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.

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.

Watch OUT!

The warmer weather certainly brings out the SNAKES! Yesterday I spent the afternoon fishing at Morses Creek in Bright. I hadn't been on the water long when I watched a very large and deadly brown snake emerge from the left bank, swim across the river just in front of me and then climb up the right bank. I was amazed by three things: 1) just how large the snake was, 2) how easily it climbed up the nearly vertical right bank and 3) how it didn't seem to be phased by me at all, taking its own sweet time to complete it's journey.

(Written by Michele......
Now the picture is blurry. Stephen tells me that is because it was moving as he was trying to take the photo. Secretly I believe that it was because he was shaking so much as he watched it until it was well out of sight. Oh and he did manage to catch one nice fish in his travels.)

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!!!