and an art worth your learning.."
Presented from Issue 112, October 2014
So said Izaak Walton in the 1600s. It seems that Burnie’s Hannah Ledger has combined angling with art rather well. Hannah is a fish fanatic, outdoor enthusiast and budding, self-taught artist. From as young as she can remember, she has always had crayon in hand, colouring book under arm and as she’s grown as a painter, jars full of paintbrushes and cupboards full of ready-to-go blank canvas’.
A country girl at heart, Hannah was schooled at Yolla District High School, a small ‘farm’ school in the states North West, then went on to Hellyer College where she was given the opportunity to really grow her art skills; And by grow, that meant skipping the classes that would probably have more an impact of getting her somewhere in life, like English and Math to spend every spare minute with the art teacher, painting or drawing.
As typical teenagers do, they make poor decisions- and after being accepted in to one of the countries top art schools, turned down the offer and decided to move to the big island, where she lived for 5 years working in what seemed ‘dead end’ retail.
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 !
It's been a week since my last fishing session due to a trip to the hospital & today I was finally well enough to head off in the hunt for some wild brown trout. The weather was sitting on 17 degrees when I arrived at my destination, once in the water I knew that I would get a few trout seeing as the water temp was touching seven degrees. The water level was down by around three inches since my last visit but it still had enough depth and flow for a spin session. The Okuma Finesse ULS 6' 1-3kg trout rod couple with the Helios SX20 reel was already set up with the small Mepps #00 gold Aglia spinner and that's what I started the session with.
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IFS and AAT inspect the improved Lake Rowallan boat ramp |
In collaboration with Inland Fisheries Service (IFS), Marine and Safety Tasmania (MaST) and various local contractors, Hydro Tasmania has been working to improve our recreational infrastructure.
The latest achievement has been the boating infrastructure at Lake Rowallan. This large, gravel boat ramp is now functional across the operational range of the lake. The upgrade has realigned and widened the boat ramp, creating an even and gentle slope, with rocks placed along the right hand side to indicate the edge of ramp.
The fishing season at Lake Rowallan opened on Saturday 28 September 2019.
The camp ground area, along Mersey Forest Road, provides visitors a place to stay while on their fishing or camping holiday. This site is only suitable for self-sufficient campers.
Information about recreation sites and amenities in the North West on the Hydro Tasmania website https://www.hydro.com.au/things-to-do/north-west
For further information about access and fishing go to Lake Rowallan brochure
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/oct/02/lake-rowallan-notification-upgrade-boat-ramp
A light breeze and a forecast temperature had me heading off to fish another tannin water, it's one I had partly fished sometime ago but really would like to fish a lot more of it. Today was the day because that's the area I felt would fish well and give up a few wild brown trout. The water level was around the same as last time, running at a medium to low level and a good rich tannin colour with a water temp of four degrees. There's been some more snow falls in the highlands and we've also had some heavy frosts, that's why the water temperature had dropped two degrees since the last trip.
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Please contact us with tagged fish details |
Following the release of 3,500 tagged fish into Bradys Lake during May/June this year, reports of tagged fish captured by anglers have been steadily flowing in. As of 23 September, 19 tagged fish have been captured and reported by anglers. Of these, 9 have been captured from Bradys Lake, 6 from Lake Binney and 4 from Tungatinah Lagoon. This shows a movement ‘downstream’ by the fish. As it’s still early in the season, these fish have yet to put on any notable weight.
Anglers are encouraged to report the capture of these tagged fish, noting the tag number, location captured and if possible the length and weight of the fish. All tags are a distinctive green colour and sit just below the fin on the fishes back. We are also keen to know if any of these tagged fish turn up in Bronte Lagoon.
There is no requirement to release these fish, we just want to know if you catch one, along with the tag number and location.
Report tagged fish via email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. OR phone 6165 3808
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/sep/23/bradys-lake-tagged-fish-update
Click Read More for photos of the tag.
Beautiful warm (17 degrees) conditions saw me heading off for another spin session in a small stream this afternoon. This trip was one to a stretch of water I haven't fished since the 12th August so with the warmer temps I felt it was time to give it another go. The last trip this area only gave up two small browns, today I'm looking for a big improvement with the fishing. I had a twenty minute walk to where I started the spin session off and found the water was still running at a nice wading height. The water temp sitting on six degrees, a rise of three degrees which was good, three degrees doesn't sound a lot but it is when chasing trout.
Recently we replaced the barrier net at Four Springs Lake. The barrier net is located across the spillway at the dam and is in place to stop trout escaping in times of flood.
After being in place for several years the old net had become quite brittle from the sun, and had several holes in it. It also had few fishing lures snagged in it!
Anglers are asked to avoid the new barrier net. It is important not to get holes in it from boats and wading.
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/sep/20/stopping-fish-escaping-four-springs
Due to low water levels we completed a salvage of trout in the upper River Clyde. We recovered 172 brown and 51 rainbow trout. The fish were released into Lake Crescent. There were 8 dead fish.
We would like to thank anglers for letting us know that there were fish stranded in the river.
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/sep/19/river-clyde-fish-salvage
I said I would write about fly lines. I think it is Simon Gawesworth from RIO fly lines coloured string - and if you ever get the chance to listen to him, please do it. He is passionate about fly lines and helps explain them simply.
Realistically though fly lines are a hugely complex, so I will just give my very brief overview on floating trout lines.
Most fly lines sold are floating weight forward lines. There are a few double taper, spey, switch and sinking lines sold, but mostly they are floating WF. Lines are generally 90 feet, with a couple of lines used for tournament casters at 120 feet.
The dates for the 2019 rock lobster season will be:
The recreational sector will open on Saturday 7 December 2019 and the entire Eastern Region including the ECSRZ closes on 30 April 2020; and
The commercial sector will open on Tuesday 10 December 2019.
The recreational sector will open on 2 November 2019; and
The commercial sector will open on 15 November 2019.
South Riana Dam has become recognised as a boutique fishery in the north west. Since its creation in 2015 the dam has developed in to an excellent regional water with its convenient location just 20 km from Penguin.
Regular stocking with wild brown trout fry by the IFS has underpinned the existing trout population and some natural recruitment. Anglers are taking well-conditioned fish using all methods including bait fishing, lure casting and fly fishing.
Canoes and Kayaks are permitted and can assist anglers to access the northern and western shores of the dam.
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When you have finished for the day, why not have a brag about the ones that didn't get away! Send Mike an article on your fishing (Click here for contact details), and we'll get it published here. Have fun fishing - tasfish.com
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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.
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Christopher Bassano
Fishing guide Christopher Bassano explores his favourite fishing-and shares a few tips that will help you discover the world of trout near the sea.