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The article below was contributed by Fishing Tasmania www.fishingtasmania.com
Stalking the Large Trout of Australia Tasmania the southern most island state of Australia is the premiere fly fishing destination.
Shore Fishing There are some local words and local techniques that are synonymous with Tasmanian fly-fishing. ‘Polaroiding’ is the technique of choice and ‘tailing trout’ is a local phenomenon. So what is polaroiding? Well it is not unlike searching the salt flats for Bones, the angler wades shallow sandy flats searching for underwater clues that give away the fishes presence. The first step to polaroiding in fresh water is to acquire a pair of amber/ brown polarized glasses and make sure you are wearing a hat that shades your eyes. By slowly wading the angler scans the water column both horizontally and vertically for anything that may resemble a fish. It is very important to focus your vision below the water, ignoring everything above the surface plane. Shape is the primary clue that often reveals a fish. The form of a trout or profile is very different to other sub surface objects such as rocks or weed beds. Movement is the other key visual clue, and most trout encountered will show some signs of movement. It may be the dark shadow of the trout reflected of the silt bottom, maybe the golden flanks as a fish turns to intercept its prey, or it may just be flicker of the tail that gives the fish away. Colour is less dependable as fish are naturally camouflaged to suit their environment. However contrast can sometimes be to our advantage and this is most evident when brown trout are cruising over shallow weed beds or rainbow trout are cruising near the surface in deep clear water.
What clients find really exciting is combining polaroiding with tailing fish, but you need steady nerves and accurate short casts. Imagine wading down a grassy flat mid morning, sun at your back, clear sky, and seeing large brown trout clearly visible and actively feeding in less than 12 inches of water. If the angler is fortunate enough to hook a tailing trout, he will soon discover how these strong fish can unload a full fly line in a single run.
Boat Fishing The ecology of the Tasmanian lakes, there abundant trout, and their shallow nature make them perfect boat fisheries. The variety and potential of boat fishing in Tasmania is enormous, with the boat being primarily used as a platform for polaroiding, a taxi to reach distant shores, or as a vehicle to chase surface feeding fish. Guides use boats to access areas of minimal fishing pressure and it provides a means to quickly move from one productive area to another. ‘Loch style fishing’ is one of the more popular and is definitely the most productive and consistent method of catching trout in Tasmania. The technique takes place from a broadside drifting boat and involves the retrieval of a team of flies through the surface of the water in attempt to induce a take from a nearby trout. This type of fishing was born in Scotland and Ireland where it was practiced on the larger lochs for wild brown trout and sea trout. Originally the style consisted of repeated short casts (6 to 10m) downwind from a drifting boat. Each cast the angler would sweep the rod back and up into the air as a team of flies were drawn, skated, and then "dibbled" back to the boat. The technique was essentially rhythmic and unhurried, and was very effective on trout feeding in or near the surface.
Wilderness Fishing
If You Want To Go
A good source on the web for further information about Tasmanian fly-fishing is the Fishing Tasmania www.fishingtasmania.com web site. And one of the best books for some pre – trip reading is Greg French’s 1994 book Tasmanian Trout Waters. The book contains maps and information on all inland lakes, rivers, and lagoons. Tasmania is a special place. It’s relative isolation, friendly people, disease free status, and cunning wild fish must be experienced. Make it your next fishing destination and join me on one of the shallow lake flats!
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