First Rainbow Of The Year

[StunnedMullet]

Hello Raiders,

Long time stalker, first post.

I decided to escape the relentless weather in Sydney and head to my sisters place in Orange, where I heard the rain had stopped. Having been too long since my last sweet water expedition, I was looking forward to having a crack at some rainbows that I knew were in the area. Given that trout season was closing the following week, this would be my only chance for a while.

My mate Siewy tagged along for the trip, this was his first time freshwater fishing, and he was keen to catch his first trout.

The weather report was right, although the central west had copped a lot of rain the last couple of weeks, it was now cold but clear skies. What a welcome sight after all the Sydney rain weve been subjected to the last few weeks.

We got up at the crack of dawn, and got to my spot just as the black skies were turning to grey.

At first we headed upstream for a few kilometres, stopping and casting at the bottom of every cascade, and every pool. Nothing.

Normally in the first couple of hours this spot produces at least five or six fish, usually small rainbows, but fun to pull in. The water is normally crystal clear in these parts, but because of all the rain in the previous weeks, it was difficult to see even three feet deep.

We decided to head downstream, hoping that the water would get clearer. The biggest trout I have caught in this place were taken from further downstream. It was also the most beautiful part of the river, with cascades, waterfalls and such raw beauty it takes my breath away

Its always tricky fishing downstream, as I have found the trout tend to feed near the base of the cascades, pointing upstream, and are easily spooked, so its best to circle around the ponds and cast upstream into the cascade to reduce the risk of the fish seeing us.

After a couple of hours our relentless casting paid off. Whack! A decent size male burst out of the water on the end of my Daiwa Sc.Shiner. After a short struggle I got him in. He measured 41cm

Over the next five hours we got another 3 hookups, but dropped them. I think the trebles are too small on these small lures we were using, I later spoke to a local, who told me the best way to increase your chances of hooking them up is to replace the rear treble with a single hook? I must investigate that one.

Anyway, unfortunately Siewy didnt land a fish, but with a couple of hookups, and a taste of the excitement of seeing the trout explode into the air with a lure hanging out its mouth, he cant wait to come back and try again.

In conclusion, a hard days fishing, but given the conditions, I cant complain.

Cheers,

Mick

[Guest rzep]

Well done on your efforts there Mick.

That is a cracker first report also mate.

Keep them coming

[ElwoodBlues]

Hello Mick to fishraider.

That was a great report an what a beautiful area you were fishing.

Shame your mate didnt land any but atleast you 2 got out there and wet a line.

Regards,

David

[Centrepin]

Hey mick,

Great read and keep the reports coming.

You did well with those conditions.

Geoff

[slinkymalinky]

Like they say mick, the worst day fishing is better than the best day working! Fantastic colours on that Rainbow. Nice reward for a tough day.

Cheers, Slinky

[Yowie]

Hello Raiders,

Long time stalker, first post.

I decided to escape the relentless weather in Sydney and head to my sisters place in Orange, where I heard the rain had stopped. Having been too long since my last sweet water expedition, I was looking forward to having a crack at some rainbows that I knew were in the area. Given that trout season was closing the following week, this would be my only chance for a while.

My mate Siewy tagged along for the trip, this was his first time freshwater fishing, and he was keen to catch his first trout.

The weather report was right, although the central west had copped a lot of rain the last couple of weeks, it was now cold but clear skies. What a welcome sight after all the Sydney rain weve been subjected to the last few weeks.

We got up at the crack of dawn, and got to my spot just as the black skies were turning to grey.

At first we headed upstream for a few kilometres, stopping and casting at the bottom of every cascade, and every pool. Nothing.

Normally in the first couple of hours this spot produces at least five or six fish, usually small rainbows, but fun to pull in. The water is normally crystal clear in these parts, but because of all the rain in the previous weeks, it was difficult to see even three feet deep.

We decided to head downstream, hoping that the water would get clearer. The biggest trout I have caught in this place were taken from further downstream. It was also the most beautiful part of the river, with cascades, waterfalls and such raw beauty it takes my breath away

Its always tricky fishing downstream, as I have found the trout tend to feed near the base of the cascades, pointing upstream, and are easily spooked, so its best to circle around the ponds and cast upstream into the cascade to reduce the risk of the fish seeing us.

After a couple of hours our relentless casting paid off. Whack! A decent size male burst out of the water on the end of my Daiwa Sc.Shiner. After a short struggle I got him in. He measured 41cm

Over the next five hours we got another 3 hookups, but dropped them. I think the trebles are too small on these small lures we were using, I later spoke to a local, who told me the best way to increase your chances of hooking them up is to replace the rear treble with a single hook? I must investigate that one.

Anyway, unfortunately Siewy didnt land a fish, but with a couple of hookups, and a taste of the excitement of seeing the trout explode into the air with a lure hanging out its mouth, he cant wait to come back and try again.

In conclusion, a hard days fishing, but given the conditions, I cant complain.

Cheers,

Mick

Mick,

Trout have a fairly large mouth for their size, and a small treble does not always hook up. On some of my lures I use a single hook. Use only a hook with no sideways bend, known as a Kirby bend, or the other way which is a reverse Kirby bend. A sideways bend will twist the line and the lure won't work properly.

You will also need to find the correct type with a large eye, otherwise the hook will not fit onto the split ring on the lure. Don't use too big a hook or the weight of the hook will take away some of the action of the lure. Go to a specialist tackle shop, rather than something like Woollies.

Yowie.

Edited June 7, 2010 by yowie

[yakkasmakka]

Tell me about it, all that hiking just to see u land the only fish. Haha great weekend though thanks mate.

[covanova]

mate you do better than me, my wife is from orange too, I've never been able to find water worth fishing that side of oberon.