Unforgettable Season: Flyfishing Reports from 2016

Its December already folks and a visit from Santa is just around the corner!

The fishing over the past month has been absolutely awesome and it only looks to get better. We have seen some great hatches of insect life with everything from Caddis, Mayflies, Stoneflies, and beetles starting to really come out in force, and some fantastic midge fishing opportunities on both Lake Jindabyne and Eucumbene in the late afternoon to evening.

Thredbo River has been fishing as good as it has in years. the upper section (from Skitube up to Dead horse) has been fishing a lot better than the lower section (Gaden Hatchery to the Lake) with plenty of fish eating off the surface all day long. Black spinners seam to be the most popular item on the menu, Although just about any smaller fly around the #12 – #16 sizes presented with a good drift will usually be the undoing of an unsuspecting fish. On the warmer days with full sunlight the fish will be seeking refuge under the banks or in the deeper holes on the river. An unweighted nymph drifted under the undercut sides of the bank can often coax out a hungry trout.

MoonBah/ Mowambah river is another little gem of a waterway with many access points for the angler to get on to the river. This smaller river fishes very well all day long on dry flies at any time of the day. Smaller emerger patterns are the way to go at the moment. #16-#18 Klinkhammer or parachute Adams being the go to flies for this water.

Lake Jindabyne has been quite high and steady at around 86% and is fishing quite well in the late afternoon right through to dark and beyond. Mudeye and Damselfly nymphs are great prospecting flies throughout the day, with midges and beetle patterns for dusk and dark.

Lake Eucumbene is sitting steady on around %52 and seeing some fantastic midge action in the evenings. A midge buzzer underneath a Griffith Gnat is a great way to entice a midge eater.

The smaller alpine creeks and streams are also worth a look! Not only are they some of the most beautiful waterways in the area they can also be the most productive waters with many anglers coming away with in excess of 30-50 fish a session. A small #2 or #3 rod can be a fun way of dry fly fishing in any of the multitude of small creeks and streams.

With summer in full swing and some of the best fishing going, its time that you came down to Jindabyne for your summer break. We have all the info on where and when to catch fish. We can also organize any guiding or tuition that you may require!!!

Happy Holidays and Merry Fishmas!

The High Country Team

We are already into November and its looking like the weather has started to stabilize with spring like conditions finally upon us. There are already lots of airborne insects out and about and some fish are starting to look up! The larger rivers still have quite a bit of water moving and its looking like we might see some fantastic summer condition with plenty of water flow for most of the summer.

The smaller  streams in the area are fishing very well with a dry and dropper combination. A bouyant emerger pattern with a unweighted nymph seems to be working quite nicely. In the deeper water a couple of nymphs fished a little lower in the water column should do the trick.

The Thredbo river has been a little bit tougher in the lower section, with a couple of nymphs fished deep proving to be the most productive rig. The weather is warming up nicely and the fish will soon start to take flies off the surface very shortly. Parachute Adams, Kinlkhammers, and emergers will be the go-to patterns. Theupper sections of the Thredbo are fishing off the top very well, but a little insurance with a soft hackle or unweighted nymph will cover your bases.

Over the past couple of evening we have seen some ant falls taking place, so be sure to have some ant patterns in your box for these times. A black spinner pattern that is lightly hackled is a great ant alternative. When fishing an ant hatch it’s very important to manage your drifts well, as there is usually quite a lot of naturals on the surface and the trout tend to really hone in on them, so make sure your presentations are spot on. Don’t get too frustrated though, as fishing during these times can be somewhat a challenge.

The water level of lake Jindabyne is still quite high and we should start to see some nice fish cruising looking for food as the edges start to warm up. There has been quite a few bugs on the water. Caddis, Mayflies, Gum Beetles, and Damselflies are in good numbers. The lake water temperature is still quite cold from the snow melt and should start to warm sooner than later, So keep an eye out a few meters from the bank.

Lake Eucembene has been a little tougher as the wind has been something to contend with. There are plenty of midge around with the odd mayfly and caddis also getting about. The water level has been quite steady and is covering some fresh ground. I think Eucembene should really start to fire up in the coming weeks. If your planning a trip to the lakes for a fish it would pay to practice casting in some windier conditions at home so your well prepared to tackle a gust.

Things are really looking good for a great summer of fishing. From now on the fishing is just going to get better. We have a fully stocked shop with some fantastic new products at some super competitive prices, So don’t forget to call in for a chat and stock up on all the latest trout catching goodness!

Happy Fishing Folks

Ant

We are now a couple of weeks into the river fishing season, and what a mixed start it has been!

The opening weekend saw quite a few anglers getting their river fix for the start of the season. The rivers around the area were up and moving , making it a little difficult for getting your flies down to the fish, but with a little weight and some big heavy flies (tungsten usually does the trick) anglers were able to get into the action. There was a last minute run of rainbow trout in the Thredbo river. Although there weren’t nearly as many spawning Rainbows as in previous years (a decline that is becoming more noticeable each year for the last 4/5 years) there were still some good fish being caught with the larger fish being caught in the lower section of the Thredbo from Paddy’s corner downstream. The upper parts of the Thredbo were also fishing quite well with quite a few catch numbers reported.

