Tasmania Trout Fishing Season 2024: Opening Weekend Highlights

The 2024 trout fishing season in Tasmania kicked off with eager anglers experiencing a variety of success while braving the cold temperatures and intermittent snow showers.

Anglers flocked to Tasmania's diverse fishing spots, experiencing mixed results and some excellent sized fish despite the challenges, with particular success at Penstock Lagoon and Great Lake.

This year's opening weekend weather was typical for the season (no surprises here...), with Saturday offering slightly better conditions compared to Sunday, which saw more snow and rain showers and stronger winds.

What were the best fishing locations on opening weekend in Tasmania?

Several key locations stood out for their productivity and the quality of fish caught, including:

Penstock Lagoon: Anglers reported catching a good number of high-quality trout taken on a range of wet fly patterns.

Great Lake: The shorelines of Great Lake proved rewarding, particularly wind blown rocky shorelines and areas of shallow weed.

Little Pine Lagoon: Although it had a slower start this season, Little Pine Lagoon remains a popular destination with great potential as the season progresses.

Bronte Lagoon: Similar to Little Pine, Bronte Lagoon started slow due to colder water temperatures but will no doubt fire as the weather warms into spring and summer.

The weather impact on fishing

The cold and windy conditions were ideal for using wet flies, which were particularly effective this weekend fished from both the boat and shore.

There was a particular fly that stood out from the rest on the weekend however - which Matt shares more detail in over at Trout Tales new Patreon service.

What were the most effective techniques

Early season fishing often requires specific techniques to cope with colder water temperatures. Here are some detailed insights into the techniques that proved successful:

Fishing with Wet Flies:

‍Wet flies were the standout choice for the opening weekend. These flies mimic various aquatic prey for the trout and are particularly effective in cold water conditions. Anglers found success by allowing the wet flies to sink before starting a slow, steady retrieve. This technique entices trout that are often more lethargic in colder temperatures.

Retrieve Techniques:

‍Retrieve speed and style can significantly impact your success. During the opening weekend, most takes occurred at the start of the retrieve. This suggests that the trout were aggressive and likely to strike as soon as the fly landed in the water. A tip is to vary your retrieve speed and style to find what works best on any given day.

Looking for more information on techniques?  We cover everything you need to know about fly fishing in Tasmania, including adapting to conditions, choosing the right fly and lake levels for our subscribers. Sign up now and read the full overview.

Want to see the weekend fishing in action? Check out our highlights video in the player below:

‍

Our tips for local and visiting anglers

Thinking back on the weekend, some of our top tips include:

• Weather Preparedness: Be ready for changing weather with the right gear and clothing.
• Monitor Lake Levels: Higher water levels in lakes can offer better fishing conditions.
• Diverse Fly Selection: Carry a variety of flies and be willing to switch techniques if needed.
• Consider Guided Tours: Gain expert insights and maximise your success by booking a guided fly fishing tour in Tasmania.

Join Our Community

This article and video are just a snippet of our full Tasmanian fly fishing season overview for 2024.

Stay informed, get exclusive tips, and enhance your fishing experience by joining Trout Tales on Patreon, where you can access the full detailed report and become part of our new Tasmanian fly fishing community today!

Happy fishing, and tight lines!