london lakes - fishing
London Lake Waters
Lake Big Jim
Brown Trout, average two and a half pound
Lake Samuel
Brown Trout, average four and a half pound
Rainbow Trout, average four
pound
Lake Highland Waters
Brown Trout, average five and a half
pound
Rainbow Trout, average five pound
The Oxford Pools
Brown Trout, average four pound
Serpentine River
Brown Trout, average half a pound
Public Waters
Brown and Rainbow Trout to four pound
Trophy Waters
Brown and Rainbow Trout, eight to ten pound
Wilderness Waters
Predominantly Brown Trout to ten pound
Tasmanian Streams
Predominantly Brown Trout averaging one pound
Brook Trout Waters (Two)
Brook Trout to four and a half pounds
The Tasmanian fishery is predominantly lakeshore fishing. An ardent stream
fisher will not be disappointed - fishing the shallow margins of Tasmania’s
lakes is a remarkable and challenging experience. It is "bone-fishing" for
trout. Tails and fins are exposed above surface level as large trout feed in
waters only inches deep, the ultimate in sight fishing at close quarters.
Hatches can be prolific and last for several months.
The Challenge of Tasmania Fly Fishing
Tasmanian fly fishing is very much stalking and hunting feeding trout at the
water's edge using polaroid glasses to sight trout below the surface and to cast
to rising trout sometimes at very short range. Visitors can expect a wide range
of fly fishing experiences, usually with the visual sighting of many fish per
day. However, anglers should not expect to catch large numbers of large fish
in any one day.
Tasmania is not a fishery like the Western Rivers of the United States of America
or the lakes and rivers of Central Europe where catches in excess of twenty smaller
fish per day are not uncommon.
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fishing techniques
Visiting anglers will savour several or all of the following experiences:
• Early morning “windlane” fishing at London Lakes or neighbouring waters. This exciting fishing consists of casting to fast moving rainbows or slower browns gulping the surface and subsurface early morning fly life from daylight to just after sunrise, and sometimes throughout the day. Emerging chironomid patterns and small beetle patterns are popular. Usually this fishing is from a boat giving easy access to the mid-lake wind lane waters, but also successfully from the shore where such wind lanes intercept the shoreline. In the latter case, feeding fish swim away from the shoreline, up the smooth water wind lane to return to the shore in the ripple water to repeat the feeding pattern.
• Tailing trout from October through to March. Large browns feeding on snails and stick caddis larvae present exciting challenges for the short and accurate caster. Nymphs are used in October, sometimes suspended from a dry fly but these tailing fish will take dries if persistently presented in the early season. Tailing trout is the Tasmanian trout fishing trademark.
• Polaroiding the shallows with nymph or dry fly. Usually a new experience
for the visiting angler. The angler, accompanied by a guide, stalk trout in the
shallow, knee deep waters. Fishing is between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm on clear,
blue-sky days with the sun behind the angler, lighting the weed beds and aquatic
grasses and exposing beautiful specimens of brown trout at the angler’s
rod tip. Presenting a #16 red tag to a cruising brown only fifteen feet away
and watching the calm and gentle “sip” is something no angler ever
forgets - the ultimate sight fishing experience. This is a one chance only challenge,
not like a river situation where multiple casts and fly changes can be made to
the one fish.
• Mayfly fishing. London Lakes is famous for its December / January mayfly
hatches. From the bank or gentle wading there is classical dry fly fishing to
both brown and rainbows. The great hatches occur on mild days which follow a
series of cooler days. The London Lakes explosion of fly life is usually a once
in a lifetime experience for the visiting angler. The mayfly hatches last season,
November / December 2001, were the most prolific I have ever seen in Tasmania.
• Wet Fly Fishing. Fishing with streamer type flies is a traditional method in Tasmania during inclement weather conditions. Today it is perhaps less popular but there is much to be learnt from a successful wet fly angler. The retrieve and the depth of fly in the water are dependent on weather conditions and although not as exciting as sight fishing it is highly productive. Ask Doug Swisher!
• Beetle Fishing. New season beetles fall from the eucalyptus trees after Christmas. These green or yellow beetles are often very prolific and provide tantalising dry fly fishing throughout the summer and autumn months.
• Boat Fishing. A lot of fish may be taken from boats. It is not overly popular at London Lakes, often reserved for more elderly anglers or those who may be physically handicapped. We prefer to fish from the bank - polarising - sight fishing and fishing to rising trout. However for loch style enthusiasts we do provide this technique.
• Loch style fishing. Popular in Wales and Ireland, this method is successful in Tasmania. A team of three wet flies may be used at London Lakes with floating or intermediate lines. This technique is successful and often a new experience to visiting anglers.
• Drift fishing local streams from boats. This method of fishing is not common practice in Tasmania. London Lakes has a Montana inflatable drift boat very suitable to some Tasmanian waters. First used by Jack Dennis, from Jackson Hole, it is a reliable little boat for a guide and one angler and again extends the London Lakes fly fishing experience. London Lakes fishes the Derwent River from February to May.
• The Stream Fishing. A variety of stream fishing is available from London Lakes. If the angler requests a stream package this can be provided with brown trout fishing available. London Lakes has a program available whereby anglers accompanied by our professional guides may fish five delightful Tasmanian streams. The opening of the London Lakes fly fishery private stream on September 1, 2002, now provides fine stream fishing on property, only minutes from the Lodge.
• Fly Fishing Trekking the Tasmanian Wilderness. The possibility of using
this option was explored in 1998 and implemented in January and February 1999
and is now a part of the London Lakes programme. The proposed routes have been
thoroughly researched and the best wilderness waters to fish for the wildest
and possibly largest of Tasmania’s trout. Two lakes have been located,
undoubtedly rarely fished by fly before and very seldom visited. A remarkable
three day, two night journey by foot in Tasmania’s beautiful highland wilderness.
Guides carry packs, food and tents. Anglers are responsible for carrying their
rods, bedroll and personal belongings. Another option for the London Lakes visiting
fly fisher.
• Fishing for Sea Runners. Sea run brown trout fishing is available in October and November with London Lakes trained guides fishing the white bait runs in the Derwent and Huon River. Fish average 2.3lb but there are some trophy size trout caught particularly in the Huon River.
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