The ants are here! Autumn fly fishing in Tasmania always features the most diverse hatches, from mayflies through to hoppers, willow aphids and grubs, through to damsels. Ants are perhaps the most elusive, but the warm autumn has brought on clouds of flying ants during the past fortnight throughout the northern midlands. Look out for repetative sippers in the afternoon, or clouds of flying ants above hawthorn trees or tall grasses. The ants themselves can be tiny, often size 22, but the fishing can be great. Some favourite patterns include floating versions of the Black and Peacock, along with black F Flies for imitations, and even the 1864 Blue Damsel for unmatching the hatch (an effective alternate approach to tough fish).
Fly fishing Tasmania – March 2023