Recreational fishing is honoured with its own series of stamps.

The stamp designs comprise two major elements: a popular recreational fish, and a scene showing the environment for the angler.

Five of the nation's most sought after recreational fish - the snapper, barramundi, Murray cod, brown trout and yellowfin tuna have been given their own stamp in the Fishing Australia series.

Sharp eyed readers will notice that these stamps are larger than Post's standard special and commemorative stamps.

This size stamp was first used by Post for East Timor's stamps (released May 2002).

At 40.28 x 30 mm these stamps provide about 23 percent more area.

Opposite: First Day Cover

Each stamp has two main elements: a popular recreational fish and an illustration of an
angler in a spot where that fish can be found.

As well as stamps and a first day cover this issue includes a set of five maximum cards and a decorative gutter. Four lures (for barramundi, snapper, tuna, and Murray cod) and a fly (for trout) are printed in the gutter.

PRICE RANGE:

$2.80 for the First Day Cover

$5.00 for the gutter strip

$2.95 for the Stamp Pack

Opposite: Gutter strip (ten x 50c) decorative gutter

For further details and how to purchase your own collection simply go to The Australia Post Website

Technical details
Issue date 11 February 2003
Denominations Five x 50c
Designer Ego Guiotto, New South Wales
Stamp size 40.28 x 30 mm
Perforations 14.4 x 14.0
Printer SNP Sprint (formerly SNP Ausprint)
Paper Tullis Russell
Printing process Lithography
Sheet layout Sheets of 50, two panes of 25
National postmark Fish Creek VIC 3959

Issue : 11 Feb 2003
Withdrawal : 29 Feb 2004