THE River Derwent at Boyer proved profitable for a Brighton family after the keen fishers caught the first tagged brown trout on opening weekend.

Michael Deppeler caught the fish and won $2000.

Mr Deppeler was fishing in the River Derwent, near Boyer, with his children Lucy and Liam, when they caught the tagged fish last Sunday about 1.30pm.

He was presented with the prize by Primary Industries and Water Minister Guy Barnett at New Norfolk’s Esplanade. He plans to spend the prize on more fishing gear.

The Tasmanian Tagged Trout program is designed to stimulate the recreational trout fishery and boost tourism into regional communities.

“Fifty tagged brown trout have been released into 15 waters around Tasmania with each tag worth $2000 to the angler who returns the tagged fish to the Inland Fisheries Service,’’ Mr Barnett said.

“The Tasmanian Government doubled the potential prize pool to $100,000 and increased the number of waters to encourage people to try fishing, making it easier for anglers to try their luck and also encourage anglers to visit different waters.’’

The 15 waters and number of fish are: Arthurs Lake (5), yingina/Great Lake (5), Lake Mackintosh (5), Lake Pedder (5), Lake Burbury (5), Lake Rosebery (5), Derby’s Briseis Mine Hole (2), Bronte Lagoon (2), Craigbourne Dam (2), Curries River Reservoir (2), Huntsman Lake (2), Lake Leake (3), Lake Parangana (2), Lake Rowallan (2) and there are now only two left in the River Derwent.

For more information go to http://www.ifs.tas.gov.au.