Streamcraft Sessions


AT A GLANCE

 

  • Streamcraft is the term used to describe the collective skill-set of finding fooling, and catching trout in running water. Improving these skills is the single most important factor in getting you catching fish in rivers.      .
  • Streamcraft is a concept we helped to popularise in this country, and it was one of the first services that we offered way back in 1994.
  • A streamcraft session is an ideal choice for fly fishers who are not consistently catching fish, or for even for those who just want to improve their river fishing.
  • This is the ideal follow-on session for those who have completed our two day beginner fly fishing workshop.
  • It is the perfect primer for anyone heading off on a major fly fishing trip either here in Australia or internationally i.e. New Zealand, Patagonia, Montana.
  • As expert river anglers and fly fishing instructors, we will quickly identify and correct any bad habits you’ve developed, as well as advance your knowledge and skills. Don’t waste another day guessing about where to go and what to do. A single day of streamcraft tution with an expert will cut years from the learning process.

Nothing is more important in fly fishing than learning to read the water

Streamcraft is the term used to describe the collective skill-set required to find, fool, and catch trout in running water.

All of our instructors are ‘mad’ about river fishing and have spent a considerable part of their lives chasing trout in running water. In fact, the first question we recommend that you ask a potential instructor or guide is simply;  do you fish/guide on a daily basis? Our guides are always out on the rivers and streams of the region.

Every.

Single.

Day.

We chose the Alexandra / Thornton area as our base back in 1994 because it has two of the best rivers in Victoria within a few minutes drive of each other. The Goulburn and Rubicon are very different rivers and offer every situation you are likely to encounter while trout fishing, both here and around the world.

From the small stream Rubicon River with it’s classic pool, riffle, run structure, to the majestic Goulburn River tailwater with its 50 metre wide gravel bars and terrific hatch based fishing. These two rivers are polar opposites and therefore complementary, when utilised to instruct our clients in the art of streamcraft.

Streamcraft lessons typically involve time on two rivers, allowing us to teach both small and large stream skill-sets. Or they may be devoted to learning a specific technique on a single river. Each day’s focus is modified to suit the needs of our clients and/or the conditions at the time. A full day of streamcraft instruction may include time on several rivers, multiple sessions on an individual stream, or a visit to one of the smaller rivers in the region.

All of our guides are passionate instructors, each of whom have taught thousands of fly fishers to improve their skills over the past 27 years. We leave no stone unturned,  entomological pun intended, in helping our clients to develop and improve their skills with every hour on the water.

An example of the sort of skills taught on a daily basis are:

  • Choosing gear to suit the conditions including appropriate clothing and footwear.
  • Setting up your gear.
  • Accessing water and understanding your rights and responsibilities when fishing through farmer’s properties.
  • How to read the water at a distance.
  • How to enter the water and approach a fish or likely spot.
  • Wading safely and stealthily.
  • How to match the hatch and choose flies.
  • Interpreting trout rise forms.
  • Casting techniques and appropriate presentation.
  • Drag free drifts and how to achieve them in any type of water.
  • Timing the strike and hooking fish.
  • Fighting fish quickly and effectively.
  • Releasing fish unharmed.
  • The ethics of interacting with fish, streams, landowners and other anglers.

These are just some of the things that our instructors will cover in any given session.

All of our staff are full time fly fishing instructors with a knack for imparting information and the skills attained over a lifetime of fishing.

A full day streamcraft session is perhaps the single most important thing that the beginner/intermediate fly fisher can do to make the next jump to consistently catching fish. In the space of a single day, we will get you understanding the key concepts and leave you capable of independent progress; cutting many years from the learning process and increasing your enjoyment of fly fishing in the process.


Streamcraft/Instruction Prices

All bookings require a 50% deposit with the balance due on the day of the trip. Pay the balance in cash and get $50 off the price.

  • Half day – 4 hours — TOTAL PRICE $550 — for either 1 / 2 anglers
  • Full day – 8 hours — TOTAL PRICE $750— for either 1 / 2 anglers –  BYO lunch.
  • All guided trips include use of gear (if required) and all flies. They also include drinking water and coolers for you to store your lunch in.
  • Please note that our listed prices are for the service advertised – not per person. For example if you book a half day guided trip at $550 the price is $550 for irrespective of whether one or two people went along. Meaning if you booked it 1:1, it would be $550. If you booked with a friend it would be $550 split two ways –  or $275 each.

Please view our current prices by clicking here or phone us on 03 5773 2513 or 0418 995 611 for more information. We are available on the phone from 8am – 10pm, every day of the year.

Please note the Cancellation Policy before making a booking. ;-)