Other names: Brownie, Sea trout

Habitat

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. 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.

Size

In Australia the Brown Trout grows to13kg and in New Zealand it has grown to 13kg in rivers and in excess of 30kg in lakes. It is more normal to catch a Brown Trout in either country in the 1 to 3kg range. On average the Browns landed in New Zealand tend to be larger than those in Australia.

Feeding

Brown Trout feed on a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic insects, crustaceans, also small fishes. They prefer to feed in low light such as dawn and dusk and also at night. They will feed during the day but usually in an opportunistic fashion and from cover.

Seasons

Fishing for Brown 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 August to April
• NSW (Australia): Open October to June
• New Zealand: Open September to May

Description

The Brown Trout is a stout bodied fish with a large mouth and a single soft rayed dorsal fin. Its colouration is variable with age and habitat. It is usually silvery or golden olive with dark spots on the sides of the body. The spots are often surrounded by a lighter halo - those on the lower sides may be pale or reddish-orange. Sea-run fish tend to be olive on the back, silvery on the sides and whitish on the belly with indistinct spots.

How to catch them

Active feeding generally occurs during subdued daylight, such as dawn and dusk and at night. Brownies are often found under cover such as submerged logs, boulders and rocks, undercut banks and protruding shorelines etc. They prefer slower moving water than Rainbow trout and they will generally let the food come to them holding station in pools and adjacent to rocks etc downstream of any current. Brown trout are extremely wary and must be approached quietly and slowly.

Hot Spots

New Zealand and Tasmania

Equipment

Brown Trout fly fishing gear will vary slightly depending on application but should include the following;

• 5 to 8 weight freshwater rod with appropriate reel
• Floating line weight forward/intermediate/sink tip depending on application
• Leaders-3 m tapered
• Tippet- fluorocarbon 2kg plus

Popular Flies

Again this will very depending on area and application. Some possibilities may include.

Australia Red Tag Black Spinner Parachute Adams Shaving Brush Gum Beetle Muddlers Olive woolly bugger Brown nymph Wet Black beetle Scintilla Stick Caddis Damselfly nymph Mudeye patterns

New Zealand Green Stonefly Parachute Adams Kakahi Queen Royal Wulff Standard Adams Twilight Beauty Passion Hopper Cicada Hare & Copper Stone Fly Pheasant tail Cadillac Nymph Green Caddis Stimulators Beetles