Seeing as it's a new year and I haven't wet a line since the 24th December I thought it was time to go and have a session in a river this morning. I left home at first light and on the way I saw a fiery sunrise, one that was bright orange due to the air being filled with smoke from bush fires here in Tasmania as well as the mainland bush fires.

Here I was heading off chasing trout in a river when there are people battling to save homes as well as their lives, it really makes one think how lucky many of us are. My thoughts go out to all of those people as well as the volunteers who have and are still being effected by those horrific bush fires around Australia. I arrived at the Meander River just before 6:30am in what was a beautiful cool morning, the river was running clear and at an ideal wading height, all I needed was the trout to be here and in an aggressive mood.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: Meander River

Published: 14 January 2020

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• Adrian

Read more: The Bug gets the first trout for 2020

Winning photo Tasmania Trout Fishing Photo by Shaun Chooper "Keep em wet" taken at Lake Fergus

The IFS Trout Fishing Photography Competition is back for 2019-20.

We want your best Tasmanian trout fishing photos. Enter photos of fishing families, anglers, scenery and, of course, trout.

1st Place: $500, 2nd Place: 1 x pair Neoprene waders (Fly 'n Dry), 3rd and 4th Place: 10 x Lures (Hueys Lures).

Entries is free and will be accepted up until 5pm on Tuesday 5 May 2020.

Conditions apply - see entry form

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: Events

Published: 11 January 2020

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Read more: Trout Fishing Photography Competition 2019-20 Update

Summer Fishing Clinics

Don't forget that free fishing clinics are being held in January at local jetties around the state from Dover to St Helens to Devonport. All ages and abilities are welcome. 

New fishers learn basic skills like setting up a rod, casting, how to measure your catch and to fish responsibly. Others may want to improve their skills or just drop by to find more about fishing. Rods and gear are provided.

Preregistration is encouraged to allow us to plan the required support and assist in guaranteeing you a fishing spot on the day.

Dates and details

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 11 January 2020

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Read more: Responsible fishing clinics on in January 2020

Dull overcast conditions and a gusty South Westerly helped me make the easy decision to fish the lower Mersey River this morning mainly because I knew it would be reasonably sheltered from the winds. It wasn't an early start either because the air temp was only eight degrees when I left home, so there was no rush to get in the river. I was on the river bank by 9:05 am and spotted several trout on the rise plus a few small jumpers as well. As always the first lure of choice was a Mepps spinner, the #0 Stone Fly Bug was what went for starters as it's the lure that's done a great job on several trips lately. I spotted a trout on the rise close to the opposite river bank so that's where the first cast headed.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: Mersey River

Published: 09 January 2020

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• Adrian

Read more: Trout take to the old Aglia spinners

Fishing and camping what better way to spend the summer holidays

The Christmas/New Year period in the Central Highlands saw some fantastic conditions for fishing. Our Officers were out on patrol and witnessed some great catches. Several waters were visited and boat patrols conducted on several waters. From a fishing perspective Great Lake fished well for anglers trolling with lead lines, particularly early and late in the day. On the warmer sunny days, fish were up and about looking for food in the waves near the surface. The fish were concentrated in the wind lanes.

Woods Lake fished well as usual, however lure anglers are starting to have to check for weed fouling their lure fairly regularly. Fly fishermen did well as usual in the south western corner of the lake.

Arthurs Lake – Fish safes were seen to contain nice fish, with trolling anglers and spinning proving popular. Fly fishermen also had good success in Cowpaddock Bay.

Penstock Lagoon – Plenty of duns were on the water on the cloudier days. As usual, good numbers of rising trout were taken by happy anglers.

Little Pine Lagoon – Fish are tailing nicely at the moment and are in excellent condition.

King William – Lots of fish caught by trollers over the period. Green and old cobra lures were the standout.

In all 224 anglers and 42 boats were inspected by our Officers across 5 days. 10 offences were detected. Fishing without a licence, failing to wear PFD and failing to carry minimum safety equipment on vessels accounted for the majority.

IFS wishes all anglers a safe and happy 2020. If you are in need of a New Year’s resolution, we would highly recommend spending more time fishing our lovely inland waterways.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2020/jan/03/fishing-report-festive-season

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 06 January 2020

Hits: 925

• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Fish where the champions fish

Collect your photos now and keep you eye on our website for information about how to enter.

There will be some great prizes and the winners will be announced at Trout Weekend 2020 on 16-17 May.

If you haven't already, start shooting those fishy shots and scenes.

Source : https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/dec/24/Photo-competition

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 25 December 2019

Hits: 799

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• Events

The track leading to Double Lagoon in the Nineteen Lagoons area of the Western Lakes is now open.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/dec/23/double-lagoon-track-now-open Published on Dec. 23, 2019 

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 24 December 2019

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Hi Willow Warriors,

Just getting in touch to wish you all a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. If you have been with the Willow Warrior for a while now, thank you for your contributions to the Tyenna River Recovery Program in 2019. If you are one of our new members, I look forward to meeting you at an upcoming event. Its been a fantastic effort this year and we are close to completing the primary willow control and planting works at the Westerway Raspberry Farm. Upstream efforts were kicked off in late November by the Clark’s from Raspberry Farm who organised local Westerway residents to remove willow upstream from the bridge in Westerway with the help of the Derwent Catchment Project. You may have already see their efforts, which have really improved river access from Westerway.

We have also completed our planning to start control of the most upstream willows and work downstream over a 10 years with the aim of eradicating willows from the Tyenna. I will be in touch in the new year with Willow Warrior working bee dates for February and March in the Maydena area and share these draft plans if you are interested in providing input. We have been successfully with a funding application to the Community Environment Grants that, along with the funding from the Fisheries Habitat Improvement Fund, will support all our planned restoration works on the Tyenna for 2020.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 21 December 2019

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Read more: Join the Willow Warriors Army

School holiday fishing clinics

Looking for an activity to get the kids out of doors these school holidays?

Free fishing clinics are being held in January at local jetties around the state from Dover to St Helens to Devonport. All ages and abilities are welcome.

New fishers learn basic skills like setting up a rod, casting, how to measure your catch and to fish responsibly. Rods and gear are provided.

Dates and details

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 21 December 2019

Hits: 678

• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Read more: News for Fisheries Tasmania 2019 12 17