Rubber legs are a staple of bigger dry fly patterns such as hoppers and cicada patterns as well as becoming increasingly common on nymph patterns (e.g Manic Tackles wonderful rubber legged nymphs). However, they are far less common on smaller more traditional fly patterns. There are a few, mainly balloon caddis or elk hair caddis variants (e.g mini hoppers, yakcaddis…
Tag: rainbow trout
A few days trout fishing around Khancoban
Brett picked me up at 5pm and we proceeded to Nicks place. We were packed and ready to go at around 545pm and started the 5 hour drive to Khancoban. Lee and Perrin who had come from Canberra andMalua bay respectively were already there and Lee had provided reports of fish rising already. This was going to be a fun…
Breaking the trout drought
From ribbon thread to storming stream, The anglers chase throughout, The noblest fish the river width, A shining rainbow trout. I’ve always had an affinity with trout. I’m from the mountains, they’re from the mountains. I like swimming in clear, rocky, icy streams; trout like swimming in clear, rocky, icy streams. I like to sit in the shallows at the…
New Zealand Special: Moke Lake
The water was crystal clear and I could make out the seductive waggle of the lure metres before it reached my feet. After fifteen minutes of slow retrieves I felt a really solid <thud> from the depths. Was it a rock fish? A snag fish? Head shakes … I was on! Return to Queenstown Two weeks after first arriving in NZ I find myself…
New Zealand Special: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
I was lucky enough to be in New Zealand’s south island for a couple of weeks recently. For the record I wasn’t there on a “fishing holiday”, but was still excited about a couple of cheeky sessions in a new location and hopefully breaking a personal best (PB) along the way. My travel partner is very understanding of my obsession…
Open season: Cotter River Report
October long weekend If you’re fair dinkum, the October long weekend is in your diary for the footy finals. And yes footy is great (a little less great when your team bowed out of the competition weeks ago). If you’re a fishing tragic and you live in NSW or ACT, the October long weekend means the opening of the trout…
The river less fished
A few weeks ago, Hamish reported on an unsuccessful trip that he and I made to the Cotter River chasing pan-sized rainbow trout. The section of the river we fished was just upstream from Vanity’s crossing. The spot is easily accessible to the general public and is also popular with 4WD enthusiasts, trail bike riders and of course fishermen. The…
Fishing the Goodradigbee River – Autumn mission
On a recent autumn weekend I made the hour-long drive to the Goodradigbee River with good mate and keen angler Pat Sherley. After picking up some ales and rugging up with layers of clothing, we spent the picturesque drive through the mountains discussing how many big trout we were going to catch and what the best cooking techniques would be.…