The New In-House Spring Creek

Our new in-house all year round spring creek is developing nicely. The constant flow 'spring creek' style of creek is now home to a population of quality fish of various sizes from large to small.

They have adapted to their new surroundings beautifully and true to form the hawgs have dominated the key positions just as they do in the wild.

Logs, rotting posts, branches and leaves now form cover in the deeper corners. Deflection points from this structure set up bubble lines and food lanes. We thought it would be difficult to replicate a natural stream but things seem to fall automatically into place.

Gravel reaches and shallow gravel runs have only been in for three weeks and they are already colonised by a variety of macro invertebrates. Not too surprising really, when you consider we pump water from the Goulburn River every night. Lots of water borne insects are delivered into the stream directly. We are anxiously awaiting the first hatches to come off in spring time. We will be excited to see mayfly and caddis hatch directly from the stream.

Water weeds are colonising the runs, particularly cress which is an indicator of river health and most common in cold water environments. One truck load of gravel has given us heaps to play with and place in strategic locations. There is more to come as we slowly develop the whole 1-1.2 kms of river.

Already we have found the stream a fabulous teaching aid and now we can teach how to manage moving water as well as still waters within the boundaries of our own properties. Simon's friend caught her fish on the dry fly in our stream the other day. Craig, one of our regulars, nailed a couple on a tom jones and lots of others have been taught how to catch and release trout from the stream already. Boy! What a great way to instruct the basics.

Fish have been rising freely to midge about the only form of hatch at this time of year, but because the water is so clear you can deceive them with other dry flies as well with a well presented cast.

The advantage of having clear water to play on even when everything else is upside down has been a real bonus. Fortunately pumping through the ponds, water can settle so that the stream remains clear at all times. Polaroiding and stalking and all the usual stream craft tricks can be demonstrated to beginners or old hands at any time.

We can now utilise larger quantities of our water allocation. Reuse, recycle and repair is the mantra. The good thing is, the quality of water we have always returned to the Goulburn from our lakes is of a higher quality than when we extract it. The spring creek only enhances it further.

Drop in and have a look for yourself. You may even spot a few fish rising.

Want to fish the spring creek? Click here for accommodation details!!