Fishing the Environmental Flow.
Environmentalists cop a fair bit of flack for one reason or another and I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always agree with the path that some take. But to give credit where it’s due there have been many
good outcomes resulting from environmental improvements.

In the ledger of checks and balances with the construction of the Snowy Scheme the many productive water storages provided an excellent fishery. On the minus side, to a degree, many streams and rivers lost their natural flow with water levels decreased to the detriment of a healthy river system.

Of recent time an “environmental flow” has been allocated to boost the health of some waterways and the results have proven very productive in some areas.

Earlier this year the Snowy’s played host to a gathering of Flylife Forumites and I had the pleasure of their company over a few days. As most states in Australia were represented the people who had some experience flyfishing the area were asked to part with some of their local knowledge to assist the visitors. Being mid-summer and the catchment having long suffered drought conditions it wasn’t at all easy to assign them to an area or stretch of water that would prove to be reasonably productive. Some travelled long distances for only fair results, others enjoyed an outing to some small pondage or often fished streams closer to base, most catching smaller fish and occasionally sighting or even hooking up with a larger specimen.

However there was one stretch of water that exceeded the expectations of all who fished it. Once a free flowing stream with long gliding pools emptying into faster shallow runs, little rocky riffles feeding cold oxygenated water into deep holes. But for many years now its flow had been restricted, instead becoming a series of silted weed choked holes, fed by seepage, small springs and rainwater run off. Quality fish were still present but they had become a real challenge, seldom moving far from cover, except at night and restricted to the confines of the pool.

Add an environmental flow. Not copious amounts of water but sufficient to alter the structure of the stream. Fish that previously cruised still water seeking nourishment now able to hold station in ambush of any morsel drifting past. Weed choked sections giving way to the influx of water, sleek bodies now able to explore further afield. In a short space of time the dynamics of the stream had changed, breathing new life into a beautiful ribbon of water. I had often passed by and my thoughts would drift back to what may have been without the offending upstream structure. Now the promise of what may have been was becoming a reality. Although I hadn’t explored a lot of the downstream area I encouraged the visitors to give it a try.

The results were spectacular. Grasshoppers were abundant and any fly imitating these terrestrials was readily taken. Dry flies and nymphs also accounted for a number of beautifully marked browns and the occasional rainbow. One particular day our group included a couple of West Australians, South Australians, Taswegians and a Victorian. We paired off and each fished a section of the stream, all catching and releasing many fish, some with personal bests, everyone agreeing it had been one of their most memorable outings.

I have returned a couple of times since and although much cooler and the terrestrials were few to be seen, the fishing was no less exciting. Few people have ventured into this place thus far and therefore the fishing pressure has not tended to have had a noticeable influence as yet. But as is the way this will probably change as more become aware. In the meantime I will toast the environmentalists and enjoy what I have discovered whilst I am able. Roll on next season.
Russ Davies.

Fishing the Environmental Flow.
Environmentalists cop a fair bit of flack for one reason or another and I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always agree with the path that some take. But to give credit where it’s due there have been many
good outcomes resulting from environmental improvements.

In the ledger of checks and balances with the construction of the Snowy Scheme the many productive water storages provided an excellent fishery. On the minus side, to a degree, many streams and rivers lost their natural flow with water levels decreased to the detriment of a healthy river system.

Of recent time an “environmental flow” has been allocated to boost the health of some waterways and the results have proven very productive in some areas.

Earlier this year the Snowy’s played host to a gathering of Flylife Forumites and I had the pleasure of their company over a few days. As most states in Australia were represented the people who had some experience flyfishing the area were asked to part with some of their local knowledge to assist the visitors. Being mid-summer and the catchment having long suffered drought conditions it wasn’t at all easy to assign them to an area or stretch of water that would prove to be reasonably productive. Some travelled long distances for only fair results, others enjoyed an outing to some small pondage or often fished streams closer to base, most catching smaller fish and occasionally sighting or even hooking up with a larger specimen.

However there was one stretch of water that exceeded the expectations of all who fished it. Once a free flowing stream with long gliding pools emptying into faster shallow runs, little rocky riffles feeding cold oxygenated water into deep holes. But for many years now its flow had been restricted, instead becoming a series of silted weed choked holes, fed by seepage, small springs and rainwater run off. Quality fish were still present but they had become a real challenge, seldom moving far from cover, except at night and restricted to the confines of the pool.

Add an environmental flow. Not copious amounts of water but sufficient to alter the structure of the stream. Fish that previously cruised still water seeking nourishment now able to hold station in ambush of any morsel drifting past. Weed choked sections giving way to the influx of water, sleek bodies now able to explore further afield. In a short space of time the dynamics of the stream had changed, breathing new life into a beautiful ribbon of water. I had often passed by and my thoughts would drift back to what may have been without the offending upstream structure. Now the promise of what may have been was becoming a reality. Although I hadn’t explored a lot of the downstream area I encouraged the visitors to give it a try.

The results were spectacular. Grasshoppers were abundant and any fly imitating these terrestrials was readily taken. Dry flies and nymphs also accounted for a number of beautifully marked browns and the occasional rainbow. One particular day our group included a couple of West Australians, South Australians, Taswegians and a Victorian. We paired off and each fished a section of the stream, all catching and releasing many fish, some with personal bests, everyone agreeing it had been one of their most memorable outings.

I have returned a couple of times since and although much cooler and the terrestrials were few to be seen, the fishing was no less exciting. Few people have ventured into this place thus far and therefore the fishing pressure has not tended to have had a noticeable influence as yet. But as is the way this will probably change as more become aware. In the meantime I will toast the environmentalists and enjoy what I have discovered whilst I am able. Roll on next season.
Russ Davies.