We've had some great fishing over the last week, with weather to match. The browns are back in the lakes with some great polaroiding on Lake Jindabyne over the last week. The trolling and bait fishing has also been pretty consistent, with plenty of fish still coming in. August and September can be fantastic months - just pick the weather and get out there. Remember to call in to the store for a cuppa infront of the fire on your way through or home and we'll update any further details on the day.

Fly Fishing
Rivers
Are all now closed till Saturday the 1st of October!

Lake Eucumbene
There are always a few fish sneaking around the Eucumbene River mouth up at Providence. Just remember you have to be outside of any visible flowing water during the closed season on the rivers. Basically so long as your well below the first set of rapids flowing above the lake you can continue to fish right through winter.

There will still be some nice browns about for the next month or so, before the rainbows run from August onwards. Intermediate lines and large streamers are the way to go - just pack the woolies. There have been some nice rainbows down around the Buckenderra / Middlingbank / Frying Pan area with fish to 2kgs being taken. We should also see some polaroiding up around the Eucumbene cover over the next few months - always an area worth a look through winter.

Jindabyne
Spent yesterday up at Lake Jindabyne for a polaroiding session with Jim Harnwell from Fishing World magazine...

Perfect conditions - glassed out all day

Started at East Jindy - saw half a dozen nice browns - got shots at two and Jim broke one off. They ate the "horror" each time we got it in front of one - with out them seeing us first.

Saw some more out around the east Jindy Islands - missed one on the strike - before moving up into the Snowy arm. This one ate the fly two feet off the shore only 10ft in front of us - put Jim into the backing on the first run.

Put up quite a show under perfect conditions.

Jim with his first Jindy brown caught polaroiding.

It was a great day - seeing fish in every spot we tried. All up we would have saw over a dozen fish, had six shots, got three to eat - and landed two nice browns around 1.3kgs each. Also caught up with our local guide Paul Bourne and Nick Taransky (bamboo rod maker) who also had a great day - seeing plenty and landing 3-4 fish over all.

The browns are definitely about now - so keep an eye on the weather map for those BIG high pressure systems and get out on the lake for a look - it's great fishing. Most areas in the lake will produce fish, with a boat providing better access to the lesser fished shore lines. Best flies for polaroiding include woolly bugger's and fuzzy wuzzy's, Bushy's Horror's, sand cases caddis, black and peacocks, midges, etc.

Trolling
Eucumbene
The trolling really has been HOT on Eucumbene over the last few weeks with some thumping rainbows coming in. Both leadline and flatlines have been producing fish with the cooler surface temperatures. The best fishing has been down the bottom of the lake well away from the main river inflows, although that may now change with some rain.

The rainbows are in peak condition and averaging around the 1kg mark, feeding heavily on daphnia in the open water. Consistent lures include Tasmanian Devils in Cols 55, 72, Y82 & Y62. Our own Alpine Cobra's in the Alpine Attractor, Black hole and Alpine Special patterns, Rebel crickhoppers and crawfish, Rapala Jointed shad raps, ultra deep Merlins, Stump Jumpers and RMG Scorpions & Poltergeist.

This polaroiding caper is not limited to the fly anglers either - I had a go at throwing a Berkeley 2" Hawg at them on an unweighted 90 degree jig hook - and got this lovely brown (see 2 photos above) to eat straight away. Just get it in front of them as quietly as possible and give it a twitch as they come onto it - great fun.

Steve McCarthy and mate Andrew & Nigel Burke from Wollongong had a great week walking the shores of Jindy flicking lures, with over 20 fish caught between them (see 3 photos above). Steve landing his personal best brown going 2.5kgs. The boys used a variety of small minnows and saw most fish eat them in close - great fishing!

Jindabyne
Best reports have been down around the islands in front of the main township, East Jindabyne and along the western side of Kalkite. Both flatlines and up to 3 colours of lead line are worth running with the same lure patterns as mentioned above. Gaden trout hatchery have released a heap of ex-brood stock Atlantic salmon last month - so we can expect to see some more BIG salmon show up over the next few months.

Bait Fishing
The best rig through winter is combining scrub worms with a Powerbait dropper. Powerbait in orange, rainbow and lemon twist have been the main fish takers. Feel free to ask us to go over the rig next time you're in if still unsure.

Please note that we haven't been able to secure any more bardie grubs and will let you know once we can find a supplier.

Best areas on Eucumbene include Middlingbank, Frying Pan, Seven Gates, Yens Bay, Breamar Bay, Providence around the Eucumbene River mouth and along the dam wall at Eucumbene Cove.

Best areas on Jindabyne include the clay pits in front of town, Hatchery Bay, Hayshed Bay and Kalkite.

Jindabyne Dam Wall
For detailed information regarding the work being carried out on the Lake Jindabyne Dam wall, including road delays, etc., go to :
http://www.snowyhydro.com.au

Lake Levels
Eucumbene 46 % Stable
Jindabyne 53% Stable
Tantangarra 10% Fell