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.

Better luck

I spent the morning fishing in the little stretch of the Ovens River just up behind the Harrietville Caravan Park (short 5 minute walk). I had much better luck......thank goodness! (The fishing gear won't be appearing on ebay just yet!!!)I  caught three nice fish but all were released. With stocks so low it is just not right to be killing them, even if we would both enjoy some smoked trout for dinner. I is going to try Morses Creek, Bright after lunch. Stay tuned!!!

Howard's Bridge, Harrietville

This is where it all started for the second time. When I was young I was very keen. Not that successful, but keen to learn and spent a lot of time wading rivers trying to catch trout on a fly. After I married I put it all away while we managed our family. My Christmas present in 2003 was a couple of days with a guide in the Tasmanian highlands fly fishing. What a sensational present. Didn't do much after that until one day in January 2008, when I met the Maestro. He introduced me to the mighty Ovens River at Harrietville and taught me a few of the finer points of fly fishing. I believe I knew 95% of what he told me, but the other 5% now accounts for a lot of fish.