Red Tag’s 21st — Coming of Age Offer!

This year Red Tag Trout Tours celebrates its own anniversary — 21 years of guiding!

To celebrate with us, here is our 2016/17 season offer:

Every angler who books a minimum 2-days/overnight tour package from now till the end of the 2016/2017 trout season in Tasmania will receive a $150 gift voucher to spend at either of the Hurley’s Fly Fishing stores located at Bentleigh or Geelong, or go shopping Online.

Plus a bonus! if your tour is 4-days/3-nights or more every angler gets two sets of vouchers!

Vouchers must be redeemed with Hurley’s Fly Fishing World by 30 June 2017. Vouchers are issued after receipt of deposit.

International workshop day

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Elfreda, left, and Parry (both from Hong Kong) getting to grips with the casting introduction.

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Then geared up for their first ever fly fishing session.

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Although both Elfreda, seen here stalking a fish that rose out past the reeds; and …

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Parry, working off the deeper bank section, to another spotted trout, got the basics down well, the trout had the last say this time.

At the end of the day both were vowing to return with improved skills, so look out trout!

Combined workshop – steep learning curve!

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From left – Antony, Des and Paul had a good workout getting started in ‘the art of the fly’. Here they are gearing up for first assault on our stocked rainbow water.

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Antony and Paul working the shallows after a rainbow, but wind and stubborn fish meant change of venue after lunch.

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Afternoon and evening on Currawong Lakes stalking wild trout saw a lot more action – especially from the fish!

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Here Paul is casting to a close-in feeder that has moved literally just metres in front of him (can see the rings).

All in all very exciting, but frustrating for a team of beginners. Final count 1 lost, 1 missed and 2 lined = lots of fun had and converts to the fly made!

With the high water levels, Currawong Lakes looks like being a great series of waters throughout this season – can’t wait for the dry action to start.  

Early Spring for small stream nymphing!

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Richard had a day to get some stream action in early September, while visiting Hobart. After recent floods and cool waters, there was no dry fly action but some, like this small stream wild brown, were looking for nymphs.

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Another nice corner that brought a little action to the fly. Was Richard’s first time on a light #2wt and he enjoyed the benefit of the shorter rods in the tighter conditions.

First up workshop success

Allan and Barb, booked in an early season workshop with us in mid-August.

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Allan’s delight at the first 'tagger's trout of the new season

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Hang on to it Allan!

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End result — a nice rainbow, safely returned.

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Barb enjoying the afternoon river session — unfortunately, Barb lost a good rainbow on the dam, and they didn’t want to play on the river.

Brown Trout Season Opens soon!

It is on again from Saturday August 6!

What is known as the Brown Trout new season opening casts off Saturday 6th till Sunday 30th April 2017.

That mean all rivers & streams plus the majority of lakes, classified as Brown Trout waters are open again.

For us fly fishers it can be a little early, as August is still winter, but if you want to have an early introductory workshop and visiting then, drop us a line.

Water … water everywhere, and how those fish did spawn!

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A quality wild brown from an earlier high water season start – around the 4lbs on a #4wt – great fish – top action.

This year we have had the wettest late Autumn/Winter for years and don't the fish just love it.

I can't wait for the early Spring to come on and expect the waters to stay high for many weeks into the season giving the recovering trout excellent feeding conditions after their best spawning runs for ages.

Spring time enquiries are on the increase, so don't leave it too long to get in – check out the Bookings Calendar.

Late season success

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Visiting Japanese angler, Yasuaki, started his tour with a short session on the Derwent River estuary. This turned out to be a lively plump little ‘cocky salmon’ taken on a whitebait imitation.

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Then a couple of days at Currawong Lakes produced some good fish in tough conditions.

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This 3lb brown amongst them.

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Yasuaki said this was one of, if not the best looking wild brown he had ever caught, including fishing in the UK.

Good introductory workshop

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Alan has a lively introduction to fly fishing …

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Returning this 2.5lbs rainbow on our teaching water. This one took a damsel fly nymph

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Then a wading/stalking intro on the river. After spotting a couple of rising fish in the river, the weather took a turn for the worst and the fish ‘went down’.

Peter & Jill’s week that was

Peter and wife Jill had a full week with Red Tag mid-Autumn that combined rivers and Currawong Lakes

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Peter sets the bar early with this top wild brown from Currawong Lakes.

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These fish are just beautiful

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The rainbows aren’t bad either!

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Jill netted a nice stream brownie on the Macquarie River … only for Peter to pick up this very well conditioned fish moments later. Both were taken on the trusted mayfly emerger.

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After a top week, it was only fitting that mother nature put on a special farewell to them both – rising trout and setting sun.

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What a sight, not a breath of wind in the last hour and an Autumn evening to reflect on for quite some time.