Soon after freedom arrives, the rivers close… a shame but, regardless, myself and my partner Elsa have been making the most of the time in between. Usually, I don’t go out of my way to fish closing weekend, put off by the colder conditions, busy rivers and the tougher bite. However this weekend proved otherwise; a great closing weekend not only for myself but for Elsa, getting her first trout on the fly.
Elsa is a natural with the fly rod. From only picking one up and getting onto the rivers 4 weeks ago, she has got the idea quickly. I’m quite jealous – it took me a lot longer than I’d like to admit to get into the swing of it all.
First, we made our way to the Steavenson River. The sun was up and with appealing runs and pools, it provided some great fishing. As we got to the second pool, Elsa made a beautifully accurate cast to the top of it, the indicator dipped, and she was onto her first trout. I’m not sure who was more excited, me or Elsa, but I was quick on the net, making sure we didn’t lose her first fish.
Elsa’s first on fly.
With her catch on the fly secured, it was onwards and upwards as we headed to the higher stretches of the Goulburn River above Jamieson. While the wider river proved harder and more daunting at first, we ended up with a few more browns for the weekend, caught on gold bead-head nymphs fished deep.
Upper Goulburn brownies.
As the sun began to set on the last day, I stopped multiple times for my usual roadside sunset shots. The low-hanging mist and rolling mountains never get old.
What a fantastic end to the season it was, and one both Elsa and I won’t be forgetting soon. We’re already patiently awaiting spring, but meanwhile, lakes here we come.
