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Hydro water flowing!
  |  First Published: March 2009



Due to the recent heat wave conditions in the cities, Snowy Hydro has been pushing the water through.

Last week Murray 2 Pondage overflowed down Khancoban Creek. The temperature in Khancoban Pondage has dropped from 23°C just after Christmas, when there was no power generation for a month, right down to 14°C after a fortnight of heavy power generation. It’s easy to see how this affects the fishing. Over the Christmas period we were getting some fantastic redfin up to 2kg (nice reddies, I think you’ll agree). Now in early February, due to the influx of icy water, the fishing has swung almost entirely to trout. This includes an excellent 2.8kg brown taken from the river last week.

Tooma Dam (20 mins from Khancoban, toward Cabramurra) has also been fishing well, with one group of three anglers recently catching 30 fish in a day (which were mostly released). Tooma also has the advantage of being 5-10°C cooler than down here in the valley, which has been a bonus during the recent heat wave. Worms and spinners were the successful offerings.

The range and diversity of the fishery is one of Khancoban’s major angling attractions. Whether you’re chasing rainbow and brown trout, Atlantic salmon, or Murray cod and golden perch, it is all within an easy drive from Khancoban.

It’s now time to plan your Khancoban getaway. Autumn provides arguably the year’s best fishing, with the trout trying to pack on condition before the spawning run. With all its European trees, Khancoban puts on a pretty special show. Leaves of all colours coincide with the arrival of the king parrots, mountain lorikeets and yellow-tailed black cockatoos, all chasing the fruit.

It makes for interesting fishing, watching all this activity. It’s hard to think of a nicer way to spend some time than wading a mountain stream or lake chasing that elusive ‘trophy brown’, listening to the various species of birds. If you are planning on visiting around Easter, please book early to avoid disappointment. Last year many people left it until the last minute and were unable to get accommodation.

The other event I should mention is the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, held the week prior to Easter. It is a genuine bush festival with whip crackers, bush poets, markets, rodeo and the famous Rileys Ride, which re-enacts the final ride of Jack Riley, from Tom Groggin to Corryong (reputedly Banjo Paterson’s inspiration for the Man From Snowy River). So take in a bit of local culture during your visit – you won’t be disappointed.

Emir Sinanagic with 2.8kg brown trout from the Lower Swampy Plains River. The fish was caught on a Yozuri lure early one summer morning.

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