The last couple of months of the year at Millbrook have continued the 2021 trend of the weird and the wonderful. The weather (something we’re obsessed with due to its immediate and also longer term effects on the fishing) has continued to be unusual. Incredibly, Millbrook is yet to have a 30C day, and forecasts at the time of writing suggest we won’t get one before the end of the year. Equally amazing, we had five days straight in the middle of November when the maximum temperature didn’t hit double figures – a 50 year plus record.
Meanwhile, rainfall has settled down to something like average, although the year as a whole will finish well above average, something reflected in high lake levels for this time of year. We can now expect levels to drop on many lakes through late summer and into autumn – perhaps surprisingly, this is welcome, as long as the drop isn’t too severe. Falling levels help reduce excessive weed growth, and allow exposed shores to revegetate, in turn providing floodwater feeder opportunities when levels rise again in winter and spring.
Plenty of water plus cool to mild temperatures have proved a godsend as we’ve attempted to fit in as many Covid-postponed bookings as possible. The mayfly obviously approve – dun hatches and spinner falls have stretched into December with uncharacteristic vigour: perhaps not as set-your-watch reliable as during mid-spring, but still providing exceptional fishing. And the mudeye fishing has been superb on those evenings which have been mild and dry. We’ve even had visits from ‘new’ insects like cinnamon jassids, which it turns out the trout love just as much as their cousins in Tassie.
Ourselves and the fish will now enjoy a bit of a summer break, something we factor in each season to spare the guides, guests and the trout from too much heat. To all our friends and guests, thank you for your fabulous support through another difficult year. Have a fantastic Christmas, and we look forward to helping you bother some more of our Santa-shaped trout in 2022!
Meanwhile, rainfall has settled down to something like average, although the year as a whole will finish well above average, something reflected in high lake levels for this time of year. We can now expect levels to drop on many lakes through late summer and into autumn – perhaps surprisingly, this is welcome, as long as the drop isn’t too severe. Falling levels help reduce excessive weed growth, and allow exposed shores to revegetate, in turn providing floodwater feeder opportunities when levels rise again in winter and spring.
Plenty of water plus cool to mild temperatures have proved a godsend as we’ve attempted to fit in as many Covid-postponed bookings as possible. The mayfly obviously approve – dun hatches and spinner falls have stretched into December with uncharacteristic vigour: perhaps not as set-your-watch reliable as during mid-spring, but still providing exceptional fishing. And the mudeye fishing has been superb on those evenings which have been mild and dry. We’ve even had visits from ‘new’ insects like cinnamon jassids, which it turns out the trout love just as much as their cousins in Tassie.
Ourselves and the fish will now enjoy a bit of a summer break, something we factor in each season to spare the guides, guests and the trout from too much heat. To all our friends and guests, thank you for your fabulous support through another difficult year. Have a fantastic Christmas, and we look forward to helping you bother some more of our Santa-shaped trout in 2022!
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