A visit to the McKenzie river at Zumsteins March 2016

We had an extra day at the Stawell Gift planned this year as Michele had some VAL work to do setting up photo finish cameras. I decided to take my fishing gear and wander up the creek from the picnic area to see if I could take a few fish. River was low and clear, as expected. I walked up the creek and fished the pocket water as best I could. Used a small red Humpy and managed to entice 4 small brown trout to the surface. They were very slow with the take and as they swam off just held the fly in their mouth. I only lipped the first 3 after waiting a long time to lift the rod but finally landed a fish about 25cm. I waited a ridiculous amount of time before lifting and I could see the fish 5 metres away with the fly in its mouth. A great 2 hour session on a fine sunny day.

Return to Harrietville, February 2016

I waited patiently for a return to my favourite river and the season was slipping away. Four days in February and another four in April built the anticipation of a great end to the season. Water levels were low but I was anxious to get onto the river. The afternoon we arrived was warm and sunny and I walked the traditional Howards Bridge wade. Glorious to finally be there. The trout were keen to have a crack at anything resembling food and I took about a dozen even though they were pretty spooky. Frosty Corner the next morning and although the weather was perfect the trout weren't keen at all. I managed about 5 and never felt as though I had the correct fly.  Water level was too low for a nymph so i ditched them and concentrated on the usual range of dry flies. Nothing really helped and I only managed a handful of trout for the next couple of days. The top section of Frosty Corner accounted for a dozen trout on day three when i used my Glenn Innes hopper. Took a couple of great browns there when the sun was on the water. I remember the Maestro told me one of the fish he ate was full of black beetles when he gutted it a couple of weeks earlier so the next day I waited for midday and used a black beetle. Very difficult to see, but as soon as it hit the water trout came from everywhere. Had a stellar afternoon taking great fish from very shallow water. Sensational angling and quiet stalking in tough conditions. Hooked a massive brown from amongst a log jam in Frosty Corner after a great cast. he took my beetle and after  10 seconds of being hooked shook his head and escaped to safety. I know where he lives and I'll be back in April.

We visit the King Parrot - November 2015

Introducing Glenn and Tony, my golfing mates, to the KP was a great opportunity to have a closer look at the creek after not visiting during last year.  The water level was very low, about 39cm, and I doubt if the creek will be running if we don't get some rain soon. Ventured to the creek about 10am and walked one of the more popular access points. Glenn walked downstream and was fishing with a nymph trailing a dry. Tony was fishing a small black nymph and I had an elk hair caddis with a small brown nymph. The sun was out and temperature about 20 degrees. We picked our way along the creek and I hooked a nice fish in an early deep pool with many log jams. Held the fish for a while but he was too good for me and shook himself off the hook after diving down into the logs. Second trout took the nymph and it also escaped without too much trouble. Glenn hadn't had much action and Tony hadn't fared any better. The creek looked very fishy and that kept us enthused. We all changed flies a number of times trying to find the right combination. I took two browns on a Glenn Innes Hopper while Glenn caught the fish of the day after working his magic at a nice run along the left bank of the creek. It was a beautiful brown about 32cm long and maybe 500-600grams. Great fish for this creek. Unfortunately, poor Tony went fish less for this trip but will be keen to make amends next time we fish together. If we get some regular rain the KP will be OK. without it, a poor season lies ahead.

A New Season Begins - October 5-7 2015

Denis and I planned a trip to Harrietville to coincide with a weeks leave he took. The weather was hot, a temperature of 32 degrees for much of the trip. Arrived, unpacked and decided to walk Frosty corner to begin with. As we walked to the river we both developed blisters on our feet which troubled us for the whole trip. We both began with nymphs and continued this way for the whole three days. I also used an elk hair caddis as an indicator. Unfortunately it never took a fish for the whole trip. All trout were caught on nymphs and the fish were generally around the 30-32 cm length and in top condition. A combination of browns and rainbows were taken. River height was 140cm.
The trophy was up for grabs and we took many fish along the way. Tuesday morning we waded
Howards bridge and at one stage stood shoulder to shoulder while taking 8 fish from the one run, all around the 30cm mark, fantastic angling. In the afternoon we went for a look at Smoko. It was just beautiful and we managed many fish during that session as well. As a cooler weather change came through the fishing started to die off a bit and Wednesday morning, before leaving for home we only took 8 trout. That gave us a total of 92 fish for the three days. All trout returned safely to the river. Denis took out the trophy with the best trout being 35cm rainbow taken from in the caravan park boundary.
I have seen the error of my ways and am really liking fishing with the nymph. I even got rid of the caddis indicator and used a small foam indicator on the final morning. This made my fly very easy to see and much more enjoyable. I  even made plans to make a nymph box for myself, wow, things have really changed.

Two final trips for 2015 - Harrietville

Denis and I found an empty weekend and decided at short notice to go fishing for the weekend. Left home Friday morning and were fishing at Smoko by 3.00pm. Water was low at 1.23 and weather was perfect. We waded that section of difficult water and caught 40 trout. A few good ones amongst them and we had a great afternoon struggling through the overgrown river. Midway through Denis added a nymph to his dry fly and out fished me 5 to 1. The nymph was taking plenty, with great reluctance I added one to my dry as well and joined the fun. A great start to the trip. Next day we fished Howards bridge and Frosty corner and ended the day at Tom Bibby bridge. The Keenan Taylor trophy was up for grabs and I finally nailed the winning fish in the last pool at Tom Bibby, a 37 cm Brown. We took 114 trout for the weekend including a number of fish around 34 cm which were in beautiful condition.
20-24 April
Michele and I had a week to remember. Arrived on Monday departed Friday. Rain had fallen the previous weekend and the river was back to 1.30cm, a perfect height. Tuesday morning i took 3 good fish at school bridge as I walked past on my way to Grannies pantry.  Took another 13 as I walked back home. After lunch I quickly waded Frosty corner . Caught plenty but it was very windy and I was pressed for time. Michele picked me up and I had about 25 for the day. In the morning I managed about 10 about 34cm which is a good stream fish for the Ovens.
Wednesday morning I waded Smoko. Had a tandem rig including an Elk hair caddis and a trailing nymph. Couple of fish in the first couple of runs and fished the deeper pools up river. At the top of the run a magnificent brown trout appeared from 40cm of water. She turned, her big white mouth opened and engulfed my caddis. I waited for her to turn and lifted my rod. Got her, worked her carefully down stream through the pool to a small island of stones where I landed her gently and kept her in a small pool of water. She was a monster, beautifully marked and recovering in the shallow water. I took photos, measured her carefully and just looked at how fat she was. After taking the caddis out of her mouth I held her in two hands and walked her up to the pool where she lived. As she entered the water her mouth opened a few times and she flicked her tail and gently swam away. An amazing moment for me.