MERSEY RIVER — A RIVER WORTH YOUR LEARNING By Shane Flude. Photo by Steven Ooi
T
he Mersey River begins its journey with numerous small headwater streams in the high country of Tasmania near the Walls of Jerusalem. These streams flow into several larger lakes which flow into the Mersey Valley, all snaking their way down the idyllic upper Mersey valley into Lake Rowallan. Further downstream the waters are captured for hydro use in Lake Parangana. Other headwaters are captured here namely the Fisher River system which is dammed behind Lake Mackenzie. The Chudleigh Lakes extend beyond. Most of the Mersey water is diverted across to the Forth system at Parangana but the river from here to the sea offers magnificent trout fishing in a variety of locations. This article will touch on the great headwaters and go finer detail on some of the better sections downstream. To confuse and annoy the purists I will describe the water heading downstream. I encourage you to get a good map out and follow the river’s route.
Upper Mersey Valley Waters If you study a map of the Mersey headwaters you will see four large lakes comprising three major water sources. Lake Meston is the upper most lake on the Mersey River proper being stocked with rainbow trout by an airdrop in 1956. Hartnett, McCoy and Clarke Falls are three sets of waterfalls above Lees Paddocks that have prevented brown trout from venturing any further up the Mersey. The rainbow only fishery in the headwaters of the Mersey offer unique and isolated fishing and sets the stage really for the great Mersey River.
Lakes Myrtle and Bill are drained by Jacksons Creek which enter the Mersey above Rowallan. An exact stocking date is unknown but both lakes support a low to modest population of brown trout. They are rarely fished. On my last trip to these lakes I saw none in Myrtle and six in Bill, all around the two pound mark. Myrtle plunges into the depths around most shores and is difficult to get around. Bill is shallow enough to wade around completely. Lake Adelaide flows down an impressive valley into Lake Louisa and again via Junction Creek; their waters reach the Mersey at the head of Lake Rowallan. I have heard reports of trout in Adelaide but cannot confirm them. I can however confirm the presence of brown trout in Lake Louisa having visited this water numerous times since 2000. In recent times with the aid of a blow up canoe and portable depth sounder I can report that Louisa plunges to around 150ft in depth. The crystal clear waters are unlike anywhere I have fished or boated in Tasmania. On a perfect summers day Louisa is remarkable. Due to its depth however the fishing is only average. 2-3 a day up to around 2.5lb is about average. Only brown trout are present.
Chudleigh Lakes Headwaters Lake Mackenzie is a 975 metre long bitumen faced rock fill dam that holds back the waters of the upper Fisher River. It was the final dam in the Mersey/Forth scheme to be completed. When full it holds 20 000 cubic meters of water. Lake Mackenzie was stocked with brown trout around 1895. These trout and others that were released later soon spread and populated the entire Chudleigh Lakes region. In past years illegal liberations of rainbow trout into the Chudleigh Lakes have now seen a moderate population establish in Lake Mackenzie. Fish of both species up to around 2lb are fairly common in McKenzie. As a starting point for anglers heading into the more popular western lakes it has been overlooked for years as an angling destination. It is a great all round water and a long time favourite of
December view of McKenzie
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