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| Hi my name is John Scatchard, and the following page is a little insight into myself and my family. I was born in Brisbane (Australia). I have two beautiful sisters (Karen and Sally) and a Brother (Allan), who is a great mate. I guess you could call our family a very multi cultural one, as we were all born in different parts of the world. This was due to my Dad serving in the Australian Army. My Mother was born in Wynyard (Tas), Dad in Somerbridge, Yorkshire (UK), Karen in Tieping, (Malaysia), Sally in Wynyard (Tas), Allan in Pudsey (UK) and I said earlier I was born in wonderful sunny Queensland. If you are wondering, yes, we do have a little fun when the cricket is on, especially the 'Ashes Series'. Although my Dad is a naturalised Australian these days, I'm sure he still has a soft spot for the Poms. As you can see from the various birth places of the family I have travelled considerably. We have lived in a number of beautiful countries including Malaysia, Singapore, England and South Africa. Unfortunately for me the travel bug is hereditary and travelled considerably in my pre-marriage days around Australia, living in Western Australia and my native state of Queensland on the Gold Coast. After and during my school days I did a lot of surfing, hence the need to travel around Australia's coastline looking for the elusive perfect wave. On the matrimonial side of things, I had 10 years of married life, which sadly ended, and I am still single. Thankfully the marriage blessed us with three beautiful children. Mitchell (21), Nathan (19) and Hollie (17). Mitchell and I lived together in Hobart for a number of years, while Nathan and Hollie live with their Mum in Ridgley. Mitchell has now moved to Brisbane and is working as an apprentice plumber. Nathan is completing his 4th year as a building apprentice and Hollie has gained a traineeship in child care. Mitchell doesn't play much squash these days, due to his work. But his passion for squash in his younger years saw him have excellent results, ranked number one in Tasmania and finished 4th at his last Australian Junior Squash Championships. Mitchell love of sport blossomed in his early years with BMX, being the Tasmanian State Champion for his age group in 1995 and 1996. Nathan and Mitch also love playing Soccer, (I coached Mitchell's U13 team), and both boys are very good long distance runners. Nathan used to playing basketball, and had a go at football playing on the back line. He loves his cricket and plays 'A' Grade for Ridgley. He recently purchased a 4 wheeler which he races. Hollie still loves to dance but is not playing any sport at the present time. I too love my soccer and competed with the Somerset Sharks Thirds team for two seasons in 1999 and 2000 With our team winning the thirds division for the 2000 season (winning team photo below). I have been the current State U14 girls water polo coach for the past two years and Secretary of the Clarence Crocs Water Polo Club. My interest in life include Squash, Golf, Indoor Cricket, Bush Walking, Camping, Photography, Surfing, Go-Cart racing and my main addiction and passion (in life) Fly Fishing for the elusive wild Tasmanian trout. Most of my Fly Fishing takes me to some wonderful and beautiful places, such as the pristine wilderness, and unpredictable weather of the Central Highlands of Tasmania. Having fished for trout during snow storms in January and February. I have also have been fortunate and privileged enough to have travelled twice to New Zealand (94 & 97)chasing a trophy trout (10lb plus), but have not managed to land one as yet. Went very close in '97, landed a 8lber. I have Fly Fished for 24 years and I hope to pass on my experience and passion for the sport to my boys who have both now taken up fly fishing. I have always been and still am, a very keen sportsman and over the years I have been involved in numerous clubs, I was Secretary of the Burnie Surf Lifesaving Club (2 years, member for 10 years), Vice President North West Fisheries Association (2 years), President Burnie Branch North West Fisheries (4 years), Secretary North West Fly Fishers Club (1 year), State President Tasmanian BMX Association (3 years) and the most fulfilling position I held, Co-Coordinator of the Tasmanian Trout Fishing Championships (4 years), Vice President - Wynyard Squash Club, Secretary and Western Schools Soccer Association, Committee Member - Squash Tasmania and Committee Member - Somerset Soccer Club and Minutes Secretary - L.A.K.E.S. (Leisure Anglers Keeping Environment Serene) a small group of concerned anglers fighting commercial helicopter flights into our beloved Western Lakes area. As I previously said I am still heavily involved in sport, but in a different area, squash has moved over for water polo. Coaching state and club teams takes up a huge amount of time and is a massive commitment as we would on average train 4 nights a week/weekends. So I always try and get out on my boat either to the highlands or Bream fishing on the Derwent, and maybe sneak the occasional game of golf in. I enjoy reading a good