Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre – Fishing Report Update

Fishing Report

As we move deeper into the summer season, the Goulburn River presents us with a spectacle of fly fishing that’s both challenging and rewarding. This summer has defied the typical narratives of heatwaves and dry spells, offering us a late February that feels like the first real taste of summer warmth. December and January blessed us with abundant rain events, cloud cover, and an unusually cool climate, making for some of the best fishing conditions we’ve seen in a long time. Goulburn Murray Water has maintained the river flow at a steady and low 3,000 ML/d, creating conditions akin to a spring creek and providing excellent opportunities for dry fly fishing, especially for those with a knack for finding and stalking fish with long, fine leaders.

The drift boating experience this season has been nothing short of superb. Despite having only a handful of days off this summer, we’ve been greeted by many of the same fish each day, becoming familiar with their habits and positioning for the 30th year in a row . The hatches may have been light, as expected in the height of summer, but the air has been buzzing with terrestrials – ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and the like. These long-floating, land-borne insects have a unique way of getting the fish to look upwards, and as a result, we’ve enjoyed a season where dry fly fishing accounts for about most of our activity.

Our river has been a model of consistency, save for an almost catastrophic flood event in early January. The lake reached 99.9% capacity, and we experienced over 200mm of rain in a 36-hour period. It was a narrow miss from what could have been a disaster, but the river levels have remained remarkably stable since, hovering around the 3k mark, with a brief dip to 1500 ML/d for debris removal efforts on Gilmore’s Bridge. This stability has made the fish particularly wary of any disturbances. Anglers visiting our waters have had to adapt, opting for longer leaders, finer tippets, and a stealthier approach to avoid spooking the fish.

As we look ahead, the return of our guides from New Zealand signifies a return to full capacity and the promise of exceptional fishing experiences. Drift boating continues to be a highlight, with caerful boat positioning and targeted casting being key to success. With the Goulburn having remained stable for so long, and with us being on it every day, it’s like having the river mapped out in real-time, allowing for precise presentations to known fish. The smaller streams, while a closely guarded secret, have held up well despite the recent dry spell. For those intrigued by the prospect of hitting these skinny waters, a conversation with us might just reveal some tantalising options.

Looking forward, as we celebrate our 30th year in the guiding game, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming the strength of our guide team and the quality of the fishing experience. With steady flows, clear water, and perfect temperatures, we anticipate excellent fishing right up until the season’s close. The forecast suggests a drier and warmer end to autumn, but with the lake still near 96% capacity, we’re poised for a fantastic finish to the season.

Our journey over the past three decades has been one of passion, dedication, and constant adaptation. From the humble beginnings of GVFFC to the establishment of a guiding legacy that spans continents, we’ve been driven by a love for fly fishing and a commitment to sharing this experience with others. As we look to the future, it’s clear that the heart of our operation remains the community of anglers who’ve joined us along the way. Here’s to many more years of adventures, shared stories, and unforgettable catches on the Goulburn River and beyond.

Key Take Aways

Exceptional Drift Boating: Drift boating on the Goulburn has been nothing short of spectacular. With only a handful of days off the oars this summer, we’ve marked and targeted its inhabitants intimately. If you can cast 10-12 metres with a degree of accuracy, now is the time to book a drift with us.
Terrestrial Action: Despite lighter hatches typical of summer, terrestrials like ants, beetles, and grasshoppers have been prolific, enticing trout to feed aggressively on the surface. It’s been a good one, and it’s not yet at its peak.
Stable Flows: Apart from an early January scare where we nearly faced flooding, river flows have remained remarkably stable, offering consistent fishing conditions.
Stealth and Precision: The clear, stable water means fish are more vigilant than ever. Success requires stealth, precise casting, and the use of longer leaders and finer tippets.
Availability: With guides returning from New Zealand and recovering from injuries, we have slots available for drift boating next week. Act fast to secure your spot! Check our online calender for availability.
Exploring Small Streams: The smaller tributaries have remained productive. For those interested in venturing solo into these hidden gems, give us a call for the latest intel.

Special Announcements

Booking for NZ 2025: We’re now opening bookings for New Zealand 2025 to our returning clients before making them available to the wider public. Exclusive deals await those making a group booking as well as the first six people to pay in full. Lodge an Expression of Interest here.
Montana 2024 – Last Spots Booking Now: This unique 12-day adventure covers three locations, including Yellowstone National Park and some of the best dry fly rivers on earth. Deals on offer for those booking two or more spots. Call for the details.
Montana 2025 – Our Final Year: Next year’s trip to Montana likely marks our last. Only one trip available – Sunday 6th July – Friday 18th July. Don’t miss out on this final opportunity. Taking expressions of interest today and bookings from April 1st, 2024.

