Howard Croston, individual winner of the 39th Fips Mouche World Fly Fishing Championship held in Tasmania, Australia during December 2019 talks of his experience fly fishing in Tasmania, ranking it in his top three fly fishing experiences in the world.
Regular ‘Tagger Phil came back with his mates Darce, BT and Trev to enjoy a break at Currawong Lakes, fly fishing and the clays. This excellent 3-lb+ provided entree for the five of us again.
The boys had all the excuses, missed, break-offs, lost, etc, but Phil, came through for the second trip running in the ‘hunter-gatherer’ stakes.
Darce (in the foreground & BT in the corner) tried hard …
This was the best ‘bird’s nest’ of the day, not bad with an unweighted nymph as the single fly set up.
Even a committed effort by Trev, after a leaping brown in the late afternoon didn’t change to situation.
Well boys, it looks like another year of Phil’s fish stories.
Mel and son Chris (right) had a good combination trip with us.
Chris had the toughest afternoon introduction to fly fishing, 35km winds and no rises.
Mel gets a good wild brown on the Blue Damsel, while Chris records action for family.
Then Chris’ turn, again on the damsel, sighted stalked and hooked … but then fish spat hook.
Another one on for Chris, this one on a dropper under a dry … took Chris into the backing twice, before snagging him up some 30 metres away. Chris was one of the best learners to casting I can recall.
Everything right, presentation, accuracy, excellent stalker, but the fish refused to play ball. Reckon between missed takes, lost fish and break-offs he had ten or more to the fly but yet to get one to hand.
Finally! On the rivers, this one got to hand, lively river wild brown …
Mel also got this 4lb beauty on the dry in the late evening at Currawong.
Peter & Elizabeth working as a well-polished team again. They love both still and river work, with Elizabeth taking the honours on the rivers.
Elizabeth again, this time on Day Une on Currawong Lakes at Long Marsh – another lovely brown
Peter also enjoyed success on the lakes.
However, it was Elizabeth’s trout, top rod each day … well done Elizabeth!
Stan & Louise from California will have to ‘come back again’ to get a Tassie wild brown to hand.
Having only the day, being from a cruise ship in port at Hobart, they had to make the most of every chance.
Louise got the closest with a very good brown (on the Blue Damsel) breaking off at the net.
Stan trying a ‘hopper on a deeper pool … fish seen, hooked, but none to hand.
Definitely need to come back.
One of John’s best ever days on Currawong Lakes, with the wild browns returning. This was part of the Slam — at least one fish from each of their three lakes on the same day.
There was action aplenty on all three — this resulted in another top brown to hand.
This excellent rainbow was from the top lake (Currawong).
Next to come — the Grand Slam with at least a rainbow and a brown from each lake in the same day.
All on the dries with Blue Damsels, mayfly emerger and adult red spinner patterns successful.
John also loves the rivers and streams of Tassie, so we combine a day or so there with the private lakes fishing.
First wild stream fish on the ‘hopper pattern gives John some fun on his favourite stalker Aire #2wt.
Autumn is on its way and Tasmania is a great place to visit and fly fish for wild trout during March and April. Still excellent dry fly opportunities with ‘hoppers galore and mayfly hatches ongoing.
Check out the Bookings Calendar, top times are available in both months, Season ends May 3, 2020.
Annie & Jerome were on a self reliant, getting to know Tasmania tour and a fly fishing workshop was definitely on the agenda.
This was Jerome’s first trout on the fly, gently returned ‘with confidence’
Then it was Annie’s turn – this one was dinner. The only way you can eat brown trout in Tasmania is catch your own!
A final session stalking trout together, then off to their next adventure.