The headline for the last 18 months would be one word ‘Dry’. 2024 was actually the driest year in Millbrook Lakes’ 29 years of operation, and 2025 started off not much better.
So, one of the reasons for an absence of reports lately, has simply been a lack of clarity about what to expect going forward? Unlike big rain events, such as regularly occurred in 2022, droughts are much more of a slow burn. Although the actual Millbrook fishing had been performing well through this autumn and into the start of winter, we were aware that just a bit more tough love from Mother Nature, could have tipped things over the edge.
Fortunately, we’ve just had a nice wet June, with over 100mm of rain. After such a prolonged dry spell, even this quantity of rain is not enough to declare the drought over. However, it has reversed the trend of receding water levels. Most lakes are finally rising… at least a little, and in some cases, quite a lot. Meanwhile, our trout stocks weathered the dry remarkably well. In fact, we’ve been surprised at the size and condition of the trout that have ‘reappeared’ in many lakes since the hot dry days of summer. Not for the first time, we’re left amazed at just how resilient our lakes (and their trout) can be. The relatively cool temperatures at 5-600 metres above sea level, carefully managing fishing pressure, and our efforts to maintain water quality – including oxygenated refuges – evidently all helped.
To the current fishing, and the headlines are midging trout, yabby feeders, polaroiding, and the first signs of floodwater feeders. We’re not out of the woods yet, but for the first time in many months, it’s definitely feeling like the glass is half full.
So, one of the reasons for an absence of reports lately, has simply been a lack of clarity about what to expect going forward? Unlike big rain events, such as regularly occurred in 2022, droughts are much more of a slow burn. Although the actual Millbrook fishing had been performing well through this autumn and into the start of winter, we were aware that just a bit more tough love from Mother Nature, could have tipped things over the edge.
Fortunately, we’ve just had a nice wet June, with over 100mm of rain. After such a prolonged dry spell, even this quantity of rain is not enough to declare the drought over. However, it has reversed the trend of receding water levels. Most lakes are finally rising… at least a little, and in some cases, quite a lot. Meanwhile, our trout stocks weathered the dry remarkably well. In fact, we’ve been surprised at the size and condition of the trout that have ‘reappeared’ in many lakes since the hot dry days of summer. Not for the first time, we’re left amazed at just how resilient our lakes (and their trout) can be. The relatively cool temperatures at 5-600 metres above sea level, carefully managing fishing pressure, and our efforts to maintain water quality – including oxygenated refuges – evidently all helped.
To the current fishing, and the headlines are midging trout, yabby feeders, polaroiding, and the first signs of floodwater feeders. We’re not out of the woods yet, but for the first time in many months, it’s definitely feeling like the glass is half full.
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