Brumbys Creek provides some of Tasmania’s most consistent stream-based trout fishing.
The creek, located near Cressy, about a 40-minute drive from Launceston, is a lowland tailrace fishery.
The waterflow is controlled by hydro-electricity managers, who release water from Great Lake.
Three weir sections each provide slightly different fishing conditions.
Mainly brown trout are caught, along with some rainbows.
There are also Atlantic salmon, tench, eels and redfin.
The state government has negotiated access for fishermen across some of the associated private land.
Where signs are displayed fishermen have free access, but in other locations visitors must ask permission.
Brumbys is a wild trout fishery.
The creek is known for consistent mayfly hatches and visible tailing trout, with excellent sight-fishing when the fish are cruising weedbeds.
There are also fly fishing opportunities tempting dragonfly and caenid feeders, as well as good bait fishing and blind lure-casting.
Calm days are best, as the wind blows hard at times and can make fishing difficult, but do not be put off by rain.
Water quality varies but is usually good.
Because of the relatively steady water level insect hatches are not as substantial as other lowland fisheries but they are consistent through the season.
Warm, humid weather brings on red-spinner duns, with the best hatches in late spring and early summer, usually around dusk.
Smaller hatches continue through January and February.
The best dry fly fishing is usually on warm days at dusk.
Tailers run from August to January, and are arguably best in the top weir pondage in mornings and afternoons, and on overcast days.
Lure fishos usually do well on sunny days when the water is clear, casting the channel between the first and second weirs.
Bigger trout are often found in deeper water.
After heavy rain the creek can fish well down to its junction with the Macquarie. In these conditions fish run-offs and submerged shores.
There is not much timber in the creek so light tackle can be used.
Worms and wattle grubs work well for bait fishing, and casting unweighted drifting baits while on the move is the best way to find fish.
The weirs
The three weirs were built on Brumbys Creek in the 1960s to smooth flows from Poatina power station.
Above Weir 1 the creek is wide and shallow with some channels, with shallow shorelines, weed and some timber.
Weed growth here thickens throughout as summer progresses.
Access to this section is via Fisheries Lane, an unsealed road. Launching facilities are suited only to cartopper dinghies, inflatables and yaks.
Lure fishing current lines and dry fly fishing the east shore above the weir works well from a boat.
Weir 1 provides arguably the best fly fishing, with its relatively clear shoreline and weedy margins where fish feed early in the season, or when the weather warms.
Bait fishing is prohibited above the first weir.
Below Weir 1 is a wide area of shallow water with a mostly mud and weed bottom.
Soft plastics and surface lures can be fished here but weed can make lure fishing hard.
Trout congregate where the channel drops and this area can be fished all the way to the second weir.
Cast over the edge of flats and work lures down the channel drop offs.
Access along this stretch is limited by undergrowth.
The water widens as it approaches the second weir.
The road leads all the way to the second weir and from there are access signs.
Waders are useful when fishing the first and second weir sections.
Fishing from a boat is prohibited between the first and second weir.
The fast water below the second weir produces fish and is easily reached from the road.
Clear banks make easy fishing here almost all the way to the bottom weir.
Most fish in this section are smaller but the easy access makes it a popular area.
Much of the river below the second weir flows over shallow weed and can therefore be difficult to fish with lures.
There is good fly fishing along this section.
Below the third weir the creek eventually flows into the Macquarie River.
The banks are easily fished for a long section.
The fast water directly below the weir sometimes has escaped rainbow trout from a local fish farm.
The river between the third weir and Macquarie River has a main channel and weed growth. Fishing from a boat here is prohibited.
Strict boating rules apply at Brumbys, with different rules in each weir section.
Here is a list of recommended tackle for Tasmanian waters.
Tasmanian fishing regulations
Tasmanian marine reserves
Tasmanian saltwater fishing seasons
Trout fishing spot access programs
Fisheries assessment reports
Buy a freshwater fishing licence
Tasmanian lake levels (hydro)
Tasmanian river flows (govt)
Tasmanian lake webcams
Tasmanian river flows
Bag and size limits
Private Tasmanian trout fisheries
Return to the Tasmanian Fishing Map
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