Good Bye Tasmania, Hello NZ!
When I left the Highlands of Tasmania over 2 years ago I knew it would only be a matter of time before my return. My recent 6 weeks in Tasmania was everything I had hoped for and more. The fishing was not as good as when Paul and I were up here but that’s fishing and it didn’t detract from the whole highland experience. Like I said before, Tassie is as much about the people and the way of life as it is about the fishing. When I arrived in the highlands I called in to see John (The Pom/Woodstock) but he wasn’t in, he was at Dons so I went there where I met Don, John and Bob (bush mechanic from “3 Wheels on my Wagon” in SLTV). I had intended to fish that day but that took a back seat to a few beers… lots of beers. My plan was to live in Sean’s Subaru but Don very kindly put me up instead. That’s the Highlands for you, very social and very hospitable. Thanks again Don!
Many of the people I got to know over my 2 visits to the Highlands came to Don’s place on my last day for a few beers and food. Noby cooked up a feed of mutton birds which I have to say were miles ahead of the NZ mutton birds I had a few years ago. Actually, they were one of the best things I’ve eaten, full of fish oil and flavour from the sea. The roast from Dons Dad’s pet cow didn’t last long, in fact Don and John missed out! Everyone ate and drank well and a few of us pushed through till dawn, well not quite…
Thanks to all the Highlanders for making the place so special. I wont tell anyone how good it is!
See you all again soon..
Stuntman Ronan..
PS. Congratulations to my great friend John O Malley on his engagement to his beautiful partner Bronwen Kearns! I really hope I can make it home for the big day… If I’m invited!! 🙂
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- A nice little fish in my last few days in Tassie!
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- A few dries for night fishing. Lumo beatles and rat faced McDougles (Great name for a fly!!). Lumo dries work and I’m the only person I know who fishes them!
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- A beautifully marked night caught brown on the Rat Face.
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- The same trout about to swim off under the light of my headlamp. Looks a little prehistoric!
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- This was my stubbie cooler while I was staying at Don’s place! What can I say!!!
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- And the other side… :))
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- A large skink near one of the 19 lagoons.
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- Another old Boags can!
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- My last Tassie fish for a while
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- This was home for 6 weeks…
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- Hair and Bronwyn’s son Oliva going through the cat flap!
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- Almost there….
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- Wash your teeth with the coffee and sugar on the lemon while sucking the lemon juice through the whole lot.. This straight after a shot of vodka. Dam good!
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- John, Pete and Noby..
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- Chatting by the fire pot…
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- Noby expertly cooking the mutton birds..
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- These taste incredible!
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- Getting the last bit off the bone..
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- Tom, a young fella from beside the Great Lake tied me these flies for NZ. Cheers Tom, I will catch fish on both!
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- Great music, great food, great drink, great people!!
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- Night time approaches and the music gets better…
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- Can’t beat a good fire!
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- Hair!
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- Pete and I after a few!
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- Harry giving it socks!
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- Take a closer look!
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- Bye for now Tasmania…
