Presented from Issue 105, August 2013
Christopher Bassano fishes over 250 days a year. This interview was recorded just before he headed off to fish for Australia in the World Fly Fishing Championships in Norway 14-17 August 2013.
I live on a small stream and at the start of the season I like to go off on a bit of a discovery mission and fish the headwaters of the creeks and rivers I feel an affinity with.
These small rivers include the St Pats, Meander, Forester, Little Forester and others. The further up you go on these rivers the clearer and lower the levels. They are often less affected by the rain and runoff and you get some good opportunities. Get as close to the source as you can and you will find some good dry fly fishing. Don’t limit yourself to those I have mentioned. Most headwaters will hold trout.
Read more ...Please check all relevant authorities before fishing - www.ifs.tas.gov.au and dpipwe.tas.gov.au . Don't forget issuu.com/stevenspublishing for years of back issues !
Kevin Blackwell recently discovered this oarfish washed ashore under the Tasman Bridge. It weighed 20 kilos and measured 2.2 metres in length. Kevin donated it to CSIRO in Hobart. Below are the details from John Pogonoski to Kevin.
This just a quick message to let you know MAST has hit the year running and we are now on FACEBOOK
We are moving with the times with new ways to communicate! www.facebook.com/MAST.TAS . This will be a good way for you to keep in touch with what is happening around the waterways of the state.
Look forward to seeing you all during the year.
The recreational and commercial rock lobster fisheries closed due to a toxic algae event will re-open on 7.00am, Saturday 9 February 2013. That is, all waters currently closed from St Helens Point south to Marion Bay will re-open.
Rock lobster fishers returning to the re-opened waters this weekend may set pots and rings or take lobster by diving from 7.00am. More details are now available on the Emergency Fishery Closures webpage at www.fishing.tas.gov.au
Read more: East Coast Rock Lobster Fishery re-opens from 9 February
I was interested to read that the IFS are going to be doing some electro fishing surveys in some of our rivers. There has been quite a bit of talk recently with regard to the number of cormorants that are around and their possible effect on fish numbers. Anecdotally, rivers that have been prolific producers of trout in the past have in recent months produced low catch rates. The IFS will electro fish the River Leven, Tyenna, Russell, Mersey, St Patricks and Meander rivers to ascertain the density of trout and the spread of size classes. The methods used will allow comparison of previous results from surveys conducted in the 1990's, 1980's and 1970's. The report will be released about March this year and should make interesting reading.
As the last day of the School Holidays, we decided to go for a drive to Swansea, and have a fish off the Wharf. We fished at the Wharf for around about 2 hours, using bait and changing tactics, but no luck. We then went for a fish up to the mouth of the Swan River, we arrived there with a breeze from the North East, I had a cast and had a few cocky salmon follow me in, but only little ones. 10 minutes later I had a huge hit, and my reel screamed. I finally got the fish in after around about 5miniutes, it was a great big Black Back Salmon! Biggest one I have ever caught.
Abu Garcia Australia has launched a new website to co-incide with the release of a host of exciting new products. Check out the New Revo Premier, STX, Inshore, SX, and S low profile reels, winner of best reel series at iCast 2012. The all new Revo Inshore, SX and S spin reels. New Australian designed V series rods the Vanguard, Velocity and Veritas feature the best in materials and components.
I had a trip down to St. Helens on the long weekend and the wind that has been blowing from the west followed me down there and blew from the east. We did get a good days fishing out on the shelf on Monday and managed to find a few Gemfish.
I fished on of the toughest stretches of the Meander River this afternoon from 2.45pm to 6.15pm in mainly overcast conditions and low, clear water. This stretch of river that I fished is around 1.5 kms in length and always gives up a few fish, but it's tough going and you earn every fish that one catches. It's full of every size rock and boulder that can trip you up at any time if your mind's not on the job. Take time and make sure you have good footing under you before taking the next step forward. It varies from water depth below the knees to waist deep in many sections in fast and slow sections of it and one slip and could be a few bruises or a wet backside. This stretch of river has many fast water areas along it which I love to fish especially at this time of year and it does give up some nice medium browns that usually average around 360 gms.
The Corralinn Fly Fishing & Casting Association recently convened a sausage sizzle as a means of supporting the Tasmanian Fire Relief Appeal. This was performed by courtesy of Bunnings Launceston. 14 members assisted working in shifts throughout the day. Through the generosity of a great public a profit of $1500 was achieved which was duly forwarded to the fund.
Click Read More for a larger picture
Cloud cover this afternoon made for me to head off to the Meander River for a session of spinning the fast water once more. Arrived around 3.15 PM and once again as soon as I put my waders on, Bingo! Out came the sun again. Not deterred I still hit the river full of confidence and it wasn't too long before I had my first fish on the line and it was a small solid brown of some 240 gms.
Read more: Meander still gives up a few fish in low water 2013-01-22
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Hello everyone, I thought it would be a good time to introduce myself.
My name is Stephen Smith and I have been managing the website tasfish.com since May 2009.
It has been an epic journey of learning and discovery and I am indebted to Mike Stevens for his help, support and patience.
I am developing a new venture Rubicon Web and Technology Training ( www.rwtt.com.au ). The focus is two part, to develop websites for individuals and small business and to train people to effectively use technology in their everyday lives.
Please contact me via www.rwtt.com.au/contact-me/ for further information - Stephen Smith.
Presented from Issue 105, August 2013
Bob is a professional fishing guide and guides for trout and estuary species. Check him out at www.fishwildtasmania.com
There are several things we look for in our early season trout waters. It is still winter and cold, so some of the things to consider are: Altitude as this dictates the water temperature and therefore feeding activity. Food for the fish. Availability of trout food is generally dictated by the quantity and quality of weed beds.
Quantity of fish.
Three waters which I believe fit all three requirements are:
Read more ...