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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Early Prospects for 2009–10 Trout Fishing Season

Greg French
Since the big wet of 1996–97 Tasmania, like the rest of south-eastern Australia, has suffered from a severe lack of rain. The Midlands, East Coast and eastern fringes of the Central Plateau have been especially hard hit in the last three years, with disastrous consequences for high-profile trout fisheries like Tooms Lake, Craigbourne Dam and the Coal River. Whether this can be attributed to normal drought cycles is moot: the trend to generally drier conditions has been evident since at least the mid-1980s and may well be the result of irreversible climate change.

Jan’s Flies

Jan Spencer
It’s that time of year when everybody’s optimism is running very high. Most are contemplating what the new trout season will bring. One thing is for sure – it will be cold. The rivers will be brownish in colour as we have had some good recent rain which has made for some swollen streams, this is wonderful as the trout will be foraging for food washed into backwaters by the excess water and they will be in prime condition when the weather warms up.
The highland lakes are another story. Both Great Lake and Arthurs are rising with good flows of water from recent rain. As normal, this time of the year the surrounding shore lines will be icy if not iced all over. It takes a little while for the lakes to get rid of the winter blues, but the fishing can be good if you can put up with the cold. So if you are fishing in the highland areas, be prepared for extreme weather.

Fishing Four Springs Lake

Todd Lambert
Early season
The new season is on us and with it comes the anticipation of another year’s fishing. Will it be as good as last year … or maybe better?

Jigging for Trout