Next month will be the start of the mayfly hatches around our rivers and lower lakes.

If you want to have a go at bringing a sucessful fly you tied yourself, in my view the Dark Brown Emerger is one of the best.

Also a great all round fly for the majority of the season

Hook: any size #14 – suitable for straight backed nymph ties
Tail: a few dark brown cock hackle fibres
Body: Dark Brown Antron or similar body material
Ribbing: fine copper wire
Post: white calf-hair (or equivalent)
Hackle: parachute tie of ginger cock feather.

This is a durable and very visible ‘in the surface’ mayfly emerger pattern that can bring up polaroided patrolling fish, deceive bubble-line lurkers and attract mayfly risers.

Also check out Tassie’s Dangerous Dozen Flies. All irresistible to Tasmania’s famed wild brown trout.

Just received this lovely response to Red Tag’s latest newsletter from a former client. Hope you don’t mind me sharing it.

It’s been many years since I fished with you, but that was one of the best fishing experiences of my life. I still consider you one of the top two guides I’ve ever fished with, and I’m not sure who’s in second place. Great fishing, great food, great time all around.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to get back to Taz again, but a terrific memory. — Frank Smith

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The complete range of Pro Angler fly gear is great value for money and they have just opened their new Sydney shop at 111 Victoria Road, Parramatta.

Look out for the new Pro Angler & Red Tag Trout Tours Huge value all-inclusive Tassie fly fishing tour & gear giveaway being launched in the next edition of the Pro Angler Magazine coming out mid Spring … not to be missed! 

After a mixed day on the water end of August, Adrian got this nice well-conditioned rainbow to hand.

Had a number of hook-ups with some good fish on (this one, below, put a decent bend in the #5wt) but with all the feed and water around they were not taking the fly hard at all and gentle hands and a soft touch were needed for success.