Quite surprisingly, considering the weather we have been having of late, the smaller streams around the area have also been fishing well, with many anglers breaking out their dry fly arsenal and catching a few off the surface.

The Eucumbene river and surrounds have been a little quiet with a majority of reports stating that the lake are still the places to hit.

Both lake Jindabyne and Eucumbene have received a little top up from the snow melt and rain run off bringing the water levels up to a more productive level.

We have a fully stocked fly shop with everything you could possibly need for your next fishing trip, whether it be a couple of flies from our huge range (possibly the largest selection of trout flies in Australia), a new fly outfit (prices starting at $249.95 for a complete package), or even just to come in for a chat and find out where and what is happening. We are open 7 days a week from 8am. 02 64562989.

Get out there and get into it folks,

The High Country Crew

Spring is here! The weather has been sensational and the fishing has been very good as well.

Both Lake Jindabyne and Lake Eucumbene  have been on fire with some great fish being caught around the edges. The clear windless days have provided the fisher with some great opportunities for sight fishing on both of the lakes. The fish are right in close chasing frogs, tadpoles, and bugs that are up around the grassy edges. Actively looking for cruising fish is going to be the best way of hooking into some of these fish. Small black nymphs that could represent a tadpole, or even some larger dark green wooly buggers that have a similar size and shape to a frog would be the best pattern to use. Carefully casting your fly into the path of a cruising fish with a slow constant retrieve should get you into the game.

Lake Jindabyne has been fluctuating a little bit with the water levels, but is starting to rise again and should start to see some better sight fishing opportunities over the next few days. Casting a streamer pattern over structure and working the deeper water can often entice a nice big brown trout to eat!

Lake Eucumbene has been fishing consistently well for that last couple of weeks as the lake level has been quite steady. Many anglers are reporting some very good catches of brown trout and the odd rainbow.

This brings me to another concern! Over the past few years we have seen a significant drop in numbers of Rainbow trout in both the river and lake systems. The annual spawning run of rainbow trout has also seen a very low, and now concerning fall in recruitment, which seams to be having a very serious impact on our rainbow trout fishery. We are asking for your input and help to try and find a solution to this apparent problem. If you feel that the Rainbow trout fishery has been in decline for the past few years, we would like very much for any feedback or concerns that you may have. Just drop us a line or 2 in an email, give us a call, or just pop in to the shop for a chat, The more public support we can garner from the fishing community the more likely we are to find some funding for the solution. I must re-iterate that there is nothing wrong with the Brown trout population and in fact we are seeing some incredible numbers of recruitment from both Lake Eucumbene and Lake Jindabyne, with some extremely large trophy fish. Many of my fellow anglers are concerned about the Rainbow trout numbers and fell that now is the time to do something about it before its too late.

Please help out where you can!

The High Country Crew.

Lake Jindabyne has had a bit of a top-up and the water is right up into the grass and so are the fish!! Early season polaroiding hasn’t been this great in years. September is usually the month we start walking around the lake spotting cruising fish looking for food around the edges, but this year the sight fishing has come a little early.

There has been some terrific fish caught in the past couple of weeks we have seen lots of big browns cruising the shallow bays around Hatchery bay, Waste point, East Jindabyne, and Kalkite with the odd Rainbow trout also lurking.

Patience and stealth are the name of the game when looking for these hungry fish, as they are usually just a few feet off the bank. Taking your time and scoping out the weed beds and new water over the vegetation. With the lake level of Jindabyne up onto the grass the fish are usually only a couple of feet out from the bank, so keep your eyes peeled. When you do see a fish, don’t rush down and cast to it as it will more than likely end up “spooking” the fish. A slow and gentle approach is required here. It often pays to observe the movements and feeding pattern before you cast.

The flies that have been the most productive are small nymphs and soft hackle flies that have little impact on the water. Caddis pupua, Mayfly nymphs, and smaller Damsel fly patterns have been a few of my favourites.

When the weather starts looking dark and gloomy, its not necessarily time to pack up and leave. Working the deeper water with a wooly bugger or “killer” type fly can also have some great results.

Now is the time to hook in to some great fish, so get out there and get into it!!!

If you need any advice or just want to grab a few flies, come on in to High Country Outfitters. We have the biggest selection of freshwater flies and fly gear in the area.

Contact us or drop in and see us at Shop 8 nuggets crossing, Jindabyne or call us on (02) 6456 2989

Happy fishing folks,

Ant.

