January 2023 Williams Outdoors Report & Photo Competition
We hope you have had a great start to 2023! Tourism from the mainland and overseas is picking back up which is great news, helping to keep our industry thriving, along with local and intrastate visitors to the Derwent Valley.
Now is the time to get in-store or online to stock up on all your fishing, hunting, and outdoor needs; or even enquire about guided fishing such as Ken Orr’s Tasmanian Trout Expeditions.
The lead-up to deer season 2023 will be super busy so get in early to stock up on your firearms needs, accessories and clothing so you don’t miss out!
We are excited and working hard in-store and have moved and extended our saltwater offering, which has now opened up even more room for hardbody and soft plastic lures. We are very pleased with how it already looks with plenty of potential to grow even more. Our range is one of the most hardcore fishing selections in Tasmania.
The Derwent River has been producing the best kingfish season we have ever seen. We have had consistent reports of rat kingfish in the lower reaches of the river.
Flathead stocks are seemingly low, reported as a rapidly depleting fishery. Now is the time more important than ever to practice responsible fishing, and we hold high hopes for improved regulations in the future.
The outstanding inland water of Lake Crescent has given up many solid fish to keen fishos throughout the season.
All other inland waters received good amounts of spring rain and fished well into summer. We have noticed an explosion of insects in the warmer weather and water temps have rocketed. This has led to reduced catches through the hotter parts of the day and smaller bite windows.
WHAT’S NEW IN-STORE
- Just arrived in-store after a long time on back order are the Browning BLR in 308win and 223 rem.
- In-store this month, The Women's Infinity Leggings are a great addition to the women's clothing range. Featuring anti-pill and moisture wicking finish, these leggings will keep you cool in the summer months as well as add an extra layering item to your winter go-to's. These leggings are full length and high-waisted for extra comfort. They also feature two generous sized phone and wallet pockets on either side. These have been an absolute hit so far and are said to be the most comfortable and reliable legging released. Make sure you don't miss out on these. Available in-store
- Another new and fun limited addition to our range is the Men's and Women's Towel Ponchos. They are a super handy, wearable beach changing towel for keeping you cosy and dry after a dip. They feature a large kangaroo pocket and hood, and are UPF50+ to keep you protected from the sun. Available in-store.
HOT FISHING PRODUCTS AND ADVICE
- Check out our Pro Lure garfish range for a solid kingfish stick bait. Williams Outdoors is the only stockist in Southern Tasmania.
- Selling well in store are the Yo-Zuri hydro squirt for a squid imitation. Again, Williams Outdoors is the only stockist in Southern Tas.
- The new Daiwa Presso range of trout lures have been very popular in both 95mm and 60mm.
- The whole range of Tasmanian Devil live skin lures have produced fish. Stand-out colours are brown trout, rainbow trout, and redfin.
- The Dangan 4x braid has been in such high demand we are currently out of stock; we should be restocked shortly. It is one of the best value-for-money lines in the market.
- We currently have stock and are the only stockists in Tasmania, of the popular Dobyns Fury light spinning rods.
- In the fly world, TFO Blue Ribbon fly rods paired with NXT reels are selling well, our customers are reporting great results. They are some of the best quality for-price fly rods that are only available at selected independent retailers.
- The Biwaa S’trout swimbait have also been selling well. They have an incredibly life-like action that fish cannot resist.
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
This monster brown was caught from the Pieman River earlier in the season. It weighed in at over 20LB and as of date would be one of the largest fish caught this season. The Pieman River is on the West Coast of Tassie and is fairly isolated and the only available access to the river is at Corinna. This has led to less fishing pressure and fat sea run trout!
Photo Credit to Quentin Alsford; Sourced from Facebook.
This fish was caught and released recently from Lake Echo by Adam Williams. It smashed a 95mm Presso in Golden Trout. It weighed in at around 5.5lb. This is a very nice specimen for Echo. Anglers are reporting tough fishing during the warmer hours of these summer days, but fish are coming up out of the cool water to feed in the early morning and late afternoon.
