Tasmanian Fishing and Boating News Issue 060 2006 February

Issue 60 February - March 2006

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WIN a family holiday for 7 days in St Helens See page 23

Michael Haley with a bream from Georges Bay. See the results of the St Helens Bream Classic on page 28.

• Game and sportfish on soft plastics (Steve Starling) • Chasing gummys sharks • Custom rod building • Woods Lake • Jan’s flies • Sarah’s kitchen Wind lanes • Bradys chain of lakes • Reviews

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CONTENTS

Game and sport fishing with soft plastics - Steve Starling 4 Chasing gummy sharks - Damon Sherriff

8

Fishery news 10 Woods Lake - Andrew Richardson 11 Custom rod building - Leroy Tirant 13 Wind lanes - lures work too - Andrew Richardson

14

Bradys chain of lakes - Quenton Higgs

15

Terrestrial fishing - Nick Voce 16 Fishing and Boating Directory 18 Sarah’s Kitchen 20 Jan’s flies - Jan Spencer 21 Fisherman’s basket - reviews 22 Calendar of events 23 Polycraft 4.1 metre review 24 Locating fish - Bill Presslor 26 Bream news 28 Free Classifieds 30

My Say I am not a competitive angler at all and when a day’s sport is measured by the number of fish caught I don’t fare too well. However I have plenty of mates who, like me, just enjoy fishing and when we go fishing catching fish is well down the list of necessary ingredients.

That said I entered the St Helens Bream Classic in January. This was setup by the St Helens Regatta and local bream aficionado, Jamie Henderson. It was to be a bit of a fun event and designed to see how widespread bream were in Georges Bay. I am glad to report well over 100 bream were caught and released, with the top ten boats all weighing in the maximum of 10 bream.

This is a hugely significant event to me as I believe the return of bream is a direct result of removing netting, both recreational and commercial, from Georges Bay. I had worked hard to have all nets removed from Georges Bay for some years and it was done with some serious conflict at times. DPIWE, Recreational Fisheries and other anglers also gave great support to this, as did the last commercial fisher who had fished the bay for many years. In some ways it was sad that the commercial fisher was removed as it had been a place where both his father and grandfather had fished for a living. He was given access to other fisheries though that he didn’t have before.

Having a good fishery on the doorstep of major population areas should be a goal for all of us, as should be improving what we have. There is always a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes in regard to managing fisheries and massaging the rules. Tasmania does it better than most places I know about and with less conflict. Agency people are always accessible and bureacracy is less prevalent than anywhere else.

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Mike Stevens

Tasmanian Fishing and Boating News Published by Michael Stevens PO Box 7504, Launceston, 7250. Ph/fax; 6331 1278 Email; fishn@bigpond.net.au Advertising: Quenton Higgs - 0427 129 949 Stevens Publishing, ABN 79 095 217 299 All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

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Fishing News - Page 3

Game and sport fishing with soft plastics

By Starlo and Bushy This feature article is based on extracts from Starlo and Bushy’s great how-to book On Soft Plastics, published in 2005 by AFN Publishing of Melbourne.

A

t first glance, fast-swimming pelagic species such as tailor, salmon, trevally, tuna and mackerel might seem to be the least likely candidates for successful soft plastic fishing. In actual fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

This fact came as something of a revelation to me. I guess my eyes were first opened on trips to Cape York and other tropical locations. I really enjoy chasing surface-feeding schools of longtail (northern bluefin) tuna and kawa-kawa (mackerel tuna) on both fly and lures in these warm, northern waters. When using hard lures, best results were typically obtained by throwing reasonably small, thin-profile slugs and metal slices in front of approaching schools and then cranking them as quickly as your arm and reel would allow.

On these high adrenalin, go-fast fish, speed definitely kills.

Or so I always thought…

A few years ago, more as an experiment than anything else, I began throwing some of the soft plastic Squidgies that Bushy and I had designed at these same fish. The results were nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did strike and hook-up rates improve, but the need for speed diminished significantly.

By throwing a 6 to 8 cm natural baitfish-coloured shad or fish-shaped tail on a 7 to 10 g jig head in front of a school of tuna and simply rolling it through the water at a medium pace with an occasional lift and drop of the rod tip, I found I was almost guaranteed a hook-up. Often, it wasn’t even necessary to retrieve the lure at all and tuna simply ate it as it sank on a semi-slack line! It was almost too easy.

Even more exciting was the fact that if I let the lure sink well under the passing school (assuming it wasn’t eaten on the drop), then commenced a lift-drop-lift retrieve in mid-water or down near the sea bed, I began connecting with all manner of bonus prizes, including the likes of big trevally, cobia, Spanish mackerel, fingermark, cod and even significantly larger tuna than the ‘schoolies’ typically associated with frantic surface feeding activity.

Soft plastic lures have superb action and can be deadly on many of Australias pelagic species.

From Australian salmon to tuna you can catch them all.

Best results are typically obtained by ‘matching the hatch’; in other words, by choosing tail sizes and colours that closely mimic any baitfish which are present and being preyed upon by the bigger fish.

Effective retrieves usually involve a mix of medium-paced straight rolling (simply cranking the reel), interspersed with and occasional lift and drop of the rod, the odd pause and a bit of ‘burn and kill’ (a few fast cranks of the reel followed by a sudden stop). Mix it up until you discover what’s working on the day.

Of course, tailor and soft plastics are not a great mix in terms of lure durability and more often than not it’s a case of one fish, one tail, although you’ll be surprised how often

it’s possible to score a second or third tailor, especially if you use some of the tips from Chapter 8. Anyway, if they’re decent-sized tailor, does it really matter? Besides, when was the last time you caught more than one or two good tailor per pilchard, whitebait or garfish bait?

Sky is the limit

While we’ve focussed mostly on the more popular light to middleweight pelagics here, don’t get the idea that this is as far as you can take soft plastics in offshore waters — because it’s definitely not. continued next page.......

Southern lessons

Transplanting these same tactics to cooler southern waters produced equally impressive results. Not that this should have surprised me. Switched-on sport fishers had been making the move to rubber on fickle schools of salmon and yellowtail kingfish, in particular, for quite a few years. Often, when nothing else (even cunning little fly patterns) would pull a bite from these fish, a lightly weighted or completely un-weighted soft stick bait tweaked or even fished dead stick in front of their noses would do the trick.

At other times, a reasonably large Slug-Go style soft jerk bait fished un-weighted on or near the surface with a fairly brisk, jerky retrieve was the next best thing to a live squid for unlocking the jaws of hard-pressured urban kingfish in heavily-fished locations such as Sydney’s Broken Bay, Harbour, Botany Bay and Port Hacking. (I can’t see why it wouldn’t work in Tassie, either!)

In retrospect, none of this should have been too surprising. Quality plastics fished intelligently work for exactly the same reasons on pelagics as they do on nearly every other critter that swims; because they look edible, behave naturally, taste and smell right and feel like food when a predator grabs them. Again, it’s what the Yanks would call a ‘no-brainer’.

Salmon and tailor

The two most popular inshore pelagic targets in southern waters are Australian salmon and tailor, and both respond with extreme enthusiasm to suitably sized and presented soft plastics. In fact, on many days, plastics are the most successful of all artificial offerings and even hold their own against natural baits, regardless of whether they are being cast and retrieved from the shore, from a boat or even trolled.

Fishing News - Page 4

Some of the ‘softies’ available on the market.

The top two are Squidgies ‘garfish’, next is a sauri imitation and the bottom three are Williamson’s: ‘Live Ballyhoo combo’, ‘Live Ribbonfish’ and ‘Little Tunny’.

Fishing News - Page 5

Much larger game fish will happily tackle a rubber lure, and the next big mackerel, dolphin fish, wahoo, heavyweight tuna, billfish or shark taken on one certainly won’t be the first, particularly as more specific blue water models and sizes come onto the market, Because, when you stop and really think about it, what is a big soft-headed pusher or a latex flying fish or gar if it’s not a soft plastic?

Blue water baits

It makes sense that many larger soft plastics — especially big shads, fish, swim baits and stick baits or jerk baits — can readily be used to target sport and game species offshore; either trolling, or by casting and jigging. This has certainly been done historically and, with the advent of more specialised large plastics, we are likely to see a lot more of it happening in the near future.

In particular, large softies are very popular as hookless teasers when attempting to attract and excite billfish (marlin and sailfish), tuna, kingfish, samson fish, amberjacks, trevally, dolphin fish and the like for light tackle or fly rod shots. Soft or semi-soft teasers are more convenient and durable than natural baits in this role, but also feel real enough for attacking fish to hold on to, or come back to repeatedly. Classics in this genre include offerings such as the ubiquitous rubber squid, plastic garfish and the like.

Figuring that if big softies make top class teasers, they should also make effective lures, some anglers and lure manufacturers have been putting hooks in big rubber ‘teasers’ for quite a few years now, and catching some great fish on them in the process. Bushy knows a lot more about this caper than I do, and has devoted an immense amount of time over the past few years to attempting to create the ultimate in blue water softies, so I’ll hand you over to him again:

You’re right, Starlo, there have already been some pretty good blue water baits made from soft plastic. The Yo-Zuri Flying Fish with its adjustable clear plastic wings is a ripper of a lure that has caught quite a few large tuna and marlin over the years. The greatest drawback with this lure in Australia was always its hefty (make that scary!) price tag. There have been various other soft plastic blue water lures around, too, and just about all of them will catch fish to some degree. The thing that has stopped them from becoming truly mainstream has been that they are all fairly difficult to rig and are easily destroyed by toothy critters. The destruction part is not so serious because some of these soft lures are comparatively cheap (at least compared to all the other expenses involved in offshore sport and game fishing). It’s the fact that you need to be in the genius engineer bracket to rig so they’ll swim properly them in the first place that has been the real killer.

Over the last few years, I’ve been deeply involved in the design work on a series of new Squidgy Bluewater Livies and I hope we have finally addressed the problems of price and rigging, even if we can’t do much about durability, specially where wahoo, mackerel, barracuda and sharks are involved. Trials to date had been very successful at the time of writing on three sizes of rigged trolling lure in the shape of slimy mackerel or scad, and the simple garfish imitation with it’s novel rigging method and internal ‘flexi skeleton’ was already catching game fish, including the likes of blue marlin, dogtooth tuna and big longtail tuna. I predict we’ll see a lot more in the way of large, sophisticated soft plastics on the offshore trolling scene in coming seasons, and they may even end up giving both skirted resin heads (pushers and the like) and rigged natural baits a serious run for their money.

Only time will tell.

End

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$427 000 recreational fishing grants approved T

he Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Steve Kons, has approved funding of to $427,000 for 11 projects in the first round of the annual fishwise grants scheme.

‘Recreational sea fishing is very important to Tasmanians with more than one in three people participating.

‘Better management and improved fishing practices are essential to ensuring that we can all continue to enjoy recreational fishing,” Mr Kons said.

‘I am very pleased to be able to support these projects that range from regional projects by community groups such as the Fishcare Volunteers through to scientific research.’

The fishwise grant scheme is funded by revenue from recreational sea fishing licence sales. Grants are available to any interested individuals or organisations with ideas that will improve the management of fisheries.

Grant applications are assessed by an independent panel.

The successful projects include: Up to $236,000 for Fishcare Volunteers to support a number of projects around Tasmania including a school education program, the installation of signs at major fishing locations and support for the popular ‘Take a Kid Fishing Day’ events.

The Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute will receive up to $155,000 for a major sur vey of Tasmanian’s participation in recreational fishing and studies on the octopus fishery in Eaglehawk Bay. The Tasmanian Scuba Diving Club will receive up to $2,500 to help them conduct surveys of the scallop fishery.

T h e Au s t r a l i a n Fi s h i n g Ta c k l e Association will receive about $11,000 for a project aimed at increase participation in fishing and promoting better fishing practices.

Up to $22,000 for the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment to publish locality guides for popular fishing sites and a sea fishing poster.

Another call for applications will be made in May 2006.

‘I encourage anybody with ideas that could improve the management of our recreational fisheries and better fishing practices to think about applying for funding,’ he said.

Further information on the fishwise grant scheme is available at www.fishing.tas.gov.au (follow the “Community Partnership” links) or phone (03) 6233 7042.

Fishing around Tasmania help wanted Mike Stevens in part way through re-writing Fishing Around Tasmania and he needs your help. First published in 1998, Fishing Around Tasmania is an invaluable guide to fishing destinations, what can be caught and how to catch it. The book includes both fresh and salt waters and promotes good fishing practices.

If you would like to help Mike and add a few tips and good places to fish contact him in the office on 6331 1278 (please leave a message if he is out fishing) or 0418 129949. All those that contribute will receive a free copy of the book when it is published later in the year.

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Fishing News - Page 7

Chasing gummy sharks T

his is one of Tasmania’s favourite light tackle sport fish. The good thing about gummy sharks is that they are nearly accessible to everybody. You can catch them in a wide variety of locations and habitats and they have great fighting abilities. Gummies are a slim line looking shark which is light grey in colour with white dots. They do not have teeth but two crushing plates on the upper and lower jaw. They can grow in access of 25kg but are commonly caught around 5kg.

The other great feature of gummy sharks is the fantastic white flesh which most people know as flake.

Gummy sharks can be caught over a wide range of bottoms. There is no rule as to where they feed. I have caught them over sand, mud, reef, shell and hard bottom. Gummies sometimes turn up in the weirdest places for example; up bream creeks where the salt meets the fresh.

Shallow water fishing

This is probably my most favourite way of catching gummy sharks. It is best done of a night in a water depth of less than 2 metres. It can be done at anchor in a boat or land based. Good areas to look for are mud flats which have a high population of square back crabs. You will catch plenty of other fish too including rays and even a big snapper.

Beach fishing

This is another enjoyable way of catching gummies and is also best done at night. Beaches that normally fish best are the ones with the deepish gutters close to shore. When fishing the beaches try and time your trip for when the moon is out as this will keep the annoying bait pinching sea lice at bay. Dark nights are always the hardest to keep bait on your hook. A 12 foot surf rod spooled up with 15lb mono is all that is needed to take big gummies from the surf.

Deep water drifting

The other popular way of taking gummies is off shore during the day. The beauty of this type of fishing is that you get

Gummy sharks are fun to catch and great to eat. Check your sea fishing rules though as Tasmania has many areas are shark refuges where taking of sharks is prohibited. a large bye catch which is often very tasty. This could include flathead, squid, octopus, butterfly gurnard and also morwong.

The most popular depths are between 15-40 metres. A drogue or a sea anchor is often a big advantage while drifting as it will slow your boat speed down if the wind picks up.

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Deep water at anchor

This is also a fun way of catching gummies and is more popular inshore in bays and estuaries. It is mainly done during the day in areas where there is a strong current. Mud bottom areas seem to fish the best also cunjevoi beds can be

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Fishing News - Page 9

New peak trout angling body formed

A simple running sinker rig is all that is needed with a short, but stronger leader. productive. The tide change is also a major factor when fishing inshore in deep fast water because when the tide slows down it triggers there feeding on small crabs and cunjovei.

Moon phase

Most commercial shark fisherman I know have always told me the period between a few days before until a few days after the full moon have been the most productive days to set there shark lines. I have found these days to be very productive for my recreational fishing as well.

Baits

The bet baits for gummies are eel, squid, octopus, fish fillets and also pilchards. Big gummies will eat a very large bait so don’t be scared to try. Don’t forget that fresh is always best.

Tackle

I use a longish rod for gummies around about 7’6” to 8 feet long. This allows me to get a good cast away from the boat and spread my baits out. I prefer to use an overhead reel such as a Daiwa Millionaire or similar spooled up with 8kg mono. If you can not cast an over head a larger thread line such as a Penn Spinfisher 8500 would be a good choice.

I use a hook size of around 6/0 to catch gummy sharks. A short leader tied to a swivel and a free running ball sinker is a great rig for most gummy shark areas. A double dropper can also be very productive especially when drifting and beach fishing. Use a sinker weight that is adequate for the area you are fishing.

Gummy shark fishing is great fun but you must remember that there are restrictions on bag and size limits as well as restricted nursery areas this information can be found in the fishing code book available at service Tasmania and most tackle stores.

Damon Sherriff

Anglers Alliance Tasmania Inc. (AAT) was incorporated on the 5th January and is the body officially accepted by Government and angler bodies as the organisation representing all licensed anglers.

The Alliance now seeks three unattached and independent licensed anglers to join the Committee of AAT and assist in realising the true potential of the Tasmanian fishery.

The constitution calls for one representative from each of the State’s three telephone regions and the positions are honorary.

AAT is an alliance of all angling clubs and professional bodies associated with the State’s fresh water fishery and its overarching aim is: “Through the representation of all anglers, ensure the realisation and maintenance of the full potential of the fishery”.

AAT has a Committee of fifteen and an executive of five and is run by a part

Fisheries Lane gets upgrade

For a number of years the main access road for anglers wishing to fish Brumbys Creek has been in poor repair. Despite previous attempts to maintain the road the significant rainfall of the last 6 months or so has led to further degradation.

During the last week of January the road was resurfaced and graded and is now, according to anglers who have been using it for years, the best condition it has ever been in.

The Northern Midlands council assisted the Inland Fisheries Service in the road’s upgrade by providing the watering and grading equipment.

The DPIWE Research farm at Cressy will be undertaking maintenance on its drains during autumn which will further assist in keeping Fisheries Lane in good order.

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Anglers intending to launch a boat on Wayatinah Lagoon should be aware that the formal launching area is located at the eastern end of the lake. This ramp located at the end of the road that turns off the Lyle Hwy just before the bridge crossing over the Nive River, when approaching from Hobart.

The boat ramp has recently been upgraded by Hydro Tasmania. The informal ramp at the caravan park should not be used by the general public

Boundary marker correction Marine Nature Reserve, Maria Island

The boundary marker posts at the northern end of the no-fishing area of the Maria Island Nature Reserve are presently 500m out of place.

On 1 Feb 2006 the boundary posts will be moved to the correct location which is Cape Boullanger (the northern most tip of Maria Island).

The new boundary will be marked on shore by two cairns with white posts which, when lined up from the sea, indicate that one’s vessel is on a line between the markers and Cape Bougainville (on the Tasmanian mainland) This boundary also coincides with the northern boundary of the Mercury Passage no-netting and shark refuge area.

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Fishing News - Page 10

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time Alliance Manager so the workload is not too onerous.

An advertisement inviting expressions of interest will appear in Tasmania’s three daily papers on Saturday 11th February.

Apart from AAT, Tasmania’s recreational fresh water fishery has undergone dramatic change over the last two years and future plans promise even greater change in the immediate future.

The Recreational Fishing Development Plan (RFDP) presently being researched and written has been made a reality through a Tourism Development grant of $104,000 from AusIndustry following seed funding from local councils and the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS).

The RFDP is to be the demand plan and will join in a supply plan being prepared by the IFS. The final plans will then be subject to public consultation after which AAT will be the body implementing the findings of the RFDP.

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Woods Lake

O

ne of our states more under-utilized fisheries, Woods Lake is situated some thirteen kilometres southeast from the Arthurs Lake dam wall at the end of a rocky, bumpy bush track.

History

Woods Lake holds a self-supporting population of brown trout. Both rainbow and brook trout have been introduced into the lake in years gone by, but both species failed to establish.

Woods Lake is a naturally occurring lake that was originally enlarged in 1911 by the construction of a levee across the Lake River at ‘Devils Throat’. This survived for over fifty years until the construction of the Arthurs lake dam caused a loss of downstream river flow on the Lake River. In order to maintain adequate environmental flow on the Lake River, and to sustain agricultural irrigation demands, a sevenmeter high rock fill dam was built to replace the original levee in 1962 and subsequently enlarge the size of the impoundment.

This is how the lake remains today, and a handy spin-off is the now well-established and productive trout fishery.

Four wheel drive only

Difficulty of access is the most likely reason for Woods Lake’s lack of popularity.

Access is obtained by following the gravel road that continues past the Arthurs Lake dam wall and onto what is known as ‘Woods Lake Road’.

The title ‘Road’ is being used very loosely in this instance, because I would not describe it as a road, but rather as a bush track. Rocky and extremely hard going in sections, this track is

akin to driving along a dry river bed, and can take quite some time to negotiate. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is highly recommended for this track, as standard two wheel drives are not suitable.

Alternative access is via a track that extends from the Interlaken road to the southwestern shore. This track crosses private land and the gate is often locked so cannot always be relied on for access.

But hey! Don’t let difficulty of access frighten you away, for if you are prepared to give your kidneys a little jarring the fishing rewards can be terrific!

What’s there

Once you have arrived at Woods Lake (and given your internal organs a chance to work their ways back to their original locations!) you are greeted with a waterway that looks tailor made for all forms of fishing.

The ‘road’ leads to the dam wall, but there are plenty of tracks branching from this should you choose to take one. Most sections of the foreshore are either rocky or covered with a mossy grass and you will find more informal campsites than you can poke a seven-foot spinning combo at!

An overnight trip to Woods Lake is recommended because, as mentioned it can take a while to negotiate the track in, and it can take even a little longer to get back out again owing to the steep climb on the return journey.

So it’s a good idea to give yourself adequate time to explore the lake (or at least a section of it). Be patient and rewards will come your way.

Woods Lake is not as popular as it probably should be. It is a great fishery, but access can be testing.

Continued next page...

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Fishing News - Page 11

I say this because the catch rate for fish at Woods Lake is regarded as greater than the average, and though many of the fish you catch will be lighter than a kilo, there are some monsters lurking within the depths as well.

Fish in excess of three kilo are not rare.

Why’s the water green?

The water in Woods Lake is of a ‘chalky green’ discoloration. Finding out the exact cause of this has proven a little tricky, but the most compelling evidence suggests that algae is to blame. The water in Woods Lake is known to contain high levels of background nutrients and that in-turn supports above average algal populations. Indeed ‘algal blooms’ have not been uncommon in the past, but recent decisions to maintain higher water levels within the catchment have seen these effectively stamped out.

Boating

The best boat launching facilities are at the dam wall itself, and boating on Woods Lake is probably the most productive method for catching fish.

The lake has quite a large circumference though is not overly deep. Trolling lures is definitely effective; as a lot of water can be covered this way and fish appear to be just as common in the middle of the lake as they are on the shoreline. Drift spinning amongst the drowned trees along the northern shore is worth a shot, but along any area of the shoreline you will find structures such as submerged logs and weed beds to fish around.

For the fly fisherman, dunn hatches on Woods Lake are not uncommon, usually

starting around November and continuing on until later in the season. The area known as ‘Patterson’s Flats’ at the western end of Woods Lake is a regarded as a very productive fly-fishing area. Here the Upper Lake River flows into the lake and good fish can be taken all year round. Elsewhere on the lake small weed beds become visible in the warmer months and these are good areas to fish around as well.

