What started as a final troll back to the boat ramp in the rain turned into a fishing story that Andy Rolls and his family will be talking about for years.

Fishing with his partner Jackie and son Charlie at Lake Leake on Saturday 24 October, Andy landed a tagged brown trout worth $5,000 as part of the Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion.  This is the sixth tagged trout caught so far during the 2026-27 season.

The catch was especially memorable because it came during Andy's second trip back trout fishing after stepping away from the sport for a period due to work and family commitments. Growing up around the Bothwell district, trout fishing had always been a big part of Andy's life, with his mother introducing him to the sport and serving as his fishing mentor.

In a fitting twist, Andy caught the winning fish on an old-school Black Queen rod and Daiwa reel combination that his mother had passed on to him. The outfit has a proud history of its own, with Andy's mother having once won a fishing competition using the very same rod after landing the biggest fish of the day.

"It must be a lucky rod," Andy laughed. "Mum taught me a lot about fishing, so catching this fish on her old outfit makes it even more special."

The family were staying at Andy's cousin's shack for the weekend, and local knowledge also played a key role in the catch. Andy's uncle and cousin suggested trying a Tassie Devil No. 2 'Pink My Frog' lure, which had been producing fish in recent weeks. After stopping at the Kalangadoo Store, Andy found there was only one No. 2 Pink My Frog lure left on the shelf.

Fortunately, it was all he needed.

Late in the afternoon, with rain beginning to fall, the family decided to troll the final few hundred metres back to the boat ramp before calling it a day. Just 300 metres from the ramp, Andy hooked a solid brown trout of around three pounds.

After a spirited fight on the well-loved Black Queen and Daiwa combination, he brought the fish to the boat and was delighted with its size and condition. The surprise, however, was only just beginning.

It was Charlie who first noticed something unusual.

"There's something sticking out of its back," he said.

A closer look revealed the trout was carrying a tag. When the family read the message on it and saw the word "Winner", excitement quickly spread through the boat.

"We thought it might be worth a prize, but we couldn't believe it when we found out it was worth $5,000," Andy said. "It was a pretty special moment to share with Jackie and Charlie."

The catch is a reminder that every tagged fish tells a story, and sometimes those stories involve family traditions, a lucky lure, a treasured old rod and a little bit of good fortune.

With many $5,000 tagged trout still swimming in waters around Tasmania, and the first tagged brown trout and rainbow trout from Yingina/Great Lake, each worth $25,000, yet to be caught, - there has never been a better time to get out fishing.

Whether it's a family trip, a weekend with friends or simply a quiet day on the water, great fishing and unforgettable moments are waiting across Tasmania's trout fisheries.

To find out more about the Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion, purchase a freshwater fishing licence and check the IFS website; Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion - Inland Fisheries Service

After all, as Andy's story shows, sometimes the last troll of the day can turn into the catch of a lifetime. And every now and then, magic happens when you head outdoors and try your luck.