TUMUT 17th – 19th MAY 2013 TRIP REPORT
For a couple of years our President, Steve, had been hearing that the Tumut River fished well in May, after the irrigation water levels had dropped. So, breaking with tradition, the May 2013 trip destination was changed from Khancoban to Tumut. Still in NSW but on the other side of the “hills”............
Day 1 – Friday
There had been past club trips to Tumut but in summer, and the last one had been over ten years ago. The fishing had always been challenging, so it was with mixed expectations, but high optimism, that I travelled north with Chris and his son, Tim. Even with a “necessary” coffee stop in Holbrook, we made good time from Wang to Tumut (about 3 hours). The mandatory stop at the fishing tackle shop in Tumut to pick up a license for Tim and a few more flies (I really need these special #16 spent spinners* or so I told myself), added another 20 minutes to the trip but we still arrived at the Blowering Caravan Park at around 3.30 pm. Just in time to catch up with Steve who was already tackled up and about to head down to the river. Dropping our bags in the unit, we quickly tackled up and joined Steve to walk across the paddock to the river (an advantage of this caravan park is that it has good access to a nice section of the river).
The river was running a bit harder than expected but was clear and definitely fishable, if not crossable. The initial optimism dropped a little after an hour of fishing some great looking runs, but as the sun sank behind the hill around 5.00 pm, a few fish started to rise (the swallows had been working the runs earlier indicating that a hatch may have been happening). The rise became more regular as the light began to fade but the fish were more selective than expected, requiring the tying on of a #16 spent spinner* to temp them. A consistent riser on the far bank was deceived, and while not big (a 12” rainbow), did fight strongly and earned its premature release. Fortunately a couple more fish (both a similar size to the first fish), took the fly and were duly landed and released before darkness ended the session.....a good start to the trip.
Back at the unit the “crew” had all arrived, including a couple of intrepid alpine anglers, Greg and Frank, who had braved the cold snap to fish the Eucumbene River. A planned counter attack” had been replaced by some great steaks on the BBQ with vegetables, including Frank’s gravey peas (the recipe is contained in this newsletter), followed by apple pie, and of course washed down with a couple of nice reds. Later in the evening a bottle of port appeared and as the contents vanished it was time to call it an evening.
Day 2 – Saturday
Following a hearty cooked breakfast, we paired up for a days fishing. Greg and Frank were heading back up the hill for another session on the Eucumbene, while the rest of us planned to fish the Tumut and other local streams. The fog was starting to lift as Steve and I drove out of the park to head for a spot on the Tumut. We fished the river below Blowering Dam wall and with the water level having dropped overnight, access for fly fishing was good. The standard searching rig of a nymph suspended below a dry dropper proved to be reliable and we managed four hook ups, with three rainbows landed for the morning session.
For a couple of years our President, Steve, had been hearing that the Tumut River fished well in May, after the irrigation water levels had dropped. So, breaking with tradition, the May 2013 trip destination was changed from Khancoban to Tumut. Still in NSW but on the other side of the “hills”............
Day 1 – Friday
There had been past club trips to Tumut but in summer, and the last one had been over ten years ago. The fishing had always been challenging, so it was with mixed expectations, but high optimism, that I travelled north with Chris and his son, Tim. Even with a “necessary” coffee stop in Holbrook, we made good time from Wang to Tumut (about 3 hours). The mandatory stop at the fishing tackle shop in Tumut to pick up a license for Tim and a few more flies (I really need these special #16 spent spinners* or so I told myself), added another 20 minutes to the trip but we still arrived at the Blowering Caravan Park at around 3.30 pm. Just in time to catch up with Steve who was already tackled up and about to head down to the river. Dropping our bags in the unit, we quickly tackled up and joined Steve to walk across the paddock to the river (an advantage of this caravan park is that it has good access to a nice section of the river).
The river was running a bit harder than expected but was clear and definitely fishable, if not crossable. The initial optimism dropped a little after an hour of fishing some great looking runs, but as the sun sank behind the hill around 5.00 pm, a few fish started to rise (the swallows had been working the runs earlier indicating that a hatch may have been happening). The rise became more regular as the light began to fade but the fish were more selective than expected, requiring the tying on of a #16 spent spinner* to temp them. A consistent riser on the far bank was deceived, and while not big (a 12” rainbow), did fight strongly and earned its premature release. Fortunately a couple more fish (both a similar size to the first fish), took the fly and were duly landed and released before darkness ended the session.....a good start to the trip.
