Summer 2019 Flyfishing Report

Last Fishing Report for the year

Welcome to our last report of the year. So far, this season has shown just how fickle our fishery can be. One day the weather is perfect, the bugs are out, and the fish are eating what you throw at them. Other days the weather is cold, there are no bugs in sight, and the fishing ... Well let's call it challenging. The good news is that things are starting to get better!!! All reports from the local rivers are showing signs of improvement, with the trout starting to take food readily of the surface and higher numbers of fish being caught.

Lake Fishing

After a fair bit of rain over the past few weeks, the rivers have been given a much needed flush and the local lakes are seeing some new water over some fresh ground, Hopefully a bit more water into Lake Jindabyne will encourage the bigger fish to come into the shallows looking for some fresh food. Lake Eucumbene is still very low and muddy around the edges, but we are seeing the fishing picking up.

River Fishing

The Monaro streams have seen plenty of action and pressure since the opening of the trout season and are still fishing okay, although its best to leave these streams alone during peak summer times as the water can get quite warm and the fish can take a bit of time to recover. Minimising the time out of the water and making sure that fish has recovered before releasing will reduce any fatalities.

The best method for river fishing at the moment is still a dry and dropper rig. A low sitting dry fly like a Parachute Adams or one of Manic Tackles CDC dry flies like  a Muz’s Messy Wullf or cdc. Crippled emerger are perfect flies for fickle trout as they sit right in the film and look like an insect trapped on the surface. These flies also have the ability to hold  a lightly weighted nymph underneath and fish very well in tandem. Check out our range of dry flies and emergers.

The higher elevations are starting to fish quite well (albeit the fish are a bit smaller, but the numbers are higher. The Mowambah river has had moments of glory but it has been a bit hit or miss. Island bend is definitely worth a look, and I am hearing some great fishing reports from the other side of the range, with Swampy Plains and the Upper Murray both looking good.

Casting Clinic & New Stock Instore

Don’t forget that we have a free casting clinic on the 9th of January so please register your interest ASAP so we can guarantee your place. (Update: if you missed this, contact us to find out when the next one is)

There is plenty of new stock in store and some bargains to boot, so come on down and say G’day and have a chat.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us here at High Country Outfitters!!!

All Photographs in this report were supplied by local fly fisher Adam Cathor. Adam has been having a fantastic season so far and is a good friend of ours at the shop!

Originally Posted 2019, Updated 15th June 2020  

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