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Great work guys. It's certainly a bonus to get a brown amongst all the rainbows. I’ll have to try the eastern/ southern end next time I’m up there. Well done. Regards Caddis

Hi Raiders, In my younger days, it was all about catching the most fish or the largest fish. As I get older, maybe not wiser, I cherish the opportunity of catching a fish and sharing that moment with a special friend. Thompsons Creek Dam is at the highest level I’ve ever seen and at 71%, there were more areas to explore. I was at the dam at 6am and watched the sun rise in the background. There were a few rises, but they were not interested in what I had to offer. Flycaster joined me a couple of hours later. After an hour or so, we decided to move on. The dam was busy on this particular day and I must have counted at least half a dozen anglers walking past me. I settled in a section of dam which I knew would hold fish and sure enough, after 15 minutes, I caught a dark object out of the corner of my eye. The object cruised past me and as my eyes adjusted, I could see 2 fish moving in the shallows. They moved within 2 metres away from me. The male was about 3.5 pounds and the female 2.5 pounds. I changed to an unweighted nymph and dropped it in front of them. The male changed directions to have a look at the nymph as it sank to the bottom. I gave it a twitch and he spooked. After a few minutes later, the pair returned. I must have dropped my fly a dozen times in front of them before finally one of them became aggressive enough to take it. The fish moved right on top of the fly, and instinctively I struck. The fish looked as if it would beach itself, but then realised it was hook and took me around a flooded bush. Seeing the fish still attahed, Flycaster past me the net, and I slipped it under the fish. With the fish safely secured, I was able to untangle my line from the bush. This lovely hen measured 47 cm. She was revived and returned to reunite with her mate. Flycaster later caught a fish, but refused to take a photo claiming it was too small. We left around midday to check out Wallace and Oberon but failed to sight or catch a fish. Until next time Caddis

That's too bad Flycaster. I've heard that some big fish are being caught near the drain. We might need to check it out next time we're up there. Regards Caddis

Hi Raiders, Thanks for all your comments. Matt, I know you have a trip planned to Kanangra, so I'll work in with your calendar. Pred-ator, I have never used a pflueger fly rod before, so I can't really say. Redington are owned by Sage and they are a great entry level rod. I have one myself in a 4wt. Please PM me if you would like to join me next time I go to Thompon Creek Dam Regards Caddis

Hi Irongustavius, No worries, PM me your details and I'll let you know when I'm out there again. Regards Caddis

Hi PRED-ATOR, Sure... PM me your details and I'll let you know when I'll be heading out again. Do you have any fly gear? Regards Caddis

Hi Irongustavius, Where on the dam did you fish? do you fly fish? Flycaster and I had a really good day. It did start off slow, but the fish started to come on after lunch. Regards Caddis

Hi Raiders, I joined forces with Flycaster yesterday to have a crack at Thompson Creek Dam. Based on past experience, the rainbows should be making their appearance around the edges in pairs. The weather conditions were perfect, not a cloud in sight and calm waters. According to Delta Electricity, the dam level was at 64% which is the highest I’ve ever seen it. As usual, I got to the dam just before 7am and Flycaster arrived shortly after. I opened up the account with this small rainbow after about an hour. The morning turned out to be slow, so we decided to try a few spots. Just before lunch we spotted a few rainbows in their spawning colours trying to do their thing. Fish that are paired up have other things in mind besides feeding, and getting them to take a fly is next to impossible. The trick is to find a fish swimming on its own as there is a high possibility it will take your fly. I picked up another small rainbow in the bunch of spawners, and after about an hour they seem to have disappeared. Things looked rather grim after lunch with the wind picking up making things very uncomfortable. We moved to sheltered waters to get away from the wind. Flycaster opened up his account with a small Rainbow, and shortly after I landed this nice fish which measured 50cm. This fish really put on a show, taking to the air and making 3 strong runs before being landed. A few minutes later Flycaster landed this good fish (47cm). It was one fish after another, and my next fish had me in every weed bed and snag it could find. At first, I thought it was a lot smaller, but when Flycaster slipped the net under the fish, I was pleasantly surprised. It was a solid buck rainbow measuring 50cm and weighing approximately 3 pounds. We probably would have caught more fish, but it was getting late and we had commitments to be home before dinner. Between us we caught a total of 8 fish for the day. 4 to Flycaster and 4 to me. Regards Caddis

