But it is this 'visible' challenge of fishing the shallow, clear Tasmanian lakes that makes the journey a viable proposition. Polaroiding' is the technique of choice and 'tailing trout' is a local phenomenon. Well it is not unlike searching the salt flats for Bones, the angler wades shallow sandy flats searching for underwater clues that give away the fishes presence. By slowly wading the angler scans the water column both horizontally and vertically for anything that may resemble a fish. It is very important to focus your vision below the water, ignoring everything above the surface plane.
Shape is the primary clue that often reveals a fish.
The form of a trout or profile is very different to other sub surface objects such as rocks or weed beds. Movement is the other key visual clue, and most trout encountered will show some signs of movement. It may be the dark shadow of the trout reflected of the silt bottom, maybe the golden flanks as a fish turns to intercept its prey, or it may just be flicker of the tail that gives the fish away. Colour is less dependable as fish are naturally camouflaged to suit their environment. However contrast can sometimes be to our advantage and this is most evident when brown trout are cruising over shallow weed beds or rainbow trout are cruising near the surface in deep clear water.