The pool was small, about the size of a billiard table nestled between the overgrown tussock grass. With a distinct ‘SPLAT’ the artificial landed on the waters surface. Before the spreading rings could reach the edge of the tiny pool the fly was smashed from the top sending a shower of spray skyward. The hook was set, the big fish jumped and shook his head, and was at once, gone. Hopper fishing at its finest.

This is a very typical scenario while fly-fishing in our part of the world anytime from December until the first frosts in April. Grasshoppers are such an important source of nutrition for Australian trout that I know of a few fly fishers who never clip them from their tippets all summer long. 

So where are Grasshoppers found? What sort of flies should be used to imitate them? What techniques are required to successfully fish  them? For the answer to these and many more questions click on the links on the banner above and learn all you need to know to enjoy 'Hopper Fishing the Goulburn Valley'. Keep Reading.