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Fly Fishing in the Tamar Estuary

Fly fishing in the Tamar Estuary presents a wide variety of species for the angler prepared to explore and experiment. Each of these different species requires a different technique, a different location and, importantly, a different state of the tide for best results. Some species are only resident during certain times of the year. The most sought-after species is without doubt cocky salmon. Salmon usually appear in the Tamar about October and stay until late May or early June. However, this year, reasonable numbers were still coming to the net in mid August in the Kelso/George Town area.

: Category: Tamar River; Published: 03 November 2009; Hits: 8099

Tamar River

Mullet on Fly - It's a Start

The Derwent Estuary on Hobart's doorstep has many opportunities for the keen fly enthusiast.
To begin fly fishing, the Derwent is perfect and there always being a sheltered bay or corner that can potentially produce some top quality sport fish. Common catches are made up of small Australian salmon; barracouta; bream; flathead; cod and, of course, the humble mullet.
I found the Derwent to be a perfect playground with the calm, tranquil and most importantly close waters often being a better option than the lakes. The Derwent contains very large numbers of yellow eye mullet all year round with reliable catches.

: Category: Fly Fishing; Published: 03 November 2009; Hits: 9206

Fly Fishing

West Coast sea trout

by Greg French

Sea trout are simply brown trout which spend time in the ocean. In spring they follow huge schools of whitebait into the estuaries and lower freshwater reaches of most of the state's rivers and creeks. Some of the best action is conveniently close to Tasmania's major population centres. Hobart has the mighty Derwent as well as the southern rivers (including the Huon, Lune and Esperance). Launceston anglers have the Tamar, North Esk and Great Forester. While on the north west coast there are a number of superb fisheries, including the Mersey, Leven, Forth, Black, Detention, Inglis and Duck.

: Category: Trout Fishing; Published: 03 November 2009; Hits: 11640

Trout Fishing

Squid

Squid are members of the cephalopod family (tentacled heads). Other famous members include octopus and cuttlefish. There are two types of squid that are of interest to keen Tasmanian anglers. These are Gould's squid (also known as arrow squid) and the southern calamari. Both squid live in deep water but the calamari is more likely to be found closer to the shore than the arrow squid.

: Category: Saltwater and Estuary Fishing; Published: 03 November 2009; Hits: 35383

Yak Fishing Kit - What to stow when you go

John Pollard
In April-May (Issue 79) we covered what to wear on your body while on your Yak, this issue we will look at what else you may need or want out on the water with you. As previously mentioned we have very changeable and sometimes diabolical weather conditions, so what you take out with you on your yak takes some planning, consideration of your yak's storage capacity and good common sense.

: Category: Kayak Fishing; Published: 22 October 2009; Hits: 9128

Kayak

North East Tasmania Trouting

Jamie Henderson
The North East Coast of Tasmania is undoubtedly home to some of the states best saltwater fishing; world class game fishing, amazing estuary sports fishing and some of the best bream fishing in the country. When we talk about quality trout fishing our minds and hearts always wander to magical western lake-tailing trout, dun hatches on Little Pine and big sea run trout on the west coast. However for East Coast trout anglers there are a number of fresh water gems closer to home that offer quality trout fishing to those willing to do a little leg work and poking about. The region has it all to offer from magical stream fishing to trophy trout waters and all within 90 minutes drive from the East Coast town of St Helens.

: Category: Trout Fishing; Published: 22 October 2009; Hits: 17463

Trout Fishing

Fish of a lifetime Huge southern bluefin tuna

Geoff Madden's day off with his sons was heaven sent.
Fishing for me has always been a part of my life. Growing up living on the banks of the Derwent River, and having a family holiday home on the East Coast, gave plenty of opportunities from an early age to throw in a line. I'd lived in a family where any sort of fishing-fresh or salt water-was the norm, and somehow, I'd passed on this passion to my sons as well. We'd always welcome the chance to get out on the water- even if it meant taking a day off work if the conditions suited and the opportunity presented itself.

: Category: Tuna Fishing and other Game Fishing; Published: 22 October 2009; Hits: 5859

Tuna Fishing and other Game Fishing

Derwent River - the lower reaches

By Marty Wells
The Derwent River has been my fishing playground for many years. I started off targeting flathead in the Sandy Bay area but soon had my eyes opened to the fantastic range of species and fishing scenarios the Derwent offers. I have detailed below a few of the successful locations and tactics that I've explored during my Derwent years.

: Category: Derwent River; Published: 22 October 2009; Hits: 18365

Derwent River

Lake Barrington

Craig Rist
Approximately 16 kilometres long and rarely more than half a kilometre wide, Lake Barrington is a deep clear lake with mostly steep tree lined shores. The Hydro Electric Commission built three dams on the Forth River to form Lake Cethana, Lake Barrington and Paloona Dam. Lake Barrington is best known for its international rowing course and is a popular water skiing destination during summer. Over recent years the Inland Fisheries have transformed this lake into a viable fishing destination with it's extensive stocking program. The lake has a healthy population of rainbow and brown trout. Small rainbows up to 0.5 of a kilo can be very active, dominating the catch at times. The browns on the other hand can be a bit more elusive, but generally larger in size, some reaching well above double figures. Over the last five years, large ex-brood stock Atlantic salmon have been introduced into the Lake, some up to 30 pounds, testing the nerves of even the most seasoned anglers. The lake is one of the few in our State that is open to all forms of freshwater fishing throughout the year. A five fish per angler bag limit applies to Atlantic salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout with a minimum size of 300mm.

: Category: Lake Barrington; Published: 22 October 2009; Hits: 18143

Lake Barrington

Great Lake Early Season Fly Fishing

Craig Rist
By the time July and August comes around, the browns in Great Lake are back in feeding mode, after spending the last couple of months spawning. Stick caddis, the Great Lake Shrimp and native galaxia and paragalaxias are highly sort after by these fish at this time. The galaxia and paragalaxias are small native fish that inhabit Great Lake. The majority of these inhabit the shallower margins of the lake; making shore based wet fly fishing a productive option. The colourations of these small native fish range from golden brown through to dark grey or black and are generally around 40 to 50 mm in length. Many trout, early in the season, find it hard to refuse a well-presented fly that even remotely resembles one of these fish.