Just going fishing
A lovely breeze ripple on a very bright day over clear, relatively shallow water, not too much casting, drifting with the breeze, and keeping in touch with a dry fly, and/or a nymph under. This is a loch style technique we commonly use on Tasmanian Lakes.
Wild wind and trout
Isn’t it summer? Despite some wild wind, James and dad Roger enjoyed a couple of days in the Central Highlands. Here’s James with one of his brown trout caught on the fly. Image credit: Nick May
Blue sky and bubble lines
In Tasmania, we don't have to travel too far to find beautiful rivers, streams, and lakes. Here on a blue sky day we can see the fish with polaroid sunglasses. Also take note of the shade created by the overhanging tea trees where there are beetles falling and trout feeding. Look closely to see the slow main current seam passing the tip of the shady area. This is known as a bubble line and that's where trout food is concentrated. In these very calm conditions, find the trout feeding first and only then make a presentation with your fly. A [...]
Feisty lowland river brown trout
In Tasmania, feisty lowland river brown trout, when showing interest in hovering damsel flies - a moving target - are hard to tempt. With this beautiful trout, a well presented black spinner, size 12, did the trick. A drag free drift is paramount in any dry fly presentation. Image: Gary France, Trout Territory #traumreel
Kelso Flathead
On a recent trip to the Kelso sandflats on the Tamar River, north of Launceston, this Flathead was caught in around a foot of water on a runout tide. Measuring 55cm, these fish go really well on light tackle. On this day we also managed to secure a number of Whiting on the same sand patch.
Two fly rig fools nice browns
Here's one of a couple of good browns caught through the middle of the day that took a stick caddis underneath or the spinner on the surface of a two fly rig. Image: Gary France
Uncooperative weather doesn’t stop us!
Trevor and Vorn planned their trip to coincide with usual stable river heights and focus on their river fishing skills and techniques. The weather gods didn't get the memo! With rivers once again in flood, and rising, the best we could do was to focus on wild browns moving up with the flood waters into side waters and lagoons. That was the first day, which also included some torrential rain. We did find a few swirlers and tails. The first two photos are from the second and third days where we reverted to loch style dry fly techniques on still [...]
Learning to fly fish
Fly Fishing workshops start off with a chat about trout foods such as fish, snails, and insects etc., that are part of the trout's diet, and the flies we use to imitate them. We show you how to make those imitations move on or in the water. Participants get an overview of fly fishing gear, how to use it, how to present a fly. For beginners, casting instruction and practice starts on the grass, and then we add water! Our workshops are ideal for beginners, as well as those who would like to hone their existing skills. If learning to [...]
Late spring on Four Springs
After some particularly warm to hot, clear bright days the number of mayfly hatching and spinners returning to lay eggs have dropped off on Four Springs Lake. However there were enough insects showing in small pockets to get a few fish picking off these mayfly. Pictured is one nice brownie at 48 cm. Part way through the fight the hook became dislodged and caught the adipose fin leading to a long and drawn out dramatic battle. We enjoyed homemade fish and chips for dinner. The fly I used was a possum fur emerger. Image: Gary France
Life Cycle of the Tasmanian Mayfly
In Tasmania, developing a sense around what trout foods are available, where and when, increases the chances for success. Mayfly are in full swing from September/October on the lakes and rivers of the lowlands. The highlands follows a little later due to its altitude and climate. These mayfly hatches continue through to around March, peaking again on the lowlands through to the end of April and the season's close. Altitude plays a major role along with water and air temperature; changing light conditions, i.e. cloud cover; and wind and climate. Nymph The Nymph Nymphs live in the water [...]