Sea-run trout fishing this year got off to a cracking start in most areas, with the majority of anglers employing nearly every trout fishing technique to secure fish in local estuaries statewide.
Even those anglers fishing the "off-season" lower down in our estuaries for sea-trout commented on the number of fish moving in early August.
Please check all relevant authorities before fishing - www.ifs.tas.gov.au and dpipwe.tas.gov.au . Don't forget issuu.com/stevenspublishing for years of back issues !
The Tyenna Willow Warriors are working with the Derwent Catchment Project and the Inland Fisheries Service Anglers Access Program to remove willows from the Tyenna River and revegetate with native plants. This work is supported by the Fisheries Habitat Improvement Fund. At the next Willow Warriors working bee we will be doing follow up willow control and checking previously revegetated areas at the Westerway Raspberry Farm. We will also have a chance to learn more about water bugs, with a short identification session with Trish Clements and John Gooderham.
Trish and John will follow this with a full Waterbug Blitz on the Lachlan River a few weeks later, where participants can learn how to sample and identify water bugs. Waterbugs are small invertebrates that live in freshwater. These can include the water-based stages of many insects like dragonflies, damselflies, mayflies and caddisflies. Each type of waterbug has a certain sensitivity to pollution or water quality changes in their waterway. So the type and number of bugs found in a waterway can tell you how healthy it is. Understanding which water bugs are present in a river can also help you choose the best fly to catch fish.
Read more: Willow Warriors working bee and Waterbug Blitz with the Derwent Catchment Project 2019
Friday, 1 November
North Coast squid closure area re-opens.
Friday, 1 November
Striped trumpeter re-opens for recreational and commercial fishing
Saturday, 2 November
Waters outside the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone open for recreational rock lobster fishing.
Friday, 15 November
East Coast squid closure area including Great Oyster Bay and Mercury Passage re-opens.
Saturday, 7 December
The East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone opens for recreational rock lobster fishing.
Recreational Sea Fishing Guide
Do you have the tools you need to fish within the rules? Supplies of the 2019-20 Recreational Sea Fishing Guide, plastic tackle box rulers and boat sticker rulers are available from Service Tasmania and tackle shops.
Abalone gauges and a new rock lobster multi-gauge which includes the North West Zone 120mm female size limit will be available in Service Tasmania shops soon. Some tackle shops will also have supplies.
Abalone: Regional bag and boat limits and new specifications for tools to measure and take abalone apply from 1 November. Check the rules before you go fishing.
https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/abalone
Rock Lobster: The size limit for female rock lobster in the North West Zone has increased to 120mm (see map). Fishers cannot possess female lobster smaller than 120mm inside this zone or when transiting from outside the zone to inside it.
https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/rock-lobster-and-crab
Recreational sea fishing licences for abalone, rock lobster, scallops, nets and set lines are now available online and at Service Tasmania.
The recreational rock lobster season opens this Saturday 2 November in all waters except the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone so don't get caught out without a licence.
Recreational Fishing Awards, which will be presented at the Gala Dinner of the National Recreational Fishing Conference, being held in Hobart in December.
Nominations close in three weeks.
After checking out the rivers levels on the BOM site I noticed the Mersey River had dropped to a lower level that made it ideal for wading in the area I like to cross over and fish. When I arrived to where I cross the river I noticed that the river bottom wasn't looking all that good, I'd have to make sure to take it slow & steady as I crossed over. The water was nice a clear, but the rocky river bottom was covered in a brown slimy algae and heavily silted.
Tuesday, 15 October
Squid closure starts in upper south East Coast waters including Great Oyster Bay and Mercury Passage.
Sunday, 20 October
Gone Fishing Day - see free fishing events around the state.
Friday, 1 November
Striped trumpeter re-opens for recreational and commercial fishing
Saturday, 2 November
Waters outside the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone open for recreational rock lobster fishing.
The East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone opens for recreational rock lobster fishing.
See https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-seasons
A biotoxin update relating to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish toxins in bivalve shellfish and rock lobster research samples in Mercury Passage on the East Coast is now available on our website. Read the full update.
There is also a current Public Health alert warning not to eat recreationally harvested wild shellfish from the Mercury Passage and Spring Bay regions. Wild shellfish includes: oysters, mussels, clams, pipis, cockles and wedge shells. Seafood in shops and restaurants is safe to eat.
Why not become a Fishcare volunteer? It's a great way to do your bit for sustainable fishing in Tasmania.
What volunteers do:
· Run exhibits at outdoor and regional shows, AgFest and Liawenee weekend;
· Run fishing clinics for juniors and pass on practical fishing tips;
· Maintain local fishing signs and rulers.
Fishcare operates in all regions of the State. We particularly need new volunteers in the following areas: St Helens, Triabunna, Smithton, Port Sorell, Tasman Peninsula and Dover. Training sessions for new volunteers are being held soon.
Want to know more? Ring the Fishcare Coordinator on 6165 3039, visit our website or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Click above for current issue content. The current issue of TFBN is extensive and topical. In Tackle Stores, Newsagents and by subscription.
Delivered to your door for $48 for 2 years (8 issues). To subscribe, send Mike $48 via www.paypal.com.au . (Basic instructions are here) The email is at Contact Us. Your address will be included from PayPal.
Or phone Mike with your c/c handy on 0418129949
Please ensure your details are correct, for Mike to organise delivery.
When you have finished for the day, why not have a brag about the ones that didn't get away! Send Mike an article on your fishing (Click here for contact details), and we'll get it published here. Have fun fishing - tasfish.com
Here is a list of all of the Article Categories. The number in Brackets, eg (13) is the number of articles. Click on Derwent River and all articles relating to the Derwent will be displayed in the central area.
Visit https://www.windyty.com/
Hello everyone, I thought it would be a good time to introduce myself.
My name is Stephen Smith and I have been managing the website tasfish.com since May 2009.
It has been an epic journey of learning and discovery and I am indebted to Mike Stevens for his help, support and patience.
I am developing a new venture Rubicon Web and Technology Training ( www.rwtt.com.au ). The focus is two part, to develop websites for individuals and small business and to train people to effectively use technology in their everyday lives.
Please contact me via www.rwtt.com.au/contact-me/ for further information - Stephen Smith.
by Sarah Graham
Many anglers are preparing for the opening of the new angling season on Saturday 7 August and it's shaping up to be another good one with the fishery in excellent health as a result of last year’s drought breaking rains. There are many great fishing locations around the State from which to choose for the opening weekend and early season fishing but here are a few suggestions.