Category: Fly fishing

wild brown trout

Spinners on Penstock Lagoon

Peter's brown troutStewart's brown troutFather and son team Peter and Stewart Rasmussen were keen to improve their fly fishing knowledge and skill level.

We spent the day at Penstock Lagoon in Tasmania’s highlands. There were a few jassids around but the trout were showing more interest in the adult mayfly; the spinner.

In light wind conditions, stealth was needed to get close enough to these fish for the cast and good presentation was crucial.

Peter and Stewart’s presentations were spot on, and here is their fine brace of wild brown trout.

 

Jon with Four Springs Rainbow trout

Nice rainbow trout from Four Springs

Jon with Four Springs Rainbow troutOn the last weekend of the 2017/18 wild brown trout season for Tasmania, temperatures had dropped in the highlands so we decided on a day at Four Springs. With hardly any surface food there weren’t many rises, so we got stuck into it with a nymph under the emerger. Jon landed this well conditioned hen rainbow.

Oxley falls, Mersey River

Cool waters in hot conditions

Mersey River Brown TroutDuring extremely hot conditions in Tasmania, it’s well worth giving thought to cooler rivers, streams, and tributaries. And they would be tail race rivers such as Brumbys Creek and the Meander River. Also, depending on flow, the Upper North and South Esk Rivers and their tributaries, just to name a few.

We decided to explore the Upper Mersey River in the Mersey Forest area. Water temperatures were a lovely 16 degrees Celsius, and the wild browns and rainbows were feeding without too much stress or hesitation.

Small mayfly patterns along with grasshopper patterns in some areas did the trick.

This gorgeous wild brown trout was caught and released, on a 4 weight with a grasshopper.

The image in the header is of Oxley Falls.