Tumut River

Fly fishing on the Tumut River is a unique experience due to its characteristics as a cold tailwater. The river's flow is governed by weather and water release, making each season unpredictable. Early in the season, the cooler conditions often require accurate casting and smaller flies to target BWO feeders for example. Nymphing deeper water with smaller nymphs is also effective during this time. The appearance of the Kosciusko Dun in spring, and again in autumn heralds exciting dry fly fishing opportunities.
Mid-summer to early autumn offers the best dry fly fishing on the Tumut River, with terrestrial insects and caddis hatches drawing trout to the surface. Hopper fishing, in particular, can be spectacular during this period. As the season progresses, the river levels drop, making wading more feasible and bringing back the dun hatches where para dun flies are often effective.
The Tumut River's diverse fishing opportunities extend beyond drift boat fishing. Anglers on foot can take advantage of its size, with opportunities for swinging wet flies from the bank and wading in massive runs. Stalking the banks to spot cruising fish can be rewarding, especially under optimal light and water conditions. A dry dropper rig is an excellent setup for this type of fishing.
In high flows searching edges and back eddies for mooching fish often reveals some very healthy specimens and an exciting challenge to put a fly in front of them.