After doing the rounds on national radio and print-press, including an hour-long interview on ABC Radio (available on podcast), Greg French is launching his first novel Menagerie of False Truths this Friday at Petrarchs Bookstore, Launceston:

BOOK LAUNCH INVITATION

Petrarchs Bookshop

on behalf of

Greg French

invites you to the launch of

MENAGERIE OF FALSE TRUTHS

__________________________________________________________________________________

A book about the human condition which confronts head on subjects like friendship and family, depression, faith, illness and autism.

The main character Jack’s world of doubts and depressions is tempered by a fascination for the natural world and a passion for fishing, wild places and literature.

The author grew up in a family that embraced the whole spectrum of autism disorders, and he draws upon his formative years, his passion for nature and his love of storytelling to deliver a delightfully quirky “factional” read.

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, 30^th July, 2010

Where: Petrarchs Bookshop, 89 Brisbane St, Launceston.

RSVP: Thursday 29^th July to Petrarchs Bookshop

Phone: 63 31 80 88 Email: petlau@bigpond.net.au

Copies may be reserved for signing if you are unable to attend.

Season 2010/2011 will again see RiverFly Tasmania running our Western Lakes Campouts. In 2009, RiverFly became the first fly fishing business licenced by Parks and Wildlife Tasmania to operate in the Western Lakes. This is something we are very proud of.

This licensing ensures that our guides operate to environmental, operational and safety management plans. Key features of these plans include:

• Minimising environmental impacts.

• Alleviating any conflict with other anglers – part of our Operational Plan was created to ensure that we bypass any waters being fished by other anglers, as a measure of courtesy.

• As a key requirement of our Safety Management Plan, all campouts are run with two guides.

In addition to these rigorous management plans, our formal licencing requires a small payment back to Parks and Wildlife Tasmania for administration and park management costs.

RiverFly Tasmania are proud to be leading the way in sustainable, licenced fly fishing operations in the World Heritage Area / Western Lakes.

How are our current camps run?

Our current camps depart from Lake Ada, where we commence on foot to Talinah Lagoon, and onwards into the greater Christys Creek Area. The greater Christys Creek area, along with the Pillans / Julians are the only two areas within the Western Lakes that licenced commercial operators are allowed to camp (as per the World Heritage Area Management Plan).

Our campsite was chosen after weeks of exploration and site assessments in 08/09, followed by on-site consultation with Parks and Wildlife managers. We did not take this process lightly, and it was worth the effort: our site is visually hidden from other anglers, and away from popular waters and foot traffic. This ensures privacy for all anglers in the area.

Our typical camps consist of 3-4 traditional hiking tents, with Trangia and gas burners used for cooking. All of our food is fresh, and carried in for the trip. Of course, all waste is carried back out, along with any other rubbish found during our tips. To date we have also carried out nearly a dozen additional cans and bottles left as litter over the years by other careless users.

As per the regulations of the World Heritage Management Plan, all of our camps are restricted to a maximum of 6 anglers. However, RiverFly goes one step further and restricts its campouts to a maximum of 4 customers.

During season 09-10 we were fortunate to spend more than 35 nights camping-out in the Western Lakes. We only encountered seven other anglers (whom by coincidence were all found fishing the same lake at various times!), two of whom were lost and re-orientated by our guides. In addition, we were able to organise help for one elderly bushwalker who was injured on the track between Christys Lagoon and Lake Antimony, with a storm front approaching.

Environmental Best Practice and managing our Environmental Impact into the future

As an eco-tourism business working in a delicate World Heritage Listed environment, we are always looking at ways of decreasing any potential environmental impacts, whilst continually improving our customer experience. To achieve this, RiverFly Tasmania has submitted an application to Parks and Wildlife Tasmania to install a seasonal toilet pod and temporary tent platforms at our secluded location.

Whether its commercial or recreational, two of the possible impacts from any camping relates to the trampling of delicate flora around campsites (particularly under tents), and issues relating to the disposal of human and washing-up kitchen waste. These are both areas that RiverFly Tasmania is looking to minimise, and manage to World’s Best Practice.

To do its part, RiverFly Tasmania is planning to build four tent-sized platforms, each built to hold a two-man, canvas tent. These platforms will be on-site only for the season, and would mean that our tents don’t sit-on or smother any plant life in the area. Such platforms are already used by Parks Tasmania to minimize impacts on the Overland Track and Walls of Jerusalem National Parks, and by private operators in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, South West WHA and Maria Island National Park.

