Anglers gather for annual awards

MEMBERS, guests,families and friends celebrated the past season with a superb spit roast meal and outstanding anglers received awards for their efforts during the season.

Two NNLAA anglers, Tony Robertson(Senior 4.041 kg) and Jayden Slater (Junior 4.958 kg) were standout achievers winning the overall Heaviest Trout awards across all clubs in Southern Tasmania (STLAA)which were presented by special guest Resources Minister Eric Abetz.

Here's a full round up of awards across the 2023-24 season.

The Derwent River Heaviest Trout - Michelle Williams Memorial Trophy presented by MLC Craig Farrell. Male - Craig Waddington-2.604 kg. Female - Katie Russell-1.498 kg.

The Mavis & Ken Russell Best Club Person Award - Brian Crosswell presented by Laurie Harrison.

Heaviest Brown Trout Overall - David Triffitt and Peter Hodge Perpetual Trophy presented by IFS Director Ryan Wilkinson - Jayden Slater - 4.958 kg.

Heaviest trout on an artificial lure - The Bert Wigston Memorial Trophy presented by IFS Director Ryan Wilkinson-Jayden Slater -4.958 kg.

Heaviest Trout Sub Junior-4-13 yrs - Jayden Slater - 4.958 kg presented by Ryan Wilkinson.

Heaviest Trout Junior-14 -17 yrs - Hayden Mutton -1.737 kg presented by Ryan Wilkinson.

Heaviest Rainbow Trout Overall - Adam Rice-1.235 kg presented by Laurie Harrison

Most Consistent Angler  - Female - Des Cranfield Perpetual Trophy - Katie Russell 15 points presented by Laurie Harrison. Junio r- Ken Morley Memorial Trophy presented by Barbara Morley-Lucy Russell - 28 points & Male-Tooney Aitchison Perpetual Trophy presented by Ray Aitchison - Adam Rice - 25 points.

NNLAA president Laurie Harrison received a special "stitch" up encouragement award for "Smallest Trout" trophy for weighing in five of the tiniest trout during the season which also went down well.

The NNLAA would like to thank special guests for attending on the night which included Mr Abetz, Mr Farrell and wife Lee, IFS Director Ryan Wilkinson and executive officer Vanessa Britten with also a sincere apology from NNLAA supporter Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis who had flights changed at the last minute from the mainland that prevented her attendance. 

During the night the NNLAA's 2024-25 season competition roster was revealed  and a couple of raffles were also run and a big thankyou to all NNLAA sponsors for their support and for providing prizes which were greatly appreciated by all.

NNLAA memberships are now available online and at at the clubs FB page or by simply visiting WIlliams Outdoors and why you're there 2024-25 brown trout licenses are also available as well.

Tuna tale

I was contacted by keen game angler Jonah Yick during the week who sent me this story of a recent mission down south and this is what he wrote….

With only one dedicated tuna trip at Eaglehawk Neck so far this season which yielded nothing, I was keen to get back out trolling and hopefully hear some reels screaming.

Friday was chosen and a trip was organised with the experienced crew of Sam Nichols and Mark Hoey and we got to the ramp in the dark hoping to get the lures in the water at first light. 

After half an hour of working some incredible bust ups the shotgun rod screamed off.

This fish emptied a few hundred metres of line in seconds but unfortunately as we were settling into the fight the hook pulled out.

A bit disappointed we got the lures back in and continued to troll.

Half an hour later we happened to be passing the same area when Sam spotted a seal holding onto a large tuna (Approx. 70kg).

We realised this was the fish we had just lost and 30 minutes later after some careful driving and quick deck work we managed to salvage our fish back slightly worse for wear. 

With the action still going on around us we put the lures back in and trolled towards a big flock of albatross feeding hard on the surface.

As we passed by two rods went off then a third lure exploded in a huge splash which meant only one thing.

The first two fish were small school tuna while the last fish was a solid model weighing in at 87kg. 

We decided this was enough action for us and we were back at the ramp before midday.With an early finish we were home and unpacked at a respectable hour (for a change) with the bluefin prepped in a cool room for dry aging over the next few days.

Upon gutting the 87kg we surprisingly found that it had eaten a roundbelly cowfish, a couple of stargazers, and a globefish/porcupinefish (only the bottom jaw and distinctive three pronged spines remained.

Trout stocking

THE IFS continued stocking trout into waters during the past week.

Craigbourne Dam took another 400 brown trout, Penstock Lagoon 200, Brushy Lagoon 750 and Clarence Lagoon was also stocked with 100 brook trout weighing 0.150 kg.

Lake Plimsoll will be a water to visit early next season after it was also stocked with 365 brook trout weighing 2 kg.

Keep an eye out for Inland Fisheries news as we push closer to the start of the 2024-25 season because word is that there will be another tagged trout promotion put in place.

Tip of the Week

Be a sponge. Take in all the fishing information that you can whether it be from magazines,video or other online opportunities to further your knowledge and greater the chance of catching your target species.

Send in your fishing reports,pics and tips to valleyfishes@gmail.com and keep track of the Derwent Valley Gazette Fishing page on Facebook.

Tight lines until next week.