TROUT TACTICS
TASMANIAN TROUT GUIDE GARY FRANCE OF TROUT TERRITORY OFFERS ADVICE ON FLY FISHING TROUT TACTICS FOR TASMANIAN TROUT
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TROUT FISHING TASMANIA - FLY FISHING TASMANIA
Flyfishing for trout in Tasmania can cover many styles in one day, so we always go prepared to adapt according to the seasons and the best prospects on the day. We specialise in "sightfishing" wherever possible making our tours some of the best experiences available in Tasmania.
DRY FLY FISHING
Dry-fly fishing in Tasmania where we float an imitation of the hatching bugs on the surface is without doubt the champagne of all fishing and with the right weather conditions we can find it available throughout the season, This style will delight the enthusiast with unlimited opportunities. Reliable hatches will start to occur on some waters in spring and extend through summer to April. The prime summer hatching species is the "Mayfly" which will start in October and November then continue through to March with the biggest hatches occurring during December January and February.
WET FLY FISHING
Wet Fly fishing where we fish an imitation of the hundreds of underwater trout food species, is available all year round, however it is during the early part of the season in August/Sept and again in April at the end of the season where many big brown and rainbow trout are tricked into scoffing down a big or small wet fly.
LEAF HOPPERS AND ANTS
Gum beetles, Jassids and ants provide a style of fishing on their own with the first good falls normally occurring in Feb and continuing through to April. Trout will take these dry fly imitations without hesitation during the later months of the season and they form the backstay of our Autumn fly fishing.
SIGHT FISHING
We specialise in sight fishing trout in clear water with the aid of Polaroid glasses and presenting a fly to them. This is a real challenge and an exciting form of trout fishing. Imagine stalking shores, seeing cruising trout, presenting the fly, watching the fish glide over and engulf it, the strike, the struggle, the catch and a photo.
LOCH STYLE
A reasonably simple and effective method of dry and wet-fly fishing using two or three flies. It is particularly suitable for a novice using two flies, however it is extremely effective when employed by an experienced angler using three flies spaced up to 5ft apart and will result in good bags of fish on most days.
TAILING TROUT
Tailing trout are to be found in very shallow water around our lake margins, mostly in the mornings during the early and late season cooler months. These trout are foraging for crustaceans and other aquatic prey and their tail will occasionally be seen above the surface as they feed head down in the weed. They are a challenging fish to take, requiring an accurate cast with a floating line to place an imitation fly in front of the feeding fish.
WIND LANE MIDGE FEEDERS
Wind lanes regularly form early in the morning on several of our lakes, mostly during periods of light wind conditions and are generally found on open sections of lakes, when two currents of wind meet together, forming a calm lane on the water. These winds collect emerging and hatched insects leaving them in this calm lane of water, providing a concentration of easy pickings for trout to feed on. Wind lane fishing is done from a boat where we can drift down a "wind lane" to meet the feeding trout as they move up the lane. This type of early morning fishing is the best fun, dry fly fishing available and requires a fast, accurate presentation of the fly, offering another challenging but great style of fishing.
EVENING HATCHES
Late afternoon and evenings can produce some very productive fishing to Browns and Rainbows that come in close to the shores at dusk feeding on the reliable dragonfly hatches. These fish are always willing to scoff down a dry fly imitation.
SEA RUN TROUT
Fishing the coastal rivers in spring offers a special challenge of finding Brown trout crashing up through migrating schools of whitebait, then putting a fly into the middle of the fleeing baitfish and waiting for that heavy "take" that may or may not follow. It can be very rewarding and equally frustrating but a great thrill when it happens.
STREAM FISHING
Hundreds of small to medium size brown trout are available in some of our mountain streams. A day stalking and wading these streams during summer months can be a memorable feast of fishing. NOTE This style of wading requires a high level of fitness.
NON FLY FISHERS
We will provide simple and expert tuition for the novice or accommodate them using other fishing methods as required.
Advice on alternative activities is always available.
FLY FISHING TUITION
Don't waste a lifetime of wondering how to fly fish or how to improve your style. "An introduction to fly fishing" course is available for the novice or expert at any time of the year. Tuition is also provided on all 1 day and extended tours.
FLY FISHING EQUIPMENT
RODS, REELS, LINES AND THE OTHER BITS
Lakes
We use and recommend 9ft - 5 and 6 weight rods plus suitable floating, weight-forward lines to suit the rod and a minimum of 50ft of backing combined with 9 to 10ft of the best quality tapered leader. Fish from 3lb to 6lbs are regularly taken so a 5wt rod is the minimum weight we would recommend to cover those occasions when conditions require a delicate presentation. A 7wt rod is the maximum we would use but I think this is overkill. The 5wt rod will be perfect for all "Dry fly" fishing, giving you the opportunity to present the fly with the minimum of splash. However it will be a bit light on the very windy days so if you are to bring one rod, the 6wt will be the best all round rod to cover both wet and dry fly fishing.
Rivers
The larger low land rivers such as the Macquarie, South Esk, Brumbies and the larger coastal sections of our rivers are mostly open and your average 9ft rod will do the job but you will get the best results if you stick to lighter weight rods and lines. Be warned the larger Southern coastal rivers are largely inaccessible to bank fishermen and a boat is the only way to fish most of these rivers. Most of the smaller southern mountain rivers in Tasmania have heavy growth on the banks and an overhead canopy of trees so you will benefit from a shorter rod of around 6ft to 7ft but they hold some reasonable fish so don't go too light weight and keeping around the 4wt rod will be right for most of these smaller rivers. All of these small rivers will require you to wade so a pair of thigh or full length waders will be necessary in all but the hottest weather. A good walking stick is also necessary on the smaller mountain streams due to large boulders underfoot.
FLY LINES
Most Tasmanian lake waters are relatively shallow and generally you will find yourself fishing in 1 to 3m of water, so a WF floating line will normally do the job. For deeper water up to 3m, sinking lines are not essential and sink tip or attachable sinking leaders can cover most situations. However several wet-fly techniques work best with a slow sinking line. The best all round sinking lines are a "weight forward" intermediate or a "sink tip" line.
TIPPET
A supply of 4lb through to 8lbs in normal mono or fluorocarbon line will cover most situations and techniques with 6lb 7lb and 8lb tippet being the most used.
OTHER BITS
Don't forget the other bits and pieces you will need such as:
Vest, fly floatant, line floatant, leader sink, line clippers, net, polaroid glasses, camera and your favorite hat for those sunny days.
Alternatively we will provide all the above-mentioned equipment as well as any items you may require in the way of warm protective clothing, waders, lunches drinks and snacks.
The absolute minimum to bring is:
Your personal needs and a great sense of adventure and a good store of your best jokes.
Mine are mostly worn out !!
ONE TO 5 DAY TROUT FISHING LURE FISHING and FLY FISHING TOURS
TROUT TERRITORY - FISH WILD TASMANIA OFFERS A COMPLETE RANGE OF FLY FISHING AND LURE FISHING TOURS FROM HOBART TO ALL TROUT WATERS.
See our tours page for more details.
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