To manage human waste, and any contaminated water from dish-washing, RiverFly is also applying to install a small toilet-pod at the secluded campsite. This would mean that all human waste and contaminated water would be flown-out and disposed of outside of the World Heritage Area, ensuring that we are protecting our delicate water courses into the future. It is planned that the toilet-pod would be emptied each May, after the close of the fishing season. This prevents any possible or perceived conflict between other users of the area and the short (30min) use of the helicopter.

As a final element of our proposal, RiverFly will be limiting the number of fly fishing campouts we run each season. From our plans we will be spending a realistic maximum of 60-70 days per season in the Western Lakes. Considering that literally thousands of nights are currently spent by anglers in the Western Lakes, our real impact on visitation numbers in the area will be tiny. What this minimal-impact camp will provide though is jobs for Tasmanian’s, increased awareness of the value of recreational fishing in the Western Lakes, and the opportunity for anglers to learn more about the fishing, flora, fauna and history of the Western Lakes.

The camp approval process

Our application is currently with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, and is being assessed through a process called the Reserve Activity Assessment. This assessment ensures that all aspects of the World Heritage Management Plan are met by the proposal. As part of this formal process, public consultation will occur, which will be run in partnership between Parks and Wildlife Tasmania, and RiverFly Tasmania.

Upon a successful final approval, RiverFly will enter into a contract with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. This would see our business pay a commercial lease back to Parks and Wildlife Tasmania (and the Tasmanian people), which will then be used to manage our great National Parks and World Heritage Areas. This is a great example of how our small business can contribute directly back to the management of the Western Lakes for the future.

Re-enforcing the World Heritage Area values

As we work towards environmental best practice, there are a few things that we definitely won’t be doing:

1. We will not be applying to fly customers into the Western Lakes. We believe that one of the greatest parts of the Western Lakes fishery is the remoteness, and the need to use your own energy and initiative to get there. This remoteness and solitude is further protected by the WHA Management Plan, which actually prohibits the use of helicopters to take anglers in/out of the WHA.

2. We will not be building a private hut or lodge! One of the great enjoyments of our Western Lakes campouts is indeed the camping. In a world full of stuffy-office blocks and hotel rooms filled with recycled air, we can see the value and appeal of sleeping under the canvas. As such, our camp will remain as just that – a tent camp utilizing 2-3 man canvas tents for accommodation. To ensure these values are protected in the Western Lakes, the WHA actually prohibits the building of private huts or lodges in the World Heritage Area.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Daniel Hackett at RiverFly Tasmania.  You can read testimonials, including those from campout customers here

*New from Daniel Hackett for winter 2010 *

Fly Cards – A Series of Fly Tying Patterns by Daniel Hackett, includes recipes and instructions for 20 Australian trout flies, full colour photographs, along with fishing notes and their history. Click on the webshop for more information.

Also very exciting for the mad keen wilderness fisherman is ‘Western Lakes’ by Cliff How, a limited edition print celebrating Australia’s greatest trout fishery. With only 100 numbered prints we recommend you pre-order for release in June. Click on the webshop for more information.

Thank you for supporting us and other Australian’s in small business.

Dan and Sim.

A handful of newborn’s, straight from the author’s vice. Ready for packaging and posting to their new homes across Australia. www.riverfly.com.au/shop

Wild Tasmanian hopper feeder

Gone Fishing…

 It’s been three months since our last fishing report, but with good reason: we’ve spent more than 50 days on the rivers since our last note, guiding through pre-Christmas red and black spinner falls, summer hopper hatches and the beginning of the autumn mayflies, and spent another 30 days out in the World Heritage Listed Western Lakes region, experiencing not only the sightfishing, but nature itself. We’ve found remnants of late 19^th century grazing operations, old forgotten horse and cart tracks, not to mention a world of detailed minutiae: cushion plants and orchids, blue and red mountain hoppers, and ancient remnant pencil pine stands. 

 There have been many surprises this season, some owed in part to the end of the drought, some to new river venues, and some to our expanding Western Lakes Campouts. One common theme throughout them all has been constant: wild Tasmanian trout. Whether it’s been the super-conditioned trout of the Meander or lower Macquarie River, the flats cruising trout of the Western Lakes, or the hidden monsters of the fast-water river gorges, the aim of our days has revolved around core values of inspiring places, visual fishing opportunities and wild trout. If we can find these three goals, we know that the enjoyment of the day will take care of itself.  

