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Trout flourish as cold sets in
  |  First Published: March 2010



Mid-autumn usually means cooler, even cold, days with a hint of snow in the air for northeast Victoria’s alpine region.

But this month also promises some excellent trout fishing, especially following all that rain a few weeks ago that swelled rivers and streams to almost overflowing.

Bogong High Plains

Rocky Valley and Pretty Valley lakes are at 80% capacity and falling slowly in response to hydro-electric demands this month.

Fishing conditions are excellent although somewhat cool during the day as they are sit 1800m above sea level.

Rocky Valley is possibly the highest trout bearing lake in Australia, holding wild brown trout and rainbow trout to 4kg, according to official figures from state and national fly fishing championship events.

Best fishing is around the shoreline after mid-afternoon and into dusk when numbers of fish of all sizes are feeding close to shore.

For some reason only a few boat anglers use these waters although they often catch the largest trout by drift fishing down the wind lanes.

Lake Guy

At 100% capacity, quality fishing is slowly returning to the lake following the completion of a new hydro-electric generator built on its shores.

The inflow streams, Rocky Valley Creek and the east Kiewa River, which have been much improved by all the earthworks connected to the above, and are in sterling condition.

They are fishing extremely well, with mostly brown trout as well as a few rainbows, being caught on bladed lures and size 12 nymphs and wet flies in the runs.

These waters are usually more comfortable to fish than those on the Bogong High Plains in autumn as they stand at just 800m above sea level, making conditions somewhat warmer and less windy.

Ovens River

The Ovens River at Porepunkah and around Bright is flowing well and trout fishing is productive everywhere.

The upper Ovens River in the vicinity of Freeburgh is also producing lots of mostly brown trout on live drifted bait, small bladed lures and two-fly rigs, with most trout going for the size 14 nymph on the bottom.

Lake Catani

The lake is 100% full and fishing is the most productive when fishing from around the shoreline closest to the camping grounds.

This water is exposed and stands at 800m above sea level so anglers are advised to have some warm clothing on hand to put on should the weather deteriorate, often without warning.

Mt Beauty Pondage

The pondage is 100% full and has been producing mostly rainbow trout to 800g on average for some weeks now, so it should continue to produce good returns this month.

Best fishing is with lures and live bait under a bubble float from around the ambulance station end where the water is deepest.

Kiewa River

From Mt Beauty through Tawonga to Mongans Bridge the river is in excellent condition and fishing well this month.

Both rainbow and brown trout have been falling for all fishing methods in short time and bag limits are often being reached in just an hour. Many trout caught have been around 450-500g.

Lower Mitta Mitta River

From Mitta Mitta to Eskdale the river is in excellent condition and has been fishing well recently.

Bait anglers and lure enthusiasts are doing well fishing the long, deep runs with live drifted bait while fly fishers are getting their share in the shallower runs.

Snowy Creek

Snowy Creek around Walshs at Granite Flat is flowing nicely and has been fishing well in recent weeks, with very good results also recorded in the vicinity of its junction with the lower Mitta Mitta River. Entry to the junction is via Magorra Caravan Park at Mitta Mitta.

Alpine fishing conditions can change very quickly whatever the season, so for the latest update phone Geoff Lacey at Angling Expeditions Victoria on (03) 5754 1466 or check out website www.anglingvic.com.au
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