After being laid up for a while with a torn muscle in my back and then giving it a short two hour workout in the Mersey River yesterday in which I pulled up okay I decided I will get a spin session in again today. With rain looming in the distance I headed off to one of my favourite small tannin streams for a morning spin session in the hope of catching a few trout before it arrives. As soon as I arrived I darted over to see what the water level was like, it was running high, much higher than I thought it would have been. The 60mms of rain we had here four days ago has really lifted the water level, it was still at a safe wading height, the downside was I'll be in for a tough time finding trout in the faster flowing water. After a twenty five minute walk I was at my entry point where I started fishing for trout, my lure of choice was a #0 Mepps Aglia Fluo Phospho (white) lure. The reason I chose this lure was because of it's white coloured blade plus the Aglia blade is a wide blade that will send out plenty of vibration through the water as I retrieve it, hopefully that will be enough to attract a few trout. As I started fishing my way upstream I couldn't believe how cold the water was, it was very cold on the legs which was something I wasn't expecting today. To make matters worse I didn't wear my thermal gear today either thinking the water temperature would have been okay. Yesterday when I fished the Mersey River the water temperature was around the 12-13 degree mark, here it's only around 7-8 degrees.
SFAC Minutes |
Calamari 2018 Analysis of Management Tools |
Calamari Discussion Paper Oct 2021 |
Calamari spawning in Northern Tas |
TARFish response to calamari management |
Another change of weather is on the way, this time it includes thunderstorms and heavy rain so I made a hasty decision to head off the Mersey River before the change arrives. I checked the river levels online and saw that the river at Weegena was down to a reasonable level that was fairly safe for wading. It was 7:40 am when I hopped in the river and the first thing I noticed was the water temperature was sitting at 10 degrees which was good to see.
The Tasmanian and Australian Liberal Governments are inviting Tasmanian Councils to apply for the second round of the Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program (the Program) which opens today.
The Program, funded by the Australian Government and administered by the Tasmanian Government, provides grants to local government for the purpose of new or renewed:
boat ramps;
marine rescue facilities;
toilet blocks;
fish cleaning stations;
camping facilities; or
other infrastructure or facilities directly associated with recreational fishing, boating, or camping.
Following the success of the first round of the Program, the second round is seeking to fund larger projects with the potential of receiving council co-funding, which will benefit Tasmanians and visitors participating in camping, fishing, and boating activities across the State.
Read more: Securing recreational boating, camping, and fishing facilities across Tasmania
Tasmania’s world-leading carp eradication program is achieving very encouraging results.
In the past year, only three carp were captured in Lake Sorell by the Inland Fisheries Service and it appears that few, if any, now remain.
Extensive fishing efforts were undertaken during spring and summer 2020-21 and three carp were removed – one female and two males which were infected with the jelly gonad condition.
This year’s Carp Management Program annual report says there does not appear to be any fertile males left in Lake Sorell and juvenile carp surveys during and after the normal spawning season did not find any sign of recruitment.
All water released from Lake Sorell is still being screened as a precautionary measure and no carp were found in Lake Crescent or the River Clyde surveys.
A total of 41,499 carp have now been removed from Lake Sorell which is a 53 square kilometre body of water, and carp fishing will continue in 2021-22 focusing on specific times like key weather events and potential spawning times.
It is planned that Lake Sorell will remain open for public recreational use and angling.
Read the Carp Management Program Annual Report 2020-21
With a more lousy weather forecast for later in the day I thought I would spend a few hours in the water this morning while the weather was calm. Even though it was foggy and quite cool when I left home, there wasn't any wind to contend with and that mattered most. Once I left the car and walked to my entry point at 8:45 am when I was standing on a gravelly river bank, the first thing I noticed was the water level had dropped to a nice wading level. It was down by at least five inches from my last trip here which meant the trout would be in more open slower flowing runs now. I started the session off using a #00 gold Aglia Mouche Noire, I felt it would be a good lure for the dull conditions & lower water today. While I was at the river edge I decided I would cross over and head further downstream to fish a stretch of water that I have fished for a couple of seasons, one that did give up a few fish back in it's day. Before I crossed over I looked at a nice flat water that had a large submerged log in it, to me it looked fishy and worth a few casts to see if I was right.
This Sunday, 10 October, is an angling licence free day! An angling licence will not be required for anyone wanting to fish inland waters in Tasmania on this day. It is a great time to try trout fishing.
It is also national Gone Fishing Day with junior angling events happening across Tasmania, it is a great opportunity for those 17 years and under to catch a truly wild, wily trout.
Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) and the Inland Fisheries Service, with the co-operation of local angling clubs, are co-ordinating free junior angling events on Sunday 10 October 2021 as part of national Gone Fishing Day. In preparation, AAT have stocked junior angling venues across Tasmania.
Anglers seemed undeterred with the easterly rain experienced last weekend, which also heralded the opening of the 2021-22 rainbow waters on Saturday 2 October. Reports of good catches were received throughout the State, with mild temperatures and increased water flows providing ideal conditions. Good sized sea-runners and lake trout were on the chew after the snow melted from the peaks.
Tasmania’s rainbow trout waters are:
Read more: Easterly weather didn't affect rainbow waters opening
With junior angling events happening across Tasmania, Gone Fishing Day a great opportunity for those 17 years and under to catch a truly wild, wily trout.
Plus – Gone Fishing Day is an angling licence free day! An angling licence will not be required for anyone wanting to fish inland waters in Tasmania on this day.
Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) and the Inland Fisheries Service, with the co-operation of local angling clubs, are co-ordinating free junior angling events on Sunday 10 October 2021 as part of national Gone Fishing Day. In preparation, AAT have stocked junior angling venues across Tasmania.
Gone Fishing Day is a national event created to encourage people to get outdoors, drop a line, enjoy time with family and friends by or on the water, and hopefully catch a fish or two.
Getting outdoors is beneficial to both your physical and mental health. All anglers can agree that there is no such thing as a bad days fishing when you’re surrounded by those close to you and the glorious areas fishing takes you. So why not have a day that recognises and promotes all of these things!
Venues for junior angling events
Talk trout Tasmania, 7pm on Friday 15 October at the Great Lake Community Centre., Miena |
Join us at the Great Lake Community Centre on Friday 15 October for Talk Trout Tasmania 2021.
This is an opportunity to meet some of our inland fisheries staff.
Hear about fisheries management and ask your questions of the panel.
Our team will present information and strategies about the management of the recreational fishery.
On the eve of the Great Lake Tie In, Talk Trout Tasmania is the perfect way to start this exciting weekend.
Great Lake Community Centre, Miena. 7 to 9 pm. Supper and refreshments provided.
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/sep/23/talk-trout-tasmania-2021
Handy information and links to fisheries,weather etc
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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.