Private bank & wade guiding / Alexandra & Thornton, Victoria
Fish the Goulburn Valley on foot
One of the pleasures of fishing from the bank is being able to work on a sighted trout. When a fish rises in a bubble line or in a backwater, there’s time to watch for the next rise. Your guide can help you find the right approach, work out what fly to use, and teach you when is the best time to cast.
Come on your own or bring a mate. We’ve guided the rivers around Alexandra and Thornton since 1994. We’ll choose the water for the conditions, the fishing you enjoy and how far you’d like to walk.
The main river or a smaller stream?
A gravel edge on the Goulburn can be a lovely place to fish a dry fly. At a different river height, the same stretch might offer little room to fish from the bank. That’s a day we might choose a smaller stream instead.
Tell us what appeals to you. Perhaps you’d like a quiet pool and a single fish to work on, or perhaps you’d rather walk upstream, fishing each run as you come to it. We’ll talk through what’s likely to suit your visit rather than promise a particular stretch in advance.
Half day or full day?
Half day: a good stretch of water
Five hours suits a morning on the river before other plans, or an afternoon timed for a possible evening rise. We’ll choose a reach we can fish properly in the time you have. Let us know when you need to be back.
Full day: time to stay or move on
With eight hours we can stay on a run while fish are feeding, stop for lunch on the bank and try different water later. This is the trip we’d suggest when the fishing is the reason you’re coming to the valley.
Fishing with your guide
Most anglers like to know why we’ve changed flies or moved a few steps upstream. Others want a second pair of eyes on a feeding fish and the good oil on where will fish best on a given day. Both are welcome. There’s no hard and fast rule.
When two of you come together, a broad run may give you each some water of your own. On a little creek it often makes more sense to take turns: one has a cast at a pool and the other gets first go at the next. You don’t need to fish at the same level to share a day.
Prefer a short walk or to keep your feet on the bank? Tell us before booking. We can talk through access and footing, and whether the water we have in mind will suit you.
Before you come
What’s supplied. Your guide brings the flies and drinking water. Bring the outfit you like fishing with, or let us know you need rods, reels, leaders, waders or boots. Tell us your sizes beforehand.
What to pack. Bring a hat, polarised sunglasses, a layer for the weather, lunch and snacks. Lunch isn’t catered. You’ll need a current Victorian recreational fishing licence unless you’re exempt.
Where we meet. We’ll confirm the meeting point and start time with you. We usually travel between stretches in a GVFFC vehicle. You’re welcome to use your own by arrangement.
When we fish. We take enquiries year-round and arrange trips around the season, river conditions and guide availability. In winter we’ll talk through which waters are open before settling on a venue.
Guiding, tuition or a day in the boat?
Choose this trip when you’d like to spend the day fishing. For a first cast, we recommend a private fly fishing lesson. To work specifically on choosing water and presenting a fly without a guide, see our streamcraft lessons.
For a day afloat, choose a Goulburn drift boat trip. Staying longer? We can arrange several guided days, or a day on foot and another in the boat. The two services are priced separately.
Arrange your day on the river
Tell me when you’re coming, who’s fishing and the sort of water you enjoy. If you’ve fished with one of our guides before and would like to go out with them again, mention their name and I’ll check their dates.
Book private guided fishing
Call 0418 995 611
Text Anthony
Call or text 8 am–10 pm daily. Office: 03 5773 2513. You can also email Anthony.
Ask about the A$50 River Savings option when booking. Please read our booking and cancellation terms before paying.