Oldie but a Goodie: Flyfishing Reports from 2018

We are still waiting for some rain??? And it looks like it might be coming this weekend. According to the B.O.M. we should be getting a good downpour from Thursday night and should continue through friday, then maybe a chance of some more rain  from Monday till Wednesday (fingers crossed) if the rain does finally come, it will certainly bring some fish into the rivers and streams in the area. The past couple of weeks has seen some larger fish starting to move into both the Eucumbene and Thredbo rivers, although at this stage they look to be just scoping out some good breeding grounds and are very very spooky at the moment.

There is still some great dry-fly fishing to be had, although the overnight temperatures have been quite cool, there has been plenty of sunshine warming up the day and we are still seeing some good hatches of smaller mayflies and midge. There are also still a few hoppers around, but I’d say there days are numbered as we are starting to get a few good frosts in the morning. It’s a good time to start thinking about getting some flies below the surface. As the weather cools there is going to be less surface activity and a lot more sub-surface action. Nymphs and Glo-bugs are going to be the go to flies once there is some more water moving down the rivers and creeks. For those looking at trying something a little different during the spawning period, try swinging some big wet flies down and across for some very exciting takes from some big aggressive fish!

Lake fishing is starting to pick up on both lakes, with some good fish cruising around the newly exposed weed beds on Lake Jindabyne and yabbie beds on Eucumbene. There has been a lot of fluctuation on levels on both lakes this summer which has made it a little difficult for any solid food to establish around the edges, The best bet for getting into the lake fish is fishing deep at around 30-40ft.

The smaller creeks around the area are still fishing quite well although are suffering from a lack of water. Just be aware that fish can die easily if not handled properly, and great care should be taken when releasing your catch.

Remember that the May 1st bag and size limits are now in effect and that only one fish over 50cm is permitted with a 2 fish possession limit for trout spawning stream and rivers.

With hopefully a bit of wet weather coming our way in the next few days the fishing should pick up and with only a few weeks left of the NSW Trout river season left, it would be a fantastic to end the season on a high after the fantastic season it was.

Don’t forget to drop by the shop to grab some flies and supplies! or just call in for a catch up and find out where the fish are biting!

Happy Fishing Folks!!

The High Country Crew.

Autumn is here!

The trees are changing colour  and the days are getting shorter. Its been a fantastic summer for trout fishing, albeit a challenging one in the later part. We have had some very warm days here in the high country with very little significant rain falling in the past couple of months making the later part of the summer fishing quite challenging for daytime fishing. There is still some very good fishing to be had with plenty of fish in the rivers and lakes. With low water conditions in most of the rivers around the region you really have to be on your game, as the fish are quite “skittish” at the moment. With a little patience and a stealthy approach will get you into some good fishing. Earlier and later parts of the day have generally been a lot more productive.

The hoppers are out in numbers as well, and fishing the grassy edges of the rivers and lakes during the windier times has proven to be quite successful. A hopper pattern smacked on the surface is usually too hard for a hungry trout to resist!!! There is a huge variety of shapes and colored hoppers getting around! Luckily we have just about every pattern to match them here in store. Don’t be afraid to mix it up with your patterns as there is still quite a few bugs getting about, with no dominant critters apart from the hoppers! When the going gets a little tougher during the high sun, it can pay to drop a nymph under a dry-fly, or even fishing the deeper water with a couple of nymphs.

Lake Eucumbene is starting to see a few fish move in closer to the edges chasing the bugs around the weed beds. As the weather starts to cool down some more we should start to get into some better fishing, the Browns will be looking for some food to get into some condition ready for their annual pilgrimage up stream to spawn.

Lake Jindabyne is also seeing some better fish coming in closer to shore as there a some good schools of goldfish hanging around the weed beds. The brown trout love chasing them down for a nice big meal with little effort. Larger streamers fished in the schools can usually produce some good results.

The higher streams are still the pick of the fishing at the moment. As the weather cools and we start to get some rain (hopefully!!??) the fishing will start getting a little easier and the fish will become a little more relaxed.

Happy fishing folks! The next couple of months are looking great!

Happy New Year.

Wow! What a great start to the year it has been. The weather has been fantastic, and the fishing has been even better. The rivers and streams around the region have been fishing very well and we are starting to hear a few good reports from the lake fishermen as well.

The Thredbo river is looking great at the moment. Although we have had some very warm days up here in the high country, we have had some cooler temps over the past couple of days keeping the water temperature nice and comfortable for the trout and the odd little rainfall  in the catchment has managed to keep the river flowing at  great summer level. The abundance of insect life at the moment is making fly selection a little easier! Caddis Flies, Beetles (both black and brown in all sizes), Mayflies, and some smaller hoppers and crickets are getting about, A well drifted dry fly pattern with no drag should be the undoing of a wary trout sipping food from the surface. The upper part of the Thredbo is fishing best with many anglers doing very well from the skitube right through to Dead Horse gap. Best fishing on the rivers is usually early morning and later in the afternoon, but good catches can occur anytime of the day. Just be sure to fish slowly and methodically during full sunlight hours as the fish can be a little spooky at these times. Sometimes it would pay to hang a smaller nymph pattern under a larger dry and fish under the banks during the warmer full sun days, the fish like to stay cool and not expose themselves to any potential predators.

The Mowamba river has also been fishing very well, Humpies and caddis patterns are the go-to flies as the beetles and caddis have been prolific. Size 12 beetles and size 14-18 caddis patterns.

The Monaro streams are still fishing quite well, although with the heat and little rainfall its probably a good time to leave the smaller Monaro streams alone and let the resident fish have a little repreive from the warmer conditions. If you are tempted to fish for these lovely local fish, please be sure to revive the fish properly when releasing to ensure a healthy survival.

It may be tempting to have a cast at these guys, but sometimes it’s best to take photograph and leave them for a cooler day!

 Lake Eucumbene and Lake Jindabyne have been fishing reasonably well, as we have seen both lakes water level rise over some new grass in the previous weeks and there have been reports of some nice browns and rainbows cruising the edges in search of a feed. It has been quite inconsistent from day to day, so persistence and perseverance should pay off. Lake fishing from the shore during the warmer months are usually best during the evening hours right through the night. Mudeyes and shrimp patterns are the go-to patterns right now, There have also been some larger Bogong moths making an appearance, A muddler minnow pattern “popped” across the surface can be deadly effective when the moths are about.

The higher altitude streams and creeks are my pick of the water to fish right now. With cooler temperatures and still good flows the fish are less likely to suffer any adverse affects when released during these warmer times. Perisher creek, Betts creek, and Spencers are all fishing very well.

With everything looking good for a cracker of a trout season, there is no better time to get on down to the Snowy Mountains for a break! Come on down, drop in for a chat, and get into some of the best dry-fly fishing in recent years!!

Happy New Year and Happy Fishing!!

The High Country Outfitters Crew.

Murray, Glen, Kirst, Kaz, Jimmy, and Ant.

Originally Posted 2018, Updated 15th June 2020