Thredbo River Trip Report 30/10 till 3/11 2011

When it comes to a fly fishing trip, plans are made to be changed. On this occasion, we had enough rain to dirty many of the systems we had planned on fishing. Our original plan was to fish the Nariel, The Swampy and perhaps even the Tumut. When we woke in the rain on the Saturday morning of Cup Weekend, we had some hard decisions to make. After the breakfast of champions, we packed up our wet camping gear and shot off to the Swampy. This river is a tailrace and so they tend to be clearer after rain than the smaller streams. As was expected, the river was high and with the weather starting to improve, we felt we would get a hatch of some description through the the day. Well we didn't. The rain continued sporadically and while we still managed to catch the odd trout on a dry fly, nymphing was by far the most productive method and while we had a great time catching small trout, we didn't come accross any sizeable fish to write home about. 

 The Swampy Plains River.

A nice little Swampy rainbow.

We pulled the pin mid afternoon and after a quick re-charge in Khancoban and a couple of phone calls, we made the decision to head to the Thredbo. By current reports, the fishing had been good. Not lots of fish, but some larger rainbows scattered through the system feeding greedily on just about anything. I've always had a soft spot for the Thredbo. It's a beautiful stream with so much diversity. Slow glides, pocket water, riffles and runs... It's technical fishing and the fish have seen a lot of anglers. But this is rewarding angling. There is the need for constant mending of the line to achieve that all important drag free drift and in high levels such as what we experienced, the river has lots of current seams that make this hard to achieve. We found the most productive fishing to be below the hatchery. This area typically sees a lot of traffic and so if you plan a trip there, be prepared to do some walking and leave enough water for other anglers. We fished upstream through the day, methodically covering every inch of water we could. Nymphing through the faster water resulted in plenty of strong little rainbows up to around a pound. Copper Johns and hares ear nymphs proved productive as searching pattern. 

 A couple of Thredbo River rainbows.

We polaroided lots of fish in the slower water. Some we're still paired up, moving fast and thinking about spawning more than feeding. Don't waste your time with these fish. Finding a more stationary or actively feeding trout was a much more likely prospect. But if you really get your heart set on catching one, then try a big woolly bugger drifted down to the fish and stripped back. While we fished upstream through the day, we'd scope out likely spots for the evening rise to come back to. The parachute adams was our most productive dry fly but make sure you carry a decent selection because the fish can get very selective in a hatch. On the way home, we fished above the Ski Tube in rather tough conditions. Currently. there is so much undergrowth along the river that in these high flows, moving upstream proved very difficult. We spotted two tiger snakes but fortunately they were very quick to get out of the way. 

 The Thredbo River above the Ski Tube

We managed a couple of fish but the fishing in the lower Thredbo was considerably better. This will no doubt change as the weather starts to warm. We camped on Lake Jindabyne while we were there. We did spend a morning walking around the lake to try and polaroid some trout but we didn't come accross any fish. Since being back at the shop, we've had some great reports on the fishing at Eucumbene. But the Thredbo river is a very special place and who would complain about catching beautifully conditioned rainbows up to 3 pounds on dry flies! If you're planning a trip to the Thredbo or Eucumbene, feel free to give us a call at the shop on (03) 9621 1246 for up to date information to help make your trip a success.

Happy fishing,

Andrew

New Sage ONE Tested!

Andrew found some time to get out for a fish on Monday and test the new Sage ONE 6 weight. Here is what he has to say - We caught several fish polaroiding around the lake edges with stick caddis and damsel nymphs and later in the day stripping bigger flies. I found the new rods to perform exceptionally well in a whole range of different situations. Earlier in the day it was all close in presentation work and this is probably where these rods excell most. The accuracy at which a fly can be delivered from 10 to 30 feet is incredible. Later in the day we were having some trouble finding fish and so I put on one of the Airflo 40+ integrated shooting head lines to strip in some larger wets. The rod handled the extra weight no problem, and it made covering large amounts of water just effortless. The wind picked up and the Sage ONE did everything it was supposed to. Put simply, these rods are everything they're cracked up to be. If you're looking for a new fly rod then these are certainly worth a demo cast. Up until now, I have truely believed the Orvis Helios is the best fly rod available with no other contender. Well Sage have certainly produced a contender with their new premium offering. My advice is try the Orvis Helios and try the Sage One. While there isn't just one fly rod that will suit all casters - between these two great rod series you'll find a fishing tool that will truely add to your enjoyment on the water. Buying a new fly rod is difficult but The Flyfisher will do everything they can to help you make the right decision... And if your not in Melbourne then call us on (03) 96211246 to discuss your options on trying these great rods.