 Current fishing report

 Autumn fishing has started in northern Tasmania, with large baetid mayfly falls on the lower Macquarie and Esk rivers, and ants appearing on humid days. This has created some classic match the hatch fishing, both from the raft and wading. Grasshoppers are still around and on the menu, and are proving effective at times–again, this has particularly been the case on the lower Macquarie River and a few of our other favourite haunts. The strong baetid hatches are expected to continue through March and April, to the close of the brown trout season at the start of May. 

 Summer highlights

 Summer highlights at RiverFly have been many and varied: young Rory sightfishing and landing a 4lb trout on the Meander, Frank and his six days of sight-fishing nirvana, high flows and great rafting on the post-drought Macquarie river, and the sight-fishing experience of the Western Lakes campouts with the three amigo’s Jappy, Mark and Curtis, the team of four Septuagenarians’, and many others. January was probably the best month of the season to date, with loads of blue-sky days, and early season hopper fishing. March could be a close contender to take the title though, especially if the ants and baetids keep on coming! 

Fishing Tips

1. When casting, always plan to present the fly ahead of the trout, rather than directly at it.

2. When practicing casting, focus on efficiency: learn to (1) cast line out quickly, (2) re-adjust casting length effectively, and (3) change casting directions smoothly.

 That’s all for now. If you have any questions about fishing in Tassie, don’t hesitate to Email us. Thanks from the RiverFly team–Daniel, Simone and Patrick. 

 Stay tuned to the RiverFly Blog for weekly updates and fishing reports.

Western Lakes Fly Fishing

       

Mersey River, Tasmania

River Soldiers

One of my favourite fishing authors is David James Duncan. His best seller The River Why is in process of being turned into a Hollywood film, but it is his pseudo-biography My Story as Told By Water that strikes a familiar chord closer to home, in particular the chapter River Soldiers, describing his involvement in river conservation projects. Hailing from a deforested Oregon (USA), and later moving to the mining industry-driven Montana, there has been no shortage of conservation efforts calling for his help. This is the conservation efforts he lightly terms ‘river soldiering’- fighting to protect rivers and wilderness.

Over the past three months, I have also inadvertently found myself drafted into a bit of ‘river-soldiering’. The call-to-arms has been the release of the South Esk River Draft Management Plan, which plans to steal environmental flows, and irrigate them across paddocks of poppies and peas as part of the State Premier’s election-driven ‘Tasmania Food Bowl’ proposal. In order to facilitate the Northern Midlands component of this vision, a component that the State Treasury has labelled as un-sustainable, the government’s own water managers are looking to manage the river at summer levels 60% lower than their own scientific advice demands! All in the name of an un-sustainable, politically driven ideal; instead we need to promote the sustainable storage and use of winter flows, rather than cheap and nasty direct-takes of environmental flows.

If this management plan disturbs you, then I ask that you enlist as a ‘river soldier’. For your first act of soldiering, visit our ‘save the South Esk River’ blog entry, read the details, and write a letter of objection to the listed government contact. This will be a battle won by individual acts, so I thank you in advance for your efforts. Submissions close December 11, 2009.

Fishing report Oct-mid November

The fishing during mid and late October was a typical mixed fare of red-hot and ice-cold fishing days! Highlights were black spinner and ant falls on the Macquarie , Meander and South Esk rivers , a red-spinner day on the upper Macquarie, and steady fishing on the St Patricks River. Somewhat predictably, the best days were those with steady weather patterns, with winds from the north. South-westerly days were difficult.

Into November and the fishing became more consistent, with the Meander, South Esk, Brumbys Creek and Lake Huntsman all fishing very well. A highlight was an early morning that RiverFly guide Patrick Horan and I spent on the Meander, landing a half dozen rising trout. The largest trout weighed 4lbs , with three others nudging the 3lb mark – exceptional fishing on one of our secluded stretches. If this morning wasn’t exciting enough, the big fish theme continued on the upper South Esk, with a half-dozen trout polaroided, all weighing between 3 and 5 lbs. The winter floods have certainly led to some fat trout in the rivers!

This week sees Patrick and I heading out to the Western Lakes with Greg French, on an exploratory mission looking for big fish–keep an eye for a trip report on our blog next week . If you would like to join us on a Western Lakes Campout, contact us now for one of the three available dates in January, February and March – RiverFly Tasmania is the only fly fishing business licenced by National Parks Tasmania to operate in this World Heritage Area.

Availabilities

Pre-Christmas dates are now fully booked!

Post-Christmas we have availabilities during January, March and April, but February is almost fully booked. If you’re planning a trip to fish a drought-free Tasmania, please contact us now for availabilities.

Fishing and fly tying tips.

