eventually settling in Maitland—just in time for the devastating floods. After that misadventure, the family moved to Sydney and opened a little shop in the back streets of Paddington.
Fishing wasn’t the only talent in the family, Butch’s father was an Olympian, playing ice hockey at the highest level. His mum was a crossword wizard, sharp as a tack.
By the mid‑70s, John and Butch had met, hit it off, and formed a mateship that lasted more than 50 years. Together they caught everything from jewfish to marlin, shared a boat, and shared a lifetime.
A Mate Lost Too Soon
Just over two years ago, while up in Cape York, Butch headed out for what he loved most—another crack at the fish. After a few fishless days, he ventured deeper into the forests near the Olive River in a small Polaris buggy.
He never returned.
Despite extensive searching, the exact circumstances will never be known. Whether he became disoriented, suffered a diabetic episode, encountered wildlife, or simply lost his way, Butch left us doing what he loved: heading out for one more cast.
For John and everyone who knew him, the loss is profound. But so too is the legacy—of friendship, laughter, and a lifetime of fishing wisdom.
And so, in Butch’s own words, here are some of his best tips for putting together an all‑round fishing kit that’ll see you right anywhere around Australia.
Butch’s All‑Round Aussie Fishing Outfit
According to Butch, one sensible, versatile kit can take you just about anywhere in this big country—rivers, estuaries, lakes, bays, boats, banks, and kayaks.
Here’s his setup:
- The Rod: 7‑Foot, Two‑Piece, 2–4 kg
Today’s two‑piece graphite rods are every bit as good as the old one‑piece jobs and much easier to stash in the car.
A 7‑footer will handle:
✔ Casting
✔ Bait or lures
✔ Bank, boat, or kayak fishing
Keep it simple, keep it versatile.
- The Reel: 2500‑Size Spinning Reel (Eggbeater)
Nearly every manufacturer uses these standard sizes. A 2500‑size reel is the sweet spot for general purpose fishing.
Modern eggbeaters are miles ahead of the old models—sealed bearings, smooth drags, and built to handle saltwater punishment.
- The Line: 10 lb Braid + 12 lb Mono Leader
Braid is king for sensitivity and casting distance. It also has no memory—no more coils springing off like a corkscrew.
Add a 1‑metre mono or fluorocarbon leader for stealth.
- Lures to Pack
Butch’s recommendations will cover a dozen species around the country:
- Soft Plastics (3–4 inch). Available pre‑rigged, or buy tails + jig heads separately for flexibility. Perfect for flathead, bream, tailor, and more.
- Metal Blades: A surprising favourite of Butch’s—these little vibrating lures sink to the bottom and shimmy on the lift. Deadly on:
-
- Flathead
- Whiting
- Bream
- Flounder
- Even jewfish
- Chrome Slices (“Chromies”): Old-school, simple, and still effective for tailor, salmon and other speedsters.
- Soft Vibration Lures (e.g., Vibelicious‑style): They catch plenty, but Butch notes blades tend to last longer and get fewer tails bitten off by choppers.
- Surface Lures (When the Season’s Right): Cicada‑style and paddler lures are spectacular for bass—but only when the cicadas are actually around. Mother Nature sets the timetable, and Butch always said: “If you can hear cicadas, that’s the time to go bass fishing.”
Always Keep a Rod in the Car
Butch reckoned you should never drive anywhere without a rod in the boot. You just never know when you’ll spot birds working, bait moving, a nice little bank, or a likely estuary corner.
According to him, some of his best catches were from quick, spur‑of‑the‑moment casts.
A Legacy Cast Forward
While Butch may no longer be with us, his stories, his enthusiasm, and his deep love of fishing live on in every yarn told and every line cast in his honour.
Mates like him don’t come along often—and they never really leave us.
Here’s to Butch.
And here’s to the next generation of Aussie anglers travelling the country with a 7‑foot rod in the back seat—just like he would.