Fly Fishing Guides

Fly Fishing Guides in Tasmania

Meet Our Tasmania Fly Fishing Guides

Local knowledge, lifelong passion, and a deep respect for Tasmanian trout waters.

Our Tasmania fly fishing guides are more than just experienced anglers—they’re locals with a deep connection to the rivers, lakes, and wild places that make this fishery so unique. Tasmania is home to some of the most breathtaking—and challenging—fly fishing in the world. Wild brown trout, ever-changing weather, and vast, remote landscapes mean that no two days are ever alike. To meet that challenge, we’ve built a close-knit guiding team that’s adaptable, good-humoured, and deeply tuned to the waters they fish.

At Tasmania Fly Fishing, you’ll be guided by locals who’ve grown up on these rivers and lakes, returned to them season after season, and learned how to read everything from a tricky hatch to a moody highland breeze. Their knowledge runs deep, their approach is thoughtful, and their priority is giving you a rewarding, real experience on the water.

We don’t make big claims or offer cookie-cutter tours. What we do promise is personal, flexible guiding—tailored to your experience level, the conditions on the day, and your sense of adventure.

Scott Murphy – House Guide & Business Manager 

Scott has been guiding fly fishing trips across Tasmania since 2005. Based in Launceston, he handles most of the weekday guiding across the Northern rivers, the Midlands, and the Central Highlands. With decades of local knowledge and a calm, honest approach, Scott has introduced hundreds of anglers—from complete beginners to seasoned fishers—to the art of fly fishing in Tasmania.

Raised near mountain streams and chasing trout since the 1970s, Scott’s passion for fly fishing was sparked in the late 1990s. That passion has since evolved into a life of exploration, coaching, and guiding across some of the island’s most enjoyable and remote trout waters. His love of dry fly sight fishing and bushwalking has shaped a unique guiding style—patient, adaptable, and deeply tuned to the Tasmanian wilderness.

Clients often comment on Scott’s relaxed presence, dry sense of humour, and ability to make each trip meaningful—whether the fishing is fast and furious or slow and subtle. He’s particularly skilled at helping newcomers get comfortable quickly, offering clear, encouraging coaching that builds confidence from the first cast.

As the owner and Business Manager of Tasmania Fly Fishing, Scott also leads and supports the guiding team of Tasmania fly fishing guides, making sure every client receives the same standard of care, flexibility, and down-to-earth professionalism that defines the experience.

Scott Murphy – House Guide & Business Owner

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Jayden Donohue – House Guide

Jayden’s been on the water since he could stand. His earliest fishing memories are of worms, flooded rivers, and outings with his dad and great-grandfather. After years chasing fish with lures and soft plastics, he picked up a fly rod in 2016—and like many, got thrashed by it at first. Missed strikes, tangled leaders, and a steep learning curve followed.

By 2018, the tables had turned. Jayden caught his first trout on fly at Tin Hut Lake and landed a solid 3lb brown on a dry fly in the Western Lakes. With mentorship from renowned fly angler Craig Rist, he sharpened his skills and broadened his horizons. Since then, he’s taken everything from bream and golden trevally to kingfish, cobia, albacore—even Murray cod and sailfish—all on fly.

Though he’s a passionate and technically gifted fly fisher, what defines Jayden most is his love of the hunt. He’s hooked on the pursuit itself—the stillness, the stalking, the quiet decision-making. Whether it’s sight fishing Tasmania’s Western Lakes or scanning a saltwater flat for movement, Jayden’s keen eye and infectious enthusiasm make him a favourite on any trip.

Jayden guides with Tasmania Fly Fishing on weekends and holidays around his other work commitments.

As one of our valued Tasmania fly fishing guides, Jayden plays an important role in creating meaningful experiences for our clients.

Jamie Wright – House Guide

Jamie’s love of fly fishing began at 13, learning from his dad at the family shack on Arthurs Lake. His first trout came soon after—sighted and cast to under his father’s guidance—and at around two pounds it felt like a true trophy. That moment sparked a lifelong passion for the sport.

