Highland Gold Vol.2
Brad Harris views the second DVD from Christopher Bassano.
I wrote in FlyLife #53 how much I had enjoyed the Volume 1 DVD of Highland Gold— Tasmanian Fly-Fishing Techniques. It has been well received Australia-wide and has apparently sold out, which says it all really. Well, Volume 2 is now available and it’s just as good.
It has the same high quality of editing, production and presentation as the first volume. It also follows the same clear and easy to follow format. A practical demonstration by guide and presenter Christopher Bassano is followed by a screen-graphic summary.
Some of the footage is mouth-watering, with feeding fish clearly visible as they cruise and take the fly. It makes you want to just jump in the car and go!
This volume gets a bit more down to tin-tacks, covering some of the more difficult and less practised techniques. Midge fishing from the boat is demonstrated on a picturesque West Coast lake on an at-first misty then dead-calm blue sky day. It’s worth watching just for the scenery. The section on boat polaroiding is filmed on some of the popular Central Highlands lakes, and covers what the locals call “shark fishing” for rainbow trout on Great Lake, which is a visual feast—both in real life and in the DVD.
Loch-style fishing seems to be little practised elsewhere in Australia, but the methods shown by Christopher should work wherever trout swim. Similarly, river dry fly and grasshopper feeders are presented here with a Tasmanian focus, but are universal aspects of fly fishing.
In general, each section lists Tasmanian specific patterns and times of the year, but as with Volume 1, much can be gleaned that is applicable in any trout water. Beginners will find an absolute wealth of knowledge—more than can be absorbed in one watching. Experienced anglers will find pearls of information in the details—perhaps a particular technique, rig, or approach.
At $34.95 this DVD is worth having even if you only learn one or two things, and invaluable if you plan to go fishing in Tasmania.
Highland Gold (Vol 2) is now in stock and can be ordered direct from FlyLife Publishing.