2021 10 13 The second rainbow of the dayAnother change of weather is on the way, this time it includes thunderstorms and heavy rain so I made a hasty decision to head off the Mersey River before the change arrives. I checked the river levels online and saw that the river at Weegena was down to a reasonable level that was fairly safe for wading. It was 7:40 am when I hopped in the river and the first thing I noticed was the water temperature was sitting at 10 degrees which was good to see.

Roger Jaensch, Minister for Local Government and Planning

Securing recreational boating, camping, and fishing facilities across Tasmania

The Tasmanian and Australian Liberal Governments are inviting Tasmanian Councils to apply for the second round of the Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program (the Program) which opens today.

The Program, funded by the Australian Government and administered by the Tasmanian Government, provides grants to local government for the purpose of new or renewed:

boat ramps;
marine rescue facilities;
toilet blocks;
fish cleaning stations;
camping facilities; or
other infrastructure or facilities directly associated with recreational fishing, boating, or camping.
Following the success of the first round of the Program, the second round is seeking to fund larger projects with the potential of receiving council co-funding, which will benefit Tasmanians and visitors participating in camping, fishing, and boating activities across the State.

Tasmania’s world-leading carp eradication program is achieving very encouraging results.
In the past year, only three carp were captured in Lake Sorell by the Inland Fisheries Service and it appears that few, if any, now remain.
Extensive fishing efforts were undertaken during spring and summer 2020-21 and three carp were removed – one female and two males which were infected with the jelly gonad condition.
This year’s Carp Management Program annual report says there does not appear to be any fertile males left in Lake Sorell and juvenile carp surveys during and after the normal spawning season did not find any sign of recruitment.
All water released from Lake Sorell is still being screened as a precautionary measure and no carp were found in Lake Crescent or the River Clyde surveys.
A total of 41,499 carp have now been removed from Lake Sorell which is a 53 square kilometre body of water, and carp fishing will continue in 2021-22 focusing on specific times like key weather events and potential spawning times.
It is planned that Lake Sorell will remain open for public recreational use and angling.
Read the Carp Management Program Annual Report 2020-21

number ten for the sessionWith a more lousy weather forecast for later in the day I thought I would spend a few hours in the water this morning while the weather was calm. Even though it was foggy and quite cool when I left home, there wasn't any wind to contend with and that mattered most. Once I left the car and walked to my entry point at 8:45 am when I was standing on a gravelly river bank, the first thing I noticed was the water level had dropped to a nice wading level. It was down by at least five inches from my last trip here which meant the trout would be in more open slower flowing runs now. I started the session off using a #00 gold Aglia Mouche Noire, I felt it would be a good lure for the dull conditions & lower water today. While I was at the river edge I decided I would cross over and head further downstream to fish a stretch of water that I have fished for a couple of seasons, one that did give up a few fish back in it's day. Before I crossed over I looked at a nice flat water that had a large submerged log in it, to me it looked fishy and worth a few casts to see if I was right.

funfishingThis Sunday, 10 October, is an angling licence free day! An angling licence will not be required for anyone wanting to fish inland waters in Tasmania on this day. It is a great time to try trout fishing.

It is also national Gone Fishing Day with junior angling events happening across Tasmania, it is a great opportunity for those 17 years and under to catch a truly wild, wily trout.

Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) and the Inland Fisheries Service, with the co-operation of local angling clubs, are co-ordinating free junior angling events on Sunday 10 October 2021 as part of national Gone Fishing Day. In preparation, AAT have stocked junior angling venues across Tasmania.

rainbowRainbow waters are now open

Anglers seemed undeterred with the easterly rain experienced last weekend, which also heralded the opening of the 2021-22 rainbow waters on Saturday 2 October. Reports of good catches were received throughout the State, with mild temperatures and increased water flows providing ideal conditions. Good sized sea-runners and lake trout were on the chew after the snow melted from the peaks.

Tasmania’s rainbow trout waters are:

gfd 2021Sunday 10 October is national Gone Fishing Day.
Grab a friend and try trout fishing.

With junior angling events happening across Tasmania, Gone Fishing Day a great opportunity for those 17 years and under to catch a truly wild, wily trout.

Plus – Gone Fishing Day is an angling licence free day! An angling licence will not be required for anyone wanting to fish inland waters in Tasmania on this day.

Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) and the Inland Fisheries Service, with the co-operation of local angling clubs, are co-ordinating free junior angling events on Sunday 10 October 2021 as part of national Gone Fishing Day. In preparation, AAT have stocked junior angling venues across Tasmania.

Gone Fishing Day is a national event created to encourage people to get outdoors, drop a line, enjoy time with family and friends by or on the water, and hopefully catch a fish or two.

Getting outdoors is beneficial to both your physical and mental health. All anglers can agree that there is no such thing as a bad days fishing when you’re surrounded by those close to you and the glorious areas fishing takes you. So why not have a day that recognises and promotes all of these things!

Venues for junior angling events

 talk trout 2021
Talk trout Tasmania,
7pm on Friday 15 October
at the Great Lake
Community Centre.,
Miena 

Join us at the Great Lake Community Centre on Friday 15 October for Talk Trout Tasmania 2021.

This is an opportunity to meet some of our inland fisheries staff.

Hear about fisheries management and ask your questions of the panel.

Our team will present information and strategies about the management of the recreational fishery.

On the eve of the Great Lake Tie In, Talk Trout Tasmania is the perfect way to start this exciting weekend.

Great Lake Community Centre, Miena. 7 to 9 pm. Supper and refreshments provided.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/sep/23/talk-trout-tasmania-2021

 river derwent
 Peter Skeels proudly
holding one of the
Brown trout he caught
and released on Saturday

Over the weekend, anglers of all ages and abilities ventured out to their favourite water to try and catch one of the prized trout or salmon Tasmania is famous for!

Peter Skeels was one of those anglers. He has a little spot on the River Derwent he likes to fish, using baitfish under a float. Within five minutes he landed two brown trout in great condition. One of the fish was sporting the green tag of the River Derwent trout study, with both fish released unharmed to fight another day.

Not to be confused with the orange tags for the very popular Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion, details of the trout study can be found here.

If you catch a tagged trout, contact the Inland Fisheries Service on 1300 IN FISH (1300 463 474) between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., provide your name, contact details, tag number, waterway, location the fish was caught and overall length. Orange tags are worth $2000 (subject to terms and conditions) and if you capture a green tag, your name will go into the draw for a Shimano graphite fishing rod and reel combo at the end of the season.

Recent rainfalls and climate outlook are combining with the IFS stocking and transfers program, to set up what is shaping up to be one of the best trout seasons in recent history.

So why not buy a licence and catch a trout? You may get more than you bargained for!

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/sep/12/river-derwent-delivering-goods

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