Tag: fishing

The Town Of Oatlands In Central Tasmania

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One of the most beautiful towns we accidentally discovered in Tasmania was the town of Oatlands. Sitting about 50 miles north of Hobart it is a spectacular place to stop and explore.

One of merits of his town is its vast collection of colonial sandstone buildings which number over one hundred fifty. Largely built by convict labor in the early 19th century; it was also considered a significant outpost during the Black War which was fought between the Indigenous First Nation People of the area and white settlers.

But if you have already heard of Oatlands it is probably due to Callington Mill, the only Lincolnshire style windmill in the whole of Australia. Built in 1837 this mill is a beaut and has been restored to its glory days.

Lake Dulverton, which borders Oatlands is well known for its many hiking paths which criss-cross in various directions. Fishing is another great pastime here and anglers can catch both rainbow and brown trout. The lake is also a bird watchers paradise where you can spot herons, ducks, and watch as black swans glide alongside the “cows” that inhabit the lake.

Oatlands also offers visitors a treasure trove of gardens and topiaries from one end of the town to the other. I was amazed at the different sizes and shapes of living sculptures that dotted the town.

While there we also visited the Oatlands District Historical Museum featuring local memorabilia from the town’s early history to the present. There is also a rather substantial bird egg collection housed within its walls and the docents are eager to share their vast knowledge of the area.

Finally, the Callington Mill Distillery offers an experience that few will forget. Producing both award winning gins and whiskeys; your senses will explode as you indulge in your first taste of Poltergeist Citrus known for its hints of candied fruit, orange, and key lime pie. Yummm. Better yet sit down and enjoy and lunch at their restaurant, The Cellar Door, which serves a variety of farm-to-table meats and produce. After lunch your next course of action is to order a flight of whiskey tastings followed by a self guided tour to learn more about what goes into making these bodacious spirits. Better yet, the facility also offers its own whiskey guides who help guests craft their own unique single malt whiskey complete with an original label.

Oatlands is the type of town that magically draws you in and keeps your enchanted. In short, it is one of the rare places that once you get there you don’t want to leave and its the kind of village where you suddenly find yourself searching for the nearest real estate office with sudden fantasies of finding a place of your own in this idyllic hideaway. Oatlands….is one of Tasmania’s gems… don’t miss it!

Steamboat Inn-North Umpqua River, Oregon

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I recently had the pleasure of being introduced to the Steamboat Inn which sits along one of Oregon’s most beautiful waterways and one of the most famous fly fishing rivers in the world. Unfortunately, the Umpqua recently suffered catastrophic damage due to fire and it will be years until it truly rises from the ash; yet it still is a wondrous site to behold. Luckily, the Steamboat Inn still stands and it is one sure way to enjoy this amazing and scenic river.

The Steamboat was once “true old-time fishing lodge.” which featured infamous “Fisherman’s Dinners” for years but today it is an updated and modern inn that still retains its historic charm.. Pictures of fly fishermen and massive steelhead dot the walls and stories of the Inn’s famous guest like Jack Hemingway and Zane Grey still abound as told by the area old-timers. Former Steamboat owner, Frank Moore was a dedicated fly fisherman and he soon became a much loved guide and conservationist after taking over the inn at the beginning 1957. His love of the sport is attributed to creating “flier” enthusiasts out of mere fisherfolk for many decades.

The gardens at the Inn are beautiful and poetic. I was there in May 2025 while columbine, azaleas, rhododendrons, ferns and mountain flowers lined the pathways to the guest rooms and outdoor patio. Stunning Japanese Maples and manicured grasses also made their presence known as the Umpqua roared past showering the rock outcroppings with a fine mist. While the Steamboat’s enchanting grounds, library and menu are enough to keep its visitors sated; the abundance of nearby waterfalls and hiking trails also beckon the Inn’s guests to come and explore as do the white water rafting rapids nearby. The area is definitely a nature lover’s paradise.

While the Steamboat has historically known as “the place for those addicted to fishing” it is also the perfect place to host weddings, second honeymoons and small conferences.

Located about 40 miles from Roseburg it is easy to grab a bottle of wine produced in the Umpqua Valley wine region as you meander towards the Inn located off the North Umpqua Highway.

The Steamboat is open for breakfast from 8 am-11 am, lunch from 11 am-3 pm and dinner from 5 pm-8 pm. The food is robust and the prices are reasonable. For further information call (541) 498-2230 or visit their website at thesteamboatinn.com

Fly Fishing Around Terrace, BC Canada

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How did I end up in Terrace, British Columbia, Canada you may be wondering? Well, I fell in love with a man dedicated to fly fishing and as a result I found a new love myself. Fly fishing in Canada is world-class and everyone comes to tell fish stories and show off their latest prize catch and then (hopefully) return it to the wild. Steelheads are the prize and they can reach gargantuan proportions .

Here is a picture of me in my waders.

We spent time fishing the Skeena River which just happens to be the second longest river complex in British Columbia. The Kitimat and the Kalam are also winding and spectacular. Here the scenery is breathtaking and wildlife abundant; while waterfalls fall over the mountains and you can count as many as you can when in the Fjords of Norway. Old growth forests dominate and birds of prey can be seen often and during all times of the day. Moose quietly run amuck and bear are thick as thieves. One day we were out collecting mushrooms and hiking up a high trail when a very loud cat growl warned as we were trespassing and we clambered down the mountain quickly. Be sure to bring bear spray when out on the trails.

We pretty much based ourselves out of Terrace which is a lovely town with a few great restaurants. Blue Fin Sushi Bar quickly became a favorite and Thornhill Pub serves up some mighty tasty beer on tap. Of coarse, Tim Horton’s coffee is amazing but so are many of the local shops. And Canadian Tire proved to be good hosts for getting water and campers often use their dump station.

Located adjacent to the George Little Park is the Skeena Valley Farmers Market where the freshest produce can be had for very reasonable prices. A big bonus is that variety of local mushrooms are endless. From Lobster to King Oysters if you are a fungi fan you can’t find a better place to find your favorites and cook them down for dinner. The market is open on Saturdays.

If you don’t want to spend your last time a fun and free thing to do is walk the city and view all the murals and artwork that can be found around downtown. This was one of my favorite pieces but with so many artistic achievements it is hard to pick a favorite. There is also the Terrace Art Gallery nearby which features local artists and is definitely worth a stop.

If you are a hiker meander up to Terrace Wolf Pack where you can view six metal life-sized wolves in natural poses. The trailhead begins at the end of Johnstone Street.

Another free experience is go mushroom hunting. Now the ones I am about to show you are mostly poisonous so DON’T EAT THEM but the sheer variety that are out there in the woods and meadows make fungi frolicking a fantastic way to spend some time.

I wish I could tell you some great fish stories myself but alas I cannot for the entire three weeks I was visiting it poured. The rivers were chocolate and often too high to fish but still we tried. But I had a great time visiting museums, hiking and learning about this beautiful wooded paradise.

One day I hope to make my way back to these parts as being on the river so much limited the amount of looking around I could do. But if you want some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, this is one of the places that I would highly recommend. Just know the weather at times can be “iffy” and bring a good book but wherever you go in the area incredible vistas will constantly slap you in the face and you will often consider pulling up stakes just to spend your remaining life in this natural wonderland.