Fly Fishing | New South Wales | Nymboida River (upper) – ‘Coutts Water’
Waterway Type

Catchment
Target Species


Fly Fishing Highlights
- Big ex-DPI Hatchery breeding stock, often released at the start and end of season, can make for some exciting fishing.
- Reliable fishing right next to the highway bridge.
Target Species - Seasons
brown trout | jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec |
rainbow trout | jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec |
Note: species & seasonal information is indicative at the time of publishing.
For authoritive information visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational or other relevant jurisdictional authorities.
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Fishing
As with all New England and Northern Tablelands trout water, the Coutts Water fishery is very sensitive to drought, given its northern locale. In good years, the river flows clear and strong, and the fishing can be fantastic. In bad years, the river is best left alone to give the resident fish a fighting chance to see out the next wet season.
In the generally accepted ‘trout water’ (upstream of Tyringham road), there exists two distinct fisheries:
At its most upstream point, the river flows through open meadows and farmland, and is stocked regularly with health numbers of rainbow trout. Here, the river is narrow and shallow and is very conducive to dry fly and nymph presentations. The fish here generally aren’t big but are normally very willing. Fish can be caught of an evening quite reliably right next to the road bridge, but as with any river, the further you can get from public access points, the better the fishing will be.
The meadows eventually give way to a heavily forested gorge, which continues right the way through to Tyringham Road. The gorge is comprised of wide, deep pools and supports a population (albeit lower than the upper reaches) of both large rainbows and browns. Access to this gorge is tricky, but for those that manage to find a way in often do very well. Bigger streamers and wets are the obvious choice for the gorge pools but dries and nymphs will still catch fish in the right conditions.
Access
The upper farmland reaches can be easily access via a TSR immediately north adjacent to the Waterfall Way road bridge, and a public reserve immediately south adjacent. Beyond the boundaries of these public lands are privately owned farms, however if you do the right thing and respectively request access at the nearest farmhouse, the owners will generally oblige.
There is also a TSR on the true right bank adjacent to Tyringham Road, for those that want to explore the lower reaches.
The gorge country is surrounded by State forest and nature reserves, however accessing these lands can prove challenging due to private lands surrounding them. Always seek permission from landowners if you are crossing any privately owned property.
Note: access information is indicative at the time of publishing.
For authoritive information visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational or other relevant jurisdictional authorities.
Flies
Royal Wulff | brown trout rainbow trout | #12 – 16 | jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec |
Red Tag | brown trout rainbow trout | #14 – 16 | jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec |
Klinkhammer | brown trout rainbow trout | #14 – 16 | jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec |
Pheasant Tail Nymph | brown trout rainbow trout | #16 – 16 | jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec |
Contributors
THOMAS CLANCY
Author Profile
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