Great report cruisecraft and some really good fish. Regards Caddis

Hello Paul, Yes I did see the fish trapped in the Portal Pool. I throw nearly every fly in my box at them and didn't get a touch. I did meet someone that caught a couple on lures. Did you pick up anthing big? Regards Chris

Day 3 I was up again before light, but this time I wasnt the only one on the river and I could see the head lights of at least 3 other cars. It was a cool -2 degrees and snowing. The laces to my boots were frozen stiff and next to impossible to tie up. This time, I decided to try the same spot I caught the 5 pound brown from yesterday. As the sky started to light up and the first rays of light hit the water, the fish made their appearance. The first fish of the day was this rather lean brown taken on a Glo bug. The next was this lovely little rainbow. You can see my home made Glo bug hanging from his mouth. Shortly after, my reel ceased up and I was unable to pull line from the spool. Luckily my car wasnt too far away, so I tracked back to pick up the 5wt Loomis. By this time, there were a lot more anglers on the river, so I decided to head downstream back to my favourite spot. As I approached the river, I could see the browns doing their thing in the calmer waters. The place to fish is immediately downstream from the spawner, in the faster waters, as fish hang back feeding on the eggs that drift past. Sure enough, as soon as the Glo bug hit the water a rainbow leapt out of the water to engulf the fly. Next was this solid Brown. The fish must be packed in like sardines in this one stretch of river. The next fish was a large brown which took me downstream before busting me off 6 pound fluorocarbon. Here is another brown taken. I continued to fish into the evening catching many fish up to 4 pounds. I stopped counting how many fish I caught that day and was too lazy to take the camera out. Day 4 My trip has come to an end, but not before having one last cast. I had the car packed the night before and planned to fish the morning and be back in Sydney for dinner. I started working a new section of river after receiving a tip that some big fish were caught the day before. As the first rays of light hit the water, the river came alive and this healthy rainbow landed. Next, was this rainbow which fell to a Glo bug nymph. Then suddenly, the indicator went down and before I could even strike the rod loaded up, taking the slack and peeling line from the reel. The fish headed straight for cover, into the bank. I gave the fish a couple of sharp strikes trying to sink the hook which only made him angry. He took to the surface, shaking his enormous tail and I could see the fish was in the double digit range. The fish was broad and easily larger than the brown caught on day 2. The fish was downstream in a split second and my rod was pointing at the fish. The Glo bug popped out of his mouth, the line went slack and my stomach sank. We all know the dreadful feeling of losing a good fish. Unfortunately, my trip has come to an end and I did promise the wife I would be back in time for dinner, so I reluctantly made my way back to the car and back to Sydney. Regards Caddis

Hi Luderick -angler, I was working a small nymph behind a Glo bug, however the Brown did take the Glowie. The majority of fish was caught on the Glowie, but occasionally the nymph was taken. I dropped some very big fish including a fish pushing the magic 10 pound mark which I’ll talk about in my second report. Regards Chris

Hi Raiders, I just got back from spending 4 wonderful days fishing the Eucumbene River. Day 1 I left home at 6am and got to Cooma just after 11am. A quick stop into Alpine Angler to get the latest update on whats happening on the river before heading straight to Providence Portal. Checked-in, unpacked and geared up in record time. The river was gin clear ad conditions were perfect. I hiked towards my favourite spot checking each pool on the way. The first deep pool I came across had at least a dozen fish with some as long as your arm. As I rigged up, my heads were shaking like a leaf in anticipation of catching one of these monsters. After putting my glo bug several times in front of them, it became apparent that these fish had seen a few anglers before me and the river has been completely bombed in the morning. I proceeded to my spot to find it too was bombed out, but managed to pick-up this little brown On my way back to the cabin, I had to try the first pool and managed to pick up this little hen rainbow. Well, tomorrow is another day and I plan to be the first person on the river. Day 2 I was on the river before light and picked up only 2 fish. So I decided to move upstream as Ive heard reports of larger fish being caught past the Portal. There were a lot more anglers fishing upstream, so I found myself a quiet stretch of river to work. As I was drifting my glo bug, I saw a fish rise to the right of me. Letting the indicator drift past the spot, it went down and at first I thought I had the bottom. A fish took to the surface and the bottom started moving. After a few heart stopping minutes this 5 pound, 62cm brown was landed. The fish looks rather thin in the photos as she dropped all her eggs when landed. Hey Stewy, is this the new Fishraider brown trout record on fly? I decided to call it a day shortly after. Report 2 coming soon… Regards Caddis