Wading

For those without a boat wading along the shoreline from the dam wall will most likely bag you a fish or two. The lake bottom is rocky but easily negotiated and the fly or lure fisherman will find fishing easy going.

The banks of the lake do drop off into the water quite steeply in some sections so, as always, take care when wading.

Woods Lake catch rates are good and the fish are usually in excellent condition.

Bait fishing

Bait fishing is permitted at Woods Lake and early in the season trout will patrol the shoreline in search of food to feast upon.

If you are fishing baits on the bottom of the lake, look for a place with a steep drop off into deep water. There are many places like this along the shoreline of the lake. These places will usually drop off to a mud-covered bottom and are less likely to snag your line than in other parts of the lake.

Shallower sections of the lake, such as around the dam wall, will usually be too rocky to fish a bait on the bottom so floating mudeyes and grubs is recommended for these more snag-prone areas.

Be prepared to be ambushed

My experience of fishing at Woods Lake leads me to believe that fishing around submerged structures is the most productive technique to use to enable you to catch a fish or two. The fish in this lake seem to like to hide out under cover such as submerged logs, then dart out and ambush their prey as it comes by.

If you are fishing with a lure you will find that when the fish strikes it will strike hard.

So stay awake!

Drifting off into a daydream then having your hand slip off the handle of your reel when a fish strikes is not a nice feeling and at Woods Lake you need to be on your game to strike hard as soon as the fish hits the lure. There will probably be no second chance if you miss the fish the first time around, so keeping your concentration is very important.

Fly fishermen will find that the fish that bites the fly will bite decisively, so be alert and prepared for some fighting fun!

When you do hook-up a fish at Woods Lake you will find that they are good fighters.

Indeed the fish from this lake seem to be quite aggressive characters, possibly owing to their relative abundance.

Tasty too

Woods Lake has some beautiful shore fishing.

Once landed it is rare to find a fish that is not in good condition and when you clean your fish you will discover the flesh to be a brilliant orange colour. I consider all fish I have eaten from Woods Lake to be terrific eating, possibly the best lake trout I’ve consumed.

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Save the galaxias

Woods Lake is also home to two endemic fish species, the saddled galaxias and the Arthurs paragalaxias, which are both listed as ‘endangered’ under Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act. The Arthurs paragalaxias population has fallen to levels where the fish has not been found within the lake for many years. Both species are found only at Woods Lake and neighboring Arthurs Lake. Measures such as maintaining the higher water level in Woods Lake have been introduced to try to sustain and subsequently boost populations of these fish but it is not known how successful this has been.

In conclusion

Woods Lake is not as popular a fishery as it could be. The rough bush track that leads to it keeps many anglers away.

Regular visitors to the lake will probably say that that’s a good thing, as you have to be keen to make the trip in. This subsequently keeps the lake a little more pristine and the catch rate of fish a little higher than it would be if it were more heavily fished.

But if you do you make the trip to Woods Lake you will glad you did, for it would be uncommon for you to return home without catching a fish or two.

Just remember to put a pillow on your seat before you set off!

Andrew Richardson.

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Custom rod building aving a fishing rod custom built for your specific needs was a necessity back in the 1970 and 80s as commercial manufacturers had a limited range on offer. High speed spinning off ledges for tuna, game fishing for marlin and surf casting were really moving forwards in leaps and bounds as anglers became aware of the fishing potential in these areas, as well as others.

The need for specialist tackle saw a new breed —the custom rod builder. Rods needed to tackle fish in these new fishing frontiers where tactics and methods were being developed simply didn’t exist. People also began seeing the advantage of having a casting rod made with the grips and reel seat fitted to the length of their casting stroke, as this let anglers cast with a natural style rather than trying to adjust your self to casting a factory built rod.

These day’s rod builders aren’t as abundant as they used to be and quality varies with experience, but a custom rod builder is still needed today even though tackle companies have an arsenal of factory built rods to suit nearly every situation.

One such area is in repairs. For example if you have a favourite rod that has been broken a good rod builder should be able to repair the blank as long as it was a clean break and the blank wasn’t shattered. Rod builders can also replace rod guides and grips as they become worn or broken.

Anglers also who can’t find a specific type of rod to suit there needs also seek out rod builders. One specific request I had of late was for an 8ft rod that was to be used for fishing with mudeye’s. The angler wanted ultra light single foot Fuji guides and a short 4 inch cork butt, but with a five inch fore grip to suit the anglers large hands, the blank also was to be rated to only 2kg and have a crisp action as the angler didn’t want a limp noodle, as he often fished around timber and wanted a taper that would turn fish quicker than the older style glass rods did. A rod such as this just doesn’t exist in tackle store’s. Having a rod custom built also gives the angler the advantage of being able to pick the color’s they wish to have the rod bound in and to also have their name inscribed on the blank, which gives the rod a personal touch.

“ “

Good custom rod builders are anglers themselves and have to be, so they can understand the fundamentals of what the angler whom wants a rod built needs. If a rod builder has never been game fishing how can he know what is expected from a game rod? The same goes with flyfishing, surf casting etc etc. So if your looking at having a rod built be sure to check out rods the builder has already turned out, so you can see the quality of his work first hand.

If you want to try your hand at rod building there are several instructional books and videos available from tackle stores and AFN. Blanks and compoCustom rod building is probably less popular than in the past. However nents are also available from tackle it is often the only way an angler can get exactly the rod they want. stores and the staff should be able to steer you in the right direction for a particular style of blank that your looking for. There are literally thousands of blanks available 4. Use quality epoxy on binds such as Duragloss LS to the pro or amateur rod builder with countless combinations Supreme. (This epoxy isn’t cheap but it is like water when of grips, reel seats and guides available. When putting your mixed and really soaks into binds better than any other epoxy rod together be sure to follow these simple steps.

I’ve used. Two coats are generally needed on most rods.)

1. Use quality epoxy when glueing on components such as 24 hour Araldite, and don’t be shy with it.

2. Make sure grips will fit to blank diameter because if there to tight they may end up tearing when glue dries off.

(Soak EVA or Hypalon grips centers in metho before fitting as this softens grip and allows them to stretch easier as they slide down the blank.

3. Tape guides along blank with masking tape and run line through them to get a loading curve to ensure guides are spaced correctly to give an even working curve over the blank.

Rod building can be a great hobby and an angler can be sure to experience great satisfaction out of catching a fish they have built themselves.

Leroy Tirant Leroy Tirant has been a rod builder for 18 years and worked as a pro rod builder in Melbourne before moving to Tasmania 5 years ago. Leroy will be running rod building courses this winter from his tackle shop, Bigfin Sportsfishing, East Devonport. Contact him 6427 8854.

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Fishing News - Page 13

Fishing wind lanes Not just for fly fishers!

You don’t need to be reading this article to discover that us anglers are a weird mob, for I’m sure you already know that. We come from all different walks of life and we all have our own values and opinions. Some of us are meek and mild, while others are boisterous and bold. Some of us prefer to fish fresh water, others salt. Some of us like to fish with bait, others with lures or flies.

Now before you panic, I’m not going to venture into the mire that is the endless debate over fly fishing-versus-lure fishingversus-soft plastics versus-bait-versus god knows what else. I am here to say, though, that I believe we can all learn a great deal from each other if we are prepared to listen, and perhaps more importantly, open up and speak truthfully about what we know, so we can help more people to catch more fish more often.

I can hear you laughing now.

‘C’mon mate, seriously? A fisherman telling the truth?’

Fair enough, you have right to be skeptical, because I know far many more ‘BS artists’ than ‘honest cops’ when it comes to my angling acquaintances. It can be a hard thing to deal with when people are telling you tall tales, especially those of the fish they have supposedly caught. Ask for evidence (the fish or a photo) and it’s amazing how few you ever get to see. But, still, it’s always worth asking the questions and deciphering the answers given into some useable information, if you can!

Recently I was involved in a conversation with a friend of mine who is a proficient fly fisherman. Now he is prone to telling the odd tall story, but none-the-less I was attempting to ‘pick his brains’ and gather as much information as I could about the art (well, as much as is possible over half a dozen stubbies)!

I was having this conversation because I must confess I have never caught a fish on my fly rod, but I am determined to do so some time soon. Anyway my friend imparted some

useful information my way, and the point I found most interesting was what he had to say about wind lanes.

Now prior to this conversation I had looked upon these as no more than little frothy patterns on the water created by the breeze. To me this was usually a source of frustration, meaning that the wind had got up to an annoying level. However my friend explained to me that fly fisherman use these lanes to their advantage, seeking them out and castThe most common of windlanes. Looking like a slick windlanes are generally formed by wind ing their flies to their midst. funneled around land forms. They channel food into lanes and consequently the fish follow.

He told me the wind will push food supplies along the surface of the water and concentrate it where these wind lanes form, thus attracting the fish to them as well.

‘Very interesting’ I thought to myself, ‘I’ll remember that next time I pull out my fly rod.’

Anyway, it so happened that not long after this informative session took place I found myself wading the waters of Four Springs Lake.

My fly rod was with me, though as is usually the case, stored neatly in its holder and left in the Ute. Instead my weapon of choice was my seven-foot spinning combo with anti-kink and snap swivel attached.

As this was to be a brief morning session I’d gathered up a dozen or so lures and The daddy of them all. A huge foamy smorgasbord pushed together by the thrown them into a tackle box sized small wind on Lake Pedder. There are even ducks feeding in this. Photos courtesy Peter Hayes. enough to fit in the front pocket of my wadI wound my line back in no more than five ers, and off I set.

Of course it isn’t quite that easy, but I was Initially I chose my favorite ‘Pegron’ frog- turns and then ‘BANG’ – I was on. surprised and happy that my first attempt at An intriguing fight followed, with the fish consciously targeting wind lanes had drawn patterned wobbler. I casted it unsuccessfully for a while before changing to a green and initially heading towards me before launching such a resounding success. gold spinner. Again I cast and cast, slowly itself skywards in that time-honored rainbow To further back up what I had learned, trout tradition. working my way over my favorite area of later in the morning a smaller brownie fell to Now this wasn’t a little fish! the lake. the same combination of wind lane and green Off down deep it went in its efforts to and gold spinner.

By this stage I was fishing into quite a stiff break free, but its struggle was to be no match breeze and still not having much success.

So by getting a fellow fisherman to share It was then I started paying attention for my little combo, though my drag was given his experience I learned something new and a reasonable working over. to the wind lanes. There were a number of it helped me catch a couple of fish. What he A couple of minutes of good fighting told me was not earth shattering, but it was them that had formed nearby and my mind wandered back to the conversation I’d had fun were had before a rainbow trout of an idea that got me thinking, and one that I around three pound was scooped up into was able to utilize it to suit a different style with my friend regarding fly-fishing.

I began to wonder if the same principle my landing net. of fishing entirely.

I couldn’t believe what had just happened! that applied for fly-fishing would apply for So next time someone asks you about lure fishing. Okay, my lure would be below the I thought I had just discovered the secret to your fishing experience, why not put away the surface, unlike a dry fly that would remain on total fishing success, and I was now going to tall stories and instead concentrate on impartbecome the most successful trout fisherman ing some practical knowledge or ideas? top of it, but if food was present on top of the water then maybe a fish could be conned in all of Tasmania!

You might help someone to catch a fish ‘After all these years of fishing’ into taking a lure below it. and who knows, they might even buy you I thought to myself, I decided to give it a go, and cast my little a beer.

‘All I really have to do is find a wind lane green and gold spinner to the center of a wind That reminds me, I think I owe someone lane that was directly in front of me, parallel and cast my lure down the guts of it, and one…… success is guaranteed’. to the lake shore.

