Moruya River
Moruya continues to produce this week. Despite the winds and smoke, I managed to get out for a sneaky fish, getting back to my roots of walking the northern banks of the Moruya River with 1 rod and 1 packet of plastics chasing the ever present flathead. Starting at the hire boat shed just north of the Moruya bridge and walking the bank up towards the dirt boat ramp in front of Northbank, I managed to land a few flathead using 130mm soft plastics whilst dropping and spooking many more.
Along my walk I spotted many large bream in close to the bank around fallen trees and the weed bed edges as well as good numbers of whiting working the sandy flats. Those who have the advantage of being boat based, I would look at working these areas on a flooding tide getting in close to the river bank with long casts and working lures back into deeper waters for best effect. Drifting baits in the deeper channels will account for a few good fish also.
Tuross River
The jewfish seem to be marking their presence in the system at the moment with fish being caught to 120cm (yes, I did see photographic evidence as proof) in the deeper holes whilst looking for flathead. Live mullet are your best option here, but good quality Lund’s Squid either whole or strip baits will also work. Lures that will probe the deeper holes will also account for fish as well. The bream, whiting and flathead are still on the chew in the system. Finding a sheltered section of water can be difficult with the unpredictable winds at the moment. Graham and Jack have managed a few whiting on Ebi Panic Prawns of late and a healthy Trevally on a Jackson bottom Magic in 55mm size. Lots of fun on light gear.
Rock and Beach
Squid off the rocks have been around this week, giving both heads for bait and the tubes for a tasty feed. Try squid jigs in 2.5 and 3.0 size in colours of your choice. The usual pink, greens and oranges always seem to work for me.
Salmon off the beach again have been quiet, with only the odd fish showing up for the crews working the beaches.
Offshore
For those boats that have managed to get out this week, good catches of sand and tiger flathead in front of Tuross have been reported. Snapper in 30-40m have also been reported.
On a side note, the team at Moruya Tackle World would like to extend a massive THANK YOU to all the fire crews from both the RFS and the town brigades that have tirelessly been working to protect lives and property in horrendous conditions this week. The impact of the Currowan fires have left us all in awe of the amazing work you have all done over the last week or so. Thank you again, and keep up the good work!
Snowy Mountains Trout – brought to us by Adam
Is it July or December? The way the weather has been some days are like winter all over again. The winds have not let up for months and there has been more snow falls in the Alpine areas. Welcome to summer in the Snowy Mountains. Summer is coming!
I’ll be honest in saying, at present I can only report on the depressing winds, drought and lake levels. I personally haven’t been out flicking and only know of a few others who are dedicated enough to occasionally brave the conditions in search of happiness.
During the rare occasions when the wind has been suitable the most productive hours have been from 6pm through to 9am. The trout are moving in closer to the fringes in the lower light hours. There’s lots of feisty little rainbows moving around!
The weather forecast for this weekend is looking a little better: winds of 15-25kph easing in the afternoon’s and temps in the mid to high 20’s.
Lake levels as follows:
•Lake Eucumbene - 30% and sitting steady.
•Lake Jindabyne - 82% and sitting steady.
•Tantangara Dam - 12% and dropping.
Tantangara Dam
Usually when the water is dropping here the Murrumbidgee river below Tantangara fires up. Prior to organising your next trip to Tantangara make sure you call the Snowy Hydro information centre to confirm access, with the 2.0 project access can be limited at times.
Trout streams in the Snowy’s:
Keeping in mind a lot of the rivers are classed as “Blue Ribbon Streams”!! Blue ribbon waters are strictly fly and spin fishing only. “No Bait Fishing Permitted”. Check the regulations for each location prior to planning your next adventure into the snowy’s & fish for the future.
The insect life has really picked up, now is the ideal time to breakout the long wands and start presenting dry fly’s - match the hatch!!
Tight lines my friends and fish for the future.
Remember “every day’s a good day for fishing …”
Team Tackle World Moruya
