Philip Weigall

Just back from a short, sweet trip to visit Owen River Lodge owner and good mate Felix Borenstein, whose little piece of paradise lies near the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Apparently the weather has been quite wet since the season opened in October, but I struck only a few hours of rain, lots of sun and [...]

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Back from yet another trip to Tasmania. No 20 pounders this time, but lots of sun – even on the notoriously stormy west coast. Actually we probably had more sun that we wanted, if I can say that without sounding like an ingrate. One of our targets was brook trout and it seems they’re a fish that [...]

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On Saturday I had a chat with Scott Levi from ABC radio’s The Big Fish program about my Derwent River brown. You can listen to the broadcast here: http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2011/09/a-really-big-fish-on-the-big-fish.html?site=sydney&program=702_the_big_fish

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Here’s the fish you may have heard about. It’s a male brown trout, length 86 cm, girth 60 cm, estimated weight 22 pounds. I caught it indicator nymphing on the freshwater part of the Derwent River, Tasmania (as opposed to the estuary).   I was with my good friend & guide Christopher Bassano, for whom I shall be [...]

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The last two days saw a brief break in the relentless rain and wind that’s typified July, so Andrew and I grabbed the chance for a visit to Lake Purrumbete and it’s lesser-known cousin, Elingamite. Both lakes lie in volcanic craters and are only 20 km apart. Similar in area, Elingamite is much shallower and its  marshy, boggy shoreline [...]

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Well there’s no escaping it, winter is here. The frost that settled in the wee hours is still lingering in the shady patches outside my study window, and it’s past midday. Snow is forecast for tomorrow night. The streams will close officially to trout fishing next Monday (June 13) but they’ve already slid to the back of my mind. Winter [...]

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After a few busy months finishing another book, completing the latest issue of Flyfisher and the busiest guiding season in years, I celebrated the pre Christmas wind-down with a trip to the Snowys. Lake Eucumbene was the standout fishery with evening mudeyes, caddis and midge. However the highlight was the final day when cool overcast conditions produced the best [...]

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The last month has been uninspiring for fishing. Gale force winds have dominated, but at least they’ve brought some good rain, particularly in the west of Victoria (Lake Wartook is now approaching 50% of capacity). Oddly, the short between-storm periods have been breathlessly calm – the sort of conditions where a size 16 buzzer makes [...]

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