I was looking forward to a week in the North East leading up to Australia Day. I had fished this time of the year for the last couple of years and it was magic. Weather was hot, rivers clear and the fishing is often really good. This year was no exception. Picked up Brett from Bright and saw a big storm cut across the valley ahead of us. Weather cleared as we neared Harrietville but we noticed smoke in the nearby hills. I showed Brett how to fish with a Celta and after a short while he started to catch trout. All the while we could hear the helicopter flying in and filling up with water to fight the fire. We completed the Howard's Bridge wade and the tally was 5 trout on a spinner. Brett was rapt. The fire continued to burn and the choppers kept loading up. Next morning I fished early and was keen, after being an observer the previous day. Started to get some trout and bagged a ripper about midday which was about a kg. Mich rang me and told me she could hear the chopper again. I stepped out of the river for a look and was scared stiff. Fire was raging up the mountain. I raced home and we watched it burn all afternoon and into the night. We left Harrietville Wednesday morning and the fire continued to rage for many days. How disappointing.
