Snowy Mountains
Come fish Australia’s High Country.
The Monaro region of Australia apart from having great history offers the best wild brown trout fly fishing on mainland Australia. Situated on the south east corner of the Snowy Mountains (Altitude 750- 1170 meters) the Monaro boasts world class fishing with wild brown trout of ranging from 2lb to 5lb plus.
Several slow moving river systems shed the Monaro with shallow runs between series of deep, slow pools and channels formed between Lilly pads and a variety of water plants, giving educated brownies an abundant supply of various aquatic insects with beetles and other terrestrials making fly fishing the only way to trick these challenging educated fish.
This environment tests one’s ability to spot, stalk and cast undetected to cruising and stationary feeding fish which at times will test even experienced angler’s nerves and cunning ability. Local fly patterns designed, tested and proven are available if desired. All fish caught are weighed and released after being photographed so you have a lasting memory of your experience.
Flyfishing Australia’s highland streams is a great option if you are visiting Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne. Some information on seasons might help you with trip planning….

Fishing season opens in the first weekend of October (spring) and closes early June (autumns end).
The Monaro can offer the privilege four seasons in one day!
So be prepared for conditions similar to highland areas found all over the World.
SPRING
October-The temperature of the land, air and water starts to rise from an average of 12.8deg Celsius in September to 16.0deg Celsius for October, as this is the second month of spring. It’s still very cool in the mornings with frosts and fogs around early in the day waiting for the sun to cut through and warm the air, inspiring the insects to do their thing and bring the trout on, which are less weary. Fishermen have almost been forgotten from the previous years season. The fish are full of fight as the cool waters are highly oxygenated. The fogs lift early and by midmorning the caddis first, then the mayflies start to hatch, bringing on the first of the morning rises .The waters are still very clear allowing for midday polaroiding to cruising fish. By the time the evening comes around the black spinners are swarming above the stream , chasing the odd female and stirring the fish into action again for the last of the day. Later in the month on warm still days, termites can swarm in their thousands, prior to thunderstorms, falling on the water bringing all the fish out from where you swear there were none.
This typical occurrence can happen through into November and will test your ability and nerve as this sort of activity brings out the trophy fish of the Monaro.
LATE SPRING
November- The temperature rises another couple of degree to an average of 18.6 Celsius. It’s still cool in the mornings but worth the effort to find the previous nights Caenidae lying spent on the still back waters. Large fish can be found mopping up with their mouths half out of the water cruising, sipping and sucking in these small black mayflies.
The fish are quickly learning, becoming spooked by the first unnatural intruders into their environment. Leaders must become longer and lighter, sloppy presentations and splashy pickup’s alerting any educated fish of danger.
Once the temperature has warmed mayfly hatches continue to occur sporadically throughout the day, occasionally all day. Polaroiding between hatches usually gives good results finding fish cruising a beat or sitting in a feed line rising occasionally. On cooler windy days you may have to rely on caddis hatching also small olive Baetis mayflies #18.
Throughout Spring, Summer and Autumn Black Beetles and ants can produce rises drifting along the banks and feed lanes. Midge activity seems available all season in various conditions.
Sometimes frustratingly, throughout the season the rivers seem bare of life until evening when the spinners always seem to produce something to save the day, (on these days a bottle of wine with lunch while lounging on the bank is called for to promote rest and relaxation!).
SUMMER
December/January- It’s starting to get hot through the day averaging 21.6deg C in December & 22.8 deg C in January, to a midday heat ,on rare occasions, of up to 32deg Celsius. Morning and evening times of the day are most the most comfortable and productive during the summer periods.
The larger mayfly hatches start to back off a little but the Caenid are still happening early in the morning.
Terrestrial critters are crawling and clumsily flying, falling on the water. Brown trout love these snacks and will rise when they seem to be feeding only from the aquatic stages of insect life. Damsel flies buzz above the water, stirring the fish to sometimes jump clear out after these large form of food, I have witnessed fish over 5lb on many occasions carrying on as such. Polaroiding and actively searching for feeding fish finds some type of action throughout the main part of the day.
February- The summer days are still with us but the heat of the day is becoming so much more friendly to fish and foe. Autumn will soon be here and the water slowly cools through the month, and the fish respond to the more comfortable change.
Grasshoppers have grown in numbers and size and the winds can carry them in numbers onto the water. On good days like these the best fish in each pool will be up and rising to kicking hoppers.
Towards the end of the month the larger mayflies hatch again bringing with them the sound of rising of trout .The evening spinners are back in larger numbers bringing rewarding fishing for the late fisher.
AUTUMN
March- The fishing only improves for the rest of the season with the cooler nights and days allowing the water to hold more oxygen and revive the fish to their best. Longer leaders and a quiet approach are the way of the angler now.