Trout fishing in the alpine region has been nothing short of marvellous over the last few weeks, and it looks like continuing for a few more at least. Excellent catches have been reported from all rivers in the area, with several brown trout from the Kiewa River reaching over 1.75kg.

The two lakes on the Bogong High Plains, Rocky Valley and Pretty Valley, are at 75% capacity and the water is very cold. They have been hit often and hard in recent days by visiting anglers and are producing numbers of rainbow trout averaging 750g. Best results have come from around the edges on bait presented under a bubble float and lures with Tassie Devils of various patterns the most popular.

The weather on the high plains will begin to deteriorate this month in advance of snowfalls in the coming weeks. This will make fishing after 4pm for the remainder of May a rugged up affair but well worth the effort.

The Bogong High Plains Road, from Falls Creek to the Omeo Highway, was a rough old track in summer but it is now fully sealed and providing easy travelling for anyone intent on fishing the three rivers at Anglers Rest.

The inflow streams to Lake Guy, Rocky Valley Creek and the east Kiewa River, are in excellent condition and producing brown trout to around 500g.

The new hydro generator is almost finished and the first of two turbines will be turned on later this year, according to reports. When completed the east Kiewa River may become dangerous for anglers as water to drive the turbines will cause the river to rise by 1.5m in about 10 minutes and remain that way for the duration of the generating process.

The Ovens River has been stocked with native fish in recent years and doesn’t rate highly as trout water these days. However, anglers fishing the Ovens in recent weeks have reported catching fair numbers of rainbow trout and a few browns to 450g, mostly on drifted bait and medium sized lures.

Lake Catani at Mt Buffalo remains at 100% capacity and the water is very cold.

Fishing has been limited in recent weeks, with most visitors to the area preferring bushwalking to trout fishing. Despite that, the trout are responding to live baits presented under a half filled bubble float and bladed lures, as well as size 16 black nymphs.

The pondage at Mt Beauty was well attended by visiting anglers over the Easter holidays who took impressive numbers of rainbow trout from along the high bank using live drifted bait and Tassie Devil lures. Trout were also caught towards the end of the day by flyfishers from around the reeds with nymphs, according to reports.

The pondage was restocked with 500 better than yearling rainbow trout after Easter and is fishing well as a result.

The Kiewa River from Tawonga to Mongans Bridge is running seasonally low and very cold, with some big brown trout captures recorded in recent weeks.

Many trout are being caught by visiting flyfishers who are wet flyfishing with nymphs and getting brown trout averaging 750g with a few reaching 1.75kg. Bait and lure anglers are also doing well although many fish caught using these methods are around the 400-450g mark.

The lower Mitta Mitta River between the townships of Mitta Mitta to Eskdale is running a bit high this week but should fall around 200mL per day soon.

This river has been the best producer of good-sized trout all season, with numbers of rainbows in excess of 2kg caught since Christmas and the catch rate and sizes seem to be ongoing.

The Magorrsa Caravan Park at Mitta Mitta has a new manager, as Ted Barber has retired. I do not have the name of the couple taking over, but you can give them a call on (02) 6072 3568.

Snowy Creek at Granite Flat is running low and cold, with some nice pan sized brown trout on offer during the main part of the day. Anglers fishing the long deeper runs are taking trout to 450g on average with a few larger specimens still rising very occasionally in the pools after 5pm.

Angling Expeditions Victoria is located at Tawonga in northeast Victoria and specialises in teaching beginners and ‘rusty anglers’ everything about fly fishing including sight fishing, which is easily the most exciting way to catch wild trout on a fly. See www.anglingvic.com.au for more details of fees and services provided.