Looking Ahead

March 2024 marks our 30th year in the guiding business. From humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of the Australian fly fishing community, we owe our success to you, our loyal clients and friends. As we look to the future, we’re excited about the fresh energy our newer guides bring to the GVFFC team. More detail on these guys in a future update.

What’s Ahead

With autumn forecasted to be drier and warmer, expect exceptional fishing conditions to continue. Our team, soon back to full strength, is ready to offer a range of services from drift boating to comprehensive fly fishing instruction. Don’t forget to check out our exclusive lodging option, Trout Haven, for an unmatched stay in the heart of Victoria’s fly fishing country.

Thank You

After 30 years, our passion for fly fishing and guiding burns as bright as ever. We’re here because of you, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Here’s to many more years of shared adventures on the water.

Contact Us

Ready to book your next adventure or simply want to chat about fishing? Reach out to us at 03 5773 2513 or 0418 995 611, or visit our website for more information. Let’s make those fly fishing dreams a reality!

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Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre

Landline: 03 5773 2513 | Mobile: 0418 995 611
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Discover our client experiences on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews.

Google Rating

4.9

Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre

Peter Thackray

01:32 10 Nov 18

Drift boating down the Goulburn is a great experience. I will do it again and I suggest you do it also.

Malcolm French

11:11 08 Nov 18

I have been fly fishing for trout in the south Island of New Zealand for a few years now with the GVFFC boys. These are true professionals and totally committed to ensure that all anglers get the most out of the weeks fishing trip. All l have to do is get to queenstown. All transport, accommodation, food, guiding and flies are provided. I am booked for a week in 2019 and cannot wait. If you are looking for a great weeks fly fishing pristine new zealand rivers and stalking large trout these are the blokes to contact. Mal F

andrew mcdonald

06:09 08 Nov 18

The GVFFC team work tirelessly to give you an awesome fishing experience. They are super-expert and great guys too! Can’t wait for the next driftboat trip....

Tim Hutchins

12:07 07 Nov 18

Absolutely great experience doing the one day learn to fly fish course. Anthony taught us to cast in the morning, salvaged lunch when I messed things up, and got us both to catch fish on dry flies on our first time fly fishing. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn to fly fish. The instructor knew the river like the back of his hand, had access to all the properties and seemed to know the fish on a first name basis. Thanks for the great day on the river. I hope to come back and learn more after Christmas. PS- Seeing platypus in the wild was a real bonus 👍

notsofatmike1

09:10 12 Sep 18

Been a regular client with Ant and the crew for years now. There really isn't much they don't know about fly fishing. They go out of their way above and beyond every time to make sure each drift is rewarding and unique. Hopefully I will be regular for years to come. Thanks.

Stewart Pritchard

23:40 28 Mar 18

Great service and hard working team to get good results for there client's

ben king

23:19 28 Feb 18

drift fishing on the G with antony is one of the finest fishing experiences i've had. antony will not only put you onto fish but improve your fish craft and insect knowledge in one session. you will be a better fisherman/woman after this tranquil, informative and exhilerating experience. antony and his team care deeply about the river and are not looking to exploit it's fishing - rather to preserve it. i wish i could say the same about all guiding operations. thanks again antony - looking forward to the next one.

Derek Thurgood

12:21 26 Feb 18

Spent an evening in a drift boat on the Goulburn. My first time drifting.....absolutely fantastic, a great way to see the river😀 Great company (thanks Anthony!) and 2 nice fish to hand.

Glenn Craig

22:01 12 Jan 18

Great advice and flies for the local area. Drift boats fantastic.

Timothy Nash

00:13 07 Nov 17

The guys at GVFFC are simply the best when it comes to fly fishing and guiding the Goulburn, Rubicon, Steavenson and other rivers in the area - nobody else comes close. I was lucky enough to have a day of guiding on the Goulburn recently, and their knowledge of the river is nothing short of incredible. I consider myself a fairly experienced fly fisher, but the level of advice and expertise they were able to offer was really eye opening. Everything from reading the water, to new tactics, to local knowledge of trout behaviour and which flies work best in which conditions - it's amazing just how much they can improve your fishing. To top it all off, they're great guys with a real passion for sustainable fishing. Do yourself a favour and book an experience with them - you won't regret it.

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