Bielsdown River

Bielsdown River, NSW | Clancy

Bielsdown River

The Bielsdown River winds its way through the lush rolling hills behind the township of Dorrigo, before passing through the town itself and over the spectacular Dangar Falls. It is stocked in several locations with rainbow trout and has reasonable public access in parts.
The river is tree lined in a lot of reaches and is usually tricky to wade. That said, there are still enough reaches well suited to fly fishing to be worth recommending the river, especially in the headwaters.
The fish that call the river home are standard New England sized rainbows of one-to-two pounds and eagerly take dry flies, nymphs and streamers. The water is slightly off colour so larger and brighter flies are usually more effective.

Fly Fishing | New South Wales | Bielsdown River

Fishery 3.4 Rating

Waterway Type

River
River

Catchment

Clarence River

Target Species

rainbow troutrainbow trout

Highlights

  • Numerous public access points
  • Receives little angling pressure as is one of the more overlooked fisheries in the region
  • Plentiful rainbow trout between one-to-two pounds

Target Species - Seasons

rainbow troutjanfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec


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Fishing

This fishery is best visited over the summer months when terrestrial insect activity is at its peak, and the fish eagerly look to the surface to feed. Royal Wulff and humpy variants work well, as do smaller hopper patterns and stimulators. In some of the larger, slower moving pools closer to town, the fish can become fixated on smaller mayflies and caddis, so having some Parachute Adams or dad's favourites in your fly box is always a good idea.
Nymph wise, any generic nymph pattern will work well, albeit is slightly larger size 14-12 sizes. I like to fish my nymphs with a hot spot of some description to stand out in the slightly off-colour water that typically runs through the town stretch.
In the larger, slower pools, especially through spring and autumn, streamers worked slowly and methodically an be very effective.

Access

Access around Dorrigo itself is quite reasonable. There is a reserve between the Waterfall Way bridge downstream to the Ash Street Dog Park. The Dorrigo Sportsground and Dorrigo Golf Course also provide vast stretches of walkable bank through council-owned land.
Further access can also be gained from the Coramba Road bridge on the outskirts of town, where anglers can wade quite easily upstream. Anglers can also access the runs and pools above the Dangars Falls through the Dangar Falls Reserve.
Upstream of town, along Shepards Rd and Smiths Lane, there are a number of bridges that provide access points from which to enter the river. Wading can be difficult in parts, though.
As always, some of the best water in the upper reaches is only accessible through private property. Please, if you are visiting the region, respect the fishery and its landowners and seek permission to fish on private property. Trespassing in New England is becoming an alarming trend and is causing some landowners to think twice about allowing stocking to occur on their properties.

Flies

Royal Wulffrainbow trout#12 – 16janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Pheasant Tail Nymph - tungsten beadrainbow trout#14 – 16janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Royal Humpyrainbow trout#12 – 16janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Pheasant Tail Nymphrainbow trout#14 – 16janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Hares Ear Nymphrainbow trout#14 – 16janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Tag Nymphrainbow trout#14 – 16janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec

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