Saturday August 6 is the opening of the brown trout waters which signals the start of the 2016-17 brown trout season. We thought we’d count down the days by looking at the fishing ahead because the season looks so good.

What a change there has been in the weather since the start of May.  It was just so dry, then May arrived and so did the rain.  And it hasn’t really stopped. It started in the west and then June brought the major flooding. The Mersey River flood ravaged farm land, roads and bridges, with the Kimberley to Latrobe section particularly hard hit. We’ll give you an update on the Angler Access through there in the coming days.

At the moment most water storages are spilling, from Lake Burbury on the west coast to Tooms Lake in the east, and a lot of the rivers are flowing strongly.  All of this should add up to a good fishing for the season ahead.

You will need a 2016-17 licence to go fishing on August 6.  You can buy your angling licence on our website www.ifs.tas.gov.au . These are many types available to suit everyone from 48 hour, seven or 28 days, one and five season.

If you’re looking to escape to the great outdoors, unwind, unplug and come home completely relaxed. Or to go fishing with your kids and grandkids.  Maybe you just want to nip down the road for an hour or two.  Whatever the reason, Tasmania’s wild brown trout fishery is the place to be. Over the next ten days we’re going to have a bit of a look at some of the waters around the state and how they are shaping up for this coming season.