Fishing - Trout fishing hotspots abound

Brady's Chain was challenging to say the least mid-month with low water levels making fishing difficult, but I'm sure that will improve.

Wood's Lake is a great trout fishery and results will also improve as water levels rise and keep in mind iconic Arthurs Lake and it will be interesting to see how this water goes over the coming months.

Further East there has been some good trout fishing at Lake Leake particularly by trolling and spinning anglers but note the low water levels here and elsewhere so be wary when navigating from one place to another.

Tooms Lake has also been rewarding anglers, most with stocked rainbow trout which have been taking both bait and lures.

Reports suggest that in Tooms Lake and Lake Leake brighter coloured shallow running lures seem to be getting the job done more than natural colours but saying that try both.

Reports from Lake Crescent and Lake Sorell have been scarce but expect fishing to improve over the next few weeks and months with galaxia starting to spawn.

This in turn gives anglers a better chance of catching trout that target the galaxia and get your lures and flies in close to the waters edge around the rocks and tee tree laden shores which is where trout will be hunting.

In our rivers, trophy fish have been landed from the Huon and Tyenna Rivers which has been great to see but the Derwent has been relatively quiet compared to the past.

Other rivers like the South and Noth Esk Rivers, The Mersey and Meander River, Tamar River and Forth Rivers have reportedly given up some decent fish over the last fortnight which is encouraging.

Out West the Gordon River and Pieman Rivers are starting to fish better and don't forget the mighty Arthur River which is known for trophy trout.

Saying that expect to put in the time for any opportunities and that doesn't matter where you go.

Making the mission out West is worthwhile at any time of the year and it doesn't matter whether you catch fish or not because the scenery is worth the visit alone.

New Norfolk beauty

Zeke Hayton was lucky enough to land a nice male brown trout last Saturday night whilst fishing near New Norfolk using a soft plastic.

The male weighed around 2.5 kg or 5.5 lb cleaned and interesting enough it's not the first time this fish had been caught.

Adam Williams and I were fishing in the river in the days leading in to the start of the 2024-25 trout season and Adam managed to catch the same fish on a soft plastic not far from where it was caught recently.

The fish was weighed at the time (weighed around the same weight) and also measured 70 cm in length and he was then released.

The recapture was confirmed in both lots of pictures taken of the fish and markings, specifically on the head which showed it was the same one.

Zeke kept the fish because it was tired out after the long fight and he is entitled to do that but that aside it's another example that catching and releasing fish can offer others similar opportunities.

Calamari waters closed

Calamari Squid are preparing to spawn and the North coast fishing zone which includes all waters north of Cape Grim and Cape Naturaliste will be closed to fishing from the 1st of September to the 31st of October 2025.

A reminder that the South East zone will close from the 15th of October to the 14th of November.

Calamari only live for a year and only get one spawning season so it's vital to protect them during the times when they're spawning to protect future stock.

The closures apply to recreational and commercial anglers and nobody can take or possess any squid in a closed area unless it's commercially purchased bait and you have a receipt.

It's also illegal have a squid jig tied to line in a closed area as well.

Tip Of The Week - If you’re fishing for trout in still water lakes and lagoons from the shore one of your best chances of catching them is to fish transition points.

These are areas with long sloping banks and sharp drop offs that provide shallow water for trout to hunt in while still allowing them quick access to deeper water where they're comfortable being in.

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

• Tight Lines until next week.