Bob (from British Columbia) hadn’t wetted a line for some years until this Tasmanian visit … so Currawong Lakes was the ideal place to get back into it.
As the presentations improved, so did the results … this 3lb wild brown to start. Taken on the (dry) Blue Damsel no less.
This was followed by some great rainbow action, again on the dry, this time a red spinner (writer’s tie) did the trick.
One of a number of nice rainbows being returned.
Nick (the angler) looking skyward with relief, as Roy successfully nets very nice wild brown for him. Having been working on his ‘roll-casts’ this delightful wild brown took a ‘hopper pattern less than five metres ahead.
Another top river brown … again falling to the ‘hopper pattern.
Roy certainly had his share of success … here another river and another feisty brown brought to net.
Shane, from New South Wales, got an early result on this beautiful day …
… a lovely river wild brown trout on a damsel nymph.
Rob & wife Susan, had a top day on a Tassie river despite waiting out a thunder storm first up then very gusty winds. Here Rob is onto his first, taken on a small copper bead-head nymph.
A nice bend in the three weight with this one!
Susan did a top job getting this one to the net. Being bright, after the storm went through, fish not only using cover to ambush (‘Hopper) flies, but then headed straight back to test the angler’s skills.
Susan releasing the wild brown. There is no doubt these Tasmanian wild browns are beautifully marked.
This is the very satisfied grin of your first ever trout on the fly … dry at that. Sighted, stalked, Blue Damsel presented on its nose and … take!
A very good conditioned rainbow heads home.
Kade admires dad Kurt’s effort with his first for the day.
Terry is well under way up front while son Greg is sorting out a ‘technical’ problem following up. To make matters worse for Greg, a good riser was feeding well within casting range while this was happening!
After some tough going with very bright sun and clear water, Terry gets onto a wild stream fish on the ‘hopper.
Then its Greg’s turn. Lovely wild brown, again the ‘hopper did the trick with a well placed left shoulder roll cast into the shadows ahead.
Smile and returned.
After three rivers in two days, off to the Currawong Lakes for day three.
Here the sun, along with a gentle breeze, was a blessing as Greg gets his first of five for the day on the Blue Damsel.
Terry also gets a very nice brown to hand on the Blue Damsel.
The Gustafson family were recommended to Red Tag by their friend Andy, a pilot from the USA aircraft carriers that used to frequent Hobart for R&R around the turn of the century. From left, Rhea, son Ryan, daughter Erika, and mum Cheryl.
I had taken Andy and some of his fellow airmen fly fishing on their stopovers and he suggested the family follow their love of trout fishing with Red Tag for the day their cruise ship was in Hobart.
Hold onto that fish Erika!
Well satisfied with this 3lb rainbow, Erika took the points on the day.
Working the dries, everyone had chances, but missed strikes and lost big ones (3 x break-offs) resulted in Erika being top rod for the day.
Working with groups like this with one guide can be difficult, but Currawong Lakes is an ideal location with their three separate lakes, plenty of shore line to give the individual angler room to fish to their own rises / sighted fish and opportunity to maximise conditions on the day.
Perfect day for the damsel feeders to come out and play. Bright sun, gentle offshore breeze to ripple the surface and warm enough for the damsels and dragonfly.
Regular ‘Tagger’ Roy with his first of five to hand for the day, a beautiful conditioned rainbow.
… same being returned to home.
And another. Roy releasing a Currawong Lakes self spawned wild brown.
Gail gets onto another good trout on the ‘Butler Blue’ damsel …
… and, after a couple of big fish break-offs, this one didn’t get away — a 4lbs+ rainbow hen.