These days, Jamie spends most of his time exploring the Tasmanian highland lakes, lagoons, and lowland waters. He’s especially drawn to the challenge of sight fishing and the reward of releasing fish back into their element. For him, watching a trout swim off strong is one of the best parts of the day.

Jamie works full time and helps guide mainly on weekends, though he occasionally joins the team during the week when he can sneak a day away. When he’s not guiding or chasing trout, he’s at home with his young family, sharing the same love of adventure and the Tasmanian outdoors that shaped his own childhood. From early morning tailers to afternoon dun feeders, Jamie enjoys every part of the hunt—because half the magic is simply being out there.

Liam Murphy – House Guide

Tasmania Fly Fishing House Guide – Liam Murphy

Liam Murphy – House Guide
Liam grew up immersed in Tasmania’s wild trout waters, following in the footsteps of his father, Scott Murphy. From the age of six, he was spotting fish, learning the rhythms of the river, and practising his cast whenever he could. That early foundation, shaped by years of family fishing trips, has evolved into a quiet, confident approach to guiding—and a valuable role within our team of Tasmania fly fishing guides.

After qualifying as a chef and working professionally in hospitality, Liam eventually returned to the fly rod, rediscovering his passion for trout fishing and coaching others. He brings a calm, friendly presence to the team—especially well-suited to beginners or anyone looking to rebuild confidence after time away from the water.

Liam is a natural teacher. He’s patient, grounded, and genuinely enjoys helping people land their first trout on fly. His ability to connect, explain, and encourage makes him a valued part of our family-guided experiences.

Now entering the electrical trade and beginning work in the construction industry, Liam’s availability is limited to select weekends and school holiday trips—but when he’s on the water, he’s all in.

Finn McDowell – House Guide

Finn McDowell – House Guide

Finn McDowell is a dedicated and experienced trout fishing guide with a calm presence, a sharp eye, and a quiet passion for Tasmania’s wild places. Introduced to the sport at age seven and mentored by a family deeply involved in fly fishing, Finn quickly developed both technical skill and a deep love for trout-filled waters.

His talent took him from local fishing clubs all the way to the world stage. In 2023, Finn represented Australia at the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships in Scotland, placing 8th individually and helping the men’s team secure a bronze medal.

While he’s now entering the construction industry as a qualified carpenter, Finn continues to guide part-time on weekends and breaks. He’s especially drawn to Tasmania’s stunning highland regions, where remote lakes and clear, quiet rivers provide the perfect backdrop for dry fly sight fishing, wade polaroiding, and Euro nymphing.

Finn’s technique is among the finest we’ve seen. Whether you’re looking to master Euro nymphing, explore loch-style tactics, or refine your sight fishing or dry fly skills, Finn is a patient and encouraging guide who meets you where you’re at—and helps you level up from there. He’s equally skilled in both rivers and lakes, with a deep understanding of fish behaviour and how to adapt to changing conditions.

If you’re after a relaxed, knowledgeable guide who can help you sharpen your game while enjoying Tasmania’s high country, Finn is the one to ask for. Time with him on the water is not only productive—but always memorable.

As one of our valued Tasmania fly fishing guides, Finn plays an important role in creating meaningful experiences for our clients.

Finn McDowell – House Guide

Finn’s Instagram Page

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Shaun Cooper – House Guide

House Guide – Shaun Cooper

Shaun is a true wilderness man—known to disappear into the backcountry for days with a fly rod, a camera, and often one of his young children strapped into a hiking pack. His life is steeped in wild places, remote rivers, and a deep respect for Tasmania’s untouched trout country.

A thoughtful and intuitive fly fishing guide, Shaun blends years of local experience with a calm, observant style that helps anglers slow down, tune in, and fish with more purpose. His knowledge runs deep, and clients often come away not just with new skills, but with a clearer sense of how to read water, respond to conditions, and truly connect with the environment.

Don’t be fooled by his quiet presence—Shaun has a sharp wit and a cheeky streak that tends to surface as the day unfolds, especially if you give him a bit of licence. He’s as good a storyteller as he is a guide, and his deep affection for the Tasmanian landscape shows in everything from his fishing insights to his growing passion for wilderness photography.