Andrew Richardson.

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Bradys chain of lakes

F

rom anyone’s point of view, be it anglers, visitors or local business operators a surefire vote winner for a smart politician would be to seal the link road from Great Lake Hotel to Bronte! From a purely selfish point of view a bitumen link would make the delightful Bradys chain of lakes more easily accessible to anglers from the northern regions of Tasmania.

Southern based anglers have enjoyed this luxury for many years.

Indeed the whole chain from St Clair through to Tungatinah Lagoon is set in comparative luxuriant forest, i.e. when compared with the Arthurs and Great lakes localities. One very good reason for this is the difference in altitude, some 350 odd metres with Bradys Lake recorded at 650m, well below the consistent snow line. The natural forest and understorey from St Clair to the Bradys Chain, I believe, makes this one of the most picturesque drives in Tassie. Of course, to the anglers benefit, the rich and diverse flora also generates a smorgasbord of trout tucker including gum beetle, caddis, mayfly and all things in between. Fishing and Boating News will comment on several, little fished waters of this region over the next few issues commencing with Bradys Lake, Lake Binney and Tungatinah Lagoon.

It has always been quite easy for me to slip by this trio enroute from Strahan to Hobart and I guess many others would do the same.

Next time, I recommend you take the short detour into Bradys Lake; you will be delighted.

Travelling south on the Lyell Highway (A10) take a left turn about 500m after crossing the whitewater canal from Bronte Lagoon. This road winds a few kilometres through the Bradys shack area, alongside the canal connecting to Lake Binney, across the dam wall before rejoining the highway. In this short distance there are some great fishing opportunities such as Whitewater Point where the rapids from Bronte lagoon enter Bradys, the areas adjacent to the canal entry points and finally polaroiding from the Lake Binney dam. Inland Fisheries have heavily stocked all three catchments with brown, rainbow and brook trout plus some hefty mature Atlantic salmon. We polaroided a salmon of at least 10 pounds from the dam wall; talk about a mini submarine!

There is plenty of scope for land based anglers and all methods may be used. One area I was particularly impressed with was the eastern shore of Bradys accessible on the C174, the turnoff at the northern-most end.

With a beaut camping area at Tunnel Bay you could relax soaking a wattle grub or comfortably wade whilst fly fishing or spinning.

Good public boat ramps are well sited on each water and we launched in Binney at Camp Corner, just off the highway. Drifting down both the western and eastern shores red tags and gum beetles raised several fish to two pounds and at one stage a fish of four pounds sniffed the offering but declined. South Bay provides excellent fishing casting amongst scrub close to the water and is ideally accessible by boat. Should you wish to try your luck from a boat you can hire one from Highland Lakes Boat Hire at Canal Bay. What is unique about the three waters is that they are connected by two Hydro made canals and it is only a short distance into the smallest, Tungatinah Lagoon. Only small but with two extensive weed beds the opportunity to fish to tailing brownies is exceptional. Again good campsites, basic with no facilities are available.

In addition to the flys already mentioned others could well bring success include Woolly Bugger, Nymbeet and CDC Emerger, all around #12 – 14.

Any of Wigston’s Tassie Devils, Lofty or Tillin lures will take fish.

There is a good depth of water in all three catchments and nestled amongst the hills they are not effected too much by wind so clarity is nearly always excellent. As the water recedes over the next two months locals advise that fishing will get better and better. I know I’ll be back there during February and March.

Good fishn’ and tight lines, Quenton Higgs

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Fishing News - Page 15

Terrestrial fishing

- a Summer experience

W

ater is an effective insect traps for terrestrial insects. In fly-fishing terms terrestrial insects originate from the land, but through mishap, become victims to the world of water. Beetles, bees, leafhoppers (Jassids), crickets, ants, grasshoppers and other species find themselves helpless as they try to take off from the water surface. They sometimes make it to shore, but often are doomed to drown or worse—eaten by fish. Trout love to concentrate on these easy pickings, and grow fat on this rich and diverse gift. It is our duty as fishermen to reduce this carnage as much as possible by hauling out these killers and giving them a stern lesson.

Food availability summer season

Terrestrial insects can be found in trout stomachs throughout the season; however, summer provides the greatest diversity and abundance of these insects. With sustained high air pressure and generally drier conditions, the heat of the summer sun creates conditions less suitable for the hatching of aquatic insects than what is expected earlier and sometimes later in the trout-fishing season. As trout become attuned to these new food types, they adjust their habits accordingly.

Trout and other creatures expend energy to obtain food and must therefore gain more energy in return if they are to maintain their condition and hopefully grow larger.

The rise to a beetle is very casual and efficient one, and trout, especially the larger and more experienced models, can sip them off the surface with barely a dimple.

A good rise to a fall of insects is not always a certainty; it may take time for patterns to develop. Changeable weather can complicate the issue. I think it is better to have fairly stable weather, especially regarding wind direction, for patterns and habits to develop.

Gum beetles are a terrestrial that trout love, although they can fill up on them quickly and go off the bite.

Wind, lakes and locatin g fish.

Fishing in the wind can be challenging at times, but it helps us mostly, in these ways; Surface chop helps to hide the fall of your line.

Trout are less suspicious of leader and tippet.

The resulting currents concentrate the food source.

Wind, ideally warm and not too changeable, sets up a system that allows us to make predictions that works very well for us at times.

Wind lanes

Landforms affect the way the wind is distributed on the surface of the lake, resulting in the movement of water, creating currents and eddies.

Wind pushes floating insects across impondments where they are drawn towards, and become aligned with, water currents. These are places where trout look for their food.

The resulting slicks are clearly visible on calm mornings after a big blow.

The trout patrol these rafts of floating debris fishermen call wind lanes, slurping and sipping the crunchy soft-centred treats they find there.

Not surprisingly, the best rises are associated with the activity of flying insects. Fish are more likely to be searching the surface when visibility is at its best during periods of fine weather.

Because trout love to feed on the surface, they will be looking skywards during these times.

Fishing floating flies is an enjoyable pastime in the right conditions.

One of the positive aspects of fishing these smorgasbords is that trout seem to be less fussy about fly patterns, no doubt due to the diversity of acceptable morsels available to them.

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Fishing terrestrial fly patterns

The most interesting way to fish this kind of fly is to cast to rising fish.

A boat provides great mobility and opportunity, but shore based fishing is effective if wind changes aren’t a problem.

The use of patterns that approximate the form of beetles takes a lot of beating, but it is important that these sit low in the surface, like the natural insect.

Flies that employ the use of plastic foam in their construction are reliable with the best being bi-visual—that is with brightly coloured posts or similar additions that improve visibility above the waterline. Trout will take surprisingly large insects as well as spiders and even mice, so, don’t be afraid of trying the largest models you can cast comfortably with a standard 6wt. The advantage is that more fish will see it.

I know of a couple of very well known fly fishers that use oversized flies to very good effect.

As a general rule it is more difficult to catch trout in calm conditions, so, the use of a smaller size can turn lookers into grabbers.

In choppy conditions trout find it hard to swim past a drifting Chernobyl Ant, or even a big hopper of some sort.

The Chernobyl is a ripper, big yet cast-able, they always float properly and being so comical to look at, they are good for a few laughs, but with all those dangly legs, they are a surprisingly reliable fish taker.

repeated refusals to your best Gumby pattern, consider a change to something quite different. As mentioned earlier a hopper will often work, but you could even try a parachute dun. I don’t know why, but the trick has worked for me more than a few times.

Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers represent some of the most recognisable insects forms in the world and also appear in abundance and variety. Seasonal abundance of their favourite grasses, combined with warm windy days, creates the scenario for some exciting fishing, on the majority of waterways.

I am a fly tier, and am never short of patterns to try. I have little to complain about with the way these work and like the patterns based on pale coloured deer hair, as a hopper imitation.

During the sleeping dog days of summer, fishing can be difficult, trout become harder than usual to tempt away from their resting places.

An old trick, is to use live hoppers to create an artificial rise’. Whether or not the method is truly in the ‘spirit of

traditional method’, is not up to me to decide, however I can vouch for it’s effectiveness.

It is well worth forward thinking to collect a bunch of hoppers earlier in the day before they become too active.

My friend and mentor, Peter Hayes, suggested the use of a piece of ladies stocking with simple knot, to keep them in after capture, when he takes young Lachlan and Madeline Hayes fishing and I think that, like all good ideas, this is clever.

Hoppers find it impossible to escape the fibres, but are well preserved for the whole day if kept cool.

There are many other terrestrials I haven’t mentioned, that can be found, and endless variations to the methods I have written about. One of the amazing features of the sport is that the conditions always seem to be a little different each time, so there is always something new to learn about, and learn it over.

The important thing is to experience it yourself and hopefully add to the vast array of knowledge that exists on the subject of fly-fishing for trout!

Nick Voce

Gum beetles

Gum beetles are a major event in the highlands and can result in some selective feeding behaviour, which can be frustrating at times.

These little beetles can fall into the water in a huge way forming vast rafts of the floating, struggling insects. They can be found in such large numbers that trout really do become stuffed to the gills. Their stomachs bulge with so may insects they surely must get tired of eating them, but eat them they do.

When conventional gum beetle imitations, (and there are some excellent patterns available), fail to draw a take, I have been successful using a fly of quite different form. I call these flies are called hatch-breakers. It is interesting to observe fish close in during a heavy feeding session. The trout select only some of the gum beetles and ignore many others. If, after

NEW New from Norstream, the Yankee Net is made of super strong, hookless PVC mesh, and is ideal for catch and release shing. It moves easily through the water making netting sh a breeze!

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Clarkson Imports: Phone: (03) 9758 7722 Fax: (03) 9758 7788 Email: rod@piscesshingtackle.com Fishing News - Page 17

Fishing and Boating Directory Advertise here for $77. Contact Quenton Higgs 0427 129949

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Fishing News - Page 18

St Pauls River Cabins

St Pauls River Cabins are nestled at the bottom of St Paul’s Dome.

An ideal location. Magnificent views. A few metres walk to your own fishing spot.

Break O’Day and South Esk rivers, great trout locations nearby.

St Paul’s River Cabins, a great location on your next fishing trip to Tasmania.

Rates for cabin: $150 per night. $250 for two nights. $115 per night for three nights.

Email: saint146@pacific.net.au Phone: 03 6384 2211

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Fishing News - Page 19

Sarah’s Kitchen

Hope you all had a good Christmas and a happy New Year. I know that most fishers will be taking advantage of the good weather and will be looking for some new ways of cooking their fish.

Here are a couple to try.

FLATHEAD WITH ALMONDS AND TOMATO SAUCE 8 flathead fillets ¼ cup flaked almonds 1/3 cup lemon juice Toast the almonds in the oven for about 5 mins on 180 degrees.

Brush the fillets with lemon juice and grill on both sides until cooked.

Sauce 1/3 cup water 1 medium onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 1x 425g can tomatoes, crushed ¼ cup red wine 1 teaspoon dried basil ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped Place the water in frying pan with the onion and garlic and stir constantly over the heat until the onion is soft.

Add the tomatoes, wine and basil and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.

Stir in the parsley.

Place the fish on a plate and cover with the sauce then sprinkle with the almonds.

TREVALLY MORNAY PIES 2 ½ cups milk ½ small onion 1 bay leaf 4 trevally fillets, skinned 3 large potatoes 6 peppercorns, approx 600g celery or celeriac, chopped 1 egg yolk ½ cup parmesan cheese ¾ cup cream 60g butter ¼ cup plain flour 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Place the milk, onion, bay leaf and peppercorns into a saucepan and bring to the boil.

