April is the last month of rivers and streams wild brown trout fishing in Tasmania and it was a busy one angler-wise and a productive one fish-wise with dry fly patterns still taking fish, along with small bead head nymphs till the last day on May 2.

Early April action

Good weather, tough fish

Bob and Mickey from the US had a good weather, but a tough fish day. Here Bob is rewarded for his efforts with a good wild brown to hand, taken on the grasshopper.

Later, Mickey has success with another one on the dry.

This one was the perfect ambush, sunken log spotted 15-20 feet of the bank, ‘hopper’ presented over the outer side of the submerged trunk and bang! Lovely 1.5lb wild brown did the rest.

First timer gets a good result.

Louise from the Northern Territory had a great first up fly fishing day while on a short visit to Tasmania.

This excellent wild brown from was returned, but then the next one was a good sized rainbow that provided dinner back for the friends she was visiting.

Successful and productive on day one of fly fishing doesn’t get much better than that

Late April action

Good mates have a top short break

One day on the still waters of Currawong Lakes then day two on a wild brown trout river was just what Andy & John were after.

Andy’s reward after a good sighting, 30mins stalking and ‘controlled’ fish action brings this lovely rainbow to the guide’s net. As you can see, tough Autumn evenings in Tassie mid-April!

Next day John has some top action on the streams with this quality wild brown bringing a broad grin.

Trevor’s best ever!

Regular ‘Tagger’ Trevor probably still has his smile on after this magnificent rainbow taken on an unweighted brown nymph weighed in at close to 6lbs.

He triumphantly declared it was his biggest trout ever on the fly.

He’s coming back in a couple of months to look for its Mum and Dad!

Out of the West

Other returning ‘Taggers’ for some last minute wild trout stream action were Andrew & Jen who teamed up with long time local friend Vanessa.

The girls got away early on the success board with first up Vanessa getting this lively little one, above, to hand on a small copper bead-head nymph.

Next is Jen with this hook up on a #14 Humpy drifted down the run after spotting the fish.

Then Andrew gets onto this one with an emerger.

With a group tally of 10 or more to hand, 75% on the dry, not a bad finish on light gear for the end of April in Tasmania.

Thomas and Lenka pose for a happy snap while taking a break from stalking Tassie wild browns during their trip around the state.

Here Harald gets Autumn underway with one of a number taken on the dry in the perfect lie position.

The trout was stationed in the right hand bubble line a metre or so down stream from the rock line, fly was presented within a foot of the bank and Mr Brownie just couldn’t resist checking it out, much to Harald’s delight.

Next on the water was another regular, Simon, with new inductee mate Richard.

This is Richard’s first ever trout on the fly, day one on the still water a very nice rainbow.

The workshop followed up with introductionto dry fly techniques on the streams and rivers with this lovely wild brown great reward for concentration and application.

Simon was also getting into the action as well as this tight line shows.

December also saw a number of international visiting anglers for Red Tag, in particular from America.

From enthusiastic rivers and stream lovers to beginners all had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the fly fishing for wild brown trout that our beautiful island has to offer.

One of the river lovers was Mike. top, whose good day out, included releasing this lovely speckled wild brown.

That was soon followed by another fine example of Tasmania’s small stream wild fish. With either small fly nymphing or dry fly this is exciting and rewarding fishing.

Then followed by the beginner/novices group of, from left, Anna & Greg with Bret & Renee.

During the day both casting and catching were accomplished with a great deal of success with Anna getting a lovely wild brown to hand and then Bret soon after with a nice rainbow.

Not to be outdone, Renee nets a beauty and Greg ends the day with more tight lines.

The Fly Fishing Club of Tasmania runs Adult Education introductory fly fishing classes and was looking for support re new gear.

Gavin Hurley from Pro Angler came to the party with a very generous offer on 12 new 9′ #5wt Stalker Master Plus combos.

Together with the educational aims and input from Anglers Alliance Tasmania, the FFCT are now looking forward to their next class with great anticipation — “it will a sensational affair” as FFCT cordinator Corey Harris says.

Peter enjoying the streamcraft session with John looking on.

After that the weather (mainly wind) had a hand in heading up to Currawong for day two where first up John is delighted with this big nymph chasing rainbow (est 5lbs+).

Then Peter is onto a top conditioned fish, again on the unweighted brown nymph.

Daniel from Germany thought Tasmania would be a good place to learn to fly fish and he wasn’t far wrong.

Within an hour or so of picking up a fly rod for the first time here he is into his first trout.

Later on this quality wild brown comes to hand, taken feeding just off the reed bed.

Paul, foreground, has some early success while John is working on another fish in the distance.

The action results in a nice rainbow for Paul.

John was not to be denied his moment in the sun when his first ever trout on the fly was this excellent conditioned rainbow. (IMGP1515)