Summertime can be rewarding after dark. This buck brown caught and released by Adam Williams took a topwater walk with the dog lure just before midnight. The fish weighed in at over nine pounds. Call in-store to see or large dedicated top water section of lures.
For the anglers that don’t want to fish into the night, Lake Crescent has produced many quality fish for Adam Williams this season throughout the day. Adam’s top lure choice is the new range of 95mm Daiwa Presso lures. Make sure to handle these big fish with care if they are to be released.
A couple of good post-spawn Bream from the Derwent River caught by Shannon Orr on Daiwa Pressos. We have seen good numbers and sizes this year which has enabled some fantastic sight fishing.
We are excited to try out our new Clamer Lures when they arrive in-store over the next few weeks.
HOT HUNTING PRODUCTS AND ADVICE
- If you are looking for a good reliable bullet for the upcoming stag season, Winchester Deer season is the way to go. Ranging from 243win up to 300win mag. Don’t forget we have bulk buy discounts when purchased in cases.
- With the shortage of primer and pistol ammo, the one reliable stand out has been the Winchester 147gr USA JHP and 147gr Win clean. If you need some Pistol ammo, these two are definitely worth a shot 😉.
- The Vantage Hoodie is a sun shield and sweat vacuum. Made from the famous extreme wicking, bamboo charcoal-infused honeycomb fabric. The key to comfort while performing high-intensity activities in the summer heat is protecting the skin from the sun and removing the uncomfortable sweat that comes with the territory. The Integrated face mask with laser cut holes helps to avoid moisture build-up and fog when wearing glasses as well as certified sun protection.
- The Spur Pants represent the pinnacle in year-round hunting pants. They have been designed to be durable, light, and practical. This light nature combined with thigh vents allows them to be nice and cool in summer and paired with an underlayer, warm enough in winter. Also available in shorts.
- The Spika range of drover packs and bags are perfect for this deer season from a waist bag to a day pack or even a hauling bag with frame. Make sure to get yourself sorted for this season as it is coming up quickly!
- The Venom V2 Gaiter has been built to the same high standard as the extremely popular Basin Gaiter, but with the added Fang Shield. The Venom V2 gaiter is a tailored sculptured design to fit your leg and over your boot with the least amount of bulk. All seams, zips and Velcro are double-stitched with heavy-duty thread for maximum durability. The Fang Shield offers a protective layer that was developed and tested on snake fangs from a variety of Australian species.
THE SHOOTERS REPORT
Deer season is coming up very quickly and people are already out and about looking for Stags.
From the information, we are getting there are going to be some good heads around for 2023, we would love to see some of your personal trophy pictures to be featured in our future monthly reports.
Kangaroo season is also soon upon us. Towards the end of last year, the population of kangaroo and wallaby around the state reached high densities because of access to good quality food and water available in the latter part of 2022. This should give us a very good season for day shooting and spotlighting in the coming months.
In the last few years, interest in Duck season has picked up again. We are glad to see shooters participating annually and new game shooters also joining in on the sport. If you need some steel shot for this upcoming Season we have a good supply of Winchester XPERT 12G 2-3/4" 32GM No.4
Recently Nioa Purchased Barrett Firearms “The Leaders In Long Range” this is a very good thing to see for an Australian company purchasing a well-known and renowned firearms company such as Barrett and to keep our country on the international firearms map.
https://www.nioa.com.au/latest-news/nioa-acquires-us-manufacturer-barrett-firearms
NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa (Above) after announcing the company’s acquisition of US rifle maker Barrett Firearms.
January 2023 Photo Competition
We are excited to announce the winner of the January photo competition...
Jamie Blackwell
Jamie collecting his $100.00 Williams Outdoors Voucher!
Check out Jamie's winning photo below along with some of the other photo entries sent in this month!
Jamie Blackwell holding his Brown Trout caught at Lake Cresent.
Leave a comment