Add the fish and reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 mins.

Remove the fish from the pan. Break into pieces and spread over the base of an oven proof dish.

Strain the milk mixture and keep the milk. (Throw away the solids) Boil the potatoes and the celery separately until they are tender.

Mash the potatoes and celery in a large bowl.

Stir in the egg yolk, cheese, ¼ cup cream and half the butter until it is smooth.

Cover to keep it warm.

Sarah Sherriff Melt the butter; add flour and cook stirring for about 3 mins.

Slowly add the milk and the remaining cream stir until it thickens.

Stir in the parsley.

Pour the mixture over the fish and cover with the potato mix.

Place under a hot griller until it is browned.

Winemakers need time, patience, ingenuity and a bit of luck ..

Our winemaker has it all in abundance ...... he is also a trout fisherman

W

Winemaker, Raymond Stanley sources the finest grapes from the Barossa to produce the Trout Masters series of wines.

Sometimes he goes missing on his search for these grapes, but he usually turns up when it is too dark to fish.

Nevertheless he takes both his favourite activities very seriously and you can be assured the Trout Masters Shiraz, Merlot and Riesling will leave you wanting for more.

Available from restaurants, fishing lodges and selected outlets.

Riesling $150 per case Reds $165 per case Includes GST and freight.

Order direct: 08 8563 2676 or 0400 575 492 Email: bob@troutmasters.com.au

WIN a mixed dozen Fill in and clip this coupon. Send to Troutmasters Competition: PO Box 7504, Launceston, 7250

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Fishing News - Page 20

Jan’s Flies Jan Spencer Fly tyer for the World Champion 2000 Australian Team

T

his season has been difficult and has really made the fishing population think on how best to catch fish. The weather has been the main contributor in making the fishing quite difficult at times; there was no warmth to speak of until well into the New Year. Mayfly hatches have been spasmodic to say the least, only occurring for short periods and not very often at that.

what to put on your line. In saying this I mean it is no good at all tying on a size #8 dry fly when the weather conditions are mirror smooth. Watch and try to choose well!

As there are so many insects hatching at this time of the year, the fish, if feeding well, will take most well presented flies so I tend to pick a favourite and stick with it in anticipation of catching a fish.

Over my fishing career there would be no other fly that I have fished more successfully than a Red Tag. It would not matter where in the world it was fished it would catch trout.

I have taken grayling in some European counties on the tag. Nobody seems to know what it represents but trout in particular seem to really love it.

I have been in the right place at the right time a couple of times at Arthurs Lake to see major black spinner falls. This makes one think that maybe there are mayfly hatches overnight as I have not seen a dun hatch big enough to supply the amount of spinners in the air I witnessed on occasions.

Who knows, maybe there has been the huge hatches we love to see.

The middle of January saw the first of the fruit salad hatches where there is a little of everything and it was just great to see the fish up and looking for surface food; up until this time the fishing has been fairly hard. We have had some good sessions but have had to really work hard for our catch.

The main method for making this happen was explained in the December issue of Fishing and Boating News.

I am writing this on 26 January so the season is well and truly into the better half for the highland lakes. This time of the season is dry fly time and there are numerous flies one can use, remembering to look hard at the water before choosing

Red Tag

Hook sizes – #8 to #18 all work well at the right time.

Thread – black or brown.

Gold wrap tag – flat gold tinsel Tag – red floss Body – peacock herl Hackle – red cock feather

Method 1. Take thread slightly past the bend of the shank 2. Tie in flat gold tinsel, wrap this around the hook shank three times, tie down firmly and cut away excess.

3. With strand of red floss laid on top of the hook shank so one end is protruding, as a tail should, tie down firmly and cut away excess floss.

4. Tie in two really good peacock herls and take thread forward to the eye. Bring peacock forward forming a nice little body, cut way excess herl.

5. With red cock hackle tied in wind a nicely formed hackle; tie down firmly with thread, cut hackle (or tips) away. Whip finish, varnish head and cut thread.

6. While the fly is still in the vice fluff the red floss tag up so it is quite noticeable.

Since doing this article I have had a few days walking and fishing our remote lakes and it’s still as beautiful as ever. The polaroid fishing, given blue sky, has to be the ultimate in fly fishing. To spot the fish and put a fly in the right position then have the fish sight and take the fly is nothing short of superb, The dry flies used for this was a Red Tag and a Trothhodg. Sizes depend on the day and how hard the wind is blowing i.e. given rough water the larger the fly should be.

Happy fishing and tight lines, Jan.

Fly casting lessons Beginner Level: 3 hr introduction to fly-fishing for those with 1 year’s experience. $120 p.p.

Intermediate level: Full day $185 p.p.

Advanced Modules: Four 3 hr modules for those with more than 3 yrs experience or have completed the Intermediate class. Distance and Double Hauling, Roll Casting, Stream and Mend Casting, Troubleshooting and General Improvements. $120 p.p. module.

See our web site for information on Peter Hayes Products, Guided Fly Fishing Packages, Free Tips and Fishing Articles and much more at: www.flyfishtasmania.com.au

Hayes Fly Casting

Email;hayes@flyfishtasmania.com.auwww.flyfishtasmania.com.auPh0363975073

If you don’t tie flies buy Tasmania’s best

Winston Ascent

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Truehighperformancefortheconfidentangler,thesefastactionrodsarelight, butveryresponsive.Whenyouneeddistancethisistherodtohaveinyour hand.7’6”3-weightto9’10-weight.Unconditionallifetimewarranty.Allrods 4 piece - from $550 Quality fishing equipment, licences, live bait, accessories, waders, flies, lures, clothing and more. Owners Allan and Sue Davey.

Open 7 days a week during the fishing season

Gibson’s Fishing Flies Parachute Orange Spinner

Brown Parachute Emerger

Gibson Flies are tied in Tasmania with no compromise on workmanship or quality of materials. Every fly is individually tied to catch fish.

Flies of this quality can’t ever be mass produced and therefore they may cost a little more. However, when you’re about to cast to that trophy fish you’ll be pleased you tied on a Gibson’s fly, or did you?

Bridges Bros, Hobart BronteParkHighlandVillage CircularHeadMarineServices CompleatAngler-Bentleigh CompleatFlyfisher,Melbourne Devonport Boat n Tackle DevonportMountainDesigns EasternShoreFishing,Hobart EssentialFlyFisher,Launceston Fishing Gear, Launceston SpotOnFishingTackle,Hobart TassieTackleandOutdoor,Burnie Fishing News - Page 21

Fisherman’s Basket Reviews by Mike Stevens unless stated otherwise

Cortland Sylk

It seems rather odd that many fly f i s h e r s a re going back to cane rods. I think it is probably because they have run out of fly fishing stuff to buy. I am one of them, but there are other reasons. I just love the look of cane rods, they make you slow down and somehow they just seem the right thing to use on a small stream.

Cortland have recognised this trend, which has happened world wide, by developing a soft line called silk. Of course silk was woven to make the first fly lines, hence the play on the name.

Cortland’s Sylk line is and attractive honey colour with a dark fleck throughout. The Classic Sylk fly line is a fully synthetic fly line designed to recreate the original appearance and unique performance of the finest natural silk lines-without all the maintenance and high cost. The Sylk line is super soft and smaller in diameter than traditional synthetic floating lines, making it an ideal line for slow action rods such as cane and fibreglass. With the traditionalist in mind, Cortland’s technicians have designed this line in a color that nearly matches the look of traditional

silk line coated with linseed oil and mucilin. Their suppleness makes them great cold weather lines with virtually any fly rod. The taper of the new 444 Classic Sylk is based on traditional silk line designs with long front tapers and longer level tips.I used the DT5F on a 7’ Peter McKean rod. Review line from Essential FlyFisher.

Platypus Super-Braid 2 and 4lb

Super-Braid, by Australian company Platypus has been around for some time. I use the 30 or 50lb as backing for my saltwater reels and it performs faultlessly.

There are other gel spun polyethelene lines that would do the job, but I like to use Austrlian products when I can.

Super-Braid is braided using Dyneema gelspun polyethylene fibre which gives very low stretch and ultra-thin diameter. For its diameter - it is ten times stronger than steel, it will not deteriorate in sunlight, it will not absorb water and lastly, it has no line memory! Super Braid is excellent for lure casting, trolling, fly reel backing or bottom fishing.

I have recently started using the 2lb and 4lb on some small threadline outfits for soft plastic fishing

for bream and trevally. The bright yellow gives excellent vision and it cast exceptionally well.

Like all gel spun lines though it doesn’t hold the colour well, and in fact the colour will actually strip off the line as you use it. Sometimes this coating will actually cause a tangle, but if you wind the line through some rag and remove the colouring agent the problem disappears.

After considerable use the colour will fade, but the great characterisitics will remain. It provides a remarkable “feel” and situation awareness when lure fishing - especially with soft plastics. The lack of stretch really allows you to work lures superbly.

I absolutely love this stuff and use it for most fishing. The only time I change back to mono is whan chasing big Australian salmon on metal lures. I think the lack of stretch actually helps them dislodge the lure and most fish get off.

Platypus Super-Braid is a round braid made from SK-65 grade Dyneema™ fibres. It comes in breaking strains: 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 50, 80, 125 and 200lb. It is available in 100, 150, 300, 500d, 1000 or 2000 spools. Colours: Dark Green or Bright Yellow (2 lb is only available in Bright Yellow).

PLatypus 2lb Super-Braid was named best line at the 2005 Australian Fishing Tackle Show.

Sea Jay - Haines Hunter - Stacer - Webster

Sea Jay Escape 4.15, 4.35, 4.55.

Agreatboatforestuary,bayandlakefishing.Awiderangeofoptions areavailableforthesesolidboatswithhighsidesandwidebeam.

Featuresultimateedgehull designwhichprovidesexcellent stabilityatrestandlowerplaning speed.

Allboatswithfloorsareclear coatedunderneathtoprevent corrosion on Aluminium.

Alltimberonfloorsareepoxy coated.

Alllargerboatscomestandard withgunwhalerubberprotection.

Availablefrom2.45mthrough to6.1metresinavastrangeof configurations.

Top quality finish.

SeaJayshavebeenmanufacturedsince1989andremainsa familybusinesstakingpridein theirworkmanshipandquality of finish.

Sea Jay Capri 4.55, 4.75, 5, 5.4

Allroundrunaboutwithwalkthroughdash/screen.A great family boat with a wide range of options.

Eastern Shore Marine

Now located at 14 McIntyre Street,

Mornington, Phone 6244 1163

Webster Twinfisher 4.6 Webster Twinfisher 5.2

Stability, soft ride, economy and durability are Aroomystablecatsuitableforopenseaconditions hallmarksoftheWebsterTwinfishers.The4.6islight, withmoreroomthanyou’dthink.Towedeasilyby butstrongandiseasilypoweredbyasingleoutboard theaveragefamilysedanandpoweredbysingle 60 to 90HP. Rated to 5 adults.

90-120HP it is rated to 6 adults.

Fishing News - Page 22

Fisherman’s Basket Reviews by Mike Stevens unless stated otherwise

Rusler Weigh Net

New Zealand has always had a good range of trout nets. I remember buying a superb timber framed net some years ago amd rather than use it I have it hung as a piece of art.

I wouldn’t exactly put the Rusler in this category, but it is superbly designed and made.

The Rusler is strongly construc ted with an aluminium frame and handle, the handle being covered with an ergonomic super soft grip. The other additions include a bungee cord and magnetic catch for securing to your vest.

