Opening Weekend - Oberon 2009

Hello All,

A few days before the opening weekend, Roslyn Hammond called me to advise that unfortunately, the cottage at Penarth was uninhabitable due to a severe electrical problem, which would take weeks to fix. She tried to get us into Billabong Cottage on Redbank, the next property downstream from Penarth, but that was booked out. Nothing more she could do...

A glass or two of red wine and a telephone call later, we were booked in at the old Harveys farmhouse on The Retreat (John Brien’s property), at the top end of Oberon Dam. Thus, catastrophe was averted!

Six fisherpersons and two non-fishing spouses attended this important outing. The weather was cold and miserable throughout, with the thermometer struggling to get into double digits even in the middle of the day. David Bleakley, the youngest participant at 13 years, had forgotten his waders but fished on regardless in boardshorts and elastic-side boots. Heroic stuff! There were other hiccups with the accommodation, but we overcame all adversities and went on with the fishing (and the socialising, which was equally enjoyed by all!).

I am pleased to say that everyone caught something that weekend, including David’s mum, Susan Coulson. She had only just started to flyfish, and caught her first-ever trout in the Hammond’s farm dam on opening day.  All in all, eighteen legal sized trout were landed over the weekend by the six fishers. By far the biggest one was a six pound, sixty centimetre silvery hen rainbow, which also came (completely unexpected) from the Hammond’s farm dam from amongst the “tiddlers”.

State of the Waters:

Oberon Dam: Has been at its lower limit of 12% capacity for some time. Hence, firm banks around most of the lake perimeter. Water a bit brown / discoloured at the top end, with better visibility and water quality in the bottom half. A creel survey of baitfishers around Kellys Lane on Friday revealed a total catch of 12 redfin, and one small brown trout. I fished there for half a day on Friday for 3 rainbows to 1 ½ pounds. Had some soft takes which I missed, probably redfin. All up not a great state of affairs, with the redfin appearing more and more in the catch records!

Fish River Creek at The Retreat: A pleasant 10 minute downhill stroll from the farmhouse where we stayed. Normally near the top end of Oberon Dam, but at current water levels, the lake doesn’t start till well below The Reef parking area, well downstream from The Retreat. Again, nice firm banks around the creek, featureless terrain with some big pools, equally featureless with silty bottoms after decades of inundation. Creek flowing well, slightly discoloured. Several cormorants busy in every pool (and one lone pelican). Probably ambushing migrating fish all day long. Lots of potential, were it not for those b...y birds! Only caught one 1 ½ pound rainbow there late one evening.

Fish River Creek at Penarth: The Hammond’s graciously allowed us to fish on their property over the long weekend. Creek flowing medium high, slightly discoloured. Quite a few fish about, browns and rainbows, well-conditioned and full of fight, but nothing over 1 ½ pounds. Probably all resident fish. No sign of big lake-fish which are normally present in October after the winter spawning season. The creek was apparently not high enough all winter to trigger the normal run of browns and rainbows out of Oberon Dam. Caught about 10 fish there between us, including a keeper rainbow each for David Bleakley and Conor Quinn.

Hammond’s Farm Dam: Full of nice clear water, overflowing. The rainbow fingerlings stocked there in February this year are now approaching legal size, and rise enthusiastically all day long.  Fun to catch on nymphs and dry flies. There are also still some “big ones” there from previous stockings (see above), but scarce.

Duckmaloi River above Edith: Has more water than Fish River Creek at Penarth, also slightly discoloured. More and bigger fish there, both browns and rainbows up to 2 pounds. Despite the cool weather, quite a few rises during the middle of the day. Caught 2 browns / 2 rainbows there up to 2 pounds, all in the one long shallow pool.

Sewells Creek at Mountain View: Full of beautiful, clear, slow moving water, mostly sourced from Brisbane Valle Creek. Strong weed growth. However only the biggest / deepest pools seem to have the odd small resident fish. Only saw one brown of about a pound in the House Pool (took the Clumsy, missed). Lovely area for bushwalks, but sadly, cannot be recommended any more as a fishing destination.

There you have it, till next time,

Geebee.