New Drift Boat Addition to Trout Tales Means Greater Access and Fishing Opportunities

We’ve recently added a new inflatable drift boat to the Trout Tales fleet, in an exciting move that gives us more flexibility across a wider range of waters.

Having tested the drift boat at the backend of last year’s Tasmanian fly fishing season, the lightweight, highly stable craft is already opening up new ways for our guests to fish effectively, particularly in areas where larger boats or wading options aren’t ideal.

Whether we’re guiding early season streamer sessions or finding quiet pockets on a breezy summer afternoon, the drift boat allows us to position our anglers exactly where the fish are and it does so with the comfort, control and the quiet approach needed for success.

Check out our new drift boat feature in the video below:

Benefits of a Drift Boat for Guided Trips

The drift boat is a great solution for accessing hard-to-reach water, particularly in shallow, weeded areas or on days when wind or water conditions limit our options.

With the ability to quietly drift or reposition using an electric motor, we can cover more ground, present flies at better angles, and fish with less disturbance.

It also opens up some unique opportunities for early and late season fishing. When fish hold deeper or push out from the edges, this boat lets us move out with them, staying in touch with where the action is, and adjusting quickly as conditions shift.

For clients, it means a more comfortable, focused day of fishing. You spend less time walking or repositioning and more time fishing in water that’s productive and often overlooked.

Features That Make a Difference

The new NRS Otter 142 drift boat is compact, inflatable, and purpose-built for fishing, designed to give anglers stability, space, and access to more water than ever before. From improved vantage points to shallow-water capability, it’s packed with features that make each trip more efficient and enjoyable.

• Central guide seat with front and rear casting platforms for stability and optimal fishing positions.
  
• Elevated, rotating seats for better visibility when sight fishing and flexible casting angles.
  
• Minimal draft allows access to just inches of water, ideal for weedy edges and shallow flats.
  
• Spacious layout for managing loose lines, casting downwind, or quickly changing tactics.
  
• Improved fishing efficiency with more opportunities to reach and work productive water.

What This Means for Our Guided Fly Fishing Trips

We’re always looking for ways to make our trips more flexible, comfortable and productive and this new drift boat is a big step in that direction.

It complements our current setup nicely, giving us one more option to match the conditions, water type and client goals on the day.

Whether it’s part of a lake session, a river float, or used in combination with wading, the drift boat helps us offer a more complete and dynamic experience. In particular, our video features Herne Lagoon, a private fishery in the Central Highlands, which is known for fantastic wading and edge fishing. 

Here, the drift boat enables us to access deeper pockets where fish may be holding, cover more water in comfort, and adapt quickly if conditions change. It’s all about putting clients in the best position both physically and strategically to succeed.

We’ve already had some great days on it and are looking forward to using it across a range of locations this season and beyond.