Andy_from_the_CJ Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 G'day lads five good keen men mustered last week for the annual hunting and fishing pilgrimage to Lake Dartmouth, ninety minutes east of Albury in the Victorian Alps. What a trip! Non-stop rain in Sydney had us fearful of the likely weather conditions but, as it turned out, there was barely a cloud in the sky. Our biggest risk was sunburn. We travelled about 15 miles up the lake (about half-way) and set up a comfortable camp. For those who aren't familiar with Dartmouth, it is a massive lake in Victoria's Alpine National Park, completely surrounded by bush. Dartmouth is arguably the best trout water on the Australian mainland. Special techniques have been developed by the locals to take large bags of trout, most notably the trolled mudeye/ford fender rig. However our party didn't get too technical. We spun with Tassie Devils from the bank, or soaked a worm on the bottom. The fishing was good with carp, rainbow trout and (the rare) Macquarie Perch captured, although most time was spent deer hunting. Number two son Chris had some massive battles with 10lb+ swamp trout, on light gear. One big plus on this trip was Tad's cooking. He's opening a new business escorting European tourists on outback adventures, and used our party as test subjects. The greatest exertion on the trip was getting out of the camp chair, after Tad's borscht and goulash dinners, all washed down with cherry vodka. The pic of me with the trout shows the effects of one such night! A really great trip, one I'll never forget, and looking forward already to the 2006 expedition. If anyone's interested in joining us don't hesitate to let me know. Cheers, Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_from_the_CJ Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 Macquarie perch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_from_the_CJ Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 swamp trout: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_from_the_CJ Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 a rainbow, for breakfast: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_from_the_CJ Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 the crew, after a cold morning's run up the lake: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 sounds and looks, like good times were had, id really like to give trout fishing a go. never have. seems like a great place to go. great pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jocool Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Geez I dont know....You dissapear for a while and always come back with top reports! You must love making us all jealous! How did you go with the deer Andy? Bag any good ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_from_the_CJ Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 I reckon you'd enjoy Dartmouth, Matt. It's like a Fishraider Hairtail Night, but with less drinking, and some fish involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_from_the_CJ Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 How did you go with the deer Andy? Bag any good ones? 56572[/snapback] No, mate. We've only ever bagged one, in about five years. But there is something special about the place, hardly anyone around, the top fishing, the dingoes howling around the camp at night....you feel like you're in the first five minutes of 'Last Of The Mohicans.' I reckon the Jiggin Joe machine would be ideal, on Dart. It's a long drive but not hard, they've improved the Hume a lot. Great to hear from you, Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jocool Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 I reckon the Jiggin Joe machine would be ideal, on Dart. 56576[/snapback] It should great in a lot of places when it comes back from QLD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 yeah it would be good to get some fish, unlike these elusive hairtail nights ive heard of.... ill have to plan to get there sometime soon. cheers Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted July 5, 2005 Share Posted July 5, 2005 Great report In all my years of Trouting I never ventured over the border to give Dartmouth a hit but it has always been one of those lakes I would like to hit. Maybe next time I head south I might skip past Eucumbene/Jindabyne (tough!) and give Dartmouth a try Cheers Windy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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