Fishing is full of axioms, adages and cliches. Most serious anglers I know have their own ideas about what’s important and what’s not, but I reckon there’s one old chestnut that rings true above all others: “There’s simply nothing like local knowledge.” For those who travel regularly to fish, being able to short circuit the research process by tapping into the local experience pool is absolute gold. Whether local advice is offered freely or you have to shell out a few bucks is, to me at least, immaterial. It’s having access to reliable local knowledge that can often make or break that long awaited trip interstate or overseas.
For a couple of decades now, Tasmania has been my interstate fishing venue of choice. I simply adore the place, and now plan at least two visits per year. I do a bit of bluefin trolling out of Eaglehawk Neck every now and then, and have dabbled in the Tamar estuary King George whiting scene, but it’s Tassie’s wonderful trout fishing that always draws me back. While we do have some reasonable trout water in SA, and I have several close mates who fly fish regularly, I find it hard to get motivated here. I’d much rather save my modest wand-waving skills for the Apple Isle.
As most of my Tassie sorties are relatively brief due to family or business commitments — generally lasting only six or seven
