THE time has arrived with the start of the 2023-24 Tasmanian Brown Trout fishing season this Saturday morning at 12am.
As usual damaging winds and rain hit us this week with more showers forecast for tomorrow and temperatures have risen but they’ll be dropping again for the weekend.
No matter what the weather does anglers will be out in force on opening morning whether it be up the lakes or fishing local rivers and streams.
The Derwent and Huon Rivers always fish well early in a season and that trend looks set to continue.
Rain leading into opening weekend will trigger more sea trout to move through both systems and as long as both rivers don’t suffer major flooding anglers will definitely catch fish.
Tributaries flowing into both the Huon and Derwent rivers should also fish well with the Tyenna, Plenty, Styx and Lachlan rivers the Derwent’s best and the Weld, Russell, Little Denison and Mountain Rivers popular on the Huon.
Of the Lakes, stocked waters will be popular and Brady’s Lake, Lake Binney and Tungatinah Lagoon should fire after Brady’s lake received a good amount of fish over the off season.
Anglers soaking baits like worms and wattle grubs will do well as will lure anglers both spinning and trolling.
Bronte Lagoon’s water level has dropped through July but I expect it to rise again soon and like last season the lagoon should fish well and Lake Echo would be on my radar too with its water level higher than it was at the same time year.
The same can be said for Arthurs Lake and Wood’s Lake’s water level is a little higher than last season and it should continue to rise but I’m not sure how it will fish after algae issues late last season.
Lake Crescent was a standout last year although it was a little quiet early in the season but with temperatures mild through July maybe it will fire earlier as well.
Lake Sorell is also tipped to fish better and it will be interesting to see results from here and I’ll be also interested to see how Lake Leake and Toom’s Lake fish with both waters not firing much last year.
Closer to home our hydro catchments in Wayatinah Lagoon, Lake Catagunyah, Lake Repulse and Cluny Lagoon have had a good flushing while work was done to Lake Meadowbank recently and they’ll be worth a run.
Keep in mind Lake Pedder, Lake King William and also Lake Gordon with water levels at all three lakes higher than they were at this time last season as well.
Our Northern Rivers offer opportunity for big resident and sea trout early in a season and many make the effort for big rewards fishing iconic runs of the Arthur, Gordon, Pieman and Henty Rivers.
Other Northern rivers like the Forth, Mersey, Meander, Macquarie, Leven, St Patricks, North and South Esk also fish well early in a season and there are many more lakes full of trout worth exploring as well.
The IFS continued stocking waters in the lead up to opening weekend with Rainbow Trout the target, specifically triploids sourced from the Milly Brook Hatchery.
Craigbourne Dam got a top up taking 380 fish and both Lake Kara and Brushy Lagoon also took the same amount with the average weight sitting at around .525kg.
Lake Dulverton also received 190 Rainbows weighing the same last Friday.
As usual, Tasmania’s weather will challenge us for the opening of the new season and wherever you choose to fish be safe on and around the water. A reminder that the Inland Fisheries Service will be out and about over opening weekend so make sure you’re doing the right thing and that you’ve got your licenses and safety equipment sorted. THE New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association is holding its first competition of the new season this weekend on the mighty Derwent River.
Fishing starts at 12am Saturday with competition boundaries from the Lawitta Pump Station to the Tasman Bridge.
Anglers will finish up with a barbecue and weigh in at the Rotunda on the New Norfolk Esplanade from 3pm-3.30pm on Sunday.
Those looking to compete need to be financial members of the club before the start on Saturday morning. To purchase memberships pop into Williams Outdoors in High Street, New Norfolk, or contact the NNLAA committee. NNLAA Heaviest Trout awards for Senior and Junior are available plus average and mystery weights.
Tight lines until next week.