The new SAGE ONE is HERE!

The new Sage One fly rod is in stock. Get your order in by calling us on (03) 9621 1246 or shopping online at www.theflyfisheronline.com Secure one of the first of these great rods to come to Australia and be the envy of all your fishing mates. Here is some info on them.

The ONE rod is the first fly rod to take advantage of Sage’s groundbreaking Konnetic technology.
Konnetic technology, the most recent evolution in fly rod innovation, uses new materials combined with pioneering manufacturing methods and processes. This technology incorporates an optimized ratio of Sage’s proprietary resin to exclusive high modulus aerospace-grade carbon fiber.
The latest construction methods include Sage’s Advanced Modulus Positioning System (AMPS); a process that precisely aligns and positions carbon fiber materials to exacting tolerances for the greatest blank strength, delivering extremely efficient energy transfer throughout the shaft. Using Sage’s High Compression Molding process, carbon fibers are compacted for optimum density and precise alignment while simultaneously fusing the 50 percent lighter all-carbon fiber inner core.
The ONE offers exceptional tracking with virtually no lateral or torsional movement, resulting in what Sage claims is unparalleled casting accuracy.
The inherent strength of Konnetic technology allows ONE rods to have a smaller diameter as well as weigh 25 percent lighter than comparable Sage rods. These attributes combine to provide augmented aerodynamic efficiency.
Further innovations are the 70 percent lighter, low profile ferrules that help direct and carry energy through the rod without sacrificing strength, critical action and feel.
“The ONE rod becomes a true extension of the angler’s arm,” notes Sage Chief Rod Designer, Jerry Siem. “It offers a more fluid transmission of energy from the arm to the fly. The eye sees the cast it wants to make and is translated to the hand through the rod instantaneously.”
The fast-action ONE rod family is intended for all fishing conditions thanks to a list of high-end features. A custom cork handle is fashioned in a snub-nose, half-wells grip on the 3 through 6 weights and a full-wells handle with fighting butt on the saltwater capable 6 through 10-weights. Each handle is designed to match the exact taper of the rod providing even greater sensitivity and feel.
Other details include the Sage-designed round eye tip-top which never pinches or binds the line, allowing the caster to mend and cast in any direction with full control.
On the 3 through 6-weights, the elegant walnut insert is perfectly married with the bronze anodized aluminum reel seat. Saltwater weights feature all anodized reel seat components.
The ONE Rod comes in a new black ice color, which has a translucent finish and is complemented by black guide wraps and bronze trim wraps. Each rod comes with a powder-coated aluminum rod tube with Sage medallion and a hand-made rod sock.
“The ONE Rod is smooth and precise with an intentionally forgiving ‘sweet spot’ that complements widely diverse casting styles,” says Eric Gewiss, Sage’s Marketing Manager. “This helps the angler make a full range of close-in and long distance casts that hit the mark with equal ease. Being able to feel exactly what the line is doing through all stages of the cast gives anglers ultimate control so they can make the micro-adjustments needed to place the fly precisely where it’s wanted.”
Already award winning, the ONE rod has been recognized as the “Best New Fly Rod” at EFTTEX 2011. Award ceremonies were held last month at the EFTTEX show in Amsterdam.
The ONE rod will be available in a selection of 22 single hand models. ONE rods range from 3 through 10-weights and will be priced from $785 to $815.