Victorian fishing | Philip Weigall

Archive for the ‘Victorian fishing’ Category

Gorillas in the Mist

Posted in fishing Australia, flyfishing, Uncategorized, Victorian fishing on April 18, 2013 | 4 Comments »

After a few false starts involving booked out accommodation, muddy water and artificial floods, Peter and I managed a few days away last week. One of the great attributes of flyfishing is how things sometimes just work out, and although fishing around Myrtleford wasn’t our first or even second choice, in the end it couldn’t have been much better.

Kiewa above Mongans Bridge

All my life I’ve loved autumn in north-east Victoria – the colour on the trees, the soft misty mornings, the warm settled days minus the sharp heat of a month or two earlier. The rivers always seem to be at about the ideal height (tailwater flushes excepted!) and the water is as clear as it gets. The trout seem pretty laid back; sipping quietly in the foam lines and pool tails, or nymphing away at the bottom of the deeper runs away from the full force of current. So it isn’t always fast, flashy fishing as you can find during summer evenings or when the hoppers are about. Instead,a steady, methodical approach seems to suit the winding down of the season. It feels good to spend ten minutes working on one sipper, or to thoroughly nymph every inch of the drop-off at the head of the pool.

From the Kiewa to several of the Ovens River tributaries, Peter and I never had a blinder. But we caught several fish a session, and some good ones too, with the better browns and rainbows pushing 16 inches. These fish and the more common ‘pannies’ were all in good condition, proof as if it were needed that they’d made it through a fairly hot, dry summer just fine.

In the Mist

After we were all spoiled by a couple of wet, high flow summers, there’s been lots of talk this last one about trout decimated by cormorants, fires and low, lethally warm water. Don’t believe it. Trout are very good at staying out of sight when they want to, and then as soon as things are favourable again, out they come from the nooks and crannies. Maybe there aren’t quite as many fish as during the high points of 2011 and 2012, but there are plenty all the same. The north-east rivers – including the burnt ones – will be just fine. As ever, they don’t need artificial stocking, that will just upset the natural recovery. The good numbers of fish already present will soon be spawning in ideal river conditions, and the resulting fry will grow quickly over spring, as will the many fingerlings already present. Roll on next season!

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More Millbrook Smelters

Posted in fishing Australia, flyfishing, Victorian fishing, Victorian flyfishing on January 13, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

They’re on in earnest up here at the moment. As the Cabin Lake levels slowly drop and the weed dies, the minnows are left with nowhere to hide and the trout are creaming them. Exhilarating fishing, but simultaneously very challenging: sometimes several different trout in a row will charge the fly but just won’t eat it. Then, the next several will smash it. Have a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS8TZt_FOcA&feature=youtu.be

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Beautiful Baw Baw

Posted in flyfishing, fishing Australia, Victorian fishing, events, Victorian flyfishing on November 30, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Well, the first Fly Fish Baw Baw weekend was quite an event. The village itself is situated on a rolling snowgum plateau that drops away nearly 1500 metres into the valleys below. It was always going to be a beautiful spot for a flyfishing get together. But what would the weather do? And would anyone turn up?

The answers turned out to be fine and sunny (the weather gods clearly approved), and lots. From the moment Rick Dobson began his Friday night presentation on how and where to fish the area to a crowd that wouldn’t fit in the room, things were looking good. By Sunday evening as the last casts were made on the purpose-built casting ponds, a couple of hundred people at least must have come up the mountain to experience all things flyfishing (and some pretty fine hospitality and food from the crew at Baw Baw).

Fly casting in the sky

One of the great things about Baw Baw, in addition to its proximity to many fine flyfishing streams, is how family-friendly it is. With stacks of good accommodation in a pretty setting, cafes and restuarants, easy pedestrian access everywhere, wildlife and activities like bike riding and bushwalks, Jane and my two little boys loved the place and didn’t want to leave. They even found a patch of snow on the south side of the summit for a little tobogan ride and snow balls.

Bike riding on a mountain top

And the fishing? Everyone who went out had a ball. The local streams were still a tad high with a tinge of colour, but the air was warm and with plenty of stonefly, mayfly and other insect life about, the trout were playing the game. I did best with a #12 Muz Wilson Messy Wulff and a #14 Cadillac Nymph about 2 ft beneath, with takes split about 50/50 between the nymph and dry. Big generalist dries like Stimulators caught fish for others. I found the secret was to fish short and slow in the little seams and pockets that gave the fish a break from the rushing current. Fast drift, nothing happened; slow and the trout fought over the flies, sometimes literally. I watched two trout go for Steve Dunn’s flies at the same time, one to the nymph and one to the dry!

Rainbow from the slopes of Baw Baw.

The Thomson, Tanjil (both branches), Toorongo, Loch and Latrobe rivers all produced plenty of browns and rainbows in the 20 – 30 cm range, with some bigger fish encountered on the Aberfeldy. New Zealand based guest speaker for the event, Mike Davis, was beaming after his Saturday out on the mountain streams with Rick Dobson – and Mike’s someone who spends most of his time on some of the best rivers in the world.

