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 !
Shannon paragalaxias (P. dissimilis) |
Each year we monitor the native fish populations at Penstock and Shannon lagoons. The three species of fish we are looking for are, the spotted galaxias, the Shannon paragalaxias and the Great Lake paragalaxias. This year we caught a very large number of both the spotted galaxias and more pleasingly, the threatened Shannon paragalaxias. This is the highest numbers of this species that have been found at for many years! The third species, the Great Lake paragalaxias, which is much harder to find and occurs only in low numbers in these lagoons, was found within both lagoons. This is a great outcome and indicates the overall health of these waters is good.
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/may/14/penstock-and-shannon-lagoons-native-fish-monitoring
On Friday 14th May 2021 Barry John McDermott appeared in the Devonport Magistrates Court charged with the illegal possession of whitebait.
The charges related to 7.86 Kilograms of whitebait seized by Fisheries Officers from a residence in Devonport whilst executing a search warrant in November 2019.
Mr McDermott was convicted and fined $1344, plus $85.86 Court Costs.
Illegal fishing is an ongoing problem with the whitebait fishery. Each year IFS officers actively target poachers to ensure the long term viability of the recreational whitebait fishery.
We strongly urge anyone that suspects illegal activity at our inland waters to report it to us. You can call 0438 338 530 or 1300 INFISH (1300 463 474). You can email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/may/14/whitebait-poacher-convicted
Tasmanian Irrigation wishes to advise that Craigbourne Dam in Tasmania’s South East is now open to the public. The dam was closed to fishing and recreational activities as a precaution due to the detection of naturally occurring blue-green algae.
Tasmanian Irrigation thanks the public for its patience during the recent closure.
Source: Craigbourne Dam now open (ifs.tas.gov.au)
We released Atlantic salmon into Brushy Lagoon today, approximately 170 at an average of 1.2kg. These fish were an opportunistic donation by Huon Aquaculture. Happy fishing all!
Source: Brushy Lagoon Stocking (ifs.tas.gov.au)
The IFS released Atlantic Salmon into Brushy Lagoon
Information for suitable applicants who have an interest in the Fisheries Community Engagement area.
Applications close soon!
The Leader Fisheries Engagement is based in Launceston at 0.8 to 1.0 FTE.
Improved western access to Pet Reservoir |
Pet Reservoir now has improved access for older and mobility impaired anglers.
Works have been completed to improve the parking area close to the existing access on the western side of the dam, the path to the edge of the dam and widen pedestrian access.
The reservoir is home to a healthy population of brown and rainbow trout.
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/apr/01/pet-reservoir-access-improved
Tasmanian Irrigation wishes to advise that Craigbourne Dam in Tasmania’s South East is closed to the public. The dam is closed to fishing and recreational activities as a precaution due to the detection of naturally occurring blue-green algae.
Tasmanian Irrigation is continuing to monitor the dam on a weekly basis and will advise the public when Craigbourne Dam is available for recreational use. There is currently no impact on irrigation as a result of the dam closure.
Tasmanian Irrigation thanks the public for its patience during the closure.
Source: Blue-Green Algae Advisory for Craigbourne Dam (ifs.tas.gov.au)
Needing only ten more trout to reach my 300th trout for the 2020/21 trout season and with the larger rivers still running high after 47mms of rain three days ago I had no option but to head back to my favourite tannin waters. The weather was fine, no wind to worry about plus I had an earlier start to the day than I normally do, I was in the water by 8:20 am. At this time of the year the sun rises much later than last month and lower in the sky in the morning to what it was last month. Not that it mattered all that much as the area I'm fishing has a lot of dense foliage on both sides of the stream.
Due to the constraints of delivering a COVID-Safe event, Trout Weekend 2021 will not go ahead.
The Inland Fisheries Service has reluctantly taken this measure, as this is an important event for the Inland Fisheries Service, anglers and the Central Highlands community.
Trout Weekend is planned to return on the 21 and 22 May in 2022.
For any queries, contact Steve Paterson on 0438 338 530 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Source: Trout Weekend 2021 cancelled
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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.
Mike Fry doesn’t only live on the Wild Side of Tasmania, but also goes fishing in probably the wildest boat ever to troll for trout—certainly in Tasmania.
When your mate says ‘What are you doing tomorrow, want to come up the Gordon for the night?’ it would be pretty hard to say anything else except “you bet” and start checking out your tackle box and packing your overnight bag. But if your mate was Troy Grining and he wanted to give his new 52ft, high speed cruiser a run across Macquarie Harbour, test the new onboard dory with a chance of landing a nice Gordon River Brown you would have to feel privileged. I didn’t say anything about getting on my hands and knees and kissing his feet…just having a lend of ya’ but I did feel very appreciative.