Today Rohan takes us out onto the river, catching trout and yabbies and taking some time to think about where our meals are really coming from. Be sure to visit Rohan’s blog, Whole Larder Love – it is a wealth of inspiration and information with many more of his amazing photos too. – Jenny x

I was raised on river frontage as a kid, a life altering experience in many ways. It’s not like I was some kind of Tom Sawyer or anything, but I did develop a strong affection for the wet stuff, still or flowing, all sweet. In Victoria we have plenty of rivers and lakes, unfortunately many of the rivers are in poor health due to agriculture, industry or over use. I went fishing on a local lake recently and was blown away by the mess left behind by anglers. I literally scratch my head in disbelief and no, I don’t have nits. Hello guys, it’s simple to follow some basic principles- take only what you need, leave the place clean and follow the government laws, laws that are in place to manage the resource for future generations. Now that’s not too hard right?

My childhood river wasn’t wide, extremely deep or magnificent in any way, it was a modest stream and beautiful in her own unique way. It was plenty large enough to house wild trout, eels, muscles and the coveted fresh water crayfish. My older brother and I would often hit the river early in the morning or late in the afternoon. When it was in season we’d catch a few big crayfish and set up a camp fire and boil them in a billy until they were glowing a fire red. That amazing taste of the river still resonates strong in my mind.

As the years rolled on I still went fishing, honing the techniques of various forms of fishing and eventually ending up favouring the fly rod. These days I’ll get out on a local lake with my Dad, or fish the rocky gorges of my secret river; madly waving my fly rod in the air in the hope of bagging something fresh and wonderful to cook. When I get really inclined I’ll pack up the Jeep and head west for some estuary river fishing. There are so many options; it’s a great way to get fresh natural raised fish. Not only for the meat but the experience of being out amongst it, on the water, the water that gives us so much life, such an integral part of our food system. Much respect to our rivers.

Living in the country has the added benefit of local knowledge. We have friends with large dams stocked with Trout and wild Redfin (English Perch) and Yabbies by the bucket load. We’ll spend a few days diligently re-setting the opera house nets with bait and collecting the catch for a cook up on the weekend. Yabbying is a southern Australian tradition, that goes back even before the Ugg boot was invented. In America they call them crawfish, either way they make a great social meal, with everyone picking from large plate of cooked red yabbies on the table, peeling feverishly and dipping in the garlic butter sauce before it’s gone for good.

And then there’s the trout. It’s a challenge trying to fool them with a man made fly at the end of a fly line, impersonating some macro-invertebrate, in the hope that some hungry trout will strike allowing us to eat the fruits of the river. I think if you’re going to eat meat then you’ve got to work for it, get out in it and acquire it yourself. If we all followed that rule then I think most people would give up eating meat and they’d probably be more vegetarians, and we’d have a healthier environment!

- Rohan

Another tasty day with Ballarat hunter gatherer, Rohan Anderson! Today Rohan is showing us how to grow veggies at home with even the smallest space, especially with great ideas like wall-mounted planters! – Jenny x

My mum had this dream to live in the country and grow fresh food for her family – she achieved said dream back in the 80’s. We lived on a small farm, with a large veg patch, a modest orchard, a plethora of happy chooks and a bunch of cattle that we raised – some for us and some for market. It was the good life, minus Margo and Jerry living next door.

Times were good, and it’s been in my blood ever since. Even in rentals I’d plant a little summer crop, often at the bemusement of my friends.  At the time probably not a very normal thing for a bloke, but I admit I have a soft spot for raising something from seed and harvesting the fruits of my labour, or should I say, veg of my labour.

A lot of people I speak to say they’d love to have a veg patch, and knowing their backyard situation I always stir them up and ask why they don’t actually have one!  It’s not hard folks! It’s easier than you might think – start with baby steps, and keep it small and simple. For your first season just buy a punnet of strawberries and a few tomato plants. Look after them well during summer and I guarantee you’ll be hooked after tasting your home raised real fruit.

I’m not a big fan of rules, but I do like sensible advice.  And the best advice I think is to restrict what you plant to veg you know you’re actually going to eat.  So many times I’ve fallen into the trap of planting something ‘exotic’ and never eating it, it’s a waste of resources. Most family cooking requires a good quantity of the basics; onions, garlic, lettuce, tomato, potato, carrots etc…

So when you’re ready I suggest you grow these first, then move onto plants that are a bit different but will surely become a regular each season, like kale, purple sprouting broccoli, reddy spinach, borlotti beans and whatever you find tasty. Just refrain from growing veg that you won’t get a kick out of.

Like most things, follow the instructions on the pack, have fun, preservere and you’ll be able to provide some (not all) of the fresh food for your family, whilst making a little dint into your carbon footprint by not relying on produce that has traveled plenty of road miles to reach you.

Now that I’m a Dad I get extra special joy in the garden with the girls. I love summer gardening, when they come out and eat cherry tomatoes and strawberries straight from the plant.  I get so much of a kick seeing the kids learn about where their food comes from, I’ve ended up a volunteer teacher/gardener at the primary school, teaching kids how to grow and look after their own patch. They have a ball; I just wish I could get the message out to more adults!

If you’re really keen, then now is the time to start raising your seedlings for spring planting. But if that’s a bit intimidating, then go to you local independent nursery and buy up on seedlings. And ask those dudes for advice, they really know their stuff.

This month I’m planting onion, basil, lettuce, carrots, leeks, beetroot, eggplant, spuds and even a few early tomatoes. We only have a 9m x 9m backyard, which supplies our family well. What’s your excuse?!

- Rohan