book, especially on cold frosty days curled up in front of the fire. My favourite author has to be Wilbur Smith (but as I having lived in South Africa I can relate to his stories, the places and the history involved with his storytelling). I am an avid collector of Tasmanian Trout Books, and we boast some excellent authors in our state, such as; Rob Sloane, Greg French, Don Gilmore and David Scholes. I also enjoy reading Robert Ludlum and more recently Dan Brown. My music interests are wide and varied. I love the occasional dose of Classical music (when the mood takes me), right up to today's modern music. With a young family I have found it is imperative that one keeps up with the latest music around, which I like anyway. My favourites at present are Gabriella Cilmi, Live, Corrs any Blues music. Of course Mitch has similar tastes to his Dad and a few others such as the Live, Ac/Dc, Blink 182, Lifehouse etc... So that is a little about my family and myself, hope you enjoyed the read. he Central Highlands Lodge is located on the shores of the Great Lake in the highland village of Miena - gateway to Tasmania's central plateau and world premier trout fishing waters with over 3,000 lakes. It is the most centrally located lodge to the famous fisheries of the Western Lakes, Arthurs Lake, Penstock and Little Pine lagoons, all of which hold an abundance of wild brown trout. The scenic drive from either Launceston or Hobart takes around 1½ hours and the Lodge is located conveniently to all of Tasmania - wherever you are or want to go it's not far away. The Lodge has a lounge with library, private bar, two open fire places and a restaurant/dining area plus conference room. The menu is one to look forward to and includes traditional hearty home cooked meals, soups, delicious deserts and a superb collection of Tasmanian & mainland wines. The lodge also has its own private lake where you can brush up on your fly casting with a lesson or two from our trout guide. You may even get a chance to tangle with one of the 2 to 4 lb wily browns, that are often seen cruising the edges! After relaxing in the lounge by cosy log fires, comfortable rooms with crisp sheets on a pre-warmed bed await you. The room facilities include ensuite bathrooms, heating, electric blankets, fridge, TV and tea and coffee making facilities, with wader hanging racks outside. For more information about all the facilities and services we can offer please contact Neville or Fiona e Great Lake Hotel is situated on the shores of the Great Lake. Miena, Tasmania. In the heart of Tasmania's Central Plateau, the Great Lake Hotel is ideally situated to take advantage of many excellent trout waters. Located 132km northwest of Hobart and 114km southwest of Launceston, Miena is a fishing village on the southern shores of the Great Lake. The Great Lake Hotel is a popular choice of accommodation. It is a warm Country style hotel offering a range of modern self contained ensuite rooms, family rooms and angler's cabins. The Great Lake Hotel has 10 ensuite rooms and 6 anglers' cabins. Friendly staff meet your every need. There is and open log fire in the bar and lounge. Hearty country style meals are provided 7 days a week. Hot and cold refreshments are available. For more information about all the facilities and services we can offer please contact Peter or Kaylee In 1991 I purchased a "Trout Traps" Float tube, and this was the best investment I have made in fishing equipment - "besides my Loomis of course". The world of Float Tubing opened up a whole new area of accessible fishing areas to me that I once was unable to get too or experience if I had been 'tubeless'. For the uninitiated angler a float tube is either teardrop or circular in shape. Tubes are commonly constructed with a truck tube and a canvas outer. My model also comes with a smaller tube inserted into a back rest to give more comfort and support. A seat is sewn in the middle that the angler sits on and propels himself along with flippers. As I do not own a boat, I often faced the universal problem all shore based Fly Fishermen experience at some time or another during most trout seasons, trying to reach that frustrating trout rising just a out of reach from the shore. Trout in lakes like Little Pine Lagoon and Arthurs Lake are renown for this demoralising and taunting behaviour. Also a problem faced by Tasmanian Fly Fishermen of late, the rising levels of Great Lake. I spend nearly every evening fishing in Swan Bay or Dud Bay with a Dunny Brush when ever I am in the highlands. The new lake levels have made it almost impossible to negotiate the Kerosene bushes and the deep water from the shore. Without my Float Tube I would have missed the smutting trout and the excellent night fishing, which accounts for a large percentage of my catch rate throughout a season. Float tubes are the perfect vehicle for lakes such as Little Pine Lagoon, as it is very easy to launch and one can paddle around all day without any hassles of ever being to far from shore if 'Nature Calls'. Float Tubes are very environmentally friendly, no smoke or oils to worry about. Maybe with all the