February

February is always the most popular month amongst anglers travelling to Tasmania. This year was no different – and next year is already looking the same. Michael Beech was back on the rivers catching fish for a few days, Euan Leckie and Lex Hanson found good fishing on the lakes and then Rob and Tony Dickens joined me for something a little different.

During the middle of the second week in February, we fished Great Lake and Arthurs before travelling down to Lake Burbury in search of midging fish. The evening time fishing was superb, as we cast to trout eating mudeyes in the moonlight. Numerous Rainbows and Browns were landed. Unfortunately, the weather was against us in the morning, with high winds, light rain and no midges. We returned to Great Lake to find bright skies and fish everywhere. Typical…

Graeme and Freida Buirski joined Allan and Rosemary Mann for their annual trip around the same time. All enjoyed good fishing and a laugh on me as I snapped a rod while demonstrating “the hang at the boat” which saw a fish eat the fly and the rod break on the strike.

Darcy and Jenny Smith were in Rainbow Lodge for the end of the second week of the month. Although relative newcomers to fly fishing, they are improving every year and catching fish more consistently.

Chris Marriott and his group were again into fish during their stay. Great Lake was producing well on the bright days and although at times the casting went excitedly astray when confronted by a cruising trout, the weather enabled them to enjoy some truly memorable fishing.

A couple of days back on the rivers towards the end of the month confirmed that the fish were still eating dry flies well and good numbers were not hard to locate.

Mike Hitchen and his recently-married son Chris fished during the last week of the month. Good, friendly competition was evident as Mike took a ten-fish lead into the last day on Penstock. Chris came back strongly, catching eleven beautiful browns but was narrowly beaten by a couple at the end. The fish were still up on the duns when they hatched, but wet flies produced well for Chris.

David Jarman was out with Lane soon after this and found an ant fall on Arthurs. After a slow morning, the fishing was superb, with a dozen or so fish falling to the emerger.

March »