16 August 2022
Our very own Phillip Ellerton visits Little Pine Lagoon on fly fishing open season weekend.
The wait was over. Open season had begun. It’s a time of year renowned for its fickle weather nevertheless, anglers took to the water in their droves, braving the conditions both in the Central Highlands and on the somewhat more temperate Tooms Lake, Lake Leake and lowland rivers.
After heavy rains before the opening and a well-organised stocking program undertaken by the Inland Fisheries Service, things looked promising and our world-class fishery did not disappoint. I may have quoted this before, but ‘best opening weekend ever’ – well for me, personally.
With kids sports dominating Saturdays, my traditional opening weekend was not that traditional, waiting until Sunday to open the fishing account.
My fishing partner and I headed off early, with Little Pine Lagoon our chosen water. Arriving mid-morning we were greeted with light winds, a snow-dusted shoreline and to my surprise the boat ramp car park underwater. Even though I check the lake levels habitually, even I was surprised as to how much water was in front of us. A ‘fly only’ water we started our day with sinking lines in the deeper sections of the lake and after a couple of hours of intense fishing, nothing. Not even a swirl. Did we make the right call?
Why were we the only boat on the lake yet there were anglers dotted all around the shore – were we missing something? Maybe the fish are in close? No way, not this early in the season – it’s too cold. The shallows were frozen three hours ago!
After a gear change and a drift in close, it didn’t take long. Fish on! I was finally on the board. Over the next 4 hours, we experienced some of the best fishing I have had in years, as my fishing mate and I managed to catch and release 22 browns, with one kept for the pan. Not to mention the other missed bumps, short takes and one break-off.
Tailing fish that are prepared to come and take a dry fly or engulf a wet is a treat rarely experienced in August, with it more likely being a luxury saved for late October.
Phillip Ellerton - photo credit Samuel Shelley
Besides Little Pine Lagoon’s high lake levels producing the goods, reports also indicated nearby Penstock Lagoon fished well with anglers catching some superbly conditioned brown trout both Saturday and Sunday.
On the Eastern side of the plateau Woods Lake also fished well for both lure and fly anglers with the Saturday being the pick of the two days.
Four Springs in the North of the state produced for local anglers. Bronte Lagoon was popular, as it always is opening weekend, with drift spinning a preferred method. Anglers fishing the Bradys Chain of Lagoons caught healthy numbers of rainbow trout some in excess of 2kg with trolling the technique of choice. Mother nature and Hydro Tasmania, similar to the Little Pine scenario, worked well together on Pine Tier Lagoon with high water levels ensuring plenty of action in close. Healthy numbers of fish were caught over the freshly flooded margins – a water to watch this season as the average size continues to increase.
Moving south the Derwent, Tyenna and Huon rivers all delivered.
With heavy rainfalls and good inflows forecasted this week things are looking promising for an exciting Spring.
For season dates and times visit the Inland Fisheries Service website https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/the-rules/season-dates-and-times
For maps and information on fishing, camping and paddling at Hydro Tasmania's lakes visit the Things to Do page.
Images provided by Hydro Tasmania and Samuel Shelley www.samuelshelley.com.au
Read our commenting guidelines
The Waddamana Power Station Heritage Site has re-opened to the public, having survived Tasmania's relentless summer fires. It is Hydro Tasmania’s first power station and the centrepiece of the Great Lake Power Scheme, which is entered on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.
To coincide with the opening of the angling season, we asked our Senior Aquatic Scientist David Ikedife for some tips on where to head to make the most of Tasmania's waterways
If you’re packing the camping gear into the boot of the car this holiday season there’s a good chance you’ll come across some of our camping and recreation sites. If you’re not sure where they are or which one would be best for you, take a look at our ‘find-a-site’ interactive map.