▲TopHello all

Guiding has started already, the tailing trout are here, and fish are taking dries. Spring floods have cleaned the rivers up nicely, and my first book In Season Tasmania is at the printers—things are good in Tassie!

▲TopFishing report

Guiding started early this season, and by late August we were on the rivers, at times sight-fishing to shallow water feeders. Brumbys Creek has fished well, with a new client Cameron catching his first ever trout on the fly—a 3 1/4lb brownie! Other fish were landed and lost, and all in all, a great day was had floating around Brumby’s Creek at low water levels. The north eastern creeks have been fishing well also, with Cameron and his mate Tim even managing a few on dries. Since then the small baetid mayflies have started hatching, and red spinner mayflies are expected to be in full flight within a week or so. Tailing fish are also fishing well in the highlands, particularly at the Nineteen Lagoons and Little Pine Lagoon. This type of sight fishing compliments the river fishing well.

▲TopHow long since you have been fishing?

After speaking to a few regular clients this week, it seems that winter has been busy for most and ‘cabin fever’ is ripe among the office-bound fishers! My suggestion—book a flight to Tasmania. In less than two hours from your plane’s departure, I can have you fishing a dry fly to trout sipping mayflies. No lost time in transit, and the flexibility to arrive one morning and fish all day, and leave on one of the following evenings after a full day of fishing. How good is that? Send me an email to dhackett@tassie.net.au to book in a day or two. You’ll go back home refreshed.

▲TopThe fishing for the next month

The fishing over the next few months gets better and better. Mayflies will become a regular feature on the rivers, as will rising trout. Caddis have also started, and will fire up the creek fishing, while cockchafer beetles may lead to some exciting evening fishing on selected streams. The big topic across Australia is water and rain, and Tasmania is no different, being drought declared. With that said the earlier mentioned spring rains have flushed the rivers, allowed the fish to put condition back on quickly (feasting on drowned worms and the like), and have topped up the aquifers that feed most of our waters. The solid rains that have fallen this week should ensure a good season for water levels.

▲TopFishing tips

1. When fishing, try and hold any loose line in your hand. This way the line doesn’t get caught on anything, and if a fish is spotted, the line can quickly be cast without having to pull the line of the reel. 2. Fishing a single nymph can be an effective way to fish small creeks. Fish short (up to 15 feet) and keep the slack out of the line as it flows back towards you by lifting the rod tip rather than stripping the line in. If the end of the fly line stops or pulls away strike quickly because it could be a fish at the other end. Short roll-casts are the most effective cast with this technique.

▲TopIn Season Tasmania

In Season Tasmania, my first book (with Brad Harris, photographer) has gone to the press and should be out late-October. E-mail me if you would like to reserve a standard or limited edition (there are only 30 limited editions left). More information can be found through the link on my website www.riverfly.com.au (www.riverfly.com.au)

▲TopProduct review

Sage recently replaced the SLT with a new rod, the ZXL. It is a slightly slower taper than the SLT, and would be ideal in a five weight for river fishing with dries and nymphs. It is very traditional in its action (medium to slow), translates excellent line feel to the user (so you can feel the rod load), and of course casts very smoothly. It will be a nice rod for anyone seeking a more traditional rod.

▲TopHighland Waters Estate land sale – private lake frontage

Good friend Jason Garrett asked me to pass on the details of the final land sites available at his private fishing development, Highland Waters Estate, in central Tasmania. For a starting price of $160,000 you can own your own freehold building block (averaging 2 ½ acres) and a share in ownership of the lake and balance of the parkland of the larger 586 acre estate. The lake and setting is beautiful, surrounded by tall gums, and features excellent fly fishing, restricted to land owners and guests only. Please contact me if you would like any further information on the land.

Fly tying tip When tying big terrestrial flies, big is often better. Hoppers, cicadas, crickets and beetles are often more effective when tied a size or two larger than the real thing, and can be deadly during the warmer months of the year. Anyone that has fished during hopper time in Tassie would know how good the big flies are on the rivers!

That’s all for now.

Thanks, Daniel Hackett

RiverFly Tasmania
Guiding: www.riverfly.com.au (www.riverfly.com.au)
Book: www.inseasonflyfishing.com.au (www.inseasonflyfishing.com.au)
E-mail:
Phone: 0427 313 972 or (03) 63 444 910

Three Rivers Package available 3 Rivers, 3 Days, 3 Experiences View my booking calendar at www.riverfly.com.au for availability