Presented from Issue 105, August 2013
Bob is a professional fishing guide and guides for trout and estuary species. Check him out at www.fishwildtasmania.com
There are several things we look for in our early season trout waters. It is still winter and cold, so some of the things to consider are: Altitude as this dictates the water temperature and therefore feeding activity. Food for the fish. Availability of trout food is generally dictated by the quantity and quality of weed beds.
Quantity of fish.
Three waters which I believe fit all three requirements are:
Read more ...Brook trout, with their olive backs, lemon spots and, in the case of spawners, bright orange flanks are perhaps the most strikingly beautiful of all salmonoids and, because they are so rare in Australia and New Zealand, most anglers aspire to catch one. While the species does not offer the same challenge as the ever cunning brown trout, it is highly regarded in its native North America and we are privileged to have a couple of wild populations in Tasmania.
Fishing rivers and streams with lures can be one of the most effective ways of catching a feed. Often the size of fish is small, but the unique atmosphere and nature of streams makes up for their often diminutive stature.
Greg French looks techniques that will help you improve your catch and have you smiling.
One of the first assumptions anglers are inclined to make is that popular waters have been thrashed to death and that better fishing will be found if you are prepared to travel further afield. Be sure of this - popular waters are not popular without reason. They really do offer anglers (especially novices and intermediates) the best chance of catching fish.
In recent times Tasmania has seen some structural changes occurring to the management of its inland fishery. They have been slow coming though - too slow for many anglers.
There was a time when I found it easy to brush aside criticism of my casting performance - I simply asserted that I am an angler, not a caster, and proved the point by catching trout.
In the last round of changes to our trout fishing regulations (1997-1998) restrictions were tabled which further limit both where we can fish with bait and what bait we can use. The reasons for these changes to the law are complex and I will discuss them as we go along.
Read more: How to catch trout when you are not allowed to use bait
We had a call Wednesday "The Bay is going OFF', was the statement. Georges Bay he was talking about and the fishing is looking really good for Summer. Big Australian salmon and silver trevally to 48 cm are a couple of the premium catches. There are still a few bigger garfish being caught, but these are unlikely to last much longer. Sounds like St Helens might be the place to go for the long weekend. Mike Stevens.
Greg French takes a look at the trout fishing opportunities as the season comes to a close.
The Lakes
The most significant thing about the trout fishing in April is that the brown trout at many highland waters are well and truly geared up for spawning. In March there may well have been males gathering in bays fed by major spawning streams, but by now plenty of females will have coloured-up and there should be intense congregations of both sexes.
If I could fish only two consecutive months in any trout season, February and March would be my choice. Of course I would miss my cherished sea trout fishing, and red letter days on the South Esk and Macquarie rivers would be few and far between - but the weather on the Central Plateau would usually be relatively settled and I could rely on ideal conditions for polaroiding and dun hatches.
Maybe I am biased, but I just love float tubing for trout in Tasmania's still waters. I cut my teeth fishing from one on Mitchelsons Dam, near Westbury, but have tubed on many still waters since. It is some what akin to fly fishing from an arm chair - a pleasant way to spend the day.
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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.
Mike Fry doesn’t only live on the Wild Side of Tasmania, but also goes fishing in probably the wildest boat ever to troll for trout—certainly in Tasmania.
When your mate says ‘What are you doing tomorrow, want to come up the Gordon for the night?’ it would be pretty hard to say anything else except “you bet” and start checking out your tackle box and packing your overnight bag. But if your mate was Troy Grining and he wanted to give his new 52ft, high speed cruiser a run across Macquarie Harbour, test the new onboard dory with a chance of landing a nice Gordon River Brown you would have to feel privileged. I didn’t say anything about getting on my hands and knees and kissing his feet…just having a lend of ya’ but I did feel very appreciative.