A 20lb spring balance is cleverly concealed within the handle which makes weighing your fish very easy. Estimates will be a thing of the past. The net material is unique to Rusler and won’t damage fish in any way.

Altogether a great net that will last, Review net from Essential FlyFisher. $115 without spring balance, $150 with spring balance. Boat nets with long extendable handle $110.

Backwinder reels

Backwinder reels are designed and manufactured in Norway. The unique design is based around providing unsurpassed per formance on power ful fish such as outsized Atlantic salmon, sea-trout and wild brown trout.

Available in two models, the reels are machined from anodized aircraft aluminium and feature Vwalled spools supported on synthetic tracked acidresistant bearing which also comprises the reels over-run brake. The open-centered spool design which incorporates the over-run brake, facilitates tightening with either hand and gives the Backwinder reel its aesthetically beautiful appearance.

Weighing in at 112g/3.9oz for the Trout II model, Backwinder reels compliment perfectly today’s ultralightweight high-performance rods. For more details visit www.backwinder.com

Shimano T-Curve spin rod

The new TCurve Saltwater Spin is part of the TCurve Bluewater range and it’s a great two-piece rod. I use the bream T-Curve and it is the best rod I have used.

Some seven feet in length, high quality cork grips, a graphite Fuji reel seat and a rubber butt cap complete the lower end. The navy blue bindings with gold trim are first class and look great on the blue blank. The guides and tip are all Fuji SiCs, for friction-free fishing.

The Saltwater Spin is an extremely versatile allrounder rod and could be used for anything from heavy duty Squidgy use jigging from a boat, drifting floating pillies down a berley trail, to casting metal slugs at feeding tuna, but it’s going to be a standout for throwing surface poppers at queenfish and ‘manageable’ GTs in more tropical waters.

With the growing use of fine diameter braided lines in just about every aspect of our fishing these days, big reels are no longer needed to obtain adequate line capacity, so match the TCurve Saltwater Spin to either the 6000 and 8000 Sustain, 6000 and 8000 Stradic, 8000 Spheros or even the exquisite Stella 6000 to create a deadly sportfishing combination.

Website: www.shimanofish.com.au

Fishing and Boating Calendar 2005

Tasmanian Fishing and Boating News is pleased to provide this calendar of events for the year 2005. Events and dates are correct, to the best of the editors knowledge, at the time of printing but are always subject to amendment or cancellation.

Date FEBRUARY Sat 11 -12

Event & Venue

More Info

Tasmanian One Fly, Bronte Lagoon. www.hobartflytyers.com.au

Graham Blight 0412 144072

MARCH Sunday 5 tba Sat 11 – 12 Sat 25 Sat 25 – 26

Take a Kid Fishing, Hobart – Princes Wharf No. 2 Flinders Island Challenge – game fishing St Helens Game Fishing Classic Take a Kid Fishing, Stanley Wharf GN Electrical Coles Bay Classic – game fishing

Avril Brown 62332033 Chris Pratt 0419537943 Anne Stevenson 63763631 Damien Heran 0408 337317 John Brooker 62310255

APRIL May 13-14

44TH Surf Angling Championships, Swimcart Beach via St Helens

WIN a family holiday at St Helens

Entering is really simple.

Shop with any advertiser in this edition of TF&BN, attach the receipt, or a copy to this coupon and send it in.

You then go in the draw for: Seven nights family (mum, dad + 2 children) accommodation at fabulous sunny St Helens, Hillcrest Tourist park.

Plus: An exciting half day Roban fishing charter excursion.

Plus: Four terrific fishing books for relaxation between catching fish.

Plus: A subscription to Tasmanian Fishing and Boating News.

Drawn March 25. Results in next issue.

Hillcrest Tourist Park & Mini Market Your every need catered for • Eight en-suite cabins • Convenience store • Hot takeaways • Groceries • Newspapers • Fuel and oil • Bait and tackle • Boat parking • Boat and car wash 100 Chimney Heights Rd, St Helens. 63763 298

Post to Stevens Publishing, PO Box 7504, Launceston, 7250 Name;__________________________________Address;____________________________ ____________________________________Postcode;____________Phone______________ Fishing News - Page 23

Polycraft 4.1 metre

M

ost boat tests in TF&BN are from outside sources.

Often they are not tests, but reviews from the manufacturer. I don’t have a problem with that at all; in fact it is quite helpful as we (TF&BN) don’t have the time or resources to cope with testing boats. However this month it is different as the test boat is one we bought.

The challenge was to find a tough boat that could cope with an owner who wanted to get places that would wreck a fibreglass or alloy boat. Rough, gravel, potholed roads, rocks around lake shores, stumps and oyster racks are not kind to any boats and when we saw what Polycraft had to offer we took a good hard looked.

It needed to be stable, not too heavy, easy to tow, easy to get on/off the trailer, carry up to three people, have a bow mount electric fitted and be easy to care for. Of course it had to be sea-worthy and safe.

I had seen a few Polycraft boats around and one of my club mates had one. He was impressed he told me, but I did my own research as well – looking at the 4.55 and the 4.1 metre Challenger series. I decided on the 4.1 as surprisingly it had more usable room inside. The 4.55 is a more conventional v-bottom hull with a sharper bow, whereas the 4.1 is blunter giving more beam up front.

The boat was ordered with the custom fitted trailer and I’d consider this an essential item. It has a full Teflon keel skids and side rails supports. Other trailers just don’t suit and in fact multi-roller trailers can put ripples into the bottom of a poly

boat. T hey will come out, but you should just get the correct trailer as recommended by the manufacturer.

Whilst the trailer is terrific and easy to use lining the boat up to drive it on is/was not. I am a firm believer in being able to drive a boat onto the trailer – if the trailer is correctly setup. Most can be these days and it is disappointing to see a purpose built trailer for a particular boat where this isn’t the case. A spring loaded Ezi Guide was purchased and this fixed the problem.

I believe the trailers for the bigger Polycraft boats are better in this respect with guiding rails already fitted.

A few additions within the boat were needed with the most important being a bow mount auto-pilot Minn Kota.

This had to have a big battery and I didn’t want to lose any storage space. So the front raised floor was extended back with a hinged plywood section.

Beneath this now resides the starting battery, fuel tank and deep cycle battery for the bow mount electric. Importantly this kept the weight neutral without changing the trim of the vessel. I had ordered extra carpet from the factory so it all matches and the cover was custom fitted to shape.

Ride

102 Eastland Dr. Ulverstone

6425 2238 We take Tasmania Boating Honda • Mako Craft • Trailcraft • Cruise Craft • Stabi-Craft • Evinrude • Johnson • Tohatsu Fishing News - Page 24

Absolutely awesome for a 4.1 metre boat. I am used to my 6 metre plate alloy boat which has quite a deep-vee hull and a fantastic ride.

I was on Arthurs lake with both boats to take photos and do this test.

The morning was good, but a southwesterly of 30 knots (or more) blew up in the afternoon and I was not too sure about heading back to the ramp in it. My big boat was behind so I headed out of Cowpaddock Bay straight into it.

There was plenty of whitecaps and the foam was blowing off the top of them.

I expected to get pounded and wet. To my astonishment it was easy.

An important factor here is having plenty of power as well. The Polycraft has a BF40 Honda tiller steer motor with gear change on the tiller. It is a great match for this boat.

Of course I managed the throttle care-

The ride of the 4.1 metre Challenger is exceptional for a small vessel. Whilst it is shown in flat water here it copes well in testing conditions.

The front casting deck and storage area was extended to take two batteries and the fuel tank. This is quite easy to do using the ribbed edge inside the hull.

Factory supplied carpet finished the job superbly. fully, and the electric trim on the BF40 Honda helped, and I took great care watching for bigger waves. At no time did I think it was too dangerous and I didn’t get wet at all. There is no way I would have run into this sort of weather in a 4 metre vee-nose tinny punt. I am sure the heavier weight of the Polycraft was an advantage and the other big factor is the way the hull flexes and absorbs the pounding waves. The ride was much softer than I imagined.

In regard to comparing weight the Polycraft weighs in at around 265 kilos, whilst a Quintrex 4.2 metre wide body Dory weighs around 165 kilos and the Quintrex is a big boat.

You must be sure to not underpower any boat, especially in Tasmania when you visit the highlands at all. The altitude can rob you of up to 10% in power and freshwater probably a similar amount. If your boat is marginal in marine waters it will be a dog in the highlands. Fuel injected motors suffer less, but still suffer. Re-propping does help.

Sneaking around the trees looking for rising trout is a delight as well. With a Minn Kota bow mount electric it is great. Bumping trees or rocks is no great concern as there is no paint to scratch. The extra weight is often an advantage giving a little more stability and it does reduce the windage problem a little which is particularly evident on smaller boats.

Perhaps one of the biggest issues with the Polycraft though is noise – or more correctly lack of noise. This is a very quiet boat with no hull-slap, which I am sure frightens fish. Commercial fishermen all know what happens when a tinny get anywhere near a school of salmon – they all disappear. Even when you drop something there is little more than a dull thud.

A quiet boat is a blessing and no doubt they scare less fish. Motoring along it is also quickly noticed and it does seem like a much bigger boat from both the lack of noise and the soft ride.

Construction

Polycraft boats are manufactured by rotational moulding polyethylene in a two part mould. The entire boat is moulded in one piece and there are no joints or seam that can leak.

The mould is filled with UV stabilized Polyethylene powder, which looks a bit like washing powder. This is then placed into a very large oven and rotated under computer control in various directions to get the desired thickness throughout the entire dual skin hull.

Other common products you see in every day use using this method include rainwater tanks and wheelie bins. Polyethelene is environmentally friendly with no CFC or harmful by-products emitted during manufacturing and it can be completely recycled.

Finally

The 4.1 metre Polycraft seems like a bigger boat. It is very quiet and stable at rest and travelling. The combination of weight, flexibility and hull shape give a fantastic ride for a small pointy nosed punt. It takes very little care and won’t corrode, peel or chip. There are a variety of colours and a long warranty. If damaged, which is more unlikely than any other boat it can be easily repaired.

An ideal boat for the angler that wants something easily managed and easy care.

The only negative thing is weight, but as explained above this has real advantages as well. If you see anyone in one of these ask them what they think, chances are they will be Polycrafts best advocates.

It takes some thinking outside the square to consider one of these, but maybe it will be the perfect choice for you.

Stability is very good and a bow mount Minn Kota is excellent for fishing amongst the trees.

Dimensions Length Overall: 4.10 metres Beam: 1.83 metres Depth: 0.75 metres Weight: 265kg Shaft Length: Long Hull Thickness: 10mm Maximum HP: 40HP Number of People: Four or 300kg Colours: Virtually any colour - from white to black Polycraft`s range come with a four year manufactures hull warranty.

Polyethelene claims

Not subject or susceptible to electrolysis.

Soft riding characteristics due to the flexible hull.

Easy to maintain or clean and never needs painting.

Quiet on the water.

Incredibly impact resistant (At least five times that of fibreglass).

Does not break down in direct sunlight. It has a UV stability rating of 11, compared to a wheelie bin with a UV rating of 4.

The most similar product is a poly water tank and most of these are in permanent sun and come with a 25 year warranty

What if the hull is damaged?

Polyethylene is very easy to repair if scratched or marked.

Any plastic repairer will be able to repair a poly boat. While it’s not impossible to hole a poly boat, it is certainly more difficult to puncture than an alloy or fibreglass boat. The hull is 10mm thick and flexes, absorbing a lot of the initial impact.

