Goulburn river trout

[Irishfisherman]

Spent a few amazing days on the Goulburn recently, and managed some beautiful fish. On the first morning at first light after getting absolutely no sleep, I launched my kayak in the river, ambitious as always to get fishing. I paddled upstream for a while until I saw something nudge the surface, I casted over it and retrieved before I felt a violent tug on my spinner, before a perfect conditioned rainbow trout leapt clean out of the water. Realising I hadn’t brought a net, I let the fish tire itself out until I could scoop it into the kayak, I did so successfully and then promptly whacked it on the head. Now ecstatic, with my PB wild, (or at least wild looking) rainbow trout, I continued, and fished until about 10am. Over the morning I landed at least 15 fish and kept two more, both being browns. That evening the fishing was even better and I caught many good size brown and rainbow trout up to 2lbs. The next morning I rose early again, now really feeling the effects of getting very little sleep. Undeterred I launched the kayak and paddled upstream, things were slow, I caught 2 small brown trout and there weren’t many rises. Losing faith, I took one last cast before my spinner was violently intercepted by a big fish, it took a great deal of line as it veered towards a submerged log, panicking, I tightened up the drag and managed to pull it away, before the fish jumped clean out of the water revealing its size. Now desperate to land it I carefully steered it towards the kayak, before grabbing it by the gills and getting it into the kayak hatch. At 56cm it was no giant, but a very good brown by my standards and another PB for Australia. Now satisfied and hungry, I went back to camp for some breakfast. The following and last session of the trip that evening yielded great results also, as I managed more quality fish including a fat 46cm rainbow. In total I kept 4 trout, each had beautiful orange flesh which hadn’t been the case on the trip last year. So I’m still absolutely stoked and can’t wait for next time!

[deathray]

Great report mate, what a cool looking brown.

[Irishfisherman]

Great report mate, what a cool looking brown.

Thanks very much mate.

[Texas]

Great report & photos Irish
I've lived here all my life & my PB trout is not near as big as yours
What lure worked best for you ????
Come to Bonnie Doon and show us how it's done
Cheers Gra

[Irishfisherman]

Great report & photos Irish
I've lived here all my life & my PB trout is not near as big as yours
What lure worked best for you ????
Come to Bonnie Doon and show us how it's done
Cheers Gra

Thanks mate, I guess I’m very lucky. I primarily use mepps spinners, in gold or silver, they far outclass any other spinner in my opinion, otherwise rapala’s in brown trout or spotted dog will work. Usually the bigger trout won’t be fooled by spinners but I guess this one was an exception. There are also some good trout to be had in the lake itself, I managed a 53cm brown on a pink tassie last year while casting from the bank in the big river arm. I’ll put up a pic. Hope this helps.

[Troy McLure]

Some cracking fish mate, great report.

[Andrews]

What a great session getting onto some ripper trout! Well done!

[Lightningx]

Good stuff mate.
Nice pics.
Cheers

[Irishfisherman]

Just baked some of the rainbow trout in the oven, in tinfoil with some butter and salt. It was absolutely beautiful, a sort of subtle salmon flavour with a firm and flaky texture. Probably one of the best trout I've ever eaten, wish I'd kept more....