Demi Lambert showing how it is done

Presented from Issue 102
The humble Flathead is without doubt the Tasmanian anglers most sought after recreational saltwater species.

They can be found virtually anywhere there is a sandy bottom, from our estuaries to our bays, they are easy to catch and as an added bonus, are fabulous on the dinner table as well.

Mike Stevens has asked me to pen a few words together aimed at those that want to start targeting this species and perhaps aren’t really familiar on how to go about it, so here goes.

Species

There are three distinct species of flathead found around Tasmania and perhaps the most common is the southern sand flathead.

They can grow to around 50cm in length and over 2 kg in weight, but due to them having to be around 16 years of age in order to reach this size; fish like these are the exception rather than the rule.

Their colours vary depending on surroundings but they are usually a light brown or mottled pattern on top with a white belly.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Saltwater and Estuary Fishing

Published: 23 April 2017

Hits: 14885

• Saltwater and Estuary Fishing
• Flathead

Read more: Flat heading -Back to basics - Todd Lambert

Presented from Issue 101
Squid fishing has become hugely popular in Tasmania in recent times and the start of spring and early summer heralds a new migration of the fish and tasty squid rings on the dinner plate. Whilst we have arrow and calamari squid in Tasmania the target species I am talking about here is calamari.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Saltwater and Estuary Fishing

Published: 21 April 2017

Hits: 21474

• Squid

Read more: Squid Techniques and tips for better catches - Leroy Tirant

Presented from Issue 101
Fishing with other people is an interesting experience. Fishing with someone new can be like going on a first date, while a day out with a long time mate is more like putting on a comfortable pair of old shoes. A good thing about fishing with someone else is that you get to learn by watching, which can open your mind up to new ideas and techniques.

Something else that shows through is that how personality and character can influence flyfishing style. Do you know any two people who are exactly the same? You know what it’s like. Among your friends, you might have the energetic, extroverted type, who fills in all the awkward silences, the jester, or the quiet reserved one, who doesn’t say a lot, but when they do, everyone listens (or at least should).

My own circle of fishing buddies is a diverse bunch. We do share set of values and interests - otherwise we wouldn’t be friends I guess. A common love of rivers and streams, wild trout, dry flies, and of course, total catch and release binds us. There are some basics that we all adhere to in terms of technique, but there is a lot of variation in other than key areas. We all catch our share of fish, but don’t count them, certainly not in a “I got five, he got three” type of competitive way.

Here is an insight into my fishing mates, what I’ve learnt from them, and proof that there’s more than one way to skin a trout (so to speak)!

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Trout Fishing

Published: 21 April 2017

Hits: 3767

• Trout Fishing

Read more: Mates and Fish - Choose them carefully - Nick Taransky

With a very light breeze blowing I was in two minds all day whether to go and have a session on the Mersey River or not. Finally around 2:30pm I decided I would go for a late spin session after all. I was in the river by 3:00 pm in what was really good conditions even though the river was running low and clear, not only that I would be fishing in full sun for the first 400 meters of river until I reached the shaded areas on the river. I started off using a hard body for a while without any sign of a trout before I changed to the gold Aglia spinner when I reached a 300 meter shallow fast water stretch of river that varied in depth from (4'' to 6'') 10cms to 20cms.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Rivers

Category: Mersey River

Published: 18 April 2017

Hits: 4144

• Mersey River
• Adrian

Read more: Late session worth the effort

Presented from Issue 101
For as long as people have been coming to the East Coast of Tasmania, surf fishing its beaches has been one of the most popular pastimes. Whilst not always the most productive form of fishing it certainly is one of the most relaxing. Its something that the whole family can be involved in and I have to say its quite something to see a group of families on the beach, dads with a couple of surf rods out, wives sunbaking on the white sand in the sun and the kids either playing happily, building sandcastles or trying their hand at a bit of light surf fishing.

