Trout Territory features in Left Off The Map!
Left Off The Map is a gorgeous show about Tasmania and Tasmanians! Hosted by Master Chef's Ben Milbourne and co-hosts Rhys Hannan and Holly Bowden, this show introduces you to interesting Tasmanians and great Tassie food... where to find it, and how to cook it. Chef Rhys Hannan was keen to learn fly fishing because he wanted to catch a wild brown trout and take it to the top of Ben Lomond National Park to cook! And to help make this possible Trout Territory's Gary and Fiona were excited to host Rhys on the South Esk River at Clarendon, in [...]
From the clear waters of the Mersey River
Below Lees Paddocks on the clear waters of the Mersey River, these fish lie in wait in shady pockets and near undercut banks for the occasional grasshopper as they gather condition for the rigors of spawning that are not far away. With light wind conditions out come the four weight fly rods. The fly is a hopper pattern. Image: Gary France, Trout Territory
Lying in wait
In a northern midlands river, a wild trout lies in wait on a narrow flowing channel. A single bow and arrow cast with a grasshopper landed with a splat resulted in a solid hookup. An 8lb tippet was used to get the fish in quickly and released without harm. When water temperatures are above 20 deg Celsius it's really important to give these fish a good chance of survival, so minimal time out of the water. Image by Gary France
Three lakes and an estuary
Across four days fly fishing with Gary in Tasmania, Christopher and Brian enjoyed a number of lakes and the Tamar estuary. On Arthurs Lake we found activity and success to surface pulled flies around the Hydro Bay islands, where we also found some decent froth lines, drawing up typical Arthurs browns to grasshopper patterns. Little Pine Lagoon in good overcast conditions with a light to moderate breeze from the north fished rather well, with numbers of fish landed and the best action in the middle of the afternoon to a few waves of duns hatching. Early overcast conditions on Penstock [...]
Family experience
As beginners to fly fishing, Vikki, Eric, and Zane were stars from the word go. The family are seasoned fishos and their aim in Tasmania was to tick fly fishing for trout off their bucket list. We headed to yingina/Great Lake in cool, yet bright conditions, with a few slicks in the light northerly winds, and just enough beetles to get a few fish showing. All did well on the water getting used to fly fishing methods. Vikki secured this nice wild brown trout on a twitched grasshopper. “Hi Gary and Fiona, We wanted to say thank you so much [...]
Portrait of a wild brown trout
The strikingly beautiful profile of a wild brown trout. This hefty 56cm wild brown trout went almost to the backing. Fish like these are reasonably common in Four Springs Lake, and other quality Tasmanian trout waters. Photo credit: Fiona Dewar
Basic fly cast
Here is the highly valuable lift up and lay down single cast. Note the rod on the back stroke STOP is vertical at 12 o'clock. This throws the line high, setting up for a good forward stroke. When beginners to fly fishing come fishing with us, we teach casting basics on the grass first. The we add water!
Learning
A small group receives fly fishing instruction from their guide, Gary France. In this moment on the river bank, they are learning about trout foods and discussing what fly they might use - what's on the ground, what's in the air, what's in the grass, what's on the water, or popping off the water from the depths.
Fly fishing coaching for groups
Guide, Gary France, teaching a small group the basics of fly casting. We start on the grass, with demonstration, coaching, and then it’s time to move your new skills onto the water! We have a very high success rate with the basics leading to graduation and the grouping of various skills. Stepping stones to trout and fly fishing success. We offer workshops or fully guided tours for beginners.
Grasshopper
Here's a grasshopper fly. Into the warmest months of Tasmania's summer, grasshoppers are a feature on rivers and lakes. This is a foam bodied hopper that will float all day, and imparted with the right sort of movement, twitch twitch, bringing it to life, is a highly effective dry fly technique.