Fishing fan finds a way of enjoying his hobby

Scott Stidston’s earliest and fondest memories are fishing at one of the many creeks within the Burdekin region with his grandfather.So when he sustained a spinal cord injury in a motorbike accident in 1986, Scott spent many years away from the water, resigned to the fact he may never fish again.

“I’d been fishing my whole life and before my accident, I had two tinnies and was out most weekends and holidays fishing with mates,” Scott said.

“I love the smell of the salt water and the feel of being on a boat out on the water, catching fish and mud crabs.

“I could never live inland; I need to be close to the water.”

But for more than 10 years following his accident, Scott could not go near the water because his old boats were inaccessible for someone with high-level quadriplegia who uses a wheelchair.

“Then I saw a Pontoon boat that a company in Townsville was using for tours,” Scott said.

“I went out for my first boat trip in years; it was a fantastic feeling because fishing was honestly something I never thought I would be able to do again.”

Scott and his wife Lisa then purchased a Pontoon boat of their own and modified it so a ramp was fitted to slide under the deck of the boat, making it accessible for Scott’s wheelchair.

Finding a fishing reel that Scott could use was the next challenge for the keen fisherman. Because of his limited hand function, Scott cannot use a traditional rod that needs to be reeled in.

“I imported a battery-operated reel from the USA. My mate who I go fishing with still has to bait it for me and throw it out, but I can still catch the fish, no worries,” Scott said.

“I still get out on the boat at my favourite fishing spot on Groper Creek in the Burdekin fairly regularly.”

“Fishing’s something that was an important part of my life prior to my accident and I’m glad I persevered and found a way of still being able to do it following my injury.

“Using a wheelchair shouldn’t mean you have to give up your hobbies and lifestyle. There are almost always alternative ways of doing things.”

Scott inspires other North Queensland residents with a spinal cord injury through his involvement with the Spinal Injuries Association.

As the Member Network facilitator for the Ayr and Burdekin region, he is the point of contact for all members of the Association in those regions and provides them with information regarding accessibility and lifestyle issues.

Scott is also a Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) presenter with the Association, which involves travelling to schools throughout the region to share his experience, with the aim of inspiring children to practice safe behavior.

Scott is in the perfect location to enjoy regular fishing. The Burdekin is known for its fishing and crabbing and is considered a hotspot for catching barramundi, as well as mangrove jack and trevally.

“A big barramundi is the one fish I’m still determined to catch, but it’s proven elusive so far,” Scott said.

“I’ll just have to keep fishing until I catch one.”

For more information on the Spinal Injuries Association or SEAT, please visit www.spinal.com.au.

Issued 1 May.