▲TopFishing report, April/May 2008

▲TopWe got hitched!

It’s been a while between newsletters, but I have a good excuse: finally, Simone and I got hitched! A great day was had at the Launceston wedding, with the changing of the seasons adding a bit of colour to the event. But enough about that, and on to the fishing!

▲TopFishing Report

Put simply, late March and all of April was awesome. Mayfly and ants were the feature, with most days consisting of sight fishing to steady risers. With the water caked with food, these fish were typically tough to crack, but this just increased the rewards when they were. Without doubt, these two months were my favourite this season. The CDC F-fly, Glister Tag, Black and Peacock, Glister Brush and Possum Shaving Brush were the go-to patterns during this period. All of these are pictured and available from my In Season Fly Fishing website in the shop. www.inseasonflyfishing.com

It was great to see lots of repeat clients post-Christmas. Tim came back for his second trip this year, as well as Peter S., whilst repeat clients Paul (with his mate Dick), and Foy also made it back for the season.

While the rivers are now shut, a few Lakes are still open. One of my favourites is Lake Rowallan, where myself and Brian (another repeat client) visited last week. We stalked the edges, casting to rainbows and browns hunting gum-beetles amongst the dead trees. The fishing was as good as you would find anywhere in summer, with dozens of fish to cast to. Four were caught and released on the dry fly (using large and small Bruce Gibson Gum Beetles as featured in the In Season Fly Fishing shop www.inseasonflyfishing.com).

A rainbow was the largest at 2 1/4lbs, with the rest being browns of around 1 1/2lbs. We did polaroid one trout at well over 4 pounds, which was enough to get me back there fishing last weekend! Next season, May will well and truly be part of my fishing and guiding calender.

▲Top2007-2008 wilderness campout trips Rivers and Lakes

Many repeat clients this year experienced wilder places than I have ever taken them to before. One reason is because I believe that this is one of Tasmania’s trump cards—the wilderness. The other being the kilometres of trackless rivers we got to fish, never bumping into anyone.

The wild fishing in these out of the way places was great, to the point where I have had a number of requests for wilderness campout trips next season. As such, I am preparing two packages to choose from: the Wild River Campout, and the Western Lakes campout trip.

If you are interested in one of these then send me an email now as time-slots are limited. E-mail dhackett@tassie.net.au

▲TopWhy should I use a guide?

I was going through some client testimonials and picked up this great thought: ‘The real advantage of a guide is to show you what you don’t even realise you don’t know’.

▲TopFishing tips

Always keep moving, constantly looking for fish. Sighted trout are far more exciting to catch, and generally easier to catch, in comparison to fish that are expected to eat your fly blind fishing.

▲TopNational Award Win

During April, Riverfly won the National ‘Hidden Jewel Award’ run by OM4 Tourism, and judged by the producer of the Getaway program among others.

The OM4Tourism Hidden Jewel Awards are for small Australian tourism businesses that offer a fascinating or unusual visitor experience - but remain relatively undiscovered. For us this was a great win, and among other things has earned us a new website which will be up and running in time for the next newsletter.

▲TopIn Season Tasmania – the book

In Season Tasmania—A Year of Fly Fishing Highlights has continued to sell well, and receive great feedback. It has recently been reviewed in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, The Weekend Australian and Tasmania 40Degree South Magazine. On top of a review about to appear in Australian Traveller Magazine, check out this article due for release next month. If it doesn’t get your imagination going I’d be surprised! www.australiantraveller.com/flyfishingtas

If you would like to order a softcover version of the book, simply drop me an Email at orders@inseasonflyfishing.com and I’ll send it out with free post for orders in the next 7 days. Alternatively pick up a copy from Berkerlouw Books in NSW, Readings in Victoria, or in most Tasmanian bookshops or Australian tackle stores

▲TopBooking availabilities

For August and September dates I am offering special rates of $475 per day, but only for bookings received over the next month. Book now at dhackett@tassie.net.au

Remember, October is the official start of the mayfly season, and the weekends often get booked quickly. Plan your trip early and book now at dhackett@tassie.net.au

▲TopRiverFly in the ACT and Victoria during June

I will be doing talks at the ACT Fly Fishers club on June the 5th, and the VFFA in Melbourne on June the 19th—see all you locals there!

That’s all for now. Look out for the June newsletter which should contain a big announcement…!

Thanks, Daniel Hackett
RiverFly Tasmania
Guiding: www.riverfly.com.au
Book: www.inseasonflyfishing.com.au
E-mail: dhackett@tassie.net.au
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