Click for full size image:. Photo 1:The area of river being worked on; ust downstream of Gilmore's Bridge   Photo 2: Another view before the work started   Photo 3: This photo shows the work area looking downstream at ground level    Photo 4: Same area as in photo 3 after the work has commenced    Photo 5: Placement of instream structure will provide prime cover for trout Photo 6: Strategic placement of rock walls will provide fish habitat as well as direct water flows away from high erosion areas

The river improvement works are now very near to complete with many sections of river that were previously willow choked and inaccessible now open for all to fish. This amounts to several kilometres of 'new' water and we are all excited about the prospects for new fish lies over the coming season.

The section directly downstream of Gilmore's Bridge you see in the accompanying photographs is the final area in this phase of the project and is probably the one most noticeable as far as the general angling community is concerned. Those who know this section of river will remember that the entire north bank was largely unfishable due to infestation by willow trees. The majority of which have been removed.

As can be seen this has opened up a lot more water and will allow greater flow through the offshoot to the right hand side of the 'island'. This will create a large number of fish lies and the shallow nature of the offshoot will see extensive weedbeds establish very quickly. In the bottom of this run a massive backwater will form allowing excellent stalking of fish cruising the edges and with high banks polaroiding will be first rate.

At the moment there is plenty of heavy machinery in the river bed (river is still low) and placement of various items of structure for fish habitat is underway. Large boulders, logs and rocks walls make up the bulk of the insertions. The boulders will provide shelter for fish mid river and create interesting current seams and pockets in which fish will seek shelter from the current. The logs will also have effects on the current at certian levels and will provide the fish with plenty of shelter from predators and the bright light. The rock wall you can see in Photo 6 will deflect the current away from the back of the new 'island' and save the downstream end of it from eroding away.

We should all support such undertakings to improve our trout fishery. Not much has been done in the past in regards to trout fishing with a 'let it sort itself out' mentality firmly entrenched in the various Government Departments responsible for our slamonid fisheries. However there are changes in the wind which will see trout become much more prominent in the state of Victoria and we should all embrace these new initiatives. While this improvement work is not directly related to the changes we have mentioned it is nevertheless a step forward for trout.

We suggest that sometime this season that you all come up and take a look at what has been done as it is quite a large undertaking. The fact that monies are being returned from anglers licences into our fishery should give us cause for celebration. Also we should tell you that more money is being sought for further works next season. Keep an eye on our Home Page for updates regarding this project.