Trout Opening Weekend Staff Picks
Stephen Bax
Picks the Derwent and suggests not to be afraid to fish too low if we have had rain and the river is a bit murky … don’t be afraid to use big lures like a Rapala F9, F11 and even F13 sizes … these have been proven on sea trout and usually take better than average fish. Areas south of the Bowen and Tasman bridges have fished well in the past both trolling and spinning into the shore / off the shore.
Lake Pedder fishes very well early in the season with fishcakes working well at night. If the weather is good trolling and spinning form the shore can be fantastic. Also don’t be afraid to go across the road and fish Lake Gordon as this will fish well too.
Give it a month or so and try the Pieman River on the NW coast for sea trout.
Andrew Large
I tend to always concentrate on the Derwent or Huon Rivers – its where I started my trout fishing and an opening tradition and the trout are usually in good condition compared to their higher altitude lake counterparts. My best trout to date was a 3.81kg specimen caught drift spinning at Austin’s Ferry on opening Sunday a few years back – for me the rewards are there and all within 5 minutes of home.
Pick a medium to high tide and either wade out into the marshes and fly fish and spin or use a boat and do likewise drifting down the shores. A Riseley game changer in fly or a Black Magic BMax bibbed lure in Mad Minnow my choice of offering.
My second pick would be Woods Lake – although busy at the start this water sits slightly lower than Great Lake and Arthurs and the fish are just that little more advanced post spawn.
This water has never let me down, even though it may be murky, either off the shore or from the boat. It’s no secret I like the bead headed Woolley bugger Mk2 as a general lakes wet fly pattern this would be my go-to here. The Rapala F9 – spotted dog would be my choice in lure.
Alex Green
Little Pine is Alex’s pick for fly activity as it usually fishes well early. Tailing fish around the edges usually providing for exciting fishing first thing in the morning and last thing at night although if overcast fish can do this all day. A scud or a seals fur Zulu tag pattern are a good choice.
Arthurs Lake is great early season option with tailing fish often found around the backs of shallow bays such as Hydro and Cow Paddock Bay. Prospecting with a wet fly can be very productive and a Yellow Rabbit fly will usually find a few fish around the edges.
Rob Miller
Depending on weather Rob suggests, St Clair Lagoon at Lake St Clair using fly and lure. He advises anglers probably stick to the NE end / Weir because the immediate road side can be quite boggy to wade and manoeuvre around. Go to lures include the Berkley Olive Pearl T Tail in soft plastic while in a hard body the Daiwa Presso in Ghost Wakasagi the Rapala Spotted Dog being another good choice. In fly a Shrek Bugger or Humongous.
Lake Echo –as shore access is good and can practically walk all round. His fly choice would be a smaller Mrs Simpson – Guinea Frog pattern Sz 8 would work well. Robs lure choice for Echo would include the Jazz black and gold or Natural Trout in the 55- or 70-mm variations.
As far as rivers he suggests the Lachlan River as it produces fish when flowing heavily Celta’s are his suggestion Sz 1 in the “red black and gold” OPR colour or ORZ for Mapso. Wade upstream fish form below Lachlan bridge and continue on to the next bridge up from the township – approx. 2km of good fishing.
Rob’s final tip is to not worry too much about the highlands early as the lowlands fish really well and they are not as exposed to bad weather.
Matt Bax
Although low Tooms Lake should still fish well. Tooms does suffer from a boom and bust type of fishing but good trout can generally be found. Its his prediction that better than average browns and rainbows will be caught here because of the abundant food source in the form of Galaxia and large weed beds. Tooms is a great place to head as it is only around 200m above sea level and trout are quite active.
Tasmanian Devil No 48 – red nosed brown bomber works well as does a flashy green and gold Tillins 14D – 2 Inch Ashley spinner later in the day.
Don’t be afraid to use a fly dropper about 300mm in front of your lure – sometimes the trout prefer to take this over the actual lure.
Matts second choice is the Derwent River where he likes to spin the edges up around the Lime Kilns with a hardbody lure mimicking white bait and smelt.
Jack Piggot
Jacks choice is Woods Lake as it is normally productive right off the bat. Trolling during the afternoon and evening near the boat ramp, along the drop off, works well. Drift spinning across the lake, against the far shore leading into the river, also produces good fish.
Lure of choice being an Ecogear MW62F bibbed minnow in 313 colour. Trolling an assortment of cobra lures out in the middle over the weed beds or slow drift spinning a Berkley Drop shot minnows always successful early on.
Jacks tip to start the year off is to check your swivels for any sign of corrosion or wear and if necessary, upgrade to a slighter heavier size.