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.