Goulburn River Float Trips Every day of the season - Call for more info

Fly fishing the Goulburn River from one of our rafts or drfit boats is a unique experience. Drifting with the river, the fly caster has access to all the banks and because the cast is parallel to the current, it runs free of drag, sometimes for 30 metres or more at a time. A raft may cover 25 kilometres in a day, unfolding a feast of countless features such as bubble lines, runs in the centre of the river, high impassable banks, outer edges of willow banks, backwaters, side waters and gravel spits all of which are inaccessible to the stream bank angler. Polarising over vast weed beds or stalking a rising fish with noiseless oars in a silent rubber raft, is a joy to behold.

Float trips on the Goulburn river are available daily. Extended/overnight raft trips are also available. David, Geoff and Antony have developed a vast array of fly fishing skills designed for fishing from the raft/drift boat. Frequently two or three rods will be rigged differently for each situation that may arise. Often the action is fast and furious but strict attention to safety is our highest priority. A catch and release policy is suggested to help ensure the river's natural stocks.

Our float trips are extremely popular and while you can walk in off the street and book one for that same day, our advice is to book ahead where possible. Half and full day drifts are available every day of the season and the start/end time is dictated by your personal needs/schedule. There is room in our boats for two anglers, meaning you can bring a friend with you if desired. As with all our guided/teaching trips, we will supply any gear that you do not have.

PRICES

Goulburn River Raft trips are run by the half day (5 hour) or full day (8 hour).

* Goulburn Half Day 5 hours ------ $300 1 angler, $500 2 anglers
* Goulburn Full Day 8 hours ------ $450 1 angler, $700 2 anglers
* 'Evening Rise' Float 3 hours ------ $195 1 angler, $250 2 anglers * new for 2012
* Swampy Plains------ $550 1 angler, $700 2 anglers For customised trips $call$
* Mitta Mitta ------ $550 1 angler, $700 2 anglers For customised trips $call$
* Extra person (non-fishing partner) ------ Half Day $75 - Full Day $100

All raft trips include a professionally accredited guide to operate the raft and put you onto the best fishing, terminal tackle included (tippets/flies), snacks/drinks, transport and use of gear if you don't have your own on a replace if broken basis. A full day rafting includes a streamside lunch or if we are starting up river from Thornton, we often stop at the back gate and come into the fly fishing centre for lunch.

A credit card number is required to secure your booking. See all prices here. We have a strict cancellation policy that we adhere to. Please read it before booking.

September: Start of the fishing season but the river is too low for rafting as there is no demand for irrigation water as yet.

October/November: Hatches dominate the fishing opportunities with caddis and mayfly hatching throughout the day. Fishing with small dry flies, emergers and nymphs to match the hatch will bring the greatest success. Evening rises can be superb. Flow rates are typically 1500-3500 MLD.

December: A crossover month as water levels increase and hatches slow. Fortunately this coincides with the arrival of our two main terrestrials; grasshoppers and willow grubs. Exciting daytime polaroiding with dry flies and the chance of solid evening rises. Flows are usually 2000-5000MLD.

January: Full blown summer with terrestrials and sight fishing the edges the main method. Early mornings will provide good dry fly fishing with tiny dry flies before the full heat of the day brings on the grasshoppers, willow grubs and beetles. Flows of 2000-6000 MLD are to be expected.

February-March: Our hottest period extends into early to mid-February and it is at this time that we tend to raft more in the early mornings until lunch time to take advantage of the cooler air and water temperatures. Once again stalking the edges will be the most successful method. Grasshoppers are now very big. By mid-March things start to cool dramatically with chilly nights and the onset of Autumn. Flows of 4000-6000 MLD are to be expected

April: Marks the end of the main irrigation releases and see the river drop down to lower levels at around 1000-2000MLD. The cooling weather and water sees good hatches begin once again and the dry fly fishing with small mayfly patterns can be very good.

May: Raft trips stop in early May when the irrigation season ends and the river flow is cut back to 130 MLD.

TO VIEW A VIDEO ON RAFTING THE GOULBURN - CLICK HERE