Sheltered grass areas to start casting layouts …

On to the (new) still water and the rainbow trout challenge …

Then the best action of the day – first wild brown trout on the dry! All this and we haven’t left the workshop property!

With the addition of our new Red Tag registered teaching/introductory stocked water at our heritage cottage accommodation, Somercotes, we can now offer the complete range of introductory packages as well as our traditional experienced angler option.

The still water had young rainbows introduced in mid 2011 and by March this year they were between 250-350g and by the next season should be around the 500-650g mark … a good sized fish to target for anyone looking to learn the art and skills of fly fishing.

Having more than 16 years experience guiding and tuition behind us, we understand the range of expectations beginners to fly fishing may have, some learn better with the practical hands on and learn as they go approach, whereas others like more theory and explanations before picking up the fly rod.

With the diversity of waters at Red Tag’s disposal, we can now cater for the whole range of our client’s requirements using this base facility.

From under cover theory session, to on-lawn casting instruction, stillwater casting and fishing skills and finally wild trout waters – all at the one location: and this is only day 1.

For extended workshops of two or more days, we can add on a variety of rivers and streams from our base location, include Currawong Lakes for those extra big fish, which means covering the range of fly fishing techniques and water variety.

As to numbers, one on one and two-angler packages are great as these maximise the teaching opportunity for the learner.

However, single full day workshops can be up to four people ex-Hobart with Red Tag transport and we can accommodate larger groups by arrangement.

Having just completed a very good fishing season, I thought it appropriate to look back at the flies that stood out and review Red Tag’s Dangerous Dozen.

Dries: First choice is still the dark brown para-emerger – especially through the October to mid-December mayfly period, and first up through summer and autumn. See tying instructions here.

If I were to change any dries in the Dangerous Dozen range it would be to drop off the Royal Wulf and replace with the Elk Hair Caddis. It (the Caddis) was very good in the early ‘hopper season when the grasshoppers were first coming into the trout’s food chain and also as a ‘searcher’ on bright summer days through to early autumn.

Although I still use the Pink Bum ‘hopper to good effect, both the Nobby’s Hopper and the Para hopper were good patterns for this food item.

Nymphs: Copper bead-heads most used and successful when nothing on top with the brass bead-head version early in the higher and discoloured waters. Sizes #14 & #12.

Wets: None in the Dangerous Dozen range, only used in dire emergencies, ie, terrible weather, flooded backwaters (of which we had some in the early season) and high water lakes margins.

Did have some success in those conditions with the (Tasmanian) Fur Fly and Woolly Bugger. Still not that keen on them to squeeze out any others in the Dangerous Dozen, but handy in the fly box.

Jim experienced a top three days for his recent autumn trip. Although the wind was up a bit on day one and the trout kept their collective heads down, persistence and improved presentations prevailed.

By late afternoon, light breeze, short sleeves, tight line and determined look. This take was after a number of misses and a big break-off just back behind this hook-up!

Day 2 was no wind, plenty of sun, more tight lines (this one on the ‘hopper) and a great day all round.

Day 3 continued with warm weather, sunny, soft breezes and more dry fly action.

With a rainbow and several wild brown trout to hand, overall it was a top light gear Tasmanian fly fishing experience.

Bob from UK (on the left) with his son Will (now from NSW) had a great couple of days together fly fishing some Tasmanian rivers for wild brown trout.

Here Will is enjoying early success on day one. He then went on to pick up his best brown ever on day two.

Bob picks up his best for the trip just before knock-off time.

Tight lines and roll casting go hand in hand. This was a tight section that resulted in a rainbow to hand.

Another one to coming hand (a nice wild brown this time) on a more open run.

A beautiful corner on a small river, these are a delight to fish and the pools above and below can hold some excellent trout at times.

Richard is soon onto his first wild brown and his smile says it all.

Meanwhile, in quiet, secluded locations all kinds of locals turn up to say hello!

This magnificent approx 100mm long ‘praying mantis’ thought he would take up residence on the lunch box!

Then after lunch the wild trout fishing continued.

Nice way to start the special trip!

Peter’s wife contacted Red Tag back in 2011 to arrange a special fly fishing trip for him and this was a great way to start on day one.

To help celebrate, fishing mate Chris came along as well and after a tough day one, was rewarded with his best ever wild brown on the fly during day two.

Chris searches another good ‘bubble line’ trout position.

For some time now I have been asking Gavin (the Pro Angler man) for a LARGE pair of quality wading boots that actually fit 12EEE UK plates of meat — my feet!

Since late 2011 he has said “hang in there Roger, our new Stalker Aquaz boot will be great and I promise we will have a size to fit you”.

Well the US#14′s arrived a month or so ago and they are just fantastic!

Couldn’t be more impressed with them. So much so that I haven’t even put the ‘studs’ in the soles and (in my experience) they are the best gripping and most comfortable wading boots I have ever used.

I now feel so secure moving about I have not used a wading staff since I got them!

To give those of you that don’t know me an idea of the work my wading boot have to do, I am 1.97metres (6’5″+) and weigh in at around 125kgs or 275lbs and probably walk/wade rivers/creeks/grassy and straw banks/rocks/gravel and anything else that makes up a trout terrain around 350-400km a season. A fair workout for any wading boot.

The secret is in the new Vibram soles format. It is a rubber compound with formed/ribbed soles that maximise grip on all surfaces, designed to replace the (in a number of places now banned) felt soles to minimise the risk of river-borne disease transfer and simplify cleaning of the boots.

To know more about these boots, click here. Also Gavin gave an excellent review of them in the last Pro Angler Magazine pg 78 (issue 6).