Shaun holds a full-time management role and is a devoted father and husband, so his guiding availability is limited to weekends and school holidays. But when he’s on the water, you’re in expert hands.

If you’re after a guide who can take you off the beaten path and into the heart of Tasmania’s most scenic and secluded fisheries, Shaun is your man. His trips offer more than just trout—they’re a chance to breathe, reset, and rediscover your sense of adventure. As one of our valued Tasmania fly fishing guides, Shaun plays an important role in creating meaningful experiences for our clients.

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Brendan Turriff – House Guide

Brendan—affectionately known as Beevor—is a born-and-bred Tasmanian with a creative streak, an easy laugh, and a sharp eye for both fish and photography. He grew up fishing the salt—beaches, estuaries, and the tidal flats of the Tamar River—before following his curiosity upstream into the clear creeks and wild lakes of Tasmania’s high country.

These days, the fly rod is rarely far from hand. What started as a mate’s suggestion in the early 2000s quickly turned into a lifelong obsession. Whether chasing trout with dry flies at dusk or helping a newcomer land their first fish, Brendan brings a relaxed, observant style to his guiding—part mentor, part mate.

Brendan has a strong feel for trout behaviour, fly selection, and seasonal rhythms. He helps anglers slow down, see more, and enjoy the full experience of fly fishing in Tasmania—not just the tally. His passion extends well beyond the water, with a love of Tasmania’s unique flora and fauna, and a knack for sharing stories and insights that bring the landscape to life.

Also a photographer, musician, blogger, and naturalist, Brendan sees the world with an artist’s eye and a guide’s intuition. Days with him tend to be full of laughter, good company, and the occasional surprise fish that seems to rise out of nowhere.

Brendan joins the Tasmania Fly Fishing team on weekends, public holidays, and whenever family life aligns with fishing windows. As one of our valued Tasmania fly fishing guides, Beevor plays an important role in creating meaningful experiences for our clients.

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Tasmania Fly Fishing – Charters

How We Operate

While we don’t claim to be the world’s best anglers, we are passionate, highly experienced fly fishers who care deeply about what we do. We place equal importance on developing skills, having fun, and embracing the full adventure that fly fishing in Tasmania has to offer. Our priority is always the same: to deliver a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience for every client, every time.

Here’s how our team works across the season:

• Weekdays – Scott handles most of the guiding around Launceston, the Northern rivers, and the Central Highlands. Mick leads the way at Currawong Lakes.

• Weekends and peak periods – Jayden, Finn, Shaun, Brendan, and Liam step in to provide flexible, high-quality guiding around their full-time commitments and family life.

• Extra support – For larger bookings or specialised waters, we collaborate with a trusted network of experienced local guides to ensure the right fit for your trip.

What You Can Expect

We won’t promise record-breaking fish or calm weather—this is Tasmania, after all. But what we can promise is real effort, thoughtful guidance, and a team of Tasmania fly fishing guides who genuinely care about your experience. And every now and then, one of those special trout comes to the fly! You’ve just got to get out there and have a go to give yourself the best chance.

You can expect:

• Honest advice tailored to your skill level and goals

• Personalised coaching to help you grow as an angler

• Patience, good humour, and a down-to-earth approach

• A day that reflects the true rhythm and beauty of fly fishing Tasmania’s wild trout waters

Whether it’s your first trout or your fiftieth, we’ll be right there beside you—casting into the wind, watching for shadows, and sharing in those moments when everything finally comes together.

Email us now to discuss your fishing tour requirements to [email protected]

Other Fly Fishing Guides Tasmania – TGALT

And for those of you who would like to review which other guiding options are available here in Tasmania, we strongly recommend using an accredited guide that is registered with the Trout Guides and Lodges Association. You can feel free to email us directly at [email protected] for recommendations, as we are proud to support our local guiding industry…

No matter your experience level, our Tasmania fly fishing guides are here to help you get the most out of every cast, every trout, and every moment on the water.