environment impact and planning studies being undertaken and submitted at present on Little Pine, boats with outboard motors could be banned in the future and tubers will have the lake to themselves ( Oh well we can all dream) The float tube is very manoeuvrable and surprisingly fast, which allows you to stalk feeding trout and cast a fly right on their noses. I have had trout rise nearly on top of me, giving me one hell of a fright. I guess from down below all they can see is a doughnut shaped silhouette and flippers, and must mistake us for being an oversized duck. I have a number of friends who use Float Tubes, and prefer them to boats as they are more economical, and easier to carry around and launch. Most tubes are very light and come with backpack straps, enabling them to be carried into nearby or isolated lakes such as Lake Fergus. Float tubes are very comfortable, but it is advisable to wear neoprene waders when using them in Tasmania to prevent hypothermia, a real danger to 'tubers' with prolonged stays in the water. Which is easy to do I might add when the trout are rising around you. It is also a good idea to carry a little food in the side pockets so you can eat and fish at the same time. I prefer to take energy bars or fruit and a drink as fatigue can be a danger. I remember one day I had at Dee Lagoon with my best mate Dale Herbert. This was Dale's first attempt at tubing and I might add very nearly his last. We had a hard slog getting out and Dale's fitness was not what it should have been and he collapsed on the shore on his return. He scared the hell out of us, and we sure learnt a very important lesson. Little Pine Lagoon Little Pine Lagoon is without doubt my favourite fishery in the highlands. The lake is situated 8km south-west of Great Lake and 25km (approx) from Bronte Lagoon. Little Pine is naturally fed by the Western Lakes catchment of the Little Pine River and is 1007 metres above sea level and the lagoon covers an area of 220 ha when full. It is a very clear lake, (but tends to discolour on very windy days) the shoreline is very flat and grassy, but is very hard fishing in late summer when the lake level is low due to the Canadian Pond Weed. Little Pine is a Fly Fishing only water and a wild brown trout fishery. The water has a reputation for very hard fighting trout with well conditioned browns in the 0.8-1.5kg size range. Little Pine Lagoon is world renown for two major highlights that take place on this water. The first being the "Tailing Trout" in the springtime, with October and November being the best months. Dawn and dusk are usually the best time, but be warned they are extremely hard to entice to take your offerings. The second occurrence is the huge dun hatches in the summer months. Late December through to March. Hatches have been known to take place from 10 am to 3pm, but this is highly dependant on the right weather conditions. I have found overcast warm days with a slight chop to be the best. I have fished with many friends on the 'Pine' and we all have our favourite flies. My favourite for this water are Red Tag, Nobby's Emerger, Rob's Dry, Possum Fur Dun and a Brown Nymph. The Western Lakes Nineteen Lagoons is a common name for the near western lakes in the River Ouse and Little Pine catchments in the vicinity of Lake Ada and Lake Augusta. The Nineteen Lagoons area is accessed from the Lake Highway at the Liaweenee Canal. The Lake Augusta road which is 13km long, and is closed to traffic in the early part of the trout season due to the Augusta Dam spilling across the road. It is always advisable to contact the Rangers Station based at Liawenee to check before planning a trip. Vehicles are permitted in well-marked tracks to Double Lagoon, Howes Bay Lagoon, Lake Augusta, Carters Lakes, Rocky Lagoon, Lake Ada and Lake Botsford. It is important for the preservation of the land surrounding area of the lakes that vehicles remain on the formed roads and tracks. All other lakes in the area are accessible by foot. These lakes have no shelter and are exposed to cold southerly winds and it is not uncommon to be faced with blizzard conditions any time of the year. It is advisable to always pack protective clothing when venturing out here. The plateau is 1150 metres above sea level, with heavy snowfalls and iced up lakes in the winter months. Most lakes are very shallow and wadeable. Lake Botsford, the Carter Lakes, Little Blue Lagoon and Rocky Lagoon are regularly stocked with adult trout from Great Lake, during the Liaweenee spawning run. A Large number of waters in this area are classed as wild Brown Fisheries as they sustain natural spawning. Fish sizes in these waters vary from 0.7-1.5kg, but it is not uncommon for fish up to 2.5kg to be caught. The Carter's Lake and Howell Lagoon Bay are reserved for fly fishing only and Ada Lagoon, Lake Ada, Lake Botsford, Lake Kay, Lake Flora, O'Dells Lake and Rocky Lagoon are reserved for the use of Most lakes in this area are ideal polaroiding waters with sandy or silt bottoms, but be warned the trout can be very spooky and utmost care must be taken. A little chop with clear blue skies are