Autumn 08 Update

Topsy-turvy weather continues to dominate up here. After a dry early spring, we received 9 inches of rain over November/December, bringing us up to average rainfall for 2007 (857 mm versus a paltry 544 mm in 2006). The early summer downpours were too late for significant run-off, but at least lake levels were maintained. Then January 2008 was about average, February was cooler than normal, March was unseasonably hot for the first half, cold and wet for the second half. Overall, as of early April, lake levels are a little ahead of the same time last year.

The Fishing

The highlight of spring ‘07 was a continuation of superb evening cockchafer beetle falls on virtually all the lakes, and flats fishing at Cabin Lake. As Cabin refilled during winter 2007, the trout made the most of the new channels to access the northern flats. The Melbourne Club, Australia Club and the Caldwell group were just some to take advantage of the excellent polaroiding, not to mention tailing fish all day long. The action continued until Christmas, when the flats finally became too shallow.

 Summer fishing was dominated by some massive mudeye evenings, and very good smelter action, particularly during the unusually cool weather that prevailed through February. John and Julie from Singapore managed 12 fish over a two day period, and also encountered duns—a taste of what was to come. Later in Feb, the Sparkies enjoyed a 20 plus fish day, as they often do!  Meanwhile, Bluegum began to produce again, with a 7 pound brown landed there on a tiny Elk Hair Caddis on the 24^th.

 By mid March, the early promise of duns had become a regular feature, with the best autumn dun hatches we’ve ever experienced at Millbrook. Cabin Lake in particular had (and continues to have at the time of writing in April) the best dun hatches we’ve seen there ever—including spring!  Tony enjoyed a 10 fish day on the 25^th, with the main hatch was from noon til 3 pm, but some duns around from 10 am to 6 pm. All but one of Tony’s fish was taken on a dry.

The Fish

Millbrook regulars are telling us (and we agree) that trout condition has never been better. The day before this report was filed, a ten pound smelter was landed at Baby Blue, and 4 to 6 pound trout have been common catches. An unusually large number of fish are ‘footballs’, a good pound heavier than is normal for their year class. We have no real explanation for this unusual size and condition, particularly as it has occurred against a background of lake levels being much lower than normal. However, we’re not complaining!