Claret Dabbler
A few weeks ago I mentioned that the Sage Xi2 saltwater rod was getting a makeover this September. Great news is that the new model, the Xi3, is available for order now through the Essential Fly Fisher in Launceston (03) 6331 8944. Expect a rod designed to pickup long casts, and redirect them with accuracy and ease. Oversize guides will be a feature, allowing the line to shoot further, and easier, whilst still remaining accurate to 2 feet—that’s within gulping distance for a giant GT or Tuna. The blank is also designed to take the huge loads that long-line pickup and directional casting changes can place on the rod. For boat-based anglers chasing serious saltwater bruisers, this is the rod for you!
A second new model, also now available for purchase is the Sage 99. These are nine foot, nine inch long rods, designed with a slow taper for European nymphing styles. This deadly style of short-line, heavy nymph fishing is very popular in Europe, and among global competition fishers. The technique has just received a great overview by Danny Spelic in the new Spring 2009 edition of FlyLife Magazine www.flylife.com.au .
That’s all for now, look out for our Tasmanian fly fishing newsletter and fishing report next week.
The price of Sage fly rods in Australia have just been reduced, which is great for fly fishers looking at purchasing a new rod for the season. Top of the range Z Axis rods will now sell for $940 (they were $1030), while top of the range ZXL and TCX are now $925 and $1085. These price reductions come on the back of a strong Aussie dollar.
Also for Sage fly rods, the Xi2 saltwater rods are being discontinued and replaced with a series called the Xi3. Xi2’s are now on sale around Australia for around $750.
You can contact the Essential Fly Fisher www.essentialflyfisher.com.au for any Sage fly rod questions or purchases on (03) 6331 8944. Mail orders are welcome, and can be delivered the next day, Australia-wide.
Great news for Tasmanian fisher’s has been the big-wet of late. Just a few days ago, Mole Creek (on the Mersey River) saw 150mm’s of rain (that’s half-a-foot!) in a day, and all the rivers, including the drought ravaged Macquarie River, are in flood. And by flood I mean that they are well over their banks! The drought-depleted and algae-bloom affected Leake, Craigbourne and Tooms lakes are now full, or close too, which is awesome news—Tooms’ in particular features excellent fishing to baitfish feeders, while the Macquarie downstream offers the best small red spinner mayfly falls in Tasmania. This will be the best season in four years or more, both in terms of water flows and lake levels, and associated mayfly populations and fish sizes.
With two or so weeks to go until the new trout season opens, I’ve spent the last month tying flies for our webshop, and exploring remote waters in the Western Lakes. The trip report from our last weekend of explorations among the wilderness Western Lakes is here, but in a nutshell, early rains brought about early spawning, which will result in bigger and healthier early-season trout. As I type, Lake Augusta on the rim of the Western Lakes is overflowing, and has been for four days.
We’ve also been concentrating on lots of behind-the-scenes activities in the last month, which have included gaining access to new guiding locations on the Meander River. This river adds to our guiding venues on the Mersey, Macquarie, Brumbys, North Esk, South Esk, St Patricks and north-eastern creeks. I’m sure that repeat clients (as well as new guests) will enjoy this season’s new venue.
As alluded to, our trout season opens in just over two weeks on the 1st of August. Many will be heading up to the hydro lakes for opening day (such as Arthurs Lake), but I’ll be hunting around in the flooded backwaters of our northern rivers. The author David Scholes made these flood-fishing events famous, but the recent years of drought have seen opportunities for flood fishing all but disappear. I’m not going to miss out on this winter’s offerings, so the Upper Macquarie, lower Meander, and perhaps even the South Esk or Lake River will be on my flood fishing to-do list. Patterns such as the Fur Fly, Woolly Caddis and Black and Peacock Spider will feature among the fly patterns to try.
As August moves in to September, hatches and falls of cockchafer beetles, stonefly, and by late September, mayfly will be underway and the trout will be looking for dries. By October the mayflies will become consistent (outside of any flood events) leading to some of the best close-quarter dry fly fishing of the season.
The annual Tasmanian Trout Expo (at Cressy) is on over the weekend of the 29-30th of August this year, where I’ll be found manning the Petrarchs Bookstore stand. The Sunday will see Greg French and Philip Weigall also at the stand, happy to talk to fellow fishers and sign books. Phil will be launching his new book ‘Fishing Season’, so it will be a great opportunity to get your copy on the day. More info on the Trout Expo here.
October 2009 -May 2010 Try a Three Rivers Package and lodge accommodation with RiverFly Tasmania and Quamby Estate Homestead
November 2009 – May 2010 Book in for a Wilderness Campout. We have a remote river venue for 1-2 night trips, and Western Lakes campouts for those wanting to experience Tasmania’s wilderness fishing mecca.
Fly tying classes – shortcuts, improving techniques, and trouble-shooting - Keep an eye out on our Blog for the dates of our second round of fly tying classes. The first round finished successfully in early July.
Tip1: If you get caught wading in water that is too powerful and need to turn back, try and avoid wading downstream back to shore: the water will start to ‘float’ you away as your centre of gravity is pushed downstream by the force of the current. Instead, it is safer to slowly work your way back to shore in a diagonally upstream direction, where you can keep your centre of gravity forwards, and your feet on the ground.
Tip 2: When tying parachute flies, always use a hackle that is one to two sizes larger than usual. This will give the fly a larger ‘footprint’ on the water (which will make it a better attractor), and ensure that it stays upright on each presentation.
The Source-Tasmania DVD by Gin-Clear Media is now in stock and can be ordered through our WebShop. As the feature film of last month’s international Fly Fishing Festival, The Source has already been shown to more than 2000 people, to generally great reviews. The film-fest is now headed for Europe for showings next month.
The film is beautifully shot across four locations: Sea-run trout destinations on the North-West Coast, the rainforest creeks of the Western Tiers, the mayfly waters of the Lowland rivers, as well as a longer section featuring the wilderness Western Lakes. The Source features Greg French and Daniel Hackett, as well as a cast of visiting anglers. Purchase The Source here.
That’s all for this months newsletter. Look out for the August edition which will contain a report on the opening month of fishing, with a focus on the feature-flood fishing we’re looking forward to. Have a great opening Day from the RiverFly team-Daniel, Simone and Patrick
The Tasmanian Trout Expo is on again this year, from the 29-30th of August. For the first time in a number of years I’ll be there, this time to man the Petrarch’s Bookstore stand—on sale and display will be dozens of fishing books from Petrarchs, who have a special niche-focus on a well-stocked angling selection for its customers. As part of the weekend, I have arranged a special book launch and signing from well-known Australian author Philip Weigall, who will be launching his new book Fishing Season. Also on hand will be Greg French, who’ll be there to chat and sign copies of his books Frog Call, Artificial and Tasmanian Trout Waters. Greg also wrote the foreword to my own book, In Season Tasmania – A Year of Fly Fishing Highlights which will also be available for purchase throughout the weekend.
Phil and Greg will be at the stand around 11am-2pm on the Sunday, assuming there are no delays at the airport! See you there.
