Lure of the brown trout season excites anglers

Picture: A beautiful brown trout caught and released from Lake Crescent last season. Anglers will be hoping Lake Crescent and Lake Sorell nearby offer similar in the approaching season ahead.

THE three month off season has flown by pretty quickly but as usual the build up to opening wekend is always exciting and if you're a serious trout angler nothing much is left to chance.

Stocking up on tackle and scouting out our favourite or new fishing spots is common place but where and how we fish depends on what the unpredictable weather does during that important weeks,week or days leading in.

The Inland Fisheries Service will continue their trout stocking program in the lead up which will offer anglers opportunities either way and last Wednesday 500 triploid rainbow trout weighing 0.360 kg were put into Craigbourne Dam.

Recent rainfall has helped flush our rivers, streams and creeks plus help out waters in the highlands but again we've seen less snowfall this winter which is what really helps our trout waters up top.

Saying that I'm still predicting a rewarding start and next week I'll try and narrow down some of the best areas to attack early in the new season but either way one of the best things to do, like on closing weekend is to fish your favourite spots.

For me river fishing is always a favourite, especially the Derwent and for a long time opening weekend has been spent there or on the mighty Tyenna River.

If conditions on the Derwent were compromised by our dodgy climate then that's when the Tyenna or other tributaries were a target.

The same can be said when fishing other rivers like the Huon River.If conditions aren't suitable to fish there, like the Derwent that's when other rivers running into it should be a priority.

It won't be long and temperatures will start to rise and so will metabolisms and with an increase in seasonal bait fish runs this offers opportunities that aren't available in the highlands.

Until temperatures do rise comfort comes first over the cold which is why I and others stay closer to home but if you love fishing, cold fingers or feet aren't going to stop early "lakes" missions.

One great lake that has suffered slightly in recent years is Woods Lake which has copped algae blooms especially during summer.

There is now a new website available to keep up to date with the lakes condition and the site provides any information available about the species of blue-green algae present and any recommendations for recreational activity and management measures Hydro Tasmania are putting into place going forward.

The blue-green algae population continued through July but recent inflows and low temperatures has reduced cell numbers temporarily.

It's expected the population may reduce and then re-emerge during summer as temperatures rise and as water remains still.

When there are too many nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in the water from fertilisers, sewage, or pollution this also provides extra food for algae to grow.

To keep up to date keep an eye on this site   https://connect.hydro.com.au/woods-lake

SOUTHERN bluefin tuna fishing continues to entice game anglers off the coast of Tasmania with school fish available from around 10 kg to 40 kg with barrel 100kg fish the thrill of the hunt.

Reefy runs and deeper drops offs are go to areas for striped trumpeter drifting fresh bait with fish to 5kg standard and others up to 10 -12 kg not uncommon.

Calamari squid and Australian salmon are great fish to get the kids catching and with good numbers available down South.

Beaches and bays in areas around Port Arthur, Dover and Southport and the Channel are offering good fishing with blue bait, pilchards and squid jigs in colours like green, orange and white.

Black bream are still available in estuary systems although they can be finicky or flighty but fresh bait like crabs, mussels, prawns or similar suited soft plastics or smaller hard bodied lures should get their interest.

Small couta have been working the lower Derwent with some found dead in the upper tidal runs over the last fortnight after the fresh flushing from the rain.

Mullet and tailor are also in the mix with garfish, snapper and elephant fish also catches reported last week.

Tip of the Week: Williams Outdoors is hosting a "Trout Night" on Thursday August 1 from 5.30 pm -7.30 pm pushing towards opening weekend of the 2024-25 brown trout season. There will be live demonstrations and trout fishing tips from experts, discounts on fishing tackle,a raffle and giveaways plus refreshments and snacks available and more. Check in with the team in the shop to reserve your spot.

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.