Highlands anglers keen but feeling the chill

Picture: Kingborough Anglers Association's Arthur Whittock with his junior longest trout and winning fish in last weekend's STLAA Interclub Challenge held on the Huon River.

ONE would think it's still winter and not spring after the state copped another dusting of snow over the weekend.

Our seasons are getting more unpredictable each year and even though patience is a virtue this weather is certainly testing mine.

Last Thursday Hydro Tasmania reopened all recreational areas,campgrounds and boat ramps aside from Wattles Campground at Tungatinah Lagoon.

The clean up will continue and be aware that there will still be a lot of debris and fallen trees around with further threats of trees falling in the wind with the ground soaking wet.

Many catchments were still spilling late last week although flow through Lower Derwent runs is starting to settle.

Anglers bait fishing with sandies, gudgeon, galaxia and worms have enjoyed better results on sea run and resident trout from the main river itself.

Lure anglers are starting to get fish again from the lower Derwent estuary as well using soft plastics and hardbodied lures and their condition is sensational.

Fishing "up top" has been difficult with snow and wind making it hard work but those that have persisted have been rewarded.

The Brady's Chain has given up some rainbow and brown trout especially to bait anglers who have soaked worms and wattle grubs while staying warm by the fire.

When the weather does improve I'd be targetting Wood's Lake and don't forget Arthurs Lake either.

It will be interesting to see how both of these waters fish through the rest of Spring.

Bronte Lagoon would be another area I'd visit and the same said for Lake Echo.

Reports from Lake Crescent and Sorell have been scarce but fishing will fire when it warms up and don't forget the wild West Coast and rivers like the Pieman, Gordon, Arthur and Henty which all offer great trout fishing through September and October.

LAST weekend the Huonville Anglers Club hosted the Southern Licensed Anglers Association Interclub Challenge on the Huon River.

All STLAA clubs were invited to compete for the Interclub Shield and although nearly all rivers have been swollen,the Huon fared better than most.

The cold front that came in on Saturday saw the upper reaches running fast and dirty on Sunday and most anglers fished further down stream from around Franklin, the Egg Islands and Glaziers Bay.

Saying that there were 18 trout caught and the best fish of the competiton was landed from Judbury which proved to be a winning fish for Kingborough Anglers Association.

Kingborough Junior anglers Arthur Whittock and Huon Storer showed everyone how it's done and won their club the Interclub Shield with Arthur catching the best fish of the competition that also won him the junior longest fish award.

Arthurs fish was caught on a Berkley Olive Pearl T Tail soft plastic and was 53cm to the tail fork in length.

Arthur landed another trout that went 34 cm long and mate Huon landed the other at 33 cm which gave them a winningthree-fish total length of 120 cm.

The New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association finished in second spot with a 3 fish total length of 112 cm with new member Dylan Pearce landing the best and longest fish by an adult competitor at 44 cm.

Adam Williams had the next best which was caught in the last minute of his time on the water at 35 cm and female member Kirsty Chalmers had the other at 33 cm.

Huonville Licensed Anglers Association finished in third position with a total length of 104 cm with junior Marcus Collins having one at 38 cm, Robin Henzler 36 cm and junior Jaxson Collins one at 30 cm.

Clarence Anglers Association finished fourth with 93 cm ,Norm Cribbin with 33 cm and Vincent Coyt with 33 cm and 27 cm.

Bridgewater Anglers Association finished fifth with junior Harley Campbell landing the third longest trout of the competition with 41 cm and he also had another at 30 cm helping the club to 71 cm.

Although Harley didn't win anything within the competition his name was drawn from a hat which won the mystery prize which was fitting considering his good efforts.

Overall it was very tough fishing which was to be expected but it was great to see two junior anglers doing so well and winning the competition for their club.Well done Arthur and Huon.The NNLAA's next competition is on the Derwent River from October 4th-6th and Gone Fishing Day is scheduled for October 13 as well.

Tip of the Week - Fish grow faster in warm water because it speeds up their metabolism and they need to eat more food. This also means they need more oxygen which can make life difficult for them especially in shallow and warm areas during the hottest times of the year. Tight lines until next week.

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