(^18) FLYLIFE
dam on Diggers Creek, where the fish
began rising in earnest. Unfortunately
a band of dense weed meant that
the closest risers were 15–25 metres
off shore, but rather than become
despondent, Zoe and Connor simply
resolved to learn how to double haul.
Anyway, there was still time for a
quick look at Spencers Creek. The
fishing there remained relatively tech-
nical, but Connor eventually managed
to land some good browns before
dinner.
LAST CASTS
On our last day we walked from
Guthega along the banks of the
Guthega Pondage to Pounds Creek.
Along the way Bronwyn received a
text to say that one of the lodge ‘direc-
tors’ and his wife would be joining us
that night, and we had hilarious fun
practising how to be polite to one
another during a heated round of
Killer Bunnies.
That afternoon there was another
thunderstorm, and we rushed back to
our lodge for an early dinner. By eve-
ning the director still hadn’t arrived,
and Connor convinced me that we
had time for a last session on Perisher
Creek.
I could scarcely believe how much
Connor’s casting had improved over
the last few days. And he could
scarcely believe how much easier it was to hook fish when, on the first
cast into any pool or run, the fly land-
ed exactly where it was meant to go.
The dozen fish he landed included the
six biggest of the trip, with one weigh-
ing well over a pound.
The director and his wife were
ensconced by the time Connor and I
returned to the lodge, and impressed
by Connor’s success. “I thought fly
fishing was supposed to be hard?”
A lot of people feel that way, of
course. But Kosciuszko is the perfect
place to prove the naysayers wrong.
I can’t think of a better venue any-
where in Australia to teach fly fishing,
certainly not to exuberant youngsters
who crave instant gratification.
One of Connor’s fish from Perisher Creek.
FL
I CAN’T THINK OF A BETTER VENUE ANYWHERE
IN AUSTRALIA TO TEACH FLY FISHING...
Kosciuszko Kids... continued
The Snowy River crossing on the Main Range Track.
Polaroiding trout in a glassy pool.
lu
(lu)
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