With the NSW trout season opening this coming Saturday, Pat heads south to Victoria to get an early start. But after around 40mm of rain, the rivers are running high, cold and dirty, making the fishing far from straightforward.
Over three days, Pat works through a range of rivers and conditions, searching for cleaner water and figuring out where the trout are holding. From fishing behind boulders, trees and other structure to targeting soft inside bends, seams and shallow edges, this trip becomes a practical lesson in finding trout when the water is high and discoloured.
In this video, Pat breaks down the techniques that helped him find fish, including indicator nymphing, Euro nymphing, reach casts, high-sticking and adjusting fly selection to suit dirty water. He also explains why river gauges are worth watching, how fish respond to increased flows, and why changing locations or simply waiting for a river to drop can make all the difference.
Presented by Pat Ryan
Filmed and edited by Dean Johnson