Big fish keep coming

Broadbill Swordfish Championships

The Easter long weekend is always a good time to get out fishing and some good weather over the break offered anglers opportunities in both fresh and saltwater. 

The 2026 Tasmanian Broadbill Swordfish Championships concluded on Saturday after a week of competitive fishing.

Results: Heaviest Broadbill Swordfish - Ryan Baillie 148.4kg. Runner Up-Matt Tennant 91.2kg. Heaviest Tuna - Shanae Dance 115.1kg (37kg tackle, pending World Record). Highest Point Score Tuna - Daniel Lopes 33.1kg on 10kg. Tag and Release team - "Offshore Account" 20,000pts.  Heaviest gamefish of the contest Small Fry - Ryder Waterworth, 134.9kg Broadbill on 37kg tackle (pending World Record). 

Bluefin Tuna Championships

The Tuna Club Of Tasmania is hosting the Australian Bluefin Tuna Championship off Eagle Hawk Neck from April 24-25 in conjunction with the Game Fishing Association of Australia’s (GFAA) inaugural Australian International Tuna Tournament (AITT).  

Trout weekend returns

The Inland Fisheries Service has announced that Trout Weekend will return in 2026 and in a great move it's being run at a different time of the year. 

The new dates are the weekend of Saturday and Sunday October 10 and 11, which matches the lake's rainbow trout spawning run. 

After having to cancel the event during May due to the lack of rain and suitable water levels the change brings greater confidence that conditions will be much more reliable. 

The date change also incorporates the Great Lake Tie‑In which is on Saturday, October 10 at the Great Lake Community Centre in Miena which also "ties" in both events and should see a greater experience and attendance. 

The IFS has also put out a reminder to anglers of the closure of Canal Bay at Yingina/Great Lake to protect both brown and rainbow trout as they move into the bay and Liawenee Canal to spawn. Canal Bay will re-open to fishing on Saturday, November 28, 2026 after the end of the rainbow trout spawning run. 

Campfires okay

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife lifted campfire bans across many Tasmanian National Parks and reserves on April 1. Be aware that some National Parks and reserves permit fuel stove use only including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Freycinet National Park, Tasman National Park and the Vale of Belvoir Conservation Area.

Bream fishing tournament

ABT Bream Tournament fishing is heading to Tasmania with round 3 and 4 of its 2026 Bream Series being held here in Tasmania. 

Some of the best Black Bream Anglers in the country will visit the state to compete with round 3 at Port Huon on the Huon River on April 15 and 16 followed by round 4 on the Derwent River on April 18 and 19. 

The 2026 DUO Tasmanian Bream Teams Open is also being run on April 21 and 22 at St Helens with ABT anglers competing in teams of two to contest for the Open title. 

Tip Of The Week

Hydro Tasmania has advised that Butlers Gorge Road (from the Lyell Highway turn-off) will stay closed 24/7 until the end of April 2026. Mossy Marsh Dam, Clark Dam, the lookout, boat ramp and campground won’t be accessible during this period.

Send in your fishing reports, pics and tips to valleyfishes@gmail.com.

Tight Lines until next week.