Rainbow trout is a species introduced to Australia and New Zealand from North America in the late 1800’s and it is generally found in cool, fresh, well aerated, highland water. Some sea run Rainbows are found in Tasmania and New Zealand. Rainbow Trout are also found in their native Alaska, Canada and mainland USA. In Australia the Rainbow Trout inhabits cool streams and lakes in southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania with smaller populations in South and Western Australian. In New Zealand Rainbows can be found in rivers and more so lakes over both the North and South islands.
In its native North America the Rainbow Trout grows to 1.2 m and 18kg. In Australia it can be found up to 70 cm and 9kg but more likely to be caught under 60cm and 5kg with around 1-2kg the average. In New Zealand it has grown to 13kg in rivers and in access of 30kg in lakes. It is more normal to catch a Rainbow Trout on either island in the 1 to 3kg range. The Rainbows in New Zealand tend to be larger than those in Australia.
Fishing for Rainbow Trout is governed by breeding seasons which vary from country to country and within countries. Some waters are open all year but most close over winter subject to local breeding season variations. The variations are too numerous to list here but as a guide only...
- Tasmania (Australia): Open October to May
- NSW (Australia): Open October to June
- New Zealand: Open September to May
Download our free Rainbow trout species guide below
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout and Atlantic Salmon are all introduced species arriving in Tasmania and mainland Australia in the middle 1800’s.
Brown Trout are the primary species targeted when fly fishing Tasmania. They are found in lakes, rivers and estuaries around most parts of the island down to sea level except in the southwest. Brown trout can be fished for by using bait and lures but fly-fishing is the most common and the most successful. They are generally caught in the 2-5 lb. weight class but monsters up to 10lb are landed each year. The Australian record is 29lbs caught in the Huon River in Tasmania. Spawning is generally in autumn and winter when fish migrate upstream to gravel bottomed stretches of river.
Rainbow trout are not as common as brown trout but can also be found mainly in lakes and a few rivers around Tasmania. They are often very aggressive in their attacks on flies and bait and are renowned for their fighting abilities. Mostly caught in the 2-5lb weight range the largest rainbow trout landed in Australia was in the Ouse River also in Tasmania. It weighed 17 Lb.
Brook Trout are around but are not common in Tasmania or elsewhere in Australia. The can be found in a few select lakes, mainly private waters in Tasmania.
Atlantic Salmon were the first salmonid species to be introduced in Tasmania but they have failed to establish them selves into self-sustaining populations. They are released periodically into some lakes and escapees from fish farm sea cages are found around the southern and west coasts.
Fly Fishing Adventure runs trout fishing holidays to both the lowland rivers and the highlands of Tasmania
Many of us enjoy wading mountain streams during the warmer months in search of wily trout. Even if the fish are a bit lethargic it is a joy to be surrounded by the spectacular wilderness scenery found in Australia’s south or New Zealand.
As the weather cools and the winter sets in many fly fishermen put away their rods, light the fire and settle in with their fishing magazines to wait out the cold weather.
But for many keen anglers its time to switch focus to the warm climates and waters of Australia’s tropical north and go Barramundi fishing around the Kimberley, Darwin and the Top End or North Queensland.
Barramundi Fishing is a very popular style of fishing with many anglers. When hooked, The “Barra” is known for its spectacular aerobatic displays as they twist and turn in an attempt to dislodge the lure.
Usually found in estuary systems the barramundi often lurks around under water cover such as overhangs, submerged timber or rock bars. Being basically a lazy fish it waits here ready to ambush passing prey.
Barramundi are usually caught whilst casting into these “cover” areas but casting accuracy needs to be very good in order to get the fly close to the fish. The other common method of catching barramundi is trolling along gutter areas or discoloured water lines.
Usually Barramundi are landed in the 60-80cm ranges and it is illegal to keep Barramundi under 55cm. Often lucky anglers get to join the 1mtr+ club with Barra up to 1.5mtrs some times landed.
But do not make the mistake of thinking Auatralia's tropical north is just about barramundi fishing. Threadfin, Saratoga, Tarpon, Permit, Trevally, Queenfish, Mangrove Jack and many more species are just waiting to hammer your flies.
Download the Free Barramundi species guide below.
Brown trout is a species introduced to Australia and New Zealand from Europe and it is generally found in cool fresh water in southern Australia and both main islands of New Zealand. It is also found in Alaska, Canada and mainland USA.
