Fly Fishing Tours Tasmania
Fly fishing in Tasmania is exceptional. Tasmania is reputed to hold the best stocks of Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in the world. Hundreds of lakes and rivers offer the fly fishing angler amazing opportunities to fish the best waters in the world and amazingly, at some of the best value-for-money
fly-fishing in the world. An island populated with thousands of lakes, many rivers, great beauty, pure water, clean air,
unique animals, a disease free environment and vast numbers of truly wild trout
make Tasmania an attractive and exciting destination catering for a wide range of
fly fishing and other angling experiences. Whether you use wet flies or dry flies whether you
are an expert at fly fishing for just a beginner or recreational "occasional
angler" Tasmania has it all for you.
The fly fishing experience varies considerably and anglers have the
choice of fishing one of the many small streams that hold large numbers of small
brown trout to stalking large fish in the shallow margins of one of the many
hundreds of lakes. For the active angler, vast areas of National Park and World
Heritage Areas contain excellent and challenging trout waters.
River fly fishing can be exciting throughout the season in
small mountain streams and lowland meadow rivers, however it is lake
fishing that is most interesting and productive with average sizes of
around 2lbs or 1kg and specimens of 4 to 6lbs often taken. Tasmania's
still-waters also offer the best opportunities for the novice and a
chance to try the many techniques unique to the Tasmanian fishery.
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Photos © by Paul Evans |
Top class fly fishing destinations
include: Arthur's Lake with its thousands of hard
fighting fish and Little Pine for dry fly fishing. Other beautiful inland
waters include
Bronte, Echo and Dee Lagoons which are found
on the western side of the highlands, and
Great Lake, Penstock, Lagoon of Islands and the Western lakes in the
Central Highlands.
The main angling season extends from August to May. Seven
major waters are now open for angling all year round. During the season,
different types and styles of fishing are used to reflect changing seasons,
weather, water levels, food availability and the feeding behaviour of trout
and Atlantic Salmon which are also stocked in a select number of inland
fisheries waterways.
A licence is required to fish all inland waters in Tasmania.
Angling licences vary from around $16.00 for one day to $52.00 for a full season./font>
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Fly Fishing Brown Trout or Rainbow Trout, the scenic beauty of Tasmania will enthral you. Patiently stalking a Rainbow Trout, expert Tasmanian Fly fisherman Joe Brogan demonstrates his fly-casting style at Craigbourne Dam, Southern Tasmania. |
For the spin angler, fantastic catches also await. This beautiful 6 pound Atlantic Salmon taken on a "Squidgy" in 5 metres (16 ft) of water by Paul Evans late summer. Warm water temperatures had driven the Salmon down deep on this memorable day. |
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Photos © by Paul Evans |
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Photos © by Paul Evans |
Catching in
Australia, the magnificent Atlantic Salmon and Sea-Runner Trout
The most important issue with Salmon fishing is to find the fish first.
They usually "school" - in large or smaller groups - and if you find
one you'll almost certainly find a dozen so take your time! Use
your depth sounder and if you don't use a boat, use your eyes and ears
- they will tell you a wonderful story if you let them. Classical
features to watch for include Salmon "bow waves", salmon jumping and
particularly the salmon "dolphin jumps" where the arch of the back is
clearly seen. Salmon will give themselves away if you let them!
Hot sunshine tends to drive them down deep to cooler waters but cloudy
days and a little rain or drizzle will usually bring them up with a
flurry to the surface.
Using Polaroid tinted glasses is an essential factor in finding salmon. They can be a bit expensive, but they are well and truly worth every cent! Keep them clean and you'll be rewarded with the advantage they provide you when fly-fishing for salmon or sea-runner trout. Remember that salmon and trout are territorial - they stick around in the same places. In fresh water salmon can tend to go "off the feed" (because in the wild they come to fresh water in order to spawn and so give up feeding). In salt water they are much more likely to feed and schools can "come on" in a boiling frenzy for often apparently inexplicable reasons. When salmon are "on" they are a joy to fish. Even if they do not respond to fly-fishing they might take a lure (a grey "Squidgy" is the recommended choice) and will go for silver or coloured "wobblers" of every kind. Just be patient because the wait will be worth it when you first hook up! The good thing about salmon is that they do not spook easily (unlike trout!).
If fly-fishing or lure fishing, it is important to retrieve with a slow, deliberate and twitchy movement. "Jigging a lure from 15 ft of water can achieve wonderful results (see above photo). Remember that fast retrieves might induce a "follow" but will not usually result in a strike and it's strikes that the fly fisherman desires.
When hooked, salmon will take a hook deceptively gently and then suddenly use their incredible power to run hard, often jumping frenetically as they fight the hook and line.
Choosing
the right tackle for Atlantic Salmon - How is it done?
Access along the shores of Tasmania's southern rivers such as the Huon
River is restricted by dense & often imposing
riverside vegetation, so use of a small boat (preferably with an
attached sonar fish finder) is a definite advantage. If you own a pair
of good waders then salmon can be taken from the shoreline of the Derwent Estuary with fly or
lure.
Fly fishing guide Joe Brogan recommends an 8 ft spinning rod (with strength and "guts" to tackle such a powerful fighter) and if using a fly rod then be careful not to go too light on the terminal tackle because a 6 lb salmon can easily bend the lighter styles of treble or single hooks! Joe suggests using a gaff or large net in order to avoid unnecessary disappointment at the landing stage because even at the end of a long fight, a salmon can surprise with a sudden last ditch burst of salmonoid energy! Likewise, sea runner trout can take the angler off-guard at the last moment and many fish are lost because of lack of a good net.
When it comes to choice of flies there are several that are good and a couple that are simply brilliant. One of the most popular flies used in Tasmania is the 'Salmonator', which is primarily white in a marabou pattern and specially tied on a long-shank 6 size hook. Experienced anglers have also taken salmon on on Fur Fly varieties with painted eyes and also "hopper" varieties - which offer the sea-runner trout fisherman an additional arsenal to his salmon - specific gear. Lures displaying pink and black are a good choice, as are the plethora of "Lofties" and "Tassie Devils" available at local angling shops. Lofties 13 gram Number 18 will attract sea runner trout (in search of pretty fish) and also Atlantic salmon. If in doubt, don't be afraid to ask your local angling shop attendant as they are usually well-informed about what is catching, on what, and where! They will always be delighted to assist you.
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Photos © by Paul Evans |
Other states (NSW,
Victoria) also cater for the fly
fishing angler.
To check out our packages to these states just click the menu
system above or ask us for more details.
We can tailor a package to suit the most
demanding needs of our clients.
Contact usfor amazing discount deals!
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Travel Compensation Fund License Number: 7/9028 |
