Above the mist that sits hugging the river valley, up on the knoll below the rocky summit of Mt Barrow, and barely visible in the pre-dawn glow, four deer step cautiously from the cover of the pines to graze on dewy grass. I watch them from the breakfast table through the steam of fresh coffee . . . So begins another day at RiverFly Lodge.

RiverFly is Tasmania’s first and only river-based fly-fishing lodge, situated in the north east of the state at the base of Ben Lomond, right on the North Esk River . . . Scholes Country.

Daniel Hackett, an experienced local guide, has only just started operating from here, seeing the need for a river-based guiding centre. Originally designed as a hunting lodge (catch and release advocates might cringe at the deer heads on the wall) the building is finding better use now as a base for fishing. It is a large open plan cedar structure with spectacular panoramic views to the north over the river, which is only five minute’s walk away, past one of the two stocked dams.

And what about the fishing? The North Esk has fantastic and varied sport, offering pools, riffles, glides and backwaters, in a relatively easy-to-fish environment. During my visit in early summer, hatches occurred at different times through the day, coming in waves of caddis, black spinners, midges and baetids. The grassy banks and willows mean a terrestrial fly won’t go unnoticed. The rest is up to you.

Just a few kilometres upstream from the lodge the North Esk changes considerably, being overgrown, clear, sandy bottomed, tight, twisting and teeming with fish. A first-timer I was with, caught ten fish in an afternoon.

Once you’ve had your fill of wading the North Esk, why not try something a little different: rafting. Daniel will float you down the northern rivers of Tasmanian fly-fishing folklore—the Macquarie, South Esk, Meander and Brumbys Creek. It is a unique and deadly-effective way to fish these broadwaters. You will quickly over-come the initial doubts once you have seen how close Daniel can paddle to some very large trout. If you’re still not sure, you can just use the raft as transport on these large rivers. Simply get dropped off and walk and wade like you’ve always done. But then, when in Rome . . .

Whichever method you choose, you will have an appetite when you get back to the lodge. A local chef is in attendance each night, creating sensational gourmet meals, served with a selection of great wines to help you overcome any shyness telling how many fish you caught and how huge they were. And then there’s dessert. Mmmm.

After the eighth telling of your monster catch, you can retire to one of the two guest rooms. Each room has a separate bathroom and sleeps three. One room faces east to Ben Lomond, the other north to the deer-hill, so you can watch darkness settle and the mist creep back in to sleep in the valley, ready for an instant replay tomorrow.

For bookings and information phone 0427 313 972 or (03) 6390 6223.
www.riverfly.com.au