Trout Opening Special Feature 2022
by Spot On Fishing Hobart 12 Aug 2022 22:43 BST
Phil Ellerton releasing one of many taking opening weekend © Spot On Fishing Hobart
We hope you all stay safe and catch lots of fish. We apologise for any inconvenience for closing on Thursday (28th July) due to unforeseen circumstances.
Last weekend saw the start of the 2022-23 Brown Trout Season. Many made the annual journey to their favourite lake, river or stream in hope of catching their first trout for the new season.
Most anglers that braved the cool conditions reported that the season opening was fantastic at most rivers and lakes around Tasmania.
Essentials for the start of the trout season
Before the season gets in full swing a few essentials to do and check to make sure the season goes to plan.
- Renew your Angling License: Come in and see us to renew your license and get the latest info.
- Check over fishing gear, leaders', reels, rods etc. If you have stored your gear away for the winter, best bet is to get it out and give it a good look over. Replace old line and leaders, lube your reels.
- If you're using a boat or trailer, check tyers, wheel bearings, outboard motors and charge your batteries.
- Check life jackets are all serviced and safety gear in your boat.
- The weather can change at any time so make sure you are prepared for the worst.
Top five fishing spots opening weekend
Here are our top five fishing spots that fished well for the start of the 2022 season.
Penstock
Fished well in the deeper parts of the lake using a DI3 fly line.
Fly choice:
- Chartreuse straggle bugger
- Bitch On Heat
- Sparkler
- Brown Fuzzle Bugger
Little Pine Lagoon
High-water levels saw fish tailing early on both Saturday and Sunday.
Large numbers of fish were caught along most shores.
Fly choice:
- Small Stick Caddis
- Black Wolley Bugger
- Red Head Shrek
- Gold Sparkler
- Scud
Bronte, Brady's And Binney
With fresh stockings and high-water levels, this saw some fantastic fishing. Both Lures and Fly produced good fish.
Fly choice:
- Black Wooley Bugger
- Olive Yeti
- 007
Lure choice:
- Ecogear MW 313
- Strike Pro Minnows
- Tasmanian Devil Sunburst
Derwent River
The Derwent has been a fantastic fishery of late with both resident fish and Searun Trout.
Fly choice:
- Derwent Bunny
- Brents Minnow
- Humongous
Lure choice:
- Ecogear MW62 393
- Strike Pro Minnows
Woods
Fish were hard on the edges and in the timber, fish were in good condition.
Fly choice:
- Olive Flash Zonker
- Black Leach
- Riseley Game Changer
Lure choice:
- Hawk Sniper Ghost Perch
- Daiwa Bait Junkie Soft plastics
- Shimano BT Baits 99 minnow.
IFS have some great anglers access brochures on these waters available here.
Salt water reports
Tuna
School Bluefin tuna have been caught around Eagle Hawk Neck in fairly good numbers with the odd larger fish in the mix.
Striped Trumpeter
Good numbers have been caught down South and up the East Coast. Both bait and jugs have been working well.
Bream
Both the Derwent and Huon are holding good numbers of smaller fish. The bream have been a common bi catch for the trout anglers.
IFS Tagged Trout Promotion
Fifty tagged brown trout will be released into waters around Tasmania for the 2022-23 season. Each tag is worth $2,000* to the angler that returns the fish to the Inland Fisheries Service (*conditions apply).
The tags are orange and have unique identifying details.
Fish caught from the 2021-22 Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion can also be claimed.
Learn more here...
River Derwent Tagged Trout Trials: White/Green Tags
This season, IFS are continuing on with the tagged brown trout study in the River Derwent, with another 400 tagged wild adult brown trout released earlier this month. These were released in the Dromedary area. Each of the trout have a single white coloured tag with a four digit number. This release of fish is part of a trial to investigate the movements and growth of brown trout in the River Derwent. This will also tell IFS how easy the trout are to catch. IFS would like anglers to report the capture of these tagged fish, noting the tag number, location captured and if possible the length and weight of the fish. IFS are also keen to know how many other untagged trout are caught. There is no requirement to release these fish, IFS just want to know if you catch one, along with the tag number and location.
More info and how to report your capture here