Tip1. Dry soggy or fish-slimed flies with ‘Loon Dust’ prior to re-applying Gink. This is available form the Essential Fly Fisher (03) 6331 8944, as well as a new stock of economical Indian Saddles that look perfect for scruffy dries.

Tip 2. When presenting to an inconsistent riser, try twitching the fly moments before it reaches the trout: this ‘death-rattle’ can often catch the trout’s attention and seal the deal.

Tip3. Wading staffs are useful to anglers of all ages. When wading a river, make sure the staff is positioned downstream from your body, for maximum support. The Lamson wading pole is the best I have used, and again is available from the Essential Fly Fisher in Launceston, who also do mail order.

Product Review

Which Polaroid glasses to buy? This is a common question that leads to heated debates! In my experience, Spotters offer the best polarizing lense and most appropriate tint colours (rose or yellow) in Australia. Their only drawback is that the high-quality glass lenses are heavy on your nose. Maui Jim offer good quality, ultra-light frames and lenses more suitable for everyday use, however the polarizing ability of the lenses doesn’t reach the standards of the Spotters. The Maui Jim green lense is a ripper for low-light. Finally, Otis is a surf-orientated glasses brand available in Australia, and features the best polarizing lenses I have found-the only drawback has been that I can only find brown lenses (instead of my preferred rose) – stay-tuned on this subject.

RiverFly shop – Christmas ideas

The Source Tasmania DVD (featuring Brumbys Creek, the Western Lakes, and West Coast sea-run trout), In Season Tasmania – A Year of Fly Fishing Highlights coffee-table book, and an assortment of RiverFly Tasmania hand-tied flies (tied in Tasmania by the RiverFly team) are available from our online shop.

That’s all for now, stayed tuned for a pre-Christmas fishing report in a fortnight. Thanks for reading our newsletter, and please feel free to forward this Email on to your friends – word of mouth business is the key to our continuing success!

Thank you from the RiverFly Team – Daniel, Simone & Patrick.

 In May 09, the Treasury Department were the focus of a media leak, detailing the department’s own hesitations about these ‘economically unsustainable’ projects: this opinion piece from the Mercury Newpaper has all the details. And now, on the ABC’s Stateline program, the chief architect of the Food Bowl Master Plan, Jonathan West, has expressed his own major concerns with the viability of the proposed Midlands Irrigation Scheme: the full transcript of the interview is available here. 

Who is left in support of the projects? The last men standing are the Premier and the Minister, looking for a golden egg six months out from an election; i’d suggest that egg is more rotten than gold.

Have your say or lose the South Esk River:

G’day fellow anglers / angling club representatives, 

A quick and very important note in regards to the South Esk River, one of Tasmania’s most visited river fisheries. The State Government has just released a Draft Management Plan which will govern future use and management of the river, and there is a period for public comment open until the 11 December 2009. 

Of importance to anglers are the recommended minimum environmental flows. When the river reaches these levels from December to April, irrigation takes will cease. Two purposes of these minimum flows are to protect the environment, and recreational (social) values of the river. 

The scientists commissioned to recommend the environmental flow rates (also known as ‘cease to take flows’), recommended 100-160ML/Day flow rates. These levels would preserve the environment, and maintain minimum levels for anglers and other recreational users. My own detailed fishing records from the past eight years also show that the river is fishable down to a flow of 100ML/Day, but any lower and the flow all but stops, the river temperatures get too high, and the trout and bug life enter into survival mode. 

Despite the recommendations from the government-commissioned scientists, the Draft Management Plan is recommending environmental flows of 40ML/Day – less than half the recommended flows. This will mean that the river is un-fishable for large periods of time during the season, and that fish and bug life will be under stress for months at a time. The South Esk fishery would be impacted upon heavily, if not destroyed, given that the Draft Plan will also be encouraging and permitting increased levels of irrigation directly from the river. The Draft Plan has this to say of its own 40ML/Day environmental flows: 

‘this Plan maintains baseflows in the South Esk River up to 40 ML/day during the December – April period… During the December – April period, the cease to take flow threshold is considerably less than the recommended minimum environmental flow thresholds (100 – 160 ML/day), and hence there is a higher level of risk to the environment as a result…Whilst it would be preferable to set cease to take flow thresholds as recommended, the potential impact on irrigation water supply would have been significant.’ 

The Draft Plan recognises that an environmental flow rate of 40ML/Day will risk environmental damage to the river. In risking damage to the environment, and by recommending flow rates of less than 100-160ML/Day as advised by the scientists, the Draft Plan fails to meet its own listed Environmental Objectives (2.2.1 (a), (b), (d)) and Social Objectives (2.2.3 (a), (b), (c)) (from page 9). The Draft Management Plan also fails to meet its requirement to ‘ensure that environmental water receives a greater level of security than consumptive water’ (from page 34). 