Polycraft manufacture boat from 3.1 metre tenders to 6 metre cuddy cabins.

The polyethelene copes with bumps and scratches better than any other boat. There are no worries about scratching the paint when getting in close and personal around oyster leases.

Boat supplied by Lindsay Deegan Marine, Ulverstone, Phone 6425 2238.

Checkout www.polycraft.com.au

‘Why I recommend Honda’ ‘Reliability to me is a must as I fish way offshore along the East Coast.

Reliability is the reason I chose Honda outboards. My boat is a 6.2 metre Stabi Craft HT with twin Honda 90s. It performs beyond brilliantly.

This isn’t the first time I have owned Honda outboards, I have had them on my two previous boats, so I had plenty of time with them.

The business I work with, sell and service Honda outboards and I see very little if any concerns regarding these engines. It’s basically oil filter and some fine tuning that’s all.

One other thing I will mention is the fuel economy. For a normal day fishing going to the continental shelf and trolling I would use about 80 litres. There’s no two stroke fumes and no oil to refill. I can not recommend Honda highly enough and wouldn’t own anything else!’

Andrew and Sue Tyson

For further details contact: • Lindsay Deegan Marine; 102 Eastland Drive, Ulverstone, Ph. 6425 2238 • Lifestyle Marine; 14 Dry St Invermay, Launceston, Ph. 6331 9507 • Maynes Marine; 119 New Town Road, Hobart, Ph. 6228 3999

Or phone Honda, freecall 1800 80 75 90

H

onda is the biggest manufacturer of four stroke engines in the world, producing around 10 million every year. Honda’s has a single mindedness and commitment to four stroke engines no other company can remotely match. Sure Honda know how to make two stroke engines, in fact we’re famous for them - winning seven of the last eight World Motorcycle Championships with them. In 2002 500cc 2-Stroke Grand Prix bikes were dropped and Moto GP 4-Strokes introduced. It was no suprise to anyone that Honda rider Valentino Rossi blitzed the field-leaving all other riders in his wake.

Honda also know that to achieve the ultimate in boating pleasure, comfort, fuel economy and performance, only a four stroke will do. Honda believes their four stroke outboard engines are the best in the world. Honda has a range of four stroke engines from 2 to 225 horsepower (and 52 models in between).

Honda remains solely dedicated to the advancement and development of four stroke and the benefits it will bring to our environment and the quality of your life.

Thankfully, Honda’s specialist dealers remain as passionate as our engineers. For you, it all adds up to value that lasts. In years to come, when you’re accustomed to the sheer joy of boating with a Honda 4-Stroke, you’ll truly know the satisfaction of having made the right choice.

Honda four stroke outboards - a natural evolution.

2 l 5 l 8 l 10 l 15 l 20 l 25 l 30 l 40 l 50 l 75 l 90 l 115 l 130 l 150 l 175 l 200 l 225 Horsepower

Po we r

i n t u n e wi th n at u r e Fishing News - Page 25

Locating fish A

s anglers we all face many of the same dilemmas, regardless of the style of fishing we choose. Bait fishing, trolling, coasting, spinning and fly fishing all rely on two main concerns; namely finding fish and getting them to bite. No matter what type of fishing you pursue, locating fish has got to be one of the most important facets of sport fishing. If you fish from a boat a depth sounder or sonar (short for Sound Navigation Ranging) is a vital piece of equipment. In addition to this equipment, the challenge of learning all one can about a fish species and catching their fish is an important factor in why many of us take up the sport. Rather than talk about choice of lure fly or bait I'd like to concentrate on locating fish including using sonar.

Each fish species reacts differently to their environment.

As a result of both habitat and to some extent genetics, fish react to stimuli through their senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing all play a part in how any fish species will react to your presentation. Locating fish also depends on a specific species need for food, comfort and the biological need for reproduction.

Humminbirds new 900 series offer awesome performance in a variety of configurations.

To satisfy their needs and instinct for survival different species of fish have different requirements or preferences for food. Factors such as temperature, weather conditions, time of year or season can all influence how fish will react in their chosen environment.

Spawning requirements vary considerably from one species to another, as each species is very different. Developing an understanding of different species is vital to becoming a successful angler. To catch fish consistently, targeting a specific species requires you treat each species differently and to fish for each species differently. In both salt and freshwater, structure plays a huge part in any species preferred habitat.

Fish located in dark stained water are generally more conscious of vibration due to the lack of visibility and usually rely on a mixture of sight, feel and hearing to locate their food.

While fish located in very clear waters are likely to be more sight oriented when it comes to chasing a meal. Pockets or areas of weed are always a good spot to target fish.

In most of our impoundments these areas can provide fish with yabbies, mudeyes, invertebrates and a host of other insect life. Areas such as river mouths or any area where water comes into or leaves a body of water has an impact on fish location.

Interaction or the relationship of how different species behave toward one another also has a big influence on fish location. Available food sources, fish numbers and competition between species play an important role in fish location. Some species of fish are compatible, while others are not. Available food sources determine growth rates of individual fish and the general health of a fish population. The survival of any fish population is also directly influenced by a range of outside influences. This can include factors like localised

Modern day colour sounders can really give, even the most technologically challenged angler, a picture that will be of huge assistance in finding fish.

Colour sounders offer incredible performance at prices that are affordable.

weather conditions, seasonal fluctuations in temperature and water levels as well as any intervention by human beings.

Intervention by man in the form of boats, fishing pressure, pollution, swimming, artificial or other changes in habitat all affect fish location and ultimately, our fish catches.

Although some of the above mentioned conditions are beyond our control as anglers, many of these mysteries of underwater conditions can be unravelled with the help of modern sonar. In the past few years the sophistication of electronics and computer technology has leapt ahead. The application of this technology to sonar and GPS has resulted in a real bonus for anglers. The latest generation of sonar can show you an entire new view of the underwater world! Over the years I've used a lot of different sounders, most of which

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performed admirably, but my new Lowrance LCX16 is one truly remarkable piece of equipment. The power and clarity of this unit has to be seen to be believed.

Water clarity

Locating fish and their food sources without the aid of sonar can be a tall order. Using the LCX16 for this task will allow you to target schools of baitfish and weed beds that are likely to hold food for a hungry predator. When searching likely locations for fish it pays to keep in the back of your mind that your looking for habitat that fish are comfortable in, but you also need to consider the environment for their prey or forage. Water temperature and clarity plays an important role in any fish behaviour or activity. The type of water you fish also has an affect on the operation of your sonar.

Sound waves from your sonar travel easily n clear fresh water.

Freshwater is affected by wind, currents, suspended particles, and micro-organisms that have an affect on the signal, but this is generally minimal. In saltwater sound is absorbed and reflected by suspended material in the water and requires the use of lower frequencies to remain effective. The LCX16 has the ability to run dual frequencies, very handy if you fish in both fresh and saltwater.

Water temperature

Water temperature, both surface and at depth, play an important role in fish behaviour. Preferred temperatures for any given species is always a good starting point to locate fish.

Keep in mind that each body of water or fishing location will be different when considering water temperature.

Water temperature has a direct influence on spawning fish but also plays a big role in the daily patterns of any fish species. As little as 2 degrees in temperature can often spell the difference between fish in the net and failure. With the numbers of temperature probes available today there is no season why every angler can't monitor temperatures at almost any depth.

The temperature in any lake or impoundment is rarely the same from the surface to the bottom. Reams of information have been published by many scientists about stratification, the layering of warm and cool water in lakes and impoundments. For anglers, the important part of this process is where the two layers meet, the thermocline.The depth and thickness of the thermocline can vary with the time of day, season, intensity of sunlight and wind or wave action. The thermocline is never an exact band, but rather one that is constantly changing in depth, intensity and size. In deep lakes the water may even stratify in to two distinct thermoclines. The band of water which forms the thermocline is important because many species of fish like to suspend in, just above or just below the thermocline. Many species of baitfish will suspend just

Inland Fisheries creel survey observations

The Inland Fisheries Service undertakes creel survey in order to evaluate fishery performance. The results below are published from Angler News, a monthly on line publication from IFS.

If you can understand your fish finder you will find much your catch rate will go up significantly. above the thermocline with the larger predators in or slightly above it. Monitoring the location of the thermocline is easy with the aid of sonar. The larger the temperature difference between the layers of water the more dense the thermocline shows on the screen.

Structure

Structure in any lake or body of water can encompass a range of factors. When referring to structure its necessary to consider the range of structures in a species environment.

Generally most anglers think of structure in terms of submerged trees, rocks, shipwrecks, etc. Structure also includes elements like bottom configuration, bottom contents, water movement, vegetation, drop offs, submerged points, water depth.

When prospecting a new area or body of water, watch your sounder carefully. A great looking bit of fish holding structure near the bottom of a lake that stratifies in summer is likely to be a poor target area if its below the thermocline and has poor oxygen levels in summer. The depth of any structure will determine how fish use it. Extensive weed beds in very shallow clear water are unlikely to be frequented by predators in intense summer daylight. Any structure used by fish needs to be at a depth that is appropriate for a given species requirements. Bottom content including rock base, weed beds, boulders, sand or mud can all make a difference to your success. Don't waste your time pursuing an area that doesn't have the right bottom structure to attract the species your targeting. Don't get caught in the trap that most anglers fall for, structure or the shape of an area alone doesn't attract fish. The best fish attracting areas generally show a combination of structure, weed, depth and available food. Fish often make use of different areas according to the season or time of year. To be a really successful angler means not only using the right techniques and gear, but developing an understanding of fish species and their environment.

Bill Presslor

Snowy Range Trout and Salmon Fishery Choose from a range of unforgettable fishing experiences in the extensive range of waters.

Salmon (up to 10 kg), rainbow and brown trout from pan to trophy size.

Catch a fish to take home or BBQ for lunch.

Fish packed to send interstate.

Help your child catch a fish possibly their first.

For the fly fisher an excellent chance of catching a fish even a trophy fish.

Catch and release fly fishing in some waters.

Located between Hobart and the air walk an hours drive from Hobart or 20 minutes from the air walk.

Phone 03-62660243. After hours 03-62660245 Fishing News - Page 27

Bream news

Results from St Helens Bream Classic, 28 January 2006 This was the first time a bream tournament has been held in St Helens and no one knew what to expect.

Moves were made in 1998 to remove all netting from Georges Bay in an attempt to improve the fishing. It was considered to be a prime area that could easily be over-exploited and recreational nets were banned shortly afterwards.

The five commercial operators had their permits grandfathered, but three of the five handed their permits in soon afterwards.

The next operator didn’t last much longer and the last commercial operator agreed more than a year ago to transfer his fishing effort after discussions with the Government.

It is only in the last couple of year that the fishing has really improved. Trevally to 60cm, kingfish, snapper, elephant fish, big Australian salmon and now bream are all common catches.

Having a competitive group of serious bream fishers targeting Georges Bay was a great way to check out the changes in the fishery. The results were outstanding.

There were 81 out of a possible 120 fish weighed in, 14 out of 24 competitors weighed in a 5 fish bag and only 3 competitors didn’t catch a fish. I think that is even better numbers than the Scamander round of the previous competition—not bad for an area that wasn’t really considered a premier bream fishery.

One of the most interesting observations is that most fish were around 500 grams. Perhaps this falls into the year class when recreational netting stopped. Bream have never been a commercially taken fish.

It appears the netting ban has had a huge positive flow on effect and will continue to do so.

