Launceston, Tasmania and its sea run trout - Fishing Tasmania with Carl Hyland
by Carl Hyland 3 Sep 2021 18:42 UTC
Whitebait © Inland Fisheries Service
Each year, a phenomenon occurs at the Trevallyn Tailrace in Launceston, where sea run trout come into the Tamar River and feast on all manner of morsels.
It's no coincidence that they run from the sea to this location each September through to late November, as the activity coincides with the annual whitebait runs plus power generation from the turbines of the Trevallyn Dam, 'chop up' small eels and other fish and disgorge them into the Tailrace.
This makes for a feast for birds, seals and of course large sea trout. The waters of the South Esk and North Esk Rivers also meet nearby. So it's a mecca for all manner of seas creatures. Resident trout also abound and these are recognised by their 'slob' appearance, fat in the gut plus darker in colour. The appearance of the sea trout is one of silver with black and red spots plus very fine scales which come off quite easily.
Anglers usually target these sea trout with morsels of bait in the form of scallops or fish pieces such as eel or garfish. When the trout come into the shallows, for they are often seen 'mooching' around the rice grass and other structures, they are suckers for a bottom fished bait which is usually held to the bottom with a free running sinker. When the whitebait start to run in vast numbers, fish then tend to go a little crazy and this is when lure and fly anglers seem to have the most luck.
The area adjacent to the tailrace is quite hazardous for anglers, that's why most tend to fish the pontoon or boat ramps. The area is thick with old crack willows and very thick black mud which tends to stick to boots or engulf boots whole. There are plans afoot for a group to approach local council to see if something can be done to further enhance the area as it is becoming a real drawcard for anglers each year.
More information here