Fly to dizzy new heights

WALKING though paddocks alongside a stream last week, I was amazed at the amount of fly life on the move.

Red spinners and mayflies were hatching, and that was after a good downpour of rain. The warm air seemed to bring on the hatch.

A flying ant mass also nearly prompted me to drag the fly rod out, but another rainstorm put paid to that.

I can see why fly anglers get excited when there are hatches on, because fish start to move, feeding off the top, and they generally go nuts over what is landing on the water surface.

For those who aren’t into fly fishing, a lure flicked on to the water will often bring trout undone, but it can also lead to many hair-pulling moments when fish will refuse all offerings and take only what is presented on the water’s surface.

This is the time to get cunning.

I have taken fish that will only look at flies, using a bait rod and a float.

Try suspending your fly just down from a clear bubble float and let it drift down the current, as would a normal fly that has washed in.

You can give your fly some action with a twitch of the rod, and it usually works.

That’s why it pays to carry a few dry flies in your kit.

I used to know an elderly gentleman who used the same method with all manner of live insects, which included wasps, blowflies and march flies, all with great success.

Think like a fish and you will win, I find.

Stocks on the rise

RECENT stockings by the Inland Fisheries Service have a lot of people excited because it can mean salmon on the table for Christmas.

At the time of writing, Meadowbank Dam in the South received an injection of 594 salmon donated by Tassal. The average size was 6kg.

Anglers are reminded that Meadowbank Lake has a five-fish bag limit, with only two over 500mm.

Some other waters may be stocked before Christmas, but that depends on availability of fish, plus the weather situation, because fish don’t transport well in hot conditions.

Pretty as a picture

THE Tasmanian Trout Fishing Photography Competition 2017-18 is up and running. There are cash and gear prizes on offer.

First prize is $500 Second place wins a pair of Neoprene waders (Fly ’n’ Dry), and third place wins 12 lures from Hueys Lures.

Photos need to be taken by the person making the entry, and can’t be ones entered in 2016-17.

Pictures need to be taken in Tasmania, and need to be about inland fishing.

Photos don’t have to contain a fish. For example, they could be a favourite fishing spot, artfully placed gear or fishing with family, friends or a mate.

Entry is free and open until 5pm on April 30.

You can submit up to six images, with a maximum image size of 5MB each.

Entry is via the form obtained online at https:// www.ifs.tas.gov.au/photocompetition/2017-18-inland- fisheries-photographycompetition-entry-form

Snapper happy

THE hot spot for this week would have to be Browns River at Kingston, where snapper have been spotted recently.

In the North, the Tamar River has lots of squid, as well as King George whiting.