Back at the unit the “crew” had all arrived, including a couple of intrepid alpine anglers, Greg and Frank, who had braved the cold snap to fish the Eucumbene River. A planned counter attack” had been replaced by some great steaks on the BBQ with vegetables, including Frank’s gravey peas (the recipe is contained in this newsletter), followed by apple pie, and of course washed down with a couple of nice reds. Later in the evening a bottle of port appeared and as the contents vanished it was time to call it an evening.
Day 2 – Saturday
Following a hearty cooked breakfast, we paired up for a days fishing. Greg and Frank were heading back up the hill for another session on the Eucumbene, while the rest of us planned to fish the Tumut and other local streams. The fog was starting to lift as Steve and I drove out of the park to head for a spot on the Tumut. We fished the river below Blowering Dam wall and with the water level having dropped overnight, access for fly fishing was good. The standard searching rig of a nymph suspended below a dry dropper proved to be reliable and we managed four hook ups, with three rainbows landed for the morning session.
Catching up with Dave and Brian, it was decided to fish the Goobragandra in the afternoon. Following recent rains the lower part of the river was running dirty, but upper section was reasonably clear. The fishing for Steve and I was uneventful for Steve and I, with only one fish spotted rising and no takes. But further up the river there was a bit more action! Dave had hooked, played and been broken off by a 7 lb+ brown (on a 5 lb tippet)…….Steve and I heard the expletive that followed the premature release (over the two way radio!).
An anticipated evening rise in the Tumut River beckoned but with the breeze continuing on into the evening it was not as consistent as the previous evening. Persistence paid off, and fishing until dark resulted in one rainbow succumbing to a Dads Favourite. Joining the others back at the unit, where Greg and Frank had arrived back from the Eucumbene (with tales of 3 pound fish and spin fishermen), we settled in for another relaxing evening. But the best laid plans can go awry – a domestic dispute between the couple next door spilled over into our unit rather abruptly. The unflappable Frank, with the assistance of the Park owner, managed to settle things down and the evening continued.
Day 3 - Sunday
The day started with another great breakfast, followed by packing and cleaning up. Most of the crew were heading back home today except for Greg and Frank who were staying on for another day. However, a final morning session of fishing was in order before heading back. I joined Chris and Tim to fish the Tumut River upstream of the Park. This weekend was Tim’s first fly fishing experience and he had picked up the basics of casting in the past two days under the guidance of his father. He put this into good use in the first run we fished, hooking and landing a lively 12”rainbow, his first fly caught trout. I managed a few similar fish in a couple of runs and Chris also landed a couple fish, including a nice 14”rainbow. We fished on, landing one more fish before it was time to start thinking about heading home. A good morning session, with 10 fish landed, with a couple kept for the table, and the rest released.
An anticipated evening rise in the Tumut River beckoned but with the breeze continuing on into the evening it was not as consistent as the previous evening. Persistence paid off, and fishing until dark resulted in one rainbow succumbing to a Dads Favourite. Joining the others back at the unit, where Greg and Frank had arrived back from the Eucumbene (with tales of 3 pound fish and spin fishermen), we settled in for another relaxing evening. But the best laid plans can go awry – a domestic dispute between the couple next door spilled over into our unit rather abruptly. The unflappable Frank, with the assistance of the Park owner, managed to settle things down and the evening continued.
Day 3 - Sunday
The day started with another great breakfast, followed by packing and cleaning up. Most of the crew were heading back home today except for Greg and Frank who were staying on for another day. However, a final morning session of fishing was in order before heading back. I joined Chris and Tim to fish the Tumut River upstream of the Park. This weekend was Tim’s first fly fishing experience and he had picked up the basics of casting in the past two days under the guidance of his father. He put this into good use in the first run we fished, hooking and landing a lively 12”rainbow, his first fly caught trout. I managed a few similar fish in a couple of runs and Chris also landed a couple fish, including a nice 14”rainbow. We fished on, landing one more fish before it was time to start thinking about heading home. A good morning session, with 10 fish landed, with a couple kept for the table, and the rest released.
A quick stop at the bakery in Tumut for a coffee and sausage-roll, and we were on our way home. The drive back is always a bit of an anticlimax and while not a lot of fish were caught, it’s nice to fish a new location and the opportunity to fish to rising fish in May was a bonus. Tumut had exceeded my original expectations and I’m sure we will not leave it another 10 years before coming back.
RB