Fly Casting - Plane and Stance

by Peter Hayes

Casting Plane
Most beginner and intermediate casters do all of their casting with the rod tilted at an angle away from their body. I guess they're scared of being punctured by the fly and whipped by the line. They erroneously believe this angle will keep the fly and line away from them.
If you adopt this casting plane, and attitude, you will never cast with any consistent accuracy. You will often get wind knots. The fly and line will often collide into the rod. It will be nearly impossible to do any of the "tip over shoulder casts" and perform any of the aerial mends necessary for river and stream fishing. Of equal importance, you will be dangerous to have as a boat partner and your fishing mates will avoid you like the plague. Let me explain my ideas on this very important aspect of fly casting. Descriptions are all for right hand casters.

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Fly Fishing

Published: 03 November 2009

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Springtime Fishing at Meadowbank Lake

by Greg French
For the last few years the Inland Fisheries Commission has overseen the release of Atlantic salmon into Meadowbank Lake. These fish are surplus brood stock supplied free of charge by Saltas and they typically weigh 4.5 - 8 kg when liberated. Domestic salmon which have spent their entire lives in a hatchery environment tend not to feed well in the wild (though they readily attack lures and wet flies) and initially there was concern that the fish might be unwelcome, especially if they were not caught quickly and became slabby. Anyway a trial release of 120 fish was undertaken in mid July 1997 and most were subsequently landed before Christmas, almost all in good to fair condition. As a consequence of enthusiastic support from anglers a further 175 fish were released in July 1998, yet another 200 or so in July 1999 and the salmon liberation looks like becoming an annual event.

Parent Category: Lakes

Category: Meadowbank Lake

Published: 03 November 2009

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Squid on fly

Rob Paxevanos.
Bushy is still after that elusive wild ten-pound trout on fly. Harrison and Cooper have been in front of the pack catching makos on the long wand. The lads from A River Somewhere have been chasing bonefish in trendy places. Lefty Kreh and his mates have been fishing across the globe knocking up countless numbers of new species on fly. However, apart from the odd incidental catch, nobody, but nobody has had the courage (or the brains) to develop techniques for the ultimate fur and feather challenge squid on fly.

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Fly Fishing

Published: 03 November 2009

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Nymphing Maniac

There are probably more trout caught nymphing than with any other method during the trout season. But what exactly is meant by nymphing? What are the patterns associated with this method, and what are the best ways to fish them? In truth nymphing has as many different variations as do dry fly fishing, loch style, or just about any other style of fly fishing you would care to mention. If we were to closely examine how each individual angler goes about "nymphing", we would find many different variations on the theme. The following is a basic insight into what that theme involves.

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Trout Fishing

Published: 03 November 2009

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Fly Fishing in the Tamar Estuary

Fly fishing in the Tamar Estuary presents a wide variety of species for the angler prepared to explore and experiment. Each of these different species requires a different technique, a different location and, importantly, a different state of the tide for best results. Some species are only resident during certain times of the year. The most sought-after species is without doubt cocky salmon. Salmon usually appear in the Tamar about October and stay until late May or early June. However, this year, reasonable numbers were still coming to the net in mid August in the Kelso/George Town area.

Parent Category: Estuary Fishing

Category: Tamar River

Published: 03 November 2009

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Mullet on Fly - It's a Start

The Derwent Estuary on Hobart's doorstep has many opportunities for the keen fly enthusiast.
To begin fly fishing, the Derwent is perfect and there always being a sheltered bay or corner that can potentially produce some top quality sport fish. Common catches are made up of small Australian salmon; barracouta; bream; flathead; cod and, of course, the humble mullet.
I found the Derwent to be a perfect playground with the calm, tranquil and most importantly close waters often being a better option than the lakes. The Derwent contains very large numbers of yellow eye mullet all year round with reliable catches.

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Fly Fishing

Published: 03 November 2009

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West Coast sea trout

by Greg French

Sea trout are simply brown trout which spend time in the ocean. In spring they follow huge schools of whitebait into the estuaries and lower freshwater reaches of most of the state's rivers and creeks. Some of the best action is conveniently close to Tasmania's major population centres. Hobart has the mighty Derwent as well as the southern rivers (including the Huon, Lune and Esperance). Launceston anglers have the Tamar, North Esk and Great Forester. While on the north west coast there are a number of superb fisheries, including the Mersey, Leven, Forth, Black, Detention, Inglis and Duck.

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Trout Fishing

Published: 03 November 2009

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Squid

Squid are members of the cephalopod family (tentacled heads). Other famous members include octopus and cuttlefish. There are two types of squid that are of interest to keen Tasmanian anglers. These are Gould's squid (also known as arrow squid) and the southern calamari. Both squid live in deep water but the calamari is more likely to be found closer to the shore than the arrow squid.

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Saltwater and Estuary Fishing

Published: 03 November 2009

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Yak Fishing Kit - What to stow when you go

John Pollard
In April-May (Issue 79) we covered what to wear on your body while on your Yak, this issue we will look at what else you may need or want out on the water with you. As previously mentioned we have very changeable and sometimes diabolical weather conditions, so what you take out with you on your yak takes some planning, consideration of your yak's storage capacity and good common sense.

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Kayak Fishing

Published: 22 October 2009

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North East Tasmania Trouting

Jamie Henderson
The North East Coast of Tasmania is undoubtedly home to some of the states best saltwater fishing; world class game fishing, amazing estuary sports fishing and some of the best bream fishing in the country. When we talk about quality trout fishing our minds and hearts always wander to magical western lake-tailing trout, dun hatches on Little Pine and big sea run trout on the west coast. However for East Coast trout anglers there are a number of fresh water gems closer to home that offer quality trout fishing to those willing to do a little leg work and poking about. The region has it all to offer from magical stream fishing to trophy trout waters and all within 90 minutes drive from the East Coast town of St Helens.

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Trout Fishing

Published: 22 October 2009

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