EUCUMBENE REPORT - OCTOBER 2009

All

Having had the flu for just about 3 weeks now my doctor was less than impressed on Tuesday when I told her I had spent the preceding 3 or 4 days standing in freezing cold water. I quickly replied that she doesn’t understand and that was what I have to do. Anyway after 3 visits and 3 lots of drugs (including two concurrent and a double dose) plus eye drops I am on the mend (pardon the pun).

Being virgins to Eucumbene KB and I didn’t know what to expect  on Friday afternoon at Yens Bay. However after 1 rainbow each (45cm) and a further two lost to me including a smash and grab by a decent fish that jumped 3 or 4 times after trying to dislodge the fly and we were encouraged. Some great water here, very  high with lots of recently covered grass and tussocks. All strikes on Yuk bugs.

Saturday morning snow and 2 deg and about 5deg max all day. Went past Gang Gang Creek and turned off at top of the hill and veered left. It was like Pitt St. Went back out and took the track straight ahead and parked at Alpine Creek and walked in to the Gauging Station (not an easy walk!). River very high and fast and access very difficult.  Abandoned after a few hours.  Spoke to couple of others who had been in there since 6:00am (!!) and had a few fish but no country for old men!

After a hot shower and change of clothes, fished at the Portal after 4:00 o’clock  and found a large patch of fish on a gravel bed down in front of the lodge. In an inept display I managed to hook 11 bows but landed only 2, some lost at my feet and some on the strike. KB fared better landing about 4 out of 8. All around 40cm -45cm. All on glo bugs or tungsten bead head nymphs. Apparently masses of fish were caught at the Portal on Saturday morning according to reports.

Sunday morning and KB got one in the same spot and we then went down past the Portal where there was good looking water but obviously too high and fast. Went back again  to the favourite spot and landed one fish from two hits, lost the other at my feet!

Monday we fished the Bidgee at Yaouk, went upstream from the bridge and landed a nice 42cm brown on a glo bug. Waked backed to the bridge and fished the lovely run below the bridge for 6 rainbows including a 38cm fish. The rest were just on or under legal. A lovely spot.

All fish released over the weekend.

Headed for home through two massive storms near Goulburn and Campbelltown.  Great weekend, still learning but now have some knowledge of the area, however need to improve my strike rate!  Keen to go again (but when?).

Regards

CB