Jump on board as we share some insight and reflections on the opening of the trout fishing season here in Tasmania, including previewing what's to come for the months ahead.
As you’ve no doubt seen if you’re a follower of Trout Tales on Youtube or social media, the 2025 trout fishing season is officially underway - and what a start it’s been.
With rods rigged, flies tied, and plenty of anticipation in the air, we kicked things off with a trip to Penstock Lagoon to celebrate the opening.
Conditions kept us on our toes, but thankfully the fish were willing and it was a welcome return to the water after the winter break.
Watch the Opening Weekend Action
Catch all the highlights from our Penstock trip, including multiple hook-ups, fly changes, and a few tips on retrieves and boat positioning in the player below:
Opening Weekend Recap
Opening day in particular saw us working Penstock Lagoon with a 10ft six-weight setup and a rotation of streamers, starting with an intermediate line to cover various depths.
The plan was to fish a range of drifts, adjusting our approach as the conditions shifted.
The first fish of the season came relatively early in the morning session, sliding in neatly after a quick reposition of the boat - proof that bringing a fish back around to the drift side makes landing much easier where this healthy Penstock brown took a little brown magoo fly on the top dropper.
Looking for our selection of winter flies? Check out our top three picks and fly combo in the Trout Tales shop.
Brighter conditions dominated most of the day, broken by occasional variable winds, which meant staying on top of technique was important across the session.
Calm patches called for slower retrieves, while windier moments had us sneaking along shorelines with some faster pulls, with line weights and flies changed often to also match the conditions.
The hang-phase of the loch style fly fishing technique proved its worth late in the day when another brown was tempted right at the lift-off. Black streamers with a touch of flash accounted for several fish, showing the value of a little sparkle in slightly discoloured post-winter water.
Learn everything you need to know about loch style fly fishing in Tasmania in our recent masterclass video.
What We’re Expecting from the Season Ahead
Based on early signs, this season is shaping up to be an exciting one.
With good winter rains and snowmelt feeding our lakes and rivers, water levels are healthy and insect life is starting to stir.
As outlined in our Fly Fishing in Tasmania ultimate guide, we expect:
- Strong early season streamer fishing in stillwaters, especially in lakes with healthy weed beds.
- Increasing insect activity as spring progresses, bringing more opportunities for nymph and dry fly fishing.
- Steady river flows provide consistent fishing in key river systems well into summer.
- A good late season outlook if water temperatures remain favourable, with fish staying active in shallows.
Top Locations to Watch
Penstock Lagoon was the clear standout for opening weekend, delivering multiple healthy brown trout and offering the chance to try a variety of techniques.
From slower retrieves in calm, sunny spells to faster pulls along windward shores, Penstock rewarded adaptability.
Looking beyond Penstock, Great Lake is shaping up to be another strong performer from a few reports.
Vast, deep, and incredibly productive, it offers opportunities for both shore-based and boat anglers. Early insight suggest fish are feeding actively, with boat anglers able to cover more ground and explore the expansive bays and points.
Shore anglers can also expect good results by targeting wind-lanes and shallow margins, particularly when baitfish or insect activity is high.
Further afield, Arthurs Lake is showing encouraging signs, with solid fish being landed by anglers covering plenty of water using lures or larger streamers. Meanwhile, Woods Lake remains a consistent producer and is well worth a visit when conditions line up—especially on overcast days or during light wind spells.
Both lakes are known for their robust trout populations and can produce excellent days on the water when fished methodically, making them reliable options for the months ahead.
What Flies Fished Well For Season Opening
With the water still carrying some colour from winter rains and initial movement around the place, flies with a bit of flash are well worth tying on.
Based on what worked on opening day:
Black and gold humungous – A go-to streamer in these conditions.
Orange beaded black and red streamer – Particularly with a little flash in the bead and tail.
Sparkler Variations – Gold, green, or black patterns to catch light and stand out.
Any streamer with subtle flash – Great for bright days when fish still need a reason to commit.
You can find these patterns and more in our online fly fishing shop, ready to be added to your early season kit.
Looking Ahead
It’s great to be back on the water and seeing healthy fish coming to hand.
The combination of good water levels, active fish, and a range of productive locations suggests we’re in for a memorable 2025 trout fishing season.
Whether you’re wading the edges, drifting in our new NRS Otter 142 drift boat, or working river runs, now’s the time to get out there.
We’ll be keeping you updated with more trip reports, location insights, and fly recommendations as the season unfolds. Tight lines!
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.
