by Sarah Graham
Many anglers are preparing for the opening of the new angling season on Saturday 7 August and it's shaping up to be another good one with the fishery in excellent health as a result of last year’s drought breaking rains. There are many great fishing locations around the State from which to choose for the opening weekend and early season fishing but here are a few suggestions.
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 !
When the trout fishing season closes in Tasmania many anglers seem to suffer from an acute condition called "off season blues'. Fishing equipment is stored away and it is a time to reflect on the season gone. I seem to develop a hunger for fishing literature at this time of the year and spend many winter nights around the fire reading my favourite books. Also memories come flooding back of past angling episodes, some successful and some not so successful, but always rewarding.
Terry Edwards reports on one of his favourite waters.
Approximately eighteen kilometres north of Strahan, the Henty River emerges from dense mountainous bushland and winds it's way to the rugged west coastline of Tasmania.
The river originates from within the West Coast Range, a dozen or so kilometres south of Rosebery. Several small streams and rivers contribute to the flow from this system, providing a seasonal scenario similar to the mighty Pieman River. In fact, I tend to refer to the Henty as a miniature, compact Pieman River.
Andrew Large, of Got One Hobart, is a keen sea-run trout angler. He outlines how to catch these fabulous sportfish.
What is a Sea-Run trout?
Sea-runners are brown trout (salmo-trutta) that have, as juvenile fingerlings, made a decision to move away from freshwater and to live in saltwater.
The township of St Helens is nestled at the back of Georges Bay, a sheltered track of water situated a quarter of the way down the East Coast of Tasmania. The area is now regularly visited by leading Australian fishing journalists such as Rick Huckstepp, who regard St Helens as the sport fishing mecca of Tasmania and a true world-class sport fishing destination.
Mike, The Editor, gave me a book to have a look at called "The Armchair Angler" and said "check out the Blue Trout article and see what you think'.
This article described Blue Trout as "pure unadulterated essence of trout'. What really intrigued me about this recipe was why call it "Blue" trout. Apparently the colour comes from the same lubricant that makes a fish slippery and when cooked gives the fish a light metallic blue tingle.
The embracing of loch-style fishing Techniques by competition anglers in Australia is now finding increasing favour with recreational anglers. Much is written in the British angling press about loch-style fly fishing, and its many subtle variations, but Australian publications have been silent on it till recently.
Often I am asked where my favourite spot is. Really, it's where I happen to be on the day.
Having fished a number of places in the world I know we are so lucky in Tasmania to have fishing that is so diverse. From small mountain streams to lowland rivers, and thousands of highland lakes. The remote lakes in Tasmania, commonly known as the Western Lakes, certainly hold a place in my heart. I am not sure why, as there are certainly places more civilised and a darned sight easier to get to.
Brook trout, with their olive backs, lemon spots and, in the case of spawners, bright orange flanks are perhaps the most strikingly beautiful of all salmonoids and, because they are so rare in Australia and New Zealand, most anglers aspire to catch one. While the species does not offer the same challenge as the ever cunning brown trout, it is highly regarded in its native North America and we are privileged to have a couple of wild populations in Tasmania.
The edges of Macquarie Harbour, Freycinet Peninsula and Maria Island National Park are typical habitats for one of Tasmania's most spectacular birds - the white-breasted sea eagle - a bird of prey with a wing span sometimes exceeding 2 m and a weight of up to 4.5 kg.
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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
Here is a list of all of the Article Categories. The number in Brackets, eg (13) is the number of articles. Click on Derwent River and all articles relating to the Derwent will be displayed in the central area.
Visit https://www.windyty.com/
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:
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