Wintery winds from the west keep Highland anglers off the water

TROUT anglers who braved the cold conditions during the week at the Brady's chain reported some rewarding results on recently stocked rainbow trout with trolling and bait fishing proving the best methods.

Lake Pedder Anglers Club held a competition on the lake recently and results showed it's worth a trip but as with anywhere at this time of year be prepared for the cold conditions.

Great Lake and Craigbourne Dam were others mentioned the most with the latter receiving around 150 more brown trout recently in the IFS 2024-25 season stocking program.

The Huon and Derwent Rivers are starting to offer more sea trout but water conditions still need to be freshened up by some snow fall which will really get the searunners moving.

My last two trips on the Derwent around New Norfolk have been super tough going, probably due to a seal working the water which shows the river isn't as fresh as it usually is but it also means some fish are around.

Baby lamprey eels are starting to move as well which is a good indication that fishing will improve and if you see flocks of ducks working the water at this time of the year they could be feeding on these eels.

Another new lure from Westin called a Sølvpilen has arrived that I've been testing and it will definitely be of interest to those who chase searunners around the state.

They're similar to the inline sandy eels i mentioned recently and the name Sølvpilen in English terms translates to "Silver Arrow".

Like the others shorebased anglers should benefit the most using them because they cast a country mile but unlike inline eels they come with split rings and hooks attached.

Williams Outdoors recently stocked four Sølvpilens that are 9.5 cms long and weigh 16 gms in the colours of Olive Diamond,Copper Diamond, Blue Diamond and Metal Copper.

After testing them briefly I've had some success which I'm confident will continue and with this specific weight and size they're particularly beneficial working deeper, faster, flowing water due to their size, faster sink weight and slinky action.

Sølvpilens come in four sizes right up to 24 grams and I've talked to the crew at Williams Outdoors and hopefully they'll have the 8.5 cms-12 gm versions in stock sometime during the new season plus other colours variations as well.

THE men's World Fly Fishing Championships were held in France from June 22 to 30 with 22 countries competing and Australia represented by Stewart Dick,  Daniel Ringer,Tom Jarman, Christopher Huston, Joshua Flowers and Tim Strong.

Anglers were set individually in groups from A to E and fished five sectors on the Vicdessos River, The Carlit Lakes, The Tet River, the Camporells Lakes and the Aude River.

The Australian team performed really well finishing overall in fifth position behind the Czech Republic in fourth,the US in third, Spain in second and 2024 World Champions and hosts France in first.

Stewart Dick was the standout angler and top ranked Australian finishing in the individual category in sixth place after winning sessions on the Vicdessos and Tet Rivers.

This along with other outstanding performances by each member of the team provided the basis for Australia's great final result.

THE New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association is holding their annual dinner and trophy presentation night for the 2023-24 season this Friday at the New Norfolk RSL Club.

Members, guests, families and friends will celebrate with a spit roast meal with all the trimmings and outstanding anglers from the past season will be rewarded for their efforts. Special guests include Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis, Fisheries Minister Eric Abeitz, Inland Fisheries Director Ryan Wilkinson, Member for Derwent and the President of the Legislative Council Craig Farrell and wife Lee.

The NNLAA's 2024-25 competition roster will be revealed on the night and if interested in becoming a member,memberships are available to purchase from Williams Outdoors right now or you can also purchase one online from the clubs Facebook page.

  
Tip of the week

Although changes were made recently in regards to printing the Derwent Valley Gazette nothing changes on my end and I'll be continuing to write fishing reports which will still feature in the publication online.

If you're a regular reader you can also keep up to date with these reports on the advertised Facebook Page which has been running now since October 2015.

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

Tight  lines until next week.