generally the best conditions in the summer months. Excellent fishing to tailing trout in the early months from October to December can be had, as the trout fossick for tadpoles and frogs. During the summer months good dun hatches occur. For the fisherman who likes to troll, Lakes Ada, Augusta and the Augusta Dam are the only waters that are advisable to use boats on. Trolling on these waters is very productive, but spinning from a drifting boat is the recommended way to fish on these shallow lakes. My favourite flies in this area are the Redtag, Rob's Dry, Black Spinner, Green Barred Matuka, Woolly Bugger and a Brown Nymph Arthurs Lake Arthurs Lake is 952 metres above sea level at full supply level and is situated 5 km north of the Lake Highway intersection and approximately 95 km from Launceston via the Poatina Highway. The lake is a large 6460 ha man made lake and a Hydro electric commission storage, damming the Upper Lake River created it. Water is received from natural catchment and is pumped via a pipeline into Great Lake. I love this water with its thick stands of dead trees and large weed beds and gin clear water. The lake levels have been know to drop 9 metres (shown in my photo of Jonah Bay), but very unseasonable hot summers and dry winters caused this. The lake boasts two excellent camping grounds, which are controlled by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. The grounds can be found at Jonah Bay and Pump House Bay. No power is available but they both have good toilet facilities cooking areas and hot showers. Arthurs Lake is without doubt the most popular water in the Highlands and offers the most realistic chance for the inexperienced angler the chance of landing a trout. It is estimated that over 10,000 anglers visit this water with an average catch rate of 2.5 trout per angler. The popularity of the water can be put down to the excellent boat fishing available with three major boat ramps servicing the water. They can be found at Pump House Bay, Arthurs Dam (which is most suited to larger craft) and Jonah Bay, which is the closest to the famous 'Cow Paddocks'. As with all large expanses of water it is important to take extreme care when venturing out and a good idea to keep an eye on the weather at all times. Arthurs Lake as would be expected is an entirely natural recruitment Brown Trout Fishery. As previously stated this water is the most productive water in the State with trout sizes varying from 0.5 - 2.5 kg. A large number of smaller trout are usually caught, but over recent years the sizes have dramatically risen. The trout are hard fighting and without doubt are the nicest eating. I have a number of favorite spots in the lake. I guess the area I always visit first is Tea-Tree Bay. This is a great little protected area, especially from the nasty southerly winds. A number of bait fishermen fish this area. Fly fishing at full water level is very hard casting with trees in the front and back of you. It has a number of weed beds and plenty of good size trout. When fishing from a boat, I prefer to fish the Jonah Bay area, especially in summer with good dun hatches to be had. From here you can access many areas like the famous Cowpaddock Bay or fish around Hawk Island or around Rocky Point into Phantom bay. Jonah Bay itself is a shallow bay with good weed cover, and is protected from westerly winds. For the fly fisherman the best times to fish Arthurs September to November for wet fly fishing for tailing trout on the grassy edges, but should be noted that wet fly fishing from a boat is most productive year round. Dry fly Fishing generally starts two to three weeks earlier than Little Pine Lagoon with large dun hatches commencing in November through to February - March. Dun hatches have been known t commence at 10 am up to 4 pm; of course this is entirely dependent on the weather. As with the Pine I have found warm overcast days with a slight chop the best conditions. Arthurs also boast some of the largest beetle hatches in the highlands with the occasional Jassid's later in the season My favorite wet flies are the Claret Woolly Worm, Mallard and Claret, Woolly Bugger and a Fandark. When it comes to Dry flies I only use a couple and they being Rob's Dry (would not go to Arthurs without this in my box), Red Tag, Redundancy and later in the season a Jassid Beetle. Great Lake The Great Lake is roughly a two hour road trip from the major centres of Devonport, Launceston and Hobart and is the largest impoundment of water in the Central Highlands. It is a huge 17,610 ha storage. The full supply level of Great Lake is a little over 1039 metres above sea level. As the Poatina Power Station has not been operational for a number of years the water level has continually climbed, and is now only a few metres from full supply level. The lake receives it's water from natural catchments via the Liawenee Canal from the Ouse drainage discharging at Canal Bay and from Arthurs Lake. The Hydro Electric Commission pump water up from Arthurs lake via a pipe line, discharging it at Tods Corner. Liawenee Canal is situated about half way up the Western Shore of