The chance to have a holiday on the beach, put a smile on the children’s face and wet a line at the same just can’t be overrated. Add to that the chance of putting a fresh feed of fish on the dinner table and you have wonder whether heaven could be better than this

All that is need is a basic range of gear, some comfy camp chairs , an esky full of ice, drinks and food — and of course a separate esky for the bait, sunscreen, hat and sunnies and plenty of time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Many of the East Coasts beaches offer very easy access and often some great free camping facilities right on the beach as well as some light rock fishing in some areas.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Saltwater and Estuary Fishing

Published: 17 April 2017

Hits: 5696

• Saltwater and Estuary Fishing

Read more: Surf’s Up - Fun in the sun - and a few fish too - Jamie Henderson

... there's still some beauties to be caught - Adrian Webb 2017 04 13

Today I decided to have a trip to a small stream/creek in the upper reaches of Gunns Plains it's one that I haven't fished for six years. The reason I decided to check it out was because I was going back through my diaries and came across a report of one of my trips to it. I have no idea if it's has a name or not as it's one I stumbled onto one day while checking out a few back roads that crossed over small creeks & streams in the area that flow into the Leven River. It's very over grown in most sections and calls for some accurate casting.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Rivers

Category: Leven River

Published: 16 April 2017

Hits: 5624

• Adrian
• Leven River

Read more: After six years...

Presented from Issue 101
Over the last couple of months I have traveled to some of Australia’s most remote red sand country where there were fish in remote billabongs.

These are fed by the northern waters flowing into Lake Eyre Basin. To be invited onto a million acre station catching golden perch (yellow belly) and grunter was a great privilege and is another fishing adventure ticked off.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Jan’s Flies

Published: 15 April 2017

Hits: 4188

• Jan’s Flies

Read more: The Wiggle - Jan Spencer

Presented from Issue 101
I am a fly fisher living on the banks of the Mersey River in Latrobe in northern Tasmania. Some, close to me, think I am obsessed. I get to see close hand the cycles of the river and its inhabitants throughout the changing seasons. For me the most exciting time of the trout fishing season is late spring and early summer when the aquatic insects, like the caddis flies, stoneflies and above all the majestic mayfly, are going through their hatching stages. What follows is a story of a spring morning’s fishing on my favourite stream.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Rivers

Category: Mersey River

Published: 15 April 2017

Hits: 6063

• Mersey River
• Trout Fishing

Read more: A Merseylea Morning - Peter Broomhall

Presented from Issue 101
Catching the fish of a lifetime was one thing, but preserving it as a trophy was going to be another. Since the capture of the massive 147kg Southern Bluefin Tuna which we had now affectionately called ‘Charlie’, the desire to have the fish immortalised grew.

But just how do you freeze a fish head and backbone that weighed over 50 kg and measured over 2 metres long? Most of the flesh had been shared among friends, family and neighbours and in the first week alone it was calculated that over 140 people had eaten a meal from “Charlie”. Some had commented “best sashimi ever” whilst others had preferred the taste of the smaller, tastier, softer school bluefin tuna. Charlie had been grilled, fried, curried, marinated, smoked, baked, battered, mornayed, and yes…even eaten raw.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Tuna Fishing and other Game Fishing

Published: 14 April 2017

Hits: 6851

• Tuna Fishing and other Game Fishing

Read more: Making a Trophy - 147 kg Southern bluefin tuna - Geoff Madden and John Wilesmith

Presented from Issue 101
It’s warming at last! The weather is becoming more predictable and water temperatures have accordingly risen. Along with this comes the hatches and falls of insects which bring trout to the surface. The sinking lines can be put away for a while and the excitement of top of the water fishing can take its place. Not only does static dry fly come to the fore, but also top of the water loch style techniques particularly on rougher days.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Parent Category: Articles

Category: Fly Fishing

Published: 14 April 2017

Hits: 7198

• Fly Fishing

Read more: Sedgehogs and Muddlers