Winter has arrived with full force and there is plenty of snow on the ground and plenty more on it’s way. But don’t let it get in the way of chasing some trout! Winter is a fantastic time to venture out on to the lakes in the area, which are still open to fish during the winter season. In between snow storms and blizzards there can be some magical days to polaroid the foreshore. In the winter months the fish really like moving in closer to shore and make sight casting to these fish a very exciting experience. A well presented nymph placed ahead of a cruising fish can see some great hook-ups. Wooly buggers and other streamer patterns such as Hamills Killers, Mrs Simpsons, and Matuka style of flies fished deep around the margins can often entice a bite from fish looking for yabbies and shrimp.

Days like these can see some wonderful opportunities for sight casting to cruising fish.

Evening fishing during these months is also a very productive activity, although temperatures after dark can get well below freezing, it will pay to get some good quality outerwear to keep you warm and toasty whilst fishing at night (or even during the day for that matter!) Thankfully High Country Outfitters  has everything that you need to keep you going through these colder months. Brands like Patagonia, Columbia, and Simms have some great gear that will make the experience more comfortable.

High Country Outfitters is open 7 days a week from early til late all year around.

Contact Us or Call us on (02) 64562989

Autumn Fishing Report

The summer that kept on giving has finally rolled into Autumn and the Brown trout spawning run is just about to kick off!!!

The weekend saw our first substantial rainfall for the Autumn season and a few Browns have already started to move into the river system although a bit more rain should really start to move things along nicely.

The Summer dry-fly fishing this year has been quite exceptional and there’s still some surface action to be had. The upper section of the Thredbo river still has some fantastic top water activity with mayflies, caddis, and the odd grasshopper still fluttering about. Using a smaller stimulator or wulff patterns are sure to be successful on the surface. Covering your bases with a small Hare & Copper, Hares ear, or Pheasant tail nymph trailing your dries can see plenty of “hook ups”. The higher alpine streams and creeks  have also been fishing very well, and if you like fishing those tighter waters you could be rewarded with some very good fish.

With the onset of cooler days and hopefully some rain and snow thrown into the mix, we will start focusing our attention below the surface. Nymphing with some heavier flies and perhaps a trailing “glo-bug” to entice some of those larger trophy fish will be our go to rig. I like using a heavier tungsten beaded fly as my dropper with an unweighted nymph or egg pattern tied off about 30cm – 60cm trailing behind. The heavier fly gets down reasonably fast and allows for a more natural drift of the bottom fly. My favourite rig is a size 10 -14 tungsten Hare & Copper with an Manic soft egg pattern tied around 45cm off the bend of the nymph, with a dead drift this set up has been a proven winner and deadly effective. Getting your flies down to the fish is very important, so don’t forget to vary your weight to make sure that your flies are getting to the fish, a soft weight or split-shot above the first fly will enable the flies to hit the bottom. Maintaining a dead drift is also very important when fishing below the surface, so line control and management is so important when targeting those harder to catch fish.

Lake Jindabyne and Eucembene have both been struggling to fish well in the later part of the summer months with both lakes being very “hit or miss” during the day and only limited action in the evenings. The autumn like weather has managed to cool the water temperatures a bit and some fish have been seen patrolling the edges. An unweighted streamer cast into the path of a feeding trout can be its undoing, just be careful not to spook the fish!!!

With less than 8 weeks left of the river season, now is the time to head down to Jindabyne to get into some great fly fishing before the rivers close!

Don’t forget High Country Outfitters have everything you need to get you into the action both on and off the water. Our winter outerwear and adventure wear are starting to drop in store, so come on in and get yourself some fresh new threads for the winter season!!

Happy fishing folks!

The High Country Crew.

We are getting into the last breaths of the official summer, but I think there’s still a way to go before this hotter weather is behind us.

The fishing in general has been fantastic on the rivers and streams, with the higher section fishing much better than the lower, warmer elevations. Dry flies are the order of the day with most of the fish looking up. however the larger fish tend to be in the cooler water, in the under cuts and the deeper holes. so getting a nymph under the banks or in the deeper water can be worth a try. The flies to use are Stimulator and hopper patterns, Caddis, Wulffs and beetles. Just about anything presented well will get you in the ball park! Remember that your drift has to be good, making sure that you are mending your casts and concentrating on line management. A little bit of drag on the flies will be your undoing on the slower water! The most productive times for fishing the rivers is during the early mornings and evenings, however you can still get fish during the middle of the day (don’t forget the sunscreen!!) but it can be quite warm.

The lakes are a bit “hit or miss” at the moment with the water temps in excess of 24 degrees so it would pay to get some wet flies down to some depth with a sink/intermediate line as the fish will be more than likely be seeking some cooler water. when the fish are down deep they are mostly chasing yabbies, so a bigger yabby pattern would be a good choice of fly. The evenings right through the night will see some bigger fish move into the shallows in search of a meal. Night time fishing on the lake can be very exciting with larger trout taking the fly with great gusto, so you better hold on!!

Over the next month or so we should see a drop in the temperature and the water start to cool so some early spawning brown trout will start to make their annual pilgrimage up the streams and rivers to start the spawning cycle. This time of the year can be a fantastic opportunity to get into some trophy trout!!

Happy fishing!

The Crew at High Country Outfitters