Early Season Flyfishing for Trout

With the 2024/25 trout season kicking off, Andrew and Peter have tapped into expert insights to help you pinpoint the best flyfishing locations and techniques for the early season.Each season presents unique conditions, and this year’s low water levels and some fisheries impacted by cormorants could pose new challenges. To get you prepared, we reached out to our guide network for the latest updates on how their catchments are shaping up.We start with Finn McDowell, who’s been on the water in Tasmania for a month already. Finn shares his experiences and what’s exciting him this early in the season, including targeting tailing trout and aggressive streamer takes.Next, we chat with Scott Xanthoulakis from Wilderness Fly Fishing about the North-East region—Melbourne’s most accessible river fishing area and a favourite among Melbourne based anglers.Moving to Bright, we talk with Cam McGregor about the Ovens, Kiewa, and the exceptional small stream options he guides through River Escapes.Finally, we head north to catch up with Jimmy Barwick of Snowy Valleys Flyfishing. Although the NSW trout season is still a month away, the warm weather is already having an effect. Jimmy gives us insights into drift boating the Tumut and exploring the Snowy Mountains' best trout fisheries.