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Most of Tasmania has extensive hydro-electric undertakings. Natural
lakes have been raised in level, new lakes have been formed and there is
considerable interconnection by canal, tunnel and pipeline. In addition
there lies to the west of Great Lake a vast chain of lakes, at an
altitude of some 1000m and ranging from mere tarns to some exceeding one
thousand acres. The total number of these lakes, many of them un-named,
has been estimated to be in the vicinity of one thousand. However, since
roads do not as yet reach this area, access is not easy and deep
penetration by anglers is not frequent.
Brown trout inhabit the entire
system, ranging in weight up to 3kg or more, with an average of around
1kg in many lakes, slightly smaller in some and slightly larger,
surprisingly enough, in some of the smaller ones. A four-wheel drive
vehicle is ideal transport here. The highland lakes, set in remote
moorland, are a sight to behold. The further one goes into these lakes
the less likely they are to have been fished heavily, if at all. Their
rugged beauty cannot fail to impress the anglers and the chill air has a
special freshness.
The readily accessible waters of the Central Plateau are many and,
depending on prevailing conditions, can at times provide really good
fishing for both brown and rainbow trout (with the chance of one or two
brook trout in Little Pine Lagoon). There is, however, little or no
river fishing compared to that to be found on the lowlands. Arthurs Lake
is at present very popular, many shacks having been built on its western
shore. Accommodation is available at Miena (Great Lake) or, perhaps more
centrally, at Bronte, some 30kms further west. Although the-
maximum air temperature during the summer months is only about 15 deg C.
and the minimum little more than 4 deg C., camping under canvas is quite
comfortable and pleasant. Caravans, of course, are very popular.
Most of the Central Plateau is rock country with sparse vegetation,
the twisted snow gums predominating on the ridges while areas of white
top are confined to the lower ground with occasional graceful white
gums. For variety of lake fishing within easy reach of town this area is
unequalled in the whole of Australia.
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