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Mystery Solved!
Well, it seems last week’s mystery of Rocky Valley Reservoir and the 50 or so dead trout found around the edges has been solved. Apparently the lake experienced a stratification event, which is not that uncommon in large reservoirs and lakes.

Stratification can occur when a lake is at a low level, as Rocky Valley was at the end of winter, and then receives a large and sudden inflow of new water, such as last spring’s snowmelt.

This year, stratification conditions were ideal; the two waters were of about equal volume and reportedly displayed significantly different temperatures and densities. A large and sudden inflow of snowmelt displaced the old water and the new (and highly oxygenated) water went to the bottom and the old (and devoid of free oxygen) water rose to the top, causing some trout to die from oxygen deprivation. The two waters then mixed and the rest of the trout were okay. As a result, other than a few dead fish there was nothing to explain what happened.

Kiewa River
The Kiewa River is running a bit harder this week after steady rain fell throughout the northeast over several days recently. Heavy snowfalls were also experienced in the nearby mountains and the resulting snowmelt has been causing many rivers, including the Kiewa, to rise slightly, resulting in changed fishing conditions.

Until warmer weather returns, many trout will be found closer to the bottom than before the rain fell and they should respond to drifted scrub worms and medium sized lures.

Upper Mitta Mitta River
Before the rain began falling last week, anglers who fly fished the Upper Mitta Mitta from Glen Wills to near the Blue Duck Hotel at Anglers Rest reported taking a number of brown trout to 750 grams with most fish rising to dry flies. Since then the situation has changed and for the rest of this week at least, nymphs and size 14 muddler minnow and size 14 to 16 black beetle and red tag wet flies, also size 12 woolly worm lures should prove effective.

Bundara River
The Bundara River at Anglers Rest has risen slightly but should fall again by the weekend providing no more rain falls in the catchment area. Currently anglers are enjoying lots of action along the Bundara with good numbers of brown trout and rainbow trout to 500 grams feeding throughout the day. Rising trout are responding to a variety of size 16 to 18 dry flies at the moment. Small mayfly, beetle and moth patterns should prevail in the coming weeks, at least until the grasshoppers arrive.

Cobungra River
The Cobungra River at Anglers Rest is producing numbers of brown trout, some rainbows, to 400 grams on average, with bait and lure anglers doing well this week.

Fly fishers are getting brown trout that are rising mostly from mid-afternoon to dusk, with some action also during the morning. Minimum wading, small flies and long leaders are required as the trout are easily spooked.

Just a reminder that anglers need at be wary when walking along the rivers as black snakes and copperhead snakes are now active. Many experienced anglers prefer to wear thigh waders at all times when in snake country.

Lower Mitta Mitta River
This week Ted Barber of the Magorra Caravan Park in Mitta Mitta has been extolling the virtues of the Lower Mitta Mitta River, which is running at a “perfect” level and good numbers of rainbow trout are being taken by fly fishers, many on green rabbit fur nymphs. Bait and lure anglers are also doing well in water that is flowing cold and clear.

Many trout caught in the Lower Mitta Mitta River lately have been of medium size, with most weighing from 900 grams to around 400 grams. Reports indicate that larger trout are noticeably harder to find and more challenging to catch than they were a few weeks ago.

Snowy Creek
The Snowy Creek at Granite Flat is producing brown trout and rainbow trout to 400 grams, according to reports. Live bait such as drifted scrub worms and mudeyes are ideal to use just now while the water remains high.

That’s all for now, more next week from,
Geoff Lacey

Angling Expeditions Victoria
"The Trout Fly Fishing Specialists”
PO Box 20
(82 Kiewa Valley Highway)
TAWONGA VIC 3697
Tel: (03) 5754 1466
Fax: (03) 5754 1991
Mobile: 0409 241 762
Email: info@anglingvic.com.au
Web: www.anglingvic.com.au

Click here for the previous Geoff Lacey Report.