What’s been happening?
Opening weekend proved successful on several of the Central Tablelands streams. The Campbell’s River was up and running dirty when we looked and as a consequence didn’t fish however, this holds it in good stead for when it settles. The Fish River has a reasonable flow and a couple of small browns fell victim to brown nymphs. The best individual session came on a section of the Cox’s River when Craig Owen from Nowra landed 12 fish, two rainbows and ten browns. All bar one fish took a Caddis dry fly, lot of fun.
Local Bathurst angler Matt Simmons is reporting catching fish after dark at Thompson’s Creek Dam on large woolly (sz4) buggers. Our two after dark excursions supports this as recently when we had similar results. Fish throughout the day are proving tougher with any fish close in fairly spooky. On the southern shoreline large shallow flats areas are opening up, so this should create a good scenario for early morning and after dark cruising fish. Throughout the day it is worth the effort to work deep sinking fly lines and lures in the deep drop-off areas.
Lake Lyle is also producing fish with the first of the evening risers taking dry flies. Let’s hope this continues, as the fish are fit and healthy. Lyle’s rainbows are solid fish with a pleasant attitude of “I ain’t coming easy!”
Locally the bass are starting to fire up especially in the mid reaches on the Nepean/Hawkesbury system. Using a sounder throughout the day will locate fish sitting on structure and will enable you to target them with sinking fly lines, jigs and soft plastics.
For bream around the leases, wharfs or mangroves & other calm weather flats fishing for bream, whiting and flathead you can use your 5 or 6 weight rods with floating or intermediate fly lines. If the conditions are windier or you are starting to cast heavy clouser or other sinking flies you may want to use your heavier lake rods such as your 7 or 8 weight sticks. Anglers wishing to target harder running fish such as large tailor, salmon and rat king who are using click pawl reels may want to consider a reel with a drag system otherwise they will end up with very hot hands.
During recent trips on Sydney Harbour in pursuit of Australian Salmon I put a BFR Modula M95 large arbour through its paces. Teamed with a G-Loomis GLX 7 weight rod (not a Cross Current model) with an intermediate line, this combination proved more than effective in stopping fish in the 2-3 kg range.
The M95 drag system consists of Broflon discs sandwiched between machined brass pressure plates. Smooth and giving consistent drag pressure, this drag system is common across the three model sizes and is effective and very easy to service. A full diameter exposed spool rim offers final and ultimate control. Anyone who has caught salmon on any type of gear knows how hard that they pull putting any drag to the test. Silent drag operation is easily enabled.
One major advantage of BFR Modula reels is that they come with two spare spools and as a consequence you can have a floating, intermediate and full sinking line system at your fingertips. This will allow you to change fly lines quickly to adapt to changing circumstances.
BFR Modula fly reels are manufactured from CNC machined aluminum bar stock giving strength, lightweight and saltwater resistance.
An internal cover eliminates most debris from getting into the one-way main gear and drag system. Removing this cover and turning over the main gear facilitates easy left/right hand conversion.
BRF Modula fly reels carry a five-year unconditional guarantee and to protect your reel BFR supply a padded pouch.
NB: Modula reels now come in a Titanium colour not black as pictured.
All popper styles are small enough to cast on 5 & 6 weight outfits. The use of loop knots is recommended on all three body styles to obtain maximum action. Aside from your fly gear, these poppers could be cast on ultra light spin.
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Sink Rate
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Rod Size
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Water Type - Fish
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TWWS-325
Yellow/Brown
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6.5 ips
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8 - 10
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30 ft. sinking/70 ft. floating. Braided mono-core for warm water. Saltwater Great for Game fish.
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TWWS-425
Salmon/Brown
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7.5 ips
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9 - 12
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30 ft. sinking/70 ft. floating. Braided mono-core for warm water. Saltwater Great for Big Game fish.
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TWWS-525
Blue/Brown
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8.5 ips
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10 - 14
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30 ft. sinking/70 ft. floating. Braided mono-core for warm water. Saltwater Great for Big Game Fish
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Next month I will look at the Teeny Professional Series - Dan Marini Striper Fly Line.
Snowbee Wading Boots
A new Snowbee wading boot is now available with a fine rubber tread pattern. This sole is curious by virtue of its design; most rubber soles are a cleat design, which is a more aggressive tread pattern. Normally around granite cleat soles are exceptionally slippery especially if wet, these are not. Yes these boots proved to have less grip than felt sole boots however, they proved far superior to many other rubber sole boots I have worn.
General comfort also proved exceptional with excellent ankle support, underfoot cushioning and heel support. Entry and exit of these boots is pathetically easy with a good bellows tongue design.
For walking the lake edges (I have not worn these boots in heavy mud conditions as yet) and general stream work these boots should prove ideal. Retail price is approximately $130.00 and they a very good buy at this price.
Check them out at your local fishing tackle store.
Photography Course
Two photography courses are scheduled for November 12-13 and 26-27 at Penrith.
These courses are designed for participants to learn what their camera does and when & how to use the feature. As natural lighting varies dramatically as any angler knows, we teach you how to utilise natural and artificial light to best advantage.
A good picture is “worth a thousand words” so composition is a feature of a good photo. We look at this in theory and practice and also go through how to effectively crop photos in your photo editing software.
Drop me a line or give me a ring on 0418 435 410 for further details of the course.
Wrap
With the streams flowing it is good time to get out for a fish so, clean those fly lines and dust off your boots and hit the water.