1st Michael Haley 5/5, 4.6kg, Biggest fish 1.4kg 2nd Michael Tetlow 5/5, 4kg, Biggest 1.2kg 3rd Steve Steer 5/5, 3.8kg, Biggest fish 1.18kg 4th Jamie Henderson 5/5, 3.26kg 5th Steven Foster 5/5, 2.85kg 6th Nigel Harris 5/5, 2.75kg 7th Paul Mason 5/5, 2.65kg 8th Greg Woods 5/5, 2.66kg 9th Jamie Harris 5/5, 2.65kg 10th Pat Sullivan 5/5, 2.63kg

2006 ABT Tas Bream Classic The Classic is on again and promises to be bigger and better than last year. This is a teams event and points will be awarded according to bag weights to qualify.

The qualifying rounds will be:

7 October - Derwent River 21 October - Scamander River 11-12 November Final - Venue - TBA

Entry forms will soon be in all good tackle stores.

National ABT Bream Series

There will be a qualifying round fished from Austins Ferry on the Derwent, 8-9 April. This is a 2 day event with anglers bag weights tallied after 2 days fishing to determine place getters.

The top 4 boater entrants and top 4 non boater entrants will qualify to fish the National ABT grand final in October at Forster in NSW for over $40k in prizes. Entry forms are available at www. bream.com.au or ring Leroy at Bigfin Sports fishing.

The winner of the St Helens bream classic, Michael Haley with the heaviest fish of the comp at 1.4kg. (Nice legs Michael) The top ten anglers collect their prizes.

GET READY FOR THE GAME FISHING SEASON

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The Fishing Connection If it’s available we’ll get it... - Phone Orders Welcome

87-91 Harrington Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000.

Fishing News - Page 28

Email: fishconn@bigpond.net.au

Ph (03) 6234 4880

Fax (03) 6234 8024

Boat hire makes good sense.

In an ideal world we all would love to have a different boat for different fishing locations, preferably situated on sight. One very good reason for this is that it would reduce the amount of towing required and in this day and age of high petrol prices save big dollars. In the real world however, few of us can afford this luxury.

Take me for example. I love fishing the highland lakes so I have a tinny garaged at my shack at Arthurs Lake. It’s an easy drive to most waters and I don’t have to tow it up the mountain each trip. The down-side is that when I hanker to get amongst a few east coast bream I have a problem; no boat. This problem is easily solved by hiring one.

Kim Cooper from Highland Lakes Boat Hire offers great little tinnies across Tasmania.

Whether you are fishing Arthurs Lake or Great Oyster Bay Kim can provide you with a suitable tinny, on sight, with reliable motor, all the safety gear and at the right price. Oh, they’ll also supply bait and tackle if you don’t bring your own. No licence is required.

For example take Coles Bay. Kim’s friendly agent Nick Harding offers a range of tinnies and canoes that are ideal for protected waters of Great Oyster Bay or a spot of bream fishing on the Swan River. He also can provide the total holiday package with cosy self contained cottages at Hubie’s Hideaway, within easy walk to the beach, pub and shops. Just the ticket for an economical family getaway!

On site locations include: • Hobart 6272 5563 • Arthurs Lake 6259 8327 • Bronte Park 6289 1129 • Bradys Lake 6289 1191 • Coles Bay 0419 255 604 • Derwent Bridge 6289 1000 • Lewisham 6265 8272 • Lake Pedder 6280 1166 • Lake Leake 6381 1329 • Orford (canoes) 6257 1033 • Swansea 6257 8044 Everything stacks up, it’s convenient, saves dollars on gas and avoids a long tow.

Give Kim or one of his friendly agents a call to check it out.

Quenton Higgs

Fishing News - Page 29

Free Classifieds

Advertisements of a non-commercial nature, to current subscribers of Tasmanian Fishing and Boating News, are free and can be inserted for two issues. Cost for commecial and non subscribers remains at $11 and must be pre-paid.

Minn Kota 42 pound bow mount electric motor.

Riptide saltwater autopilot model with remote foot pedal control.

Approx 4 years old only used in freshwater. $650 Contact Peter Hayes 0409 944 699

Quintrex Hornet 4.35m 40 HP Honda electric start, power tilt and trim in excellent condition. Front and rear casting decks, central floor fully carpeted. Complete with life jackets, anchor and superdrogue. Vessel is in commercial survey. $10 000 Contact Peter Hayes 0409 944 699

Fly-N-Dry Waders Size 6 boot foot Fly-N-Dry waders.

Very little use. $120. Phone Mike Stevens 0418 129 949

Side Console/screen Same as used on Quintrex Hornets.

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New and unused. $50. Phone Mike Stevens 0418 129 949.

Marine Batteries Now available AC Delco Voyager deep cycle & starting marine/RV, maint. free batteries with built in charge indicator. Nor-Co Batteries, Devonport Ph 6424 6466

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Stop in at Deloraine Pizza and Pasta, 53 Emu Bay Rd, Deloraine. Ph

ahead 6362 2000 to have your delicious pizza or pasta waiting.

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Eastern Shore Marine BOATS 24’ Gemini rigid inflatable, twin 200hp 4stroke Yamahas, radar, gps, f/f, in survey for 9 passengers $88,500 7.5 mtr Tristar alloy c/cons 6mm bottom 5mm sides built to 3c survey. Yanmar diesel 230hp coupled to a Hamilton jet unit. This unit has 23hrs only & is on a triaxle trlr. Loads of extras. Pls contact for inventory. $70,000 Stacer 565 Bowrider 115 Yamaha as new $34,500 Coxcraft, 140hp Yamaha (demo model full hull warranty and 3mths on motor)$34,300 Stejcraft Skiboat V6 Mercury 135hp (89hrs)$25,700 23’Jenks twin 130hp Yamahas triaxle trailer $27,500 20’ fibreglass half cab, V6 Yamaha inboard 297hrs $22,500 23’ Plate alloy cabin 200hp Mercury $18,500 Mustang 15’ Ski/Fish runabout, 115hp Mercury $8,900 Savage Pacific h/cab 115hp Yamaha $8,500 Savage Envoy, 55hp Johnson $8,500 15’ f/g h/cab 85hp Merc. $5,200 Savage Avalon 14’ 25hp johnson $4,950 Savage Avenger 14’ ski boat, 70 Mercury $4,700

12’ Tinnie 28hp Mariner, 9.9hp Mercury $2,500 12’ Tinnie (Savage) 15hp Mariner $1,790 13’ fibreglass ski boat, trailer $950 MOTORS 115hp Mercury 98’XL $6,500 40hp Mercury tiller 2003 as new $3,600 40hp Yamaha 2003 3cyl $3,600 30hp Evinrude s/s tiller ‘92 $1,250 30hp Yamaha 3cyl 1999 $2,550 28hp Mariner 1980 l/s $750 20hp L/S Mariner electric 1999 $1,200 20hp L/S Mariner electric 1999 $1,200 15hp Evinrude l/s $900 15hp s/s Yamaha 1999 $1,550 9.9hp Evinrude l/s ‘86 $790 9.8hp Mercury 84 $650 8hp Evinrude s/s ‘96 $1,190 8hp Evinrude l/s ‘92 $950 8hp Yamaha 316004 2003 $1,650 8hp Yamaha 1993 freshwater only l/s $1,000 6hp Mariner 2003 as new $1,400

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bracket, plus more. Evinrude 60ho 2 stroke. Mackay trailer. $14650 Powercraft Cuddy Cab. Canopy, side curtains, marine radio, Furuno colour fish finder, Raytheon GPS chart plotter. Yamaha 85hp 2 stroke. Yamaha 8hp 2stroke.

Tandem trailer with extension pole. $19850 Stessco 4.1m Runabout. Canopy, travel cover, fish finder, marine radio, auxiliary bracket. Johnson 30hp 2 stroke. Galvanised trailer. $11950 Stacer 4m bass Elite (as new) Rear casting platform, live bait tank, carpeted floor, front casting platform, seats with five floor positions, side decks. Mariner 25hp.

Dunbier trailer. $10290 Vandieman Seaman Runabout.

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Mercury 50hp 2 stroke (2000 model) Mariner 8hp King Trailer. $7980

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Ph 6428 7124 Advertisements.$11each.FREEfor subscriberstoTF&BN.(Limitedto3 editions.)Youcanincludeupto30 words.Justwriteoutyouradvert. andsend,Emailorfaxitwithcredit carddetailstoTasmanianFishing andBoatingNews,POBox7504, Launceston,7250Fax63311278.

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Subscriptions, ads and back issues Subscribing; Just fill in the form, or send your details as below. You can fax the subscription form to 03 6331 1278 or post to Stevens Publishing, PO Box 7504, Launceston, 7250. or email details to fishn@bigpond.net.au Name;__________________________________________________________Address;____________________________ __________________________________________________________Postcode;____________Phone________________ Advertising payment: ___ $11. Attach details by Fax, email or post.

Subscriptions:___ $24; 1 year. ___ $48; 2 years. Back issues; $3.95 each - Issue No req’d.____________ Payment by; ____ Bankcard ____ MasterCard ____ Visa ____ Cheque ____ Money Order Credit Card __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ Exp. date __ __/__ __ Total amount; ______ From issue no. ____ Fishing News - Page 30

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Fishing News - Page 31

E-TECS ARE CLEANER THAN THE CLEANEST 4-STROKE

The environmentally friendly E-TECs already meet 2006 EPA EU and 2008 CARB 3-Star emissions requirements.

Every drop of the E-TEC engine oil is combusted and accounted for in it’s 3-Star rating. This is not the case with 4-strokes.

E-TECS ARE AS FUEL EFFICIENT AS 4-STROKES

Thanks to stratified combustion E-TECs achieve fuel economy and efficiency only previously possible with 4-strokes. In fact, the new E-TEC 250HP is 36% more fuel efficient than the Mercury Verado 250HP at Wide Open Throttle.

Not only are E-TECs as quiet as 4-strokes, they produce a more pleasing, less obtrusive sound. In other words, the sound of your E-TEC engine will not interfere with the sound of your own voice.

E-TECS ARE JUST AS QUIET AS 4-STROKES

✔

Seaport Marine

✔

✔ The new E-TEC 225HP is 54kg lighter than the Mercury Verado 225HP. Less weight means significantly better handling, improved out-of-the-hole performance, and optimised speed.

E-TECS ARE LIGHTER THAN COMPARABLE 4-STROKES

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PN 99050

391/1a Westbury Road Prospect. Phone 6344 3311

E-TECs require no scheduled dealer maintenance for the first 3 years or 300 hours of normal recreational use. You’ll never have to change oil or oil filter – ever. Plus, no belts to change, carburetors to set or lifters to adjust. Compare that to a 4-stroke.

E-TECS ARE EASIER TO OWN AND OPERATE

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EVINRUDE E-TEC V6 – 200HP, 225HP AND 250HP.

FIRST IT WAS THE 2-STROKE. THEN CAME THE 4-STROKE. NOW THE FUTURE’S ARRIVED ...

Data: Evinrude Performance Report PE126. Evinrude Testing @ RETC. Trailer Boat Magazine April 2004.

U.S. EPA 2004 Database. Each manufacturer’s 2004 product brochure.

PMA-ads.com 6173

Michael Haley with a bream from Georges Bay. See the results of the St Helens Bream Classic on page 28.

$3.95

• Game and sportfish on soft plastics (Steve Starling) • Chasing gummys sharks • Custom rod building • Woods Lake • Jan’s flies • Sarah’s kitchen Wind lanes • Bradys chain of lakes • Reviews

See page 23

WIN a family holiday for 7 days in St Helens

Issue 60 February - March 2006