Bushwalk Australia

I was wondering which Western Lakes were fishable without waders?
I always seem to end up with too much gear when walking,
avoiding having to carrying waders would be nice.
(It is much more of a space issue than anything else)

Chris

Wet wade, Chris although I must admit that sometimes I walk in my wading boots (with neoprene booties as liners) and carry thigh length breathable waders. Many lakes can be fished from the shore as well.

Wet wading in snow....makes me homesick just to think about it

I'm no fluff chucker, but from what I've seen, I would guess that Lakes Johnny, Chambers, Douglas, Halkyard and Fox (which are all within spitting distance of each other) would all be suitable (ie, flat surrounds with little or no trees or scrub). However, I'm not even sure if this is in the area that fly fishers refer to as the Western Lakes.

I'm not even sure if this is in the area that fly fishers refer to as the Western Lakes.

This area is more often called Chudleigh lakes by fishers I think.

FF

flyfisher wrote:

I'm not even sure if this is in the area that fly fishers refer to as the Western Lakes.

This area is more often called Chudleigh lakes by fishers I think.

FF

Ah sorry... you'd think I would have hung around with fishers enough to have learned better by now.

All the lakes contained in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and the Central Plateau Conservation Area make up the Western Lakes (ref. "Tasmanian Trout Waters" by Greg French, 2nd Edition p50). Chudleigh Lakes are a "sub-set" of the Western Lakes.

BarryJ wrote:All the lakes contained in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and the Central Plateau Conservation Area make up the Western Lakes (ref. "Tasmanian Trout Waters" by Greg French, 2nd Edition p50). Chudleigh Lakes are a "sub-set" of the Western Lakes.

Greg was book signing the new book in burnie today...was tempted to pick up the new book and get it signed purely for investment

I already have a signed copy of "Artificial", his new book. It is in the same vein as "Frog Call" (both are collections of short stories). While there is a trout fishing theme running through both books, they are both excellent reads for anyone who loves the Tasmanian outdoors.

You're right about "Artificial" it's an excellent read . Well done Greg French

Flyfisher

In summer I usually dont carry waders unless I am going to a particular spot where they are a must such as Talinah lagoon, in which case I won't wander far and wide but fish that lake and others nearby.
Normally I just wear gore tex boots and fish where I can.There are many lakes which have rocky shorelines ,and usually other lakes not far away ,
I find a lot of enjoyment in exploring new waters and in waders in good weather you get hot and sweaty and if wandering from lake to lake feet can get sore.
However you do it though it's fascinating with polaroids on,just seeing how many and how big.

Flyfisher

If I am only "lake hopping" and fishing during the day, I often wear neoprene booties over a thin pair of socks and then my wading boots. I keep my walking boots reasonably dry for walking longish distances and wandering around camp.

Sounds like a good plan Barry. My style of fishing has changed a fair bit over the years. Way back I would drive to Augusta or Ada or somesuch and then
go walking in chest waders with resulting chafed groin and sore feet more often than not.Then a 4wd was used to travel to Julian , Pillans, Talinah lagoon or elsewhere , set up base camp and fish an area for a few days, mostly in thigh waders.
Next came a shack a Great lake and a well set up motor bike(nice quiet one) which went into the back of my Hi-ace van and off to Augusta... Pine tier etc.
This put Pillans--Julian etc. Lake Ina and others in easy reach, so these places were accessed in good weather, and for most places boots were fine, but thigh waders were often worn on the bike then put in the day pack and on with the boots.
These days the fishing trips are largely walking trips with some fishin and exploration thrown in.
The light weights with wading boots is something I havent tried but it does sound good, especially at places like Ina where there are many shallow edges.

Flyfisher

I sometimes wear my waders for a short walk (O'Dells, Tin Hut). I also have a pair of thigh length breathable waders which sometimes come in handy as well; don't add much weight to the pack on a longer walk.

Much of my fishing (up until recently) has been done in the Nineteen Lagoons with an overnighter or two further afield each season. A few months ago I bought myself a boat which I plan to use for sight fishing on the Great Lake (not a fan of blind flogging wets, although I do tie one on occasionally).