Great local support for workshops in tough season!

During this season, following the onset the national lockdowns and pandemic, Red Tag, Ken Orr’s Trout Expeditions and Nick May’s The Highland Fly got together and set up some fly fishing workshops.

We launched thinking maybe one or two groups would be interested in an introduction to the art of the fly!

Well – five workshops later – and around 50 attendees with a 50/50 split between males & females we were blown away by the response.


Top teaching water – safe wading – excellent open grasslands for casting instruction and wild brown trout.


Beginners groups on the grass.


Wild browns to bring a big grin to a young flyfisher’s face.


An even bigger grin and bigger brown …


One of the ladies into a big wild brown.


For those doing a repeat class, some theory on gear selection – vest set up – wets, nymphs & dries why, when & how discussions.

Having seen the above, we are now determined to put aside a number of dates for the 21/22 season. We will be advertising the dates well in advance and getting flyers out to the key fishing stores about the state.

Scratching a seven year itch


Alastair, from Queensland, was last here in 2014. This time a combination of still waters (Currawong Lakes) and small streams soon got him back into the swing.


While day 1 provided some excellent hook-ups, these strong and weighty fish proved hard to bring to hand — break-offs and dropped fish prevailed.


Whereas, first pool on day 2 and a cheeky little wild brown came to hand on the nymph.


Observation is often a key factor in success on the dry. After watching a nice brown taking insects half a body length clear of the water, Alastair changed his fly from an emerger to adult black spinner. Excellent presentation and solid hook-up.


The result — a beautiful 1.5lb wild brown to hand, the best stream fish for the day.

Skills rekindled in style!


Charles had not been on the water for some years, but was keen to get back on the water when in Tassie recently. This nice Currawong wild brown on the Blue Damsel was just the ticket to christen a sage #5wt his dad had given him some time back.


Then it was soon another sighted, stalked and netted brown on the damsel pattern.

Both gently returned ‘home’.


But Charles’ true love was rivers. This was on an emerger next day, only problem was, it was a big fish with an aggressive take and literally bit the fly clean off.


Soon made amends with his first to the net on the stream.


By day three, down to a #3wt with more success despite the weather turning for the worst. All up a successful return to the water for Charles, fish each day, on the dry, emerger and nymphs – well done!

Top day on small water – #3wt delights


Phil – 1st client for 2021! With the wetter summer, good flows in small streams means well defined ‘bubble line’ promising good fishing.


It wasn’t long before Phil hooked up – ‘where are you going’ seems to be the question to the fish.


A nice bend in the #3wt here.


Although not big, well conditioned wild trout in tight lies and good water, provided a very pleasing day. Even had a bust off out of double figures on for the day.

Good family workshop – mum provides


‘Cheeky’ addition to Red Tag and family shot – Ray joins Red Tag as assistant. Family group, (from left) Ben, Tahlia, Tom & Ken) self in background.


Tahlia strikes first with a nice wild brown that the was destined for the BBQ lunch.


… followed up by a neat netting job from Ben.


Tahlia does it again! This one returned to grow on for ‘next time’.

Back after long break


Lachlan checks his back cast — after 8 year break in fly fishing workshop!


Spots a feeding trout in this backwater and starts to stalk.


Fish moves away along the backwater, need to follow and keep low profile.


Good movement identifies position … on with the Blue Damsel!


Yes! Hook up … only took 1.25 hours. For practically a novice this was just brilliant!


3.5lbs of wild brown trout in 8 inches of clear back water … no wonder a satisfied grin.


Trout heading home. This is why we love guiding/teaching fly fishers … great result for the client from a combination of patience, pattern and presentation.

Borders open and long time friends return


Mik from NSW was keen to get back to Tassie after 18 years away! As you can see tough day weather wise, but still a good number of hook ups.


Some good sized fish — with clever intent — hard run straight into the weed bed!


Despite some excellent stalking techniques, none to hand, with three break-offs and weight on a number of others.
Light leaders for trout (after 14lb‘rope’ bass skull dragging efforts) meant the delicate touch was missing.
“ I will be back” says Mik … and it won’t be another 18 years!

Big catches for early season

UPDATE: This is owner of Currawong Lakes – Richard – with that ‘creek bound’ trout John was casting to.

Amazing the size in such small water – now safely back in Lake Macquarie!

This was an amazing moment … in the pool in front of John, there was a 4lb+ trout that had gone up the creek to spawn and made its home there!

It was hiding under the right hand side large rock overhang and would not move till we spooked it out.

If you didn’t know how determined trout are to spawn you wouldn’t believe it possible!

John was entitled to a big grin on getting this 3.5lb beauty to hand …

… after a chase and capture through the weed beds

Even the smallest was a solid 2lb

This was an amazing moment … in the pool in front of John, there was a 4lb+ trout that had gone up the creek to spawn and made its home there!

It was hiding under the right hand side large rock overhang and would not move till we spooked it out.

If you didn’t know how determined trout are to spawn you wouldn’t believe it possible!

Final fish of Day 2 – a 2.5lb+ salmon … yes that’s right. There are only a handful in the top (Lake Currawong) water and John got this one on a nymph dropper. He also got the first trout for the season on the dry on Day 2 … 12°C and we found a few mayfly hatching in a quiet corner.

Come on warm weather!