Great Lake and is the major inflow of the lake. The natural outflow of the lake was into the Shannon River, but this is now damned allowing only a trickle of water into the Shannon. Water is now diverted via the Poatina Power Station into Brumby's Creek. Great Lake was first stocked with 120 Brown Trout fingerling's in 1870, and were the only trout released until 1910 when 5,500 Rainbow fingerlings were introduced. The offspring of the original Brown trout thrived in the shallow lake and their progeny grew to huge sizes. Before the flooding, boats could be launched from the old roads and tracks around the lake, but with today's flooded conditions it is advisable to use the recommended boat ramps. They can be found at Cramps Bay, Brandum Bay, Swan Bay and Haddens Bay, which are the only regularly maintained launching ramps on the lake. It is important to take extreme care when boating on this large expanse of water which is 20km from North to South and very exposed. It can be a very dangerous water for smaller boats and for the inexperienced crew member. It is highly advisable to confine oneself to the sheltered bays and shores, but precautions must be taken when fishing close to shore as a large number of previously exposed tree stumps and rocks are now sitting just below the water surface. The trout season on Great Lake differs from all other waters in the State, as it is only prohibited to fish on the lake between June and July. The season opens the nearest weekend to the 1st of August and closes on the last weekend closest to 31st March. Canal Bay being the exception as this opens on the nearest weekend to the 1st November to protect spawning trout. Great Lake is second only in popularity to Arthurs Lake with over 9,000 anglers wetting their lines every season. The catch rate is around 1 trout per angler per day with a total harvest of over 55,000 trout per season. Over my years fishing this water I have restricted myself to the Southern end of the lake, fishing in Christmas Bay, Canal Bay, Swan Bay, Dud Bay, Haddens Bay and Todds Corner and have occasionally ventured over to Cramps Bay. Christmas Bay has proved to be a real bonanza for fly fishermen with the rising levels. Many good trout have been polaroided from this area in and around the kerosene bushes. Canal Bay around March offers good fly and lure fishing as the trout congregate around the bay waiting to make their spawn run. Swan Bay is a very good evening fishery. I spend many hours in this bay with smuts or redtags before dark and big dry flies in the darkness. Fishing Dud Bay is highly dependant on the wind direction as I alternate between Swan and Dud bays on evening. Todds Corner offers some great dry fly fishing in summer. I have come across good dun hatches in this bay, especially in the rain. When fishing this lake do not be put off by the appearance of the barren shores as it offers excellent wet, dry and polaroiding fly fishing and produces some of the best wind lane fishing in the highlands. Early morning or on dusk good wind lanes form on Swan Bay usually across from the Beehives moving across the bay. My favourite flies on this water are the Fandark, Afterburner, Woolly Bugger, Redtag, Small Smut patterns and the Dunny Brush. Bag Limits for Great Lake is 12 trout per angler Lake Fergus Lake Fergus is the only other water in the Western Lakes catchment of the Little Pine River outside the Nineteen Lagoons. It lies halfway between Lake Kay and Little Pine Lagoon. The lake lies in an attractive sheltered valley with flat moorlands and surrounded by eucalyptus trees. Lake Fergus is accessed via a four-wheel drive track which winds through the Skittleball Plains property. The track follows the Little Pine River Valley to Lake Fergus. Currently this track is closed to all vehicle access due to intense wear and tear to the track and theft and damage to the homestead on the plains. The walk from Little Pine Lagoon is around 8 klms and takes about 4 hours. Access is also obtained via a rough rocky road 1klm past the Little Pine Lagoon dam wall. Walking is also advisable from the gate to prevent further damage to the area. This walk takes around 50 minutes and has a steep incline going in and coming out. With a very long 'Pin Cushion' plain (Never-Ending Plain) in the middle of the walk. Lake Fergus is reserved for artificial lures only but is noted for its fly fishing, especially early in the season when fish tail and forage in the flooded margins chasing frogs. In the summer months Lake Fergus boasts some of the most extraordinary dun, black spinner and beetle hatches, known to rival Little Pine Lagoon. When the water levels are low the water is an excellent polaroiding water with lovely shallow sandy edges particularly in the Eastern corner along the Northern side of the lake, where trout can be seen tailing early morning or later in the evening. On the Western shore there are large areas of pin rushes where the fish lay in wait for the unsuspecting frog in the early part of the season and leap for damsel flies in the summer months. Good size fish can be found in this water with most trout averaging 