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Western Lakes
Backpacking
Availability
and Duration
Tours depart from both
Hobart and Launceston on demand from October through to March. Tours
range from three, five, and seven days in duration. Party size ranges
from one to four anglers with a maximum of two anglers to each guide.
Your guides Chris Hill and Chris Bassanno have both extensively fished
and have an intimate knowledge of the Western Lakes area. Both guides
have qualified first aid certificates. Dry fly fishing is best from
December to March, while October/ November is the best time to target
tailing trout and polarise larger fish.
The area
and its appeal
The area that makes
up the Western Lakes consists of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park
and Central Plateau Conservation Area. It is Tasmania’s showcase
wilderness fishery, one of the most spectacular fly fishing areas in
Australia. The area contains over three thousand lakes and tarns gouged
out by the glaciation of the last ice age. The moors and rocky outcrops
throughout the region are stark but inspiring. Vegetation consists of
heath and grasslands with occasional stands of Eucalyptus and Pencil
Pines. The abundant wildlife and intriguing natural history will attract
all people with an adventurous spirit. The Western Lakes in a haven for
everyone who wants to lose themselves in the natural environment; with
its peace, serenity, and freedom from mechanical haste in the city.
The
Fishing
Nearly every lake and stream has been infiltrated
by wild brown trout, and some lakes contain wild rainbow trout
populations. In stream lake hold good numbers of fish in the 1 to 2 kilo
class while off stream lakes hold larger trophy trout to 5 kilos. Most
lakes are small, gin clear, shallow silt bottom lagoons. The feature
fishing is all sight based, the trout are easily located with the aid of
polaroid sunglasses and must be stalked with care. It is for this reason
intermediate to experienced fishermen will most appreciate the challenge
these wild fish offer. The ‘wade polarizing’ and stalking of
‘tailing trout’ is similar to fishing for bonefish on the skinny
ocean flats.
Base
Camps
Base camps have been strategically placed to allow
easy exploration of some of the best remote fisheries. There are dozens
of fine lakes to explore; all are easily accessed on day walks from the
base camp. Most areas are so flat and open that they provide some of the easiest cross-country walking in the State, suitable
for persons of average fitness or better. There
are three camps that we commonly use, all offer different fishing Julian’s
Camp
- is
approximately 3 – 3 ˝ hours easy walking from
Lake Augusta.
Blue Peaks Camp
- is approximately 3 hours easy walking over flat sedgeland
from Lake Mackenzie.
Lake Fergus Camp
- is approximately 2 hours easy walk from Little Pine
Lagoon
over flat terrain.
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PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON
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3 DAYS
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5 DAYS
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1 angler
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$1250
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$1900
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2-4 anglers
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$895
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$1400
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Equipment
We
provide
Tents, backpacks, sleeping
mats, stoves, cooking equipment, food (special meals only provided for
health or ethnical reasons),
first aid equipment, supplies, and maps.
Fishing equipment including rods, flies, and waders.
You
supply
Personal clothing,
sleeping bag (rated to 5C), personal toiletries, and torch
One to Five day
programs are available
These Tasmanian fly fishing courses have
been designed to teach beginners the correct casting techniques and skills
necessary to become competent and proficient at this gentle art. Programs
take place on the Central Highland Lakes which are proven fish producing
waters for beginners. Theory is taught while fishing world class waters
and our aim is to always provide fish to cast to. Your instructors are
professionals who adopt a personalized and friendly approach which makes
learning fun and easy
Skills you can expect to
learn during the courses include -
- basic as well as advanced casting
techniques
- wet, nymph and dry fishing techniques
- tackle selection
- entomology (explanations of ecology and
trout food chains)
- lake and stream craft (learn where you
can expect to find trout)
- polarising techniques
- Loch style techniques
- playing and landing fish
Guided Adventures
cater for the intermediate through to the most experienced angler. There
are a variety of exciting packages available to suit all levels of
ability. Fishing can range from simply easy, to extremely challenging and
highly rewarding.
Day and Half Day
Tours
Depending on the season and
time of year day tours are conducted to Highland Lakes, Lowland Rivers
or Sea Trout Estuaries. Highland Lakes and Western lakes day trips
depart from either Hobart or Launceston. Tours to the lowland rivers
depart from Launceston. Tours to the sea trout
rivers depart from Hobart.
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PRICE PER ANGLER
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FULL DAY (12 HOURS)
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HALF DAY (6 HOURS)
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1 angler
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$400
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$250
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2 anglers
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$280
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$170
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| 3 anglers |
$200 |
$140 |
| 4 anglers, 1 guide |
$160 |
$100 |
| 4 anglers, 2 guides |
$280 |
$170 |
Highland
Lake Packages and Beginners Programs
Guiding /
Tuition Rates
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Sep -
Apr |
Oct -
Mar |
| Single
Angler |
$330 |
$380 |
| 2
Anglers |
$220 |
$265 |
| 3
Anglers |
$180 |
$200 |
| 4
Angers, 1 Guide |
$130 |
$160 |
| 4
Anglers, 2 Guides |
$220 |
$265 |
| Non -
fishing partner |
$20 |
$20 |
Guiding
/ tuition rates
are per person per day.
Blue prices indicate peak season rates.
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