In a nutshell, one of Tasmania’s most fished rivers will be destroyed by the Plan in its current draft state. Anglers need to demand that the environmental flows are set to the recommended 100-160ML/Day. This will allow for planned irrigation development, but will also protect the environment and angling. The time to act is now. I ask that any concerned anglers or clubs view the Draft Management Plan here  and have your say by making a submission to:

Contact: Water Management Planning Officer

Henry Maxwell
Water Management Planning Officer
1 Franklin Wharf HOBART TAS 7000
Phone: 03 6233 4807
Fax: 03 6224 4977
Email: Henry.Maxwell@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

 Feel free to use the information above. The deadline for written representations is 11 December 2009, and there are two public forums being held at Fingal and Longford on the 21 October (full details on the website).

 Please have your say, and pass this message on.

 Thanks for your time.

A favourite dry fly stream

Back on July 7th I posted a blog entry outlining a number of concerns about the various proposed Tasmanian irrigation schemes, and the effects that some of these schemes could have on Tasmania’s $60M recreational fishing industry. To date, none of the concerns have been put to bed.

One of the glaring initial concerns from my first post was a lack of transparency in regards to the processes involved in considering schemes such as the South Esk or Arthurs Lake schemes. The Tasmanian Irrigation Development Board (TIDB) website was intended to be the point of reference for the general public seeking information on the proposals, but this was pulled off-line more than six months ago. You can still call the TIDB, but as stated previously, how can you ask them an informed question without having the background knowledge? Despite personal assertations from the TIDB (in early July) that a new website would be up and running asap, the TIDB website is still offline. In the meantime, the proposed irrigations schemes are moving forwards, and anglers are being left in the dark.

Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) are doing their best at representing anglers on the issue. This representation is being made via a board, with a representative from IFS (Inland Fisheries Service) going in to bat for anglers. It is great that through AAT and the IFS, our $60M industry has a voice, and I congratulate them. But ultimately IFS employees have to answer to the same Minister as responsible for the proposals themselves; surely this puts our voice between a rock and a hard place? Further compounding the problem for anglers in general has been the continuing lack of communication between the stakeholder group AAT, and its stakeholders (the angling public). The single exception to this has been a press-release in regards to Crescent and Sorrell water levels. I do believe that AAT and the IFS angler representative are making good progress, but please, can you keep us informed?

More than a fortnight ago (using the contact email given to the general public), I E-mailed the TIDB for an update on any changes or progress being made in relation to the South Esk scheme, a scheme being considered for the St Patricks, and any other details that I might find useful since my first and only other contact in early July. To date, no response has been received. Again, the process is certainly proving to be more opaque than transparent.

I am not the only one raising concerns about these proposed schemes. Earlier in the year, the Hobart  Mercury newspaper raised concerns in regards to subsidies, equity and fairness in the manner in which the irrigation schemes are being offered. You can read a full version of this article here.

Ultimately, I am not against irrigation schemes as a whole. I do believe that many of the schemes relient on off-stream storages of winter flows will be beneficial for everybody. I do however think that on-stream dams such as those being mooted for tributaries of the South Esk (the St Pauls and/or Ben Lomond Rivulet) could spell disaster for the streams themselves, and the South Esk that they flow into. Likewise, a dam on the headwaters of the St Patricks river as alluded to more than a year ago by the government would spell the end to one of Tasmania’s top river fisheries, not to mention the rare giant crayfish that anglers have found in the area.

In closing, I would like to highlight that both the TIDB and the Minister have been on the public record as stating that for any proposal to go ahead, it must have a social licence from the people of Tasmania. Well I’m here to say that tens-of-thousands of Tasmanian anglers certainly haven’t been given the opportunity or information to ‘licence’ these proposals on their merits, one way or the other.

Western Lakes Tasmania, winter sunrise

• Fly Fishing Tasmania—lots of rain, and the season to come

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.

• Opening day tactics

As alluded to, our trout season opens in just over two weeks on the 1^st 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.

•  ‘Meet the author’s day’ at the Tasmanian Trout Expo – Greg French, Phil Weigall and Daniel Hackett

 The annual Tasmanian Trout Expo (at Cressy) is on over the weekend of the 29-30^th 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.  

•  Fly Fishing offerings from RiverFly for season 09-10  

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.

• Fishing and fly tying tips

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 now available

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