Scott, Chris, Erhan & I snuck away for a few days to see how the Marysville/Goulburn area is fishing – and how it had been coping with the amount of rain that’s fallen. The fishing didn’t disappoint, even with high water levels and plenty of other keen flyfishers around.
First, stopping in at the Steavenson River, we found the water to be clear and lots of it! Flowing hard and fast. The four of us walked downstream, then split up on likely runs that had fast-flowing water with a good slow run below the riffles. Not surprisingly, we found most fish sitting in this slower water. Typical lazy early season trout!
Erhan into one from a slower edge.
Chris, Scott & Erhan opting to Euro nymph the runs whilst I fished with two nymphs under an indicator. Both techniques producing fish on flies from squirmy worms to pink tag jig nymphs. Little tip here, we did need to have those flies right on the bottom, tapping rocks with a natural drift. Long leaders and finer tippets really helped.
Chris benefits from getting his nymphs to the bottom.
After a few fish each we decided to check some more waters and tributaries in the area. The Goulburn River was flowing at 3000 ML and was a stand-out. We caught fish Euro nymphing, upstream nymphing and on the swing. Working the long seams, then letting the nymphs swing across and downstream. Even a few fish rising in the rain, which was great to see. Whatever the method, a pink tag jig nymph was again a stand-out.
The pink tag jig nymphs worked everywhere.
At the end of day, it was good to head back to Marysville, jump out of the waders and into the Duck Inn for a few cheeky ones and a meal.
The Goulburn is big and getting bigger, and with Eildon almost full, it will be interesting to see what the next few weeks bring.
Early season is a great time to bust out your Euro nymphing set ups. And if not, those long leaders and tippets with an indicator and double tungstens.