* 10Ib trout frim Motueka River in New Zealand (more info)
In Australia the Brown Trout can be found in cool streams, lakes and reservoirs in south-eastern New South Wales, south through Victoria to Tasmania and west to South Australia. It also occurs in south-western Australia. In New Zealand it can be found from the Coromandel area of the North Island southwards in most rivers and lakes to Fiordland at the bottom of the South Island. In Tasmania and New Zealand there can also be sea run brown Trout.
Seasons for brown trout fishing vary abit from region to region but are generally over the spring, summer and autumn months with limited waters open in New Zealand over winter.
See the webpage on this video destination here.
Down load a FREE Brown Trout species guide here.
Fly Fishing Travel and Adventure. Information, news and reviews.
Many fly fishing enthusiasts will be familiar with the exciting Bone fishing that Christmas Island in the Pacific Island country of Kiribati has to offer.
In fact anglers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to this very remote island each year to indulge their fly-fishing passion. Often they return many times.
The Bonefish is an unassuming fish that fights well above its weight. Most Bones caught are less than 3 kg but they feel like a 7kg monster when they swallow your fly and then take of like a steam train. Many an angler has been stripped down to the last of 300 meters of backing before finally turning the fish and starting the long wind in, only to have the fish turn and take off again at the last moment.
Christmas Island is a coral atoll that surrounds a huge shallow lagoon that is very accessible by locally made outrigger style shallow draft boats. The very friendly island guides and boatman know their business well and take great pride in getting visiting anglers onto as many fish as possible.
If you tire of landing Bones in this idyllic fishing paradise you can also try your luck with the many large Giant Trevally (GT) that lurk in the gutters.
Off shore are countless Marlin, Wahoo, Sailfish, Yellowfin and others just waiting for their chance to challenge the angler.
Any time is a good time to travel to Christmas Island as the island is very close to the equator and the weather does not vary much.
For more information and a special offer that could save you $299, download our FREE Christmas Island Fishing Travel Guide. It is full of relevant fishing and travel information to help plan your fishing holiday.
Fly Fishing Travel and Adventure. Information, news and reviews.
Fly Fishing in New Zealand is a world class fishing experience. The pristine and extremely scenic islands host some very productive trout fishing lakes and rivers.
Both rainbow and brown trout are abundant in NZ with the rainbows more prevalent in the lakes of the north island and the browns in the rivers of the south island. Of course both species can be found over both islands. Whereas the average catch size is less than 5 pounds, anglers often land trophy fish of closer to ten pounds on both islands.
The trout fishing season is from October to April in most areas but there are variations to this. Some areas also have a winter season and some are open year round.
A fishing licence is required in New Zealand costing adults NZD$116 for a summer season, $70 for a winter season and $23 for a 24 hour licence. More information on seasons and licences can be obtained from NZ Fish & Game.
The peak season for freshwater fly fishing in NZ is of course the summer months. From December to March the days are longer with sunsets after 9pm, the weather is generally more stable and the fish have often retreated further up the river systems to find cooler water. There is less pressure on the fisheries during October, November and April and the trout are often very hungry during the early months of the season.
The scenery in New Zealand is often so spectacular that even if you are not catching fish it is a pleasure to be out there.
Check out this video of the Motueka River region near Nelson at the top of the South Island.
Information About Fly Fishing Travel and Adventure
I created Fly Fishing Adventures and its sister brand, Sports Fishing Adventures five years ago to help anglers access the incredible array of remote area fishing possibilities that abound around the world and specifically in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
Having been a fishing enthusiast all my life and a travel industry professional for the last 25 years I have experienced many of these unique destinations first hand. Living in Darwin for the last 10 years I have enjoyed fishing adventures from the Kimberley, throughout the NT and into Cape York and the Great Barrier Reef on many occasions. I travel to New Zealand a couple of times a year to enjoy the countries world class trout fishing and have fished in a number of Pacific Island locations including the incredible bonefishing on Christmas Island in Kiribati.
In future this blog will be updated weekly with information on different remote area fishing adventures from around Australia and around the world, many of which will include images and video. So please stay tuned, checkout our websites and if you wish please subscribe to our monthly newsletter that will include more in depth destination information and sometimes great savings on our unique range of fantastic fishing adventures.
Happy fishing Paul Collery
