Tasmania's vast lake trout fisheries can be a daunting proposition when fly fishing, so we share some key elements that can increase your success.
It is also home to an endless array of lakes, lagoons and tarns - most of which hold good populations of trout.
If you haven't fly fished in Tasmania before or are new to fly fishing on lakes, it can be a daunting task looking at a large, seemingly featureless area of water and deciding where to begin?
As with all fishing, some days can be tougher than others when fly fishing Tasmanian lakes - with weather conditions, water temperatures, food abundance and many other factors all contributing to how the trout will behave day to day.
It may be a bright sunny day, forcing the trout to hold in deeper water, or overcast and windy, bringing the trout to the surface in search of mayfly and other terrestrial insects.
Being prepared for a range of different scenarios and adapting to the conditions on the day is step one to success on Tasmanian lakes.
Having a checklist of things to consider and adjust throughout a day of fly fishing on Tasmania's lakes can give some structure to your day of fly fishing and help to decipher what approach will give you the best chance of finding the trout.
These considerations generally go hand in hand, as one factor will impact the next. Like a jigsaw puzzle, all the pieces need to fit together and by making small adjustments, you can work out a formula to success.
We have listed some of our key points below and hope it helps next time you are out on the water.
Our best tips when fly fishing the lakes of Tasmania include:
- Be observant;
- Choosing a location;
- Fly selection and presentation; and
- Persistence.
1. Be observant
This is important with all forms of fly fishing but becomes paramount when fly fishing lakes, particularly on days where the fishing is tough.
Picking up on small indicators throughout the day can be the difference between success and failure. Everything from monitoring which insects are hatching, which stage of the insects life the fish are targeting, likely places to accumulate food and changes in weather conditions can give vital information when making decisions out on the water.
2. Choosing a location
When all the water appears fairly similar, where do you start?
Choosing a fishing location can be one of the most overwhelming things to work out when arriving at a new lake.
Looking at the features of the shorelines around a lake can give clues as to the depth, bottom structure and potential trout holding water. This can give you an idea of where to begin your day, but generally you will never fish in the same location for an entire day, so don't worry too much about where you start.
The main consideration here is if you are finding a lack of activity in one location, don't be afraid to move. Food sources can be isolated or in patches, so moving around can quite often lead to finding better numbers of trout.
3. Fly selection and presentation
Generally the clues given by points one and two will provide some direction to this question.
By looking at signs of what food sources are available to the trout and elements of the location you are fishing in, you can decide fly pattern, size, weight and colour more easily.
Again, if the fishing is tough, don't be afraid to mix this up and fish different depths, sizes and retrieves in order to find the fish.
4. Persistence
Trout feeding patterns and behaviour can vary throughout a day of fly fishing on Tasmania's lakes and it is important not to be discouraged if things are slow for a period of the day. Being persistent and continuing to try new approaches will serve you well.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience of being out fly fishing in Tasmania's stunning wilderness settings.
Ready to experience your own trout fly fishing experience?
Trout Tales fly fishing charter Tasmania packages are the perfect way to experience fly fishing in Tasmania and offer something to all anglers.
Whether you're looking to begin your fly fishing journey, or keen to increase your knowledge of particular fly fishing elements - such as fly fishing in lakes - our fully accredited guides can assist you to achieve your goals.
Get in touch with Matt and book your own 'trout tale' today!
Hi, I'm Matt Stone - for over fifteen years I’ve developed my passion for fly fishing, wild trout and for the amazing places experienced in Tasmania along the way.
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