Gungarlin River Hut

Some light showers, dustings of snow, sub-zero overnight temperatures, frosts and fog have all seen the fishing action explode.  The browns are starting to make their way up the streams and more action can be seen on a daily basis.

Fishing a dropper rig is still working well with the majority of trout caught being male rainbows. The browns have been easily larger however these have been mostly drawn out when finding the “action”.

The usual nymphs (my favourites continue to be those tied with a hackle and a good dob of epoxy – get the drift!) are taking the lion’s share of the fish whilst those not opposed to using glo bugs will clean up.

Remember during this period to wade slowly, check the banks looking for overhanging branches/dead branches and the back end of the pools just before the rapid starts. This is where you will pick up that fish of a lifetime.  Don’t forget your Polaroids. And if you think you are hearing “things” whilst out on the water you probably are. The noise from the browns doing their thing will get your attention.

Despite the colder weather of late and odd shower/dusting, autumn has seen the driest spell of weather for sometime. We have still been catching good fish on dries (MK duns, Stockdale’s) and there have usually been the odd rise and hatch occurring during the warmest parts of the day. Even when rises have been minimal a well  presented dry will drag a trout up.

Remember the regulations – one fish only and it must be over 50cm. Better still, how about taking a nice photo and letting that trout go to enjoy itself!

With about a month to go this season, it would have to have been one of the best. Challenging early on with the wet conditions and extremely high water levels but the fishing was tremendous.

Be well and wade safely. 

David