The ongoing adventures of a passionate wild trout fly fishing guide based in Tasmania, Australia's best trout fishing destination.
Roger Butler guides for his one-man guiding operation Red Tag Trout Tours which caters to flyfishers from all over the world, who share a common goal: getting a wild brown trout to hand.
After the hiding the combination of weather and fish gave us on the last outing it was a very relieved guide that reports on a most successful UK duo’s day at Currawong for the last January trip.
John had done a little and Di no fly fishing to date, had a great shore-based lakes fishing introduction to Tasmania’s fly fishing options.
John with his first brown is delighted with his efforts, while Di gets aquainted with her first ever wild brown trout on the dry fly.
This season is turning out to have a real international flavour. Over the December–January period we have had South African, Americans, Danes, Singaporeans, Scots and German fly fishing clients plus all Australian states and territories except WA or the NT, but the season is far from over yet!
Although only in its infancy, Tasmania’s international status as a world quality, wild trout fly fishing experience is definitely alive and well.
Red Tag, Tourism Tasmania and Trout Guides & Lodges Tasmania combined to lift the awareness and profile of Tasmania’s world quality wild trout guided fly fishing experiences to the anglers of SE Queensland.
It was a very well attended and full-on show from the 30th Aug to 2nd Sept. at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank.
This had been a regular joint effort over the last five years or so and seen big increases in all numbers by the organizations involved.
Red Taggers, and other visitors to Hobart, may be interested in a new top selling publication that was recently launched by arguably Australia’s best know power walker, Prime Minister John Howard, called A Walk in Old Hobart.
It is a joint effort by Red Tag friends Mike Tatlow and Charles Wooley and an excellent read full of Hobart’s heritage and history told in a most relaxed and informative style.
If heading down to tour with us and looking to spend some time strolling in Hobart, let me know and I’ll include one in your Red Tag welcome pack, to learn more about it or get one direct, click here. Well worth the effort.
Didymo action update: Tasmania is a desease free trout fishery and our waters are free of Didymo and we want to keep it that way. As our season is just starting, thought the following would be a timely reminder to visiting anglers., or anglers coming / returning to Tasmania after New Zealand.
Check, Clean, Dry:
CHECK: Before you leave a river or lake, check items and leave debris at site. If you find any later, treat and put in rubbish. Do not wash down drains.
CLEAN: There are several ways to kill didymo. Choose the most practical treatment for your situation which will not adversely affect your gear.
That’s right, Tasmania’s 2007/08 wild brown trout season opens tomorrow, August 4, and runs to April 27 2008.
That means the heart and sole of Red Tag’s environment, the rivers and streams are on again.
Not that there is much fly activity this time of year, we are still in winter downunder, down under, snow caps are still on Hobart’s beautiful Mount Wellington, but we have gone past the shortest day and the fish are thinking about feeding again.
We have had some good cold days this winter to help kill off the germs and remind us that Spring is not far away when water levels are rising, those nymphs start moving, the insects start hatching and the trout start visibly feeding.
Introducing our new availability calendar for the coming 2007/08 season.
We will keep this updated so when looking at your next, or first, Tasmanian fly fishing adventure with us you can check out availability and sort out what best suits your travel time.
August 4 is opening day for Tasmania’s famed wild brown trout, so no rivers and most lakes are not open until then, but we do have workshop availability, hence the May to July period is included in our calendar.
Check out our Bookings Calendar 2007/2008
Please note: Our calendar is temporarily out of action. Please enquire via the contact form in the meantime.
Recent figures from our Government recreational fishery service IFS (Inland Fishery Service) are very encouraging on the rebound of local anglers licence sales and the highest sales of Interstate licences sold on the last 12 seasons!
After heavy mainland Australia marketing competition by Victoria’s trout fishery and others, a decline (perceived or otherwise) in the management and quality of the fishery the local and visiting angler numbers dropped away.
The current team at IFS have introduced new management strategies, improved hatching facilities and developed the popular waters concept for major population centres fisheries that have rapidly improved the fishery and turned the participation rates around.
Also reinforcing the wild brown fishery concept by looking to raise the vast majority of hatchlings from wild stock, both brown and rainbow, not domestic.
So come on down to Tasmania and chase some wild brown trout, plus others, the fishing (in my view) is the best its been for the last decade or more.
Oh, and if you like stalking, wading and hunting secluded waters and feeding wily wild browns in rivers or streams, then Red Tag knows where they are, how to find them and what to tempt them with.