Congratulations on your PB rainbow Greg. Regards Caddis

Hi bombora, I flyfish Thompson creek and I bring my hip waders with me. There are some very big fish in the dam and as I like using light gear, I have to chase the fish occassionly. You just never know when you will end up in the water. Fish cruse up and down the banks, so you will pick up fish right at your feet. If you use lures, Tassie devils and spoons are very productive. Swordfisherman has had very good success with his pink Tassie. Hope this helps. Regards Caddis

Nice work Stewy. Soon you'll be giving me all the tips. When I fished with Flycaster a few weeks ago, we were getting a few hits on the indicator. When I changed over to a dry fly, I got busted off by a good fish. If you do find fish taking the indicator change to a dry immediately and hold on tight. Regards Caddis

Just bought a pair of Frogg toggs for my dad. Looks well made and well priced. Regards Caddis

Brilliant report Greg. It's not offen you pick up 12 fish in a session at Thompson Creek. Well done. Regards Caddis

Great work guys. These fish look in really good condition. Regards Caddis

Good luck EddieS. Let us know how you go. Regards Caddis

Your right EddieS, fishing the wall can be productive but not worth the risk and there are plenty of other places to fish. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks Windy. There will definitely be a round 2 Stewy. My casting arm is already twitching in the car on the way to work. I'll make some fly up this weekend, so just let me know when you want them. Regards Caddis

Hi Raiders, Today, Swordie, Flycaster, Les and I fished Thompson Creek Dam. Swordie arrived at my place just after 3am for the long and windy road up Bells Line Of Road to Lithgow. After a quick stop at Maccas we made our way to the dam wall. I was really looking forward to putting Swordie onto a trout using indicator nymph. Flycaster and I have had some success using this method lately. The weather started off great for indicator nymphing. We go to our spot with calm conditions and a few rises on the water. Swordie was first to get a line out, choosing to spin celtas, whilst I geared up the fly rod. The rises were sporadic and seeing one within casting distance, I instinctively casted to it. Not long after seeing the fly hit the water, the indicator went down and I was onto a fish. After a short fight a little rainbow surfaced. Swordie put away his spinning outfit and we geared up his fly rod. Flycaster and Les arrived at 7am and were keen to get into the action. 2 hours went by and not a touch. By about 9am the weather had deteriorated and it started to blow. Then suddenly my indicator went down. Lifting the rod, I felt the weight of a solid fish. Having felt the hook, the fish made a run for cover, making me chase after it and Flycaster following me with his landing net. After a few intense minutes the fish was safely landed. The buck rainbow trout measured 51cm. A couple of photos and it was returned to fight another day. No sooner did I have my line back in the water, when my rod suddenly loaded up without any notice. Peeling line from my hands, the fish turned and ran towards me. I was unable to strip fast enough and the hook pulled. Having felt the weight of the fish, it would have been another good trout. Flycaster and Les decided to change spots whilst Swordie and I persisted working the current spot. The weather continued to get worst blowing about 30knots. Flycaster and Les returned later to join us for lunch and had picked up one fish. Swordie later hooked a fish on a celta but dropped it and Flycaster caught a fingerling which he quickly released before I could get the camera out. At about 1:30pm, Swordie and I decided to call it a day. Unfortunately it was just one of those days at Thompson Creek where the trout didn’t come out to play. Look forward to our next trip Swordie, and hopefully we’ll have better luck. Regards Caddis

Hi Paul, The water clarity is very ordinary. I personally was unable to spot any fish. I know there are larger fish lurking around. How big are the fish you are picking up? Regards Chris

Hey Stewy, I did PM you. I've made a few flies up this morning with your name on them. I'm sure you'd do ok with your fly selection. I have some bright coloured yarn which I use as an indicator. You can pick up at any fly tackle shop. If the weather is calm, I would use a dry fly (like a stimulator) as an indicator. Hope that helps. Regards Chris