Gorgeous pocket water on the West Tanjil River.

It’s very easy for people to be cautious or even downright cynical about an event like this which is being run for the first time. So it’s a credit to those who got behind it from early on and gave 100% support. Just some of those who deserve special mention are:
- Peter Morse, ably supported by Andrew Connell, who put in a huge effort with the casting instruction.
- Rick Dobson for his Friday night talk and general help and donations.
- Mike Davis for great presentations and pictures.
- All the fly tiers: Rob Meade, Mick Hall, Chris Beech and Mark Scheimer
- Scott Macpherson, who came a long way for the event and pitched in with casting and fly tying.
- Andrew Summers from Mayfly who brought along a fine range of goodies for people to admire and who was supportive of the weekend from early on.
- Al McBurnie who also travelled a long way and was a great representative for NSW Fisheries.

- Nick Reygaert who provided his Rise Film Festival films to raise money for Evolve www.evolve.org.au (an auction at the Saturday night dinner also raised plenty for this great cause.)
- Julia Menzies from Fisheries Victoria who was just fantastic to work with organising the weekend and who kept things going smoothly right through it.
- Grant Seamer from Baw Baw, who together with his ever-cheerful colleagues, couldn’t have been more accommodating and helpful. And even I could tell that the food was simply brilliant.
- Anthony Hurst, Travis Dowling and John Douglas from Fisheries – we shouldn’t underestimate how fortunate we are to have senior Fisheries people giving an event like this their wholehearted support.

- Likewise Government representatives Bill Sykes and Gary Blackwood.
- Steve Dunn who was the perfect MC and another force for good in organising the weekend.

And thanks also to everyone who simply turned up. Events like these aren’t just about enjoying a good weekend (although that was easy to do!) They also have a pretty important roll to play in supporting our beloved sport – flyfishing – in all sorts of obvious and not so obvious ways.

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FLY FISH BAW BAW 23-25 November 2012

Posted in events, fishing Australia, flyfishing, Victorian fishing on October 30, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

This event is looking like a lot of fun. With the help of Fisheries Victoria and partners, the Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort has basically turned over the whole village to a weekend celebrating fly fishing in Victoria and the Baw Baw area. Everyone from would-be flyfisher to expert is very welcome. On Friday evening, Rick Dobson from Aussie Angler will be up at the resort giving a briefing on the area’s fly fishing options, and you will be able to pick up a specially prepared guide to the area. Saturday it’s off to fish wherever you like, with rivers like the Latrobe, Loch, Toorongo, Thomson, Tyers and of course the Tanjil within easy striking distance, plus Blue Rock Lake.

Toorongo River

Saturday evening Nick Reygaert has provided his Rise Film Festival show for screening, with all proceeds raised going to Evolve, an organisation that works in the outdoors to assist at risk and disadvantaged young people. Evolve are based in the Victorian high country and they’re developing a fly fishing component, so a fantastic cause and a very generous gesture by Nick. Sunday there will be a local food, wine and fly fishing trade fair in the village, with heaps of casting space for the likes of Mayfly and Gillies (I hear Morsie will be there) to show off their latest. There will be fly tying by Mick Hall, Rob Meade and others as well. The event is very much catered towards families with lots of accommodation and dining options, casting for kids and beginners, and the Resort providing guided walks, bike rides and other activities. For more information go to www.flyfishbawbaw.com.au

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Salmon and Storms

Posted in flyfishing, fishing Australia, Victorian fishing on July 5, 2012 | 1 Comment »

The relentless cold wet weather up here – in fact our wettest June since Millbrook was founded – required some sort of antidote, so at the end of the month brother Mark and I joined friends Max and Pete for a few days at Apollo Bay. At sea level, the temperature was a few degrees warmer than home and for the first couple of days at least, the Otway Ranges provided a coastal rain shadow from the storms coming in from the north-west. Along the beaches and rock ledges there were salmon everywhere, nice fish from 1 to 2 kg. But early in the trip an intense low centred off Tasmania generated a 5 metre swell, making flyfishing impossible. Max and I turned to the estuaries for shelter from the storm surge, and with a good strong tidal flow they fished quite well. On the Barham River we found salmon on the incoming tide, mostly small fish but a couple well over a pound – good fun on fly gear.

Barham River

Further west, the mighty Aire River provided some good bream action on red Hammerhead flies fished over the shallow weedbeds on a floating line. Despite a wet season, the Aire was it’s usual tannin colour rather than muddy, and there was a good flow of salt water up from the mouth. The sea at the mouth was frightening, a roaring mass of whitewater and foam with a black sky behind. There are literally hundreds of shipwrecks scattered along this coast, and on a day like that it’s easy to see why. But inside the river the only sound against the muffled surf roar was the hiss of current on sand, and the splash of bream and the occasional salmon and sea trout.

