That’s right, the new Tasmanian brown trout season has started.

Good north of state rains during winter have meant the lowland rivers and streams will have a strong flow and be somewhat coloured for the first few weeks.

However, expect mid to late Spring mayfly, etc, to be good again. Southern waters have had little to no winter rains yet, but hopefully August will see that corrected and water levels increase to give us a good run into summer.

My favourite private lake levels are full and this should mean top-conditioned fish and plenty of fly life, ie, excellent mayfly hatches as spring progresses.

If the settled, if occasionally cool, weather continues into early season, it should be great learning time and August/September have plenty of booking spots available.

Down under, down under, our next trout season is getting closer. Yes Tasmania’s opening is Saturday August 2 for the traditional ‘wild brown trout’ season.

FLY LINES
If you haven’t done so already, clean and straighten the fly lines by pulling off the reel and gently cleaning with mild detergent or preferably the manufacturers recommended cleaning agent.

This helps get rid of any line ‘memory’ that may have built up in the line by being wound on the reel for a long period (ie, since last season).

It also helps the line run through the eyes or ‘shoot’ better when first casting thus laying out straight and true.

REELS
Clean and re-grease, check backing is OK and the knots are still good and strong.

Backing to reel, backing to fly line, then fly line to leader and any tippet or leader joins (eliminate any old wind knots left over from that last rushed trip).

RODS
Check joins are smooth and tighten OK, no loose bindings at eyes/rings, the tip eye is not worn/grooved to wear fly line or damage leaders, etc, and finally grip is OK — not cracked or split.

FLIES
Make sure the hooks are in good nick, sharp and clean, no rust in older ones or damaged hook bends.

Tight lines and best of luck for a good season.

My very interactive web master Allan has raised the question when does our (Tasmania’s) trout season end? As he explained to me, you know it, it’s your business, but many of your interstate and international clients and site visitors do not!

The current (2007/08) wild brown fishing season ends at midnight on Sunday — 27 April 2008. This means all rivers and streams, which are designated ‘brown trout’ waters and all public lakes noted as same by the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) close to ALL forms of fishing!

A certain limited number of lakes stay open as Rainbow Waters till June 1 2008 including the West Coast lakes of Mackintosh and Rosebery.

Open all year — a small number (8 in all) of lakes and dams are open to trout fishing all year round.

To keep the passion of the ‘new season opening’ each year, the annual licences expire on July 31 each year and the new (brown trout waters) licences come into effect at midnight on the Saturday nearest the 1st of August each year.

‘Private’ licenced fisheries can open as they determine, so with some of those waters available and the few all-year-round waters open, Red Tag can operate its introductory flyfishing workshops all year round.

For any further information from the Inland Fisheries Servicde re Tasmania’s trout fishery regulations and rules, I recommend you visit their web site.

Just a quick note of apology to my clients since Christmas and regular visitors for the lack of updates lately!

Thanks to all who have booked with us, January through to Easter, has been flat out.

Now have time to catch up a little, with some great dry fly fishing and good times still available till April 27 (sadly the end of this year’s wild brown trout season in Tasmania).

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.

Tasmania’s guided trout fishing industry is guide-driven, not lodge dominant.

This is because our industry has been developed by individuals who are passionate about our fish, the fishery, Tasmania’s environment and the value added services we offer our clients.

Red Tag Trout Tours is no exception and prides itself on quality service and exclusive, intimate and productive wild trout fly fishing experiences.

We offer a personal service, so your experience starts from the moment you make contact with us — the person who plans your trip is the guide who delivers the product.

In Tasmania, we are coming to the end of our wild trout fishing season and there are a few tips on gear storage and care you might like to look at.

Fly Lines — first up a general clean of your fly line is a good idea, then if not using it for a few months, strip it off the reel and hang in large loops (say a metre in dia.) store in a dry cool place.
This stops the line coating from shrinking/expanding while stored on the reel and allows a much better casting performance when again used. Nothing worse than having tightly coiled fly line jamming the rod rings and ‘bunching up’ on the water when presenting to that first feeder next season. Check for cracks in the surface, if numerous and deep, replace line.

Reels — take apart and clean the old grease out. Put in new grease, vaseline or petroleum jelly are good. Lightly smear the casing, gears and spindles before reassembly. Check your backing to make sure it is still OK.

Rods — check ring bindings for wear, rings and rod surfaces for damage. Store in dry place and a protective tube. If manufacturer has not supplied one, then PVC pipe is excellent with capped end fittings.

Waders — again check for damage, make sure they are dried out then hang in dry and airy place.