Mitta Mitta Wild Trout!

How about this! These guys contacted me last week for information about the Mitta Mitta River and where to fish it. I gave them detailed information and they went on and caught a bag of trout including these beauties. Both brown trout, the larger one went 2 kilograms and the smaller touched a little over 1.45 kilograms. They also caught a number of smaller trout that averaged 750 grams or one and a half pounds in weight each. They caught them fly fishing and some fell for nymphs while others took a varirty of dry flies. Great fishing guys!

Victoria River, Hotham High Plains

Springtime fly fishing in the Victoria River on the Hotham High Plains, northeast Victoria. This typical mountain stream holds good numbers of wild-bred trout, mostly browns with a smattering of rainbow trout as well. The angler in the photo came from oversesas just to fish northeast Victoria's sub-alpine rivers including the Victoria and left suitably impressed. Bait and lure anglers also do well in summer but all need to beware of the many copperhead and king brown snakes that are active along the riverbanks during hot weather. In keeping with world's best conservation policy, all trout caught by fly fishers are usually released unharmed on capture. Excellent free camping facilities are available in selected locations along the river during the trout fishing season which runs from early September to mid-June. The dirt road to the camping locations is a dry weather only road and is not suitable for 2-wheel drive vehicles in winter.

'Lake With No Name", Bogong High Plains

This is part of the legendary 'Lake With No Name' on the Bogong High Plains in northeast Victoria. It is located at 1800 metres above sea level and home to wild brown trout than rarely exceed 650 grams in weight. The water surface area is only about one and a half hectares in area, but this little lake tends to keep fly fishers on their toes as fish rise to almost invisible insects throughout the day in summer, especially when there is no wind is blowing. Because of the high altitude, from a strong wind to a light breeze blows almost every day. Some parts of the shoreline and bottom in shallow water are composed of fine silt that acts like quicksand. Most fish are caught on small dry flies by fly fishers who release them unharmed.

Pretty Valley Creek, Bogong High Plains

This is the Pretty Valley Creek on the Bogong High Plains. It is the only outflow from Pretty Valley Lake and is populated with wild brown trout to around 350 grams in weight. The creek is ideal for fly fishing by beginners as the fish are plentiful and usually eager to get caught. Most fish are caught on small dry flies, the water being too shallow in summer for bait and lure fishing. The fish are or should be released unharmed after a photo or two. This photo was taken on 28th February 2009.

Too Many Anglers!

Goodness me! There were just too many people fly fishing at the 'Lake With No Name' on the Bogong High Plains near Falls Creek over the Labour Day weekend.

They tried fishing the lake as a result of hearing about it through my free 'Weekly Fishing Report' which is emailed to registered email addresses each Thursday. So far in excess of 500 subscribers receive the report, with glowing feedback as to accuracy of reports and regular but little-known information about the nine rivers, numerous streams and five lakes of the northeast Victoria alpine region.

I went up there with two guys on Sunday morning but in about two hours of fishing we caught nothing. Other anglers had better luck after we left and a number of brown trout were caught and mostly released, I understand.

We went on to fish other waters and caught plenty of trout. Read about it and more in this week's 'Weekly Fishing Report'. To register to receive it email Geoff at info@anglingvic.com.au.

Double your Money

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Bushfires and Rivers, Fly Fishing and Big Trout

Thankfully, and although it seems small change in light of so many fatalities and livestock and asset losses, the current bushfires have not affected the rivers, lakes and streams of NE Victoria's alpine region, which are in excellent condition and should remain so this summer and into autumn.

The bi-annual Victorian Fly Fishing Championships begin this weekend. The venue is Rocky Valley Lake on the Bogong High Plains, near the already large and still growing Falls Creek Alpine Resort.

The lake is currently at 85% capacity and holds self-sustaining populations of wild rainbow trout and brown trout and nothing else, the water being too cold for native fish species. At 1800 metres above sea level Rocky Valley Lake is also much too cold for swimming or water skiing, even during the hottest days of summer.

Trout caught on tiny flies with barbless hooks are often in the 4-plus kilograms region and all are released unharmed after being measured and weighed.

30 anglers in boats will be competing in 4 sessions over 2 days, with winners in the various events going on to represent Victoria in the National Fly Fishing Championships later this year.