Inland Fisheries will be holding their annual “Talk about Trout” Forum at the Great Lake Community Centre, Miena, from 7-9pm on Friday, November 22.
The following day there will be the annual Great Lake Tie-in with Fly Tying demos at the Centre from 10am-4pm with kids welcome.
The Hon Guy Barnett, Minister responsible for Inland Fisheries, welcomes teams competing in the World Fly Fishing Championship 2019 along with visitors to come and fish for Tasmania’s wild brown trout.
The group, from left, BT, Trev, Darce, Paddy-O & Phil. Early morning before the sun went, wind came in ‘gale force’ and temperatures dropped through the floor. Phil’s association with Red Tag is one of continuous development and appreciation of the art of fly fishing. Having first met Phil over 10 years ago at the inaugural Hurley’s FFW/Red Tag Trout Tours Tasmania presentation night at Gavin’s Bentleigh fly shop, where he won the first prize in our major competition, he has progressed from an absolute beginner to a regular ‘Tagger.
Phil, seen here with the only hook-up of the day, was part of a ‘boys weekend’ that included Hawthorn Football match, Barnbougle Dunes golf and while there why not have a go at fly fishing at Currawong Lakes.
A nice rainbow for evening entree — went down very well on the BBQ.
Sean’s partner surprised him with a two day/overnight workshop and he didn’t miss the chance.
With day 1 at Currawong Lakes a perfect autumn day, Sean made the most of it.
Some great action on unweighted damsel nymph.
… and excellent wild browns to hand.
With bright skies and clear water the 2nd day on the river was tougher, but a late afternoon Macquarie ‘Red Spinner’ hatch brought on the action.
Over the two days we were able to cover dry, nymph and wet fly action along with the participating trout. Tight lines from here on, Sean.
Anthony, from Western Australia, on first pool and first hook-up with #14 black emerger. Almost season end and this was the start of the best river day of the season!
Plump fit fish all day — no monsters to hand, but one big fish break-off and another of those heart-stopping ‘just missed’ it moments when you take eye off the fly to sight next rise and casting spot, to look down at lifted fly only to see largest mouth of day was about to take the fly.
Great fun on the #3wt, early it was emerging mayfly, then on to ‘hopper patterns, then afternoon late spinner hatch — 20+ fish to the fly and all but two on the dry!
Magic corners …
… and delightful runs, all produced results.
Shane, editor of the South Australian Angler loves Tasmania and its trout fishing, Recently toured the state with a number of TGALT Inc guides and spent two days with Red Tag again. This was him on one of our lowland rivers enjoying the setting.
Day 2 at Currawong Lakes – again one of his favourite waters.
It was quite windy with very little fish activity ‘on top’. So on with one of Red Tag’s woolly bugger patterns and this one turned out to be a 4lb beautiful brown on Lake Macquarie.
Next day, exploring the lakes on his own, he had an even bigger grin getting eight on the wets and top fish nudging 5lb.
Eric (from Victoria) finally onto a wild river brown on the #4wt. It was one of those days when the hatch doth maketh the day!
Another one to hand … at 4.30pm the hatch started, the fish came up and Eric got four in six casts.
Yes! number four … sighted rising, adult red spinner presented and on again!
Started off early with John onto a nice rainbow.
Then doubled the advantage with this …
… which turned out to be a beautiful brown.
However, Chris soon got into action,
… with another ‘lively’ brown. Well caught, held and released!
And so it continued … all sighted on the dries.