2 - 3 lbs. The occasional Rainbow can also be found in the lake which have emigrated from the Nineteen Lagoons. The Lake Fergus has excellent camping areas and a small single roomed hut is available which sleeps up to six people on the South-Eastern shore, but as with most huts in this region is frequently used. It is vitally important to remember to always carry out any rubbish you may carry in. FROM THE DIARY On the 3rd November, 1998 Dale Herbert, Phil Blizzard, Graham and Dean Brooks and myself walked into Lake Fergus. As we walked down the hill towards the lake we were greeted with rising trout on the Western shore. We also noted that we were fortunate enough to get the lake to ourselves. We decided to walk the Western shore as that was the current lee shore. As we carefully made our way around the shore we polaroided heaps of trout cruising the gutters between the pin-rushes and the shore. We all placed a Mrs Simpson on our lines, but it took a little time to work out how to entice the trout to take. Graham had first success by slapping the fly down hard and leaving it submerged. We continued polaroiding the trout down the shore, but they where very spooky. Phil and Dean had gone ahead of the rest of us and by the time we met up with them, Phil had two nice Brownies in the bag. Dale, Dean and myself continued our walk around to the Northern shore. Dale hooked into a big fish but could not hold it and the fish took off with his fly in it's mouth. At this time I could not attract any trout to take my fly, so I changed to a Redtag. Why a dry you ask??, well I prefer dry fly fishing and I did see a couple rise earlier. Anyway I stalked this nice brownie down a gutter, placed the 'tag' in front of it and wammo, I had him on. It was hard work trying to stop him from running into the rushes, thankfully everything held together and I banked a beautiful two and three quarter pound brownie. When I caught up with Dale and Dean again, Dale had bagged one as well. We continued to walk around the lake, which I might add was not easy in neoprene waders and a temperature around the 25 degree mark. I decided to get into the water to cool off and float the fly around the sandy shore while trying to polaroid a trout or two. I never saw any until one slipped its nose up out of the water and took my 'Tag'. They are good fighting trout in here, this one went 2lbs. Thankfully we finally worked our way around the shore back to the camp. After everyone came back to base we compared notes and trout with the final tally for the day being 8 trout, Phil had 3, Graham 2, Dale 1, Dean Nil and myself 2. There was a varied selection of goodies in the stomachs of the trout ranging from Frogs, Damsel fly nymphs, Mudeyes, caddis grubs and a few beetles. Not a bad days fishing. Lake Burbury Lake Burbury is a relatively new Hydro -Electric Commission storage on the King River about 10kms east of Queenstown. It is 235 kms from Hobart and 265kms from Launceston . The Lake is 235 meters above sea level and the surface area is 47 square klms.The max. depth is around 75meters at the Crotty Dam. The average depth is 30 meters. I have fished this lake a couple of times and found it to be an exhilarating experience. The scenery is something to behold, (and I highly recommend that you take your camera on this trip), with it's huge hills and mountains rising up from the lake and the reflections on the water are breathtaking. The Inland Fisheries Services heavily stocked this lake with both browns and rainbow to take advantage of the abundant food available as the water levels raised. The trout range from 500 grams to 2 kilograms, with larger trout sometimes caught. The lake is primary a boat fishing lake, with trolling the deep water accounting for most fish, using flatfish, cobra wobblers or deep trolling lures. The peak time for Fly fishing occurs on calm mornings when the midges hatch in their millions in some of Tasmania's best wind lanes generating some exciting fishing. Fly fishing is also popular along the flooded shallow shores with browns seen cruising in the early morning as well as rising to midges and other surface and subsurface food during the day. The evening fish also produces very good mudeye action as well as moths and caddis fishing. Bait fishers do very well fishing a live mudeye under a bubble float, around the emerging sticks and trees. Care should be taken when boating in this lake because it can become very rough in a short time, leaving you on the other side of the lake unable to get back. Always keep your eye on the weather as you would do on any of the highland lakes. Queenstown offers a full range of accommodation, from caravans to motels which are only a few klms from the lake. You can camp at the old Crotty construction site near the Darwin dam at the southern end of the lake. There is no power at that site. You can also camp at the picnic ground on the eastern shore near the bridge. Public toilets and day shelters are available. Daily bag limit is now 20 fish, Browns minimum size is 220 mm Rainbows minimum size is 220 mm |
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