Australian Salmon

Shane Flude
There would be few Tasmanian anglers that have not caught at least a few Australian salmon. They are commonly called blackback in Tasmania with the smaller fish being known as cocky salmon. Many anglers target them specifically whilst others are simply caught as a bycatch. There can be no doubting their fighting abilities and they will test light gear to the limit. There have been numerous articles written over the years on this most popular sportsfish describing the correct techniques,tackle and fishing locations. There has not been much written about the life cycle of the fish itself and their general ecology in Australian waters. Shane Flude has done some research on our humble salmon and discovered some interesting facts.

Jan's Flies

Jan Spencer
It's July 2nd and we are knee deep in snow at Miena in Tasmania's central highlands. Some would say how beautiful it is but personally it becomes a pain to live with as in these heavy conditions it stops my fishing. As most would know though we need any sort of H2O we can get in whatever form to help fill our lakes and in turn sets the rivers with a strong flow.
Fishing at this time of year is for the hardy, but it can be very rewarding if the effort is put in. I have had some superb polaroiding on Great Lake. The place for this is shallow bays with bright sun and at this time of year the best time of day is mid-day and this only gives a span of an hour and a half at the most.

Ada Lagoon - early season

Gavin Hicks

After the birth of our second child in early September last year the opportunity arose for me to have a few days in the Central Highlands pursuing my love of fly fishing. Based at the inlaws shack at Miena the opportunities are endless, the hardest decision to make being where to go. I heard the gate was open to the 19 Lagoons area and after doing some weather checks I decided to give Ada lagoon a try.

Huntsman Lake

This section on Huntsman is a bit of a joint venture between Mike Stevens, Rivers and Waters Commission, Inland Fisheries Service and myself, Shane Flude.

The Opening

Shane Flude

August 2, 2008 sees the opening of the brown trout season in Tasmanian waters. All rivers and most lakes reopen for fishing after the closed winter spawning time. So just what awaits the early season angler for 2008? Shane Flude gives a rundown on some early season waters and examines what's new on the inland water scene. There has also been a number of new regulations introduced which are summarised at the end of this article, anglers should read their code thoroughly before heading out this season.

Electric motors

Leroy Tirant
More and more anglers are wising up to the advantages of using an electric motor for fishing. Powered by a deep cycle battery they propel the boat through the water effortlessly and most importantly, they do it quietly. They literally produce no real audible sound.

Jan's Flies

Jan Spencer
Even though the weather in Tasmania's highlands has turned cold and most of the lakes are closed through the winter months, I am lucky to have Great Lake on my front door step. Great Lake is one of a few which is open all year. There can be some excellent cold weather fishing if you are hardy enough to brace the cold.

Saltwater Flyfishing St Helens

Jamie Henderson
Once the trout season has finished most fly fishers hang up their fly jacket and waders and retire to the flytying bench to create some new and wonderful patterns for the coming season-the whole while reminiscing on the season past, its many adventures, waters fished and fish caught.

Got the Winter Blues - How to get over them

Shane Flude
Well it's that depressing time of year again when Tassie plunges into another winter. We turn on our headlights to travel to work and on again to come home. The memories of the magnificent long summer evenings when we could still just polaroid that Western Lakes brown at 7 pm have faded. It will soon be the shortest day again, a time which surely marks the greatest depth of our winter period. So just what attractions await the frustrated angler during this coming bleak period either out to sea or inland chasing trout? The short answer for most is "not much'. There are a few places worthy of mention though and we will examine these areas and the best methods to use.

Winter at Great Lake

Craig Rist
Many anglers pack away their rods come the end of trout season and then start counting down the days for it to reopen again in August. If you find it hard to wait until then, as I do, there is some great shore based fishing to be had at Great Lake if you're prepared to brave the cold. Apart from Tods Corner, and Canal Bay, the remainder of Great Lake is open to trout fishing twelve months of the year.
By the time I have finished a few jobs around the house at the beginning of winter I start to think about those brown trout feeding up in the shallow bays of Great Lake after their annual spawning run. These trout are hungry and in the need for a quick protein hit. The resident paragalaxias are on the menu, as are the ever reliable stick caddis and Great Lake shrimp.

Georges Bay, St Helens - an Autumn Mecca

Jamie Henderson

As the summer months come to an end many fisherman see it as a time to pack the rods and fishing gear away and hibernate for a few months until the springtime brings some fresh action, but on the east coast this is far from the truth. The months of April, May and even in to June can bring some of the best Estuary fishing the East Coast has to offer and in particular Georges Bay St Helens. The warmer summer months can quite often mean periods of high winds and rough waters on the east coast making it difficult to have consistent days on the water however as we move into April we find the windy weather gives way to more mild conditions. Days can start off quite chilly with frosts quite common but as the day wears on this can mean beautiful clear blue skies, warm air temperatures, glass calm conditions and magic times on the water.

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