Aire River

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Tailers and Midge Feeders

Posted in Uncategorized, flyfishing, fishing Australia, Victorian fishing, lake fishing on May 30, 2012 | 2 Comments »

With winter almost here, tailing trout and midge (chironomid) feeders are presently providing the feature fishing here at Millbrook. It’s great fun, but not easy – the fish are very short-sighted as they grub for scud and snails in the weed, or hunt for the prolific midge pupa on cloudy light wind days. Still, fast pin-point accurate casts with a Carrot trailing a stick caddis or buzzer usually bring a response, if not always a solid hook-up!

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May Days

Posted in fishing Australia, flyfishing, lake fishing, Victorian fishing on May 16, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

I’ve fished the central Victorian lakes since the late 1970’s so it’s no surprise that they’ve been an important part of my flyfishing life. Many of my fishing friendships were built on these waters, while much of what I know about lake fishing was discovered and tested out there.

Cairn Curran 10 years ago.

During the ‘noughties’ the central lakes, like so many Victorian waters, were severely tested by ongoing drought. But since 2010 good rainfall returned and almost immediately the fishing followed. I fished and enjoyed the recovery of course – these lakes are just up the road. Yet something wasn’t quite the same as the old days. Whether it was the changed lake-scape, for example the flooded saplings and bushes that didn’t exist pre 2000, or the fact that the really big fish were yet to reappear, I didn’t get the sense of déjà vu I was expecting.

In the latest issue of Flyfisher (12) I wrote an extensive piece on the lakes and over the last couple of days, I fished them hard for the first time since that story appeared. Mid May was always a favourite time for me, when the transition to winter seemed to galvanise the cryptic browns especially, back into action. And I have to admit that, besides simply wanting to fish on a couple of days off, I was keen to see how what I wrote in the article was holding up.

Newlyn today.

This time, it was like being on the lakes of old. The water had the cold clarity of Mays long past; the slightly tannin-ish tint that followed the recent rapid refilling was gone. I recognised old fence-lines, logs and rocks that had been hidden by freakishly high levels in May last year. There was always a receding of water levels over summer, even in the pre drought years, and seeing the lakes with a metre or so less water actually restored a late autumn familiarity. The fishing was familiar too. Sighting a fish – even the faintest single dimple or distant smelter – added immeasurably to the chances of success. I did a lot of blind casts while waiting for a trout to move somewhere, but ultimately the 7 I landed were either fish I covered immediately, or fish I caught in the vicinity of where I’d spotted one. Same for the ones I missed, and there were a few of those!

Hepburn today.

The clincher for a sense of things having turned full circle, was several encounters with really big fish. I think the central lakes are, for the most part, truly back.

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Autumn Swallows

Posted in Uncategorized, flyfishing, fishing Australia, Victorian fishing on May 2, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

It’s taken a while, but I finally managed to catch up with Christopher Bassano for the first time since I caught that monster brown with him last September. This time it was my turn to play guide. With our good friend Max, in late April we headed to the streams, starting on the King River tailwater on the edge of Victoria’s high country, then heading north.

Just prior to the trip blizzards hit the mountains causing air and water temperatures to plummet and while we were subsequently blessed with soft sunny autumn days, the early taste of winter had left its mark. Insect numbers were much reduced and in the recently iced water, the trout seemed less active than just a week earlier. Still, I had a 24 pounder to repay and Christopher graciously suggested he’d take the balance in increments. Just as well – really big fish were hard to find and even the smaller ones weren’t always cooperative.

But with persistance and regular changes in technique, we slowly accumulated a respectable total. Many of these fish fell to nymphs, although around lunchtime the swallows would begin hunting over the water for the last of summer’s mayfly and caddis, a signal to chance the dry fly. Sure enough, on two afternoons Royal Wulffs and Orange Spinners worked well and late on the third day we guessed that Christopher’s caught-and-released mix of half to 2 pound browns and rainbows would have passed 24 pounds. I was back in credit – if only by the most generous of interpretations!

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ABC Podcast with Scott Levi

Posted in books, flyfishing, fishing Australia, Victorian fishing, events on August 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Last Saturday I had another enjoyable interview with NSW presenter and keen flyfisher Scott Levi. This time Scott asked me to read an excerpt from Fishing Sense. I chose a passage with a little lesson about micro-presentation, set on the Steavenson River just over the Great Divide from Melbourne. You can listen to the podcast here: http://blogs.abc.net.au/files/the-big-fish-podcast-13th-august.mp3 The pic above is my friend Max fishing the river on the very day in question.

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New Book – Fishing Sense

Posted in books, flyfishing, fishing Australia, Victorian fishing, Tasmanian flyfishing, New Zealand on July 18, 2011 | 1 Comment »

My new book Fishing Sense has arrived and should be finding its way out to stores over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be signing copies at Petrachs Bookshop, Launceston Tasmania on Friday 29 July, and at Aussie Angler, Greensborough Victoria on 13 August.