Another ready food source for hungry impoundment trout returning from the Winter funfest in the rivers is the tadpole.

These tasty little critters begin to become more apparent around the lake edges as the waters warm towards Springtime. Weed beds and shallow bays with weedy margins are the best areas to look for some tadpole action.

The tadpole provides a decent mouthful as well as a protein boost for trout down on condition.

This particular pattern is a bottom bouncing variety with its dumbbell eyes it will sit barb upwards. It is designed to be fished off the bottom in short bursts just like the natural.

This is a great fly for Tasmania and I have had some great success on the central highlands tarns as well as some of the larger lakes a little lower down during the early part of the season, from October to December.

Trout will often be seen mooching about the shallow edges early in the morning and again in the evening searching out snails and tadpoles.

The large Snowy Mountains impoundments are another great area to use this fly, there is a great little Winter/early Spring fishery here polaroiding around the edges on clear, still days.

Find yourself a vantage point with a good view in both directions and wait for a trout to cruise along; alternatively, you can take a walk in search of a fish.

As the fish approaches, lay the trap by placing your fly well ahead of the fish and let the fly sit on the bottom. When it is within range, give your fly a couple of quick strips and wait for a reaction.

If you have ever chased smelting trout during the Winter then you should be right in form for tadpole fishing, as trout act in a similar behaviour when they come upon a little bay full of young tadpoles. They will swirl and dart about trying to gobble every tadpole in sight.

Place your fly into or near the maelstrom and commence a series of short strips with a pause in between. This action imitates a fleeing tadpole and hopefully the old trout will eliminate your tadpole with extreme prejudice.

TYING INSTRUCTIONS and MATERIALS

STEP 3. Wind on the chenille in even turns, stroking the fibres to the rear with each turn, then tie in the purple chenille as shown.

STEP 4. Wind on the purple chenille to form the front part of the body, move the thread in front of the eyes and form a small head and tie off, apply a drop of head cement