Trout Tsunami

[taloyoak]

Friday morning, early.....

Penrith station, a meek looking guy at the station gave a wave and I knew it was Dean ( DWAG). I tried as best I could to try and convey that the walk in was "easy" and although long was no real heartache.

We got to Katoomba at 0825, made our way to Coles and bought a few extras, then caught a cab to the locked gate at Narrow Neck ( Glenraphael Rd). As we were sorting out our packs, a National Parks Ute turned up, they got out and were unlocking the gate and I said "you don't want to give me a spare key do you?"...then they asked if we wanted a ride. Ahhh NO!- hardly of course so we threw our packs in and got taken to just past the Fire tower, which saved us about an hour and a half. Dean was happy, and as we made our way there in the ute, I mentioned to him to remember this particular hill on our way out...hahahah.

Long story short- got down to the campsite about 6 hours later, Dean was pretty spent ( as was I!!), and I felt somewhat bad as he had asked a number of times on the walk in how much further to a certain point and I always responded " about 5 minutes"...LOL. Dean had bought a veritable goldmine of candy and lollies and chocolates. I should have renamed him Willy Wonka as he surely loved his little packets of candy, and actually I did too.

Got to the camp, and helped him set up his gear- and as by the picture you can see his demeanour...LOL. But how can this guy complain- I made fresh chicken schnitzel with fresh mushrooms, capsicum, shallots, coriander, chilli and a white sauce. Then we each had our allotment of spirits, and then settled in to watch most of the movie "Saving Private Ryan". I warned Dean that I snored, and the next morning he told me he had tried to make earplugs from toilet paper...lol- funny as my snoring never bothers me????.

Dean had told me the night before " oh we will get up whenever", but I got up at around 7am and he had already had coffee and fished and caught a few fish...LOL. I love my sleep!.

Headed upstream by 9 am, and basically that whole day I guided and let Dean fish- which I knew he felt awkward as he kept saying " Matt you sure you don't want to cast etc". I just wanted him to catch fish, as I was more than happy to let him experience this magical place.

And....... boy did he clean up. Some pools he caught 2 for 2, 3 for 3 etc. I would send 10 fly casts into a pool with nothing, then he would cast his little fancy hard bodied Japanese lures and catch big fish first cast, second cast, third cast etc.

Sat night, got back at around 5pm. We were just getting changed outta our fishing gear and we hear a " G'day guys?"- and some dude walks into our camp. He was attempting the "3 peaks" which is completing Cloudmaker, Paralyser and Guouogang in under 48hrs. The current record he told us was by his mate at 17hr's, which is unreal considering that it is 90km's and just over 4000m in total elevation. He looked absolutely spent, and even though 3 times we offered him food etc, he declined and then departed by running. Hardcore. I even tonite called Dean after reading about the peaks and tried to con him into doing it soon- but he was still destroyed from the walk out yesterday...LOL.

So I made Tortellini with chilli and mushrooms, and we finished watching Saving Private Ryan. But I had also packed in 2 punnets of fresh Strawberries- had sliced them up and frozen them the night before we left, and bought some custard powder. The "recipe" called for 2 tbsp custard powder, sugar and milk, although I didn't have sugar or milk and just:"assumed" that I could replace the milk with water. How to explain the result?. Smelt awesome and the look was akin to Masterchef, but the taste... I will let Dean PM you that want to know. Basically dessert was a Failathon, and I didn't even get credit from him for the effort- just grief and abuse. Well he can stick to his $15 dehy meal that taste like crap...LOL just joking Dean!

Sunday... we hiked about 1.2 hr's upstream before fishing, and then made our way to the junction of Kanangra and Wilhania ck- which during the upstream fish- we caught numerous big fish. After the junction the ck seemed to become more dark, and devoid of life and the water was covered with heavy algae growth etc. I think due to the lack of sunshine in this tight gorge it also meant less insect and or food for the trout. Wilhania ck was extremely tight and appeared very hard for fly fishing.

Dean destroyed the place, and even for a short period "conned" me into using his spinning rod and I caught a nice trout. Yes here I will admit that spinning with lures is 10 times easier than fly but that isn't the point. I am totally convinced that to now successfully catch big trout here I need to use big streamers of at least 1 inch or more long and use a very quick stripping action to have the best success on fly. Kudos to Dean- he really knows his stuff on fishing, and as a partner and friend I would be hard pressed to really find a better person to share fishing adventures or friendship with. He was extremely easy to get along with, compassionate about fishing, and shared his extensive knowledge with me on his skills. We really come from different walks of life, but I immediately knew when first meeting him that we had made a lifelong bond. Maybe right now he is hurting real bad from the pain of walking out, but I know we will share many more fishing expeditions and other pursuits involving hiking/camping/fishing together.

For all of you out there that have considered wanting to come/go to Kanangra ck- all you need to do is ask me- as I have stated before I have all the camping gear etc, and if you really want to know what it is like then just PM Dean.

It is warming up there fast so I am guessing that there is realistically only about another month of good fishing there, but maybe more. However in summer the walk in and out would be even harder due to the heat.....LOL... I will do it regardless.

In life only 2 things matter- pleasure and more pleasure.....

[troutboy]

Hi Matt, awesome trip report, congratulations to dean , he really did cleanup! i have never seen water so clear other than in nz .Really good size fish and healthy too. Hows the legs Dean? cheers troutboy

[Guest]

Awesome report Matty and congrats to both of you for a fantastic trip.

I wish I was younger

Maybe another lifetime I will get that chance.

Well done fellas and great shots of a beautiful place.

Cheers Stewy

[Ray R]

Wow mate what a report, some great pics of the action and some spectacular scenery, you and your buddies have great adventures and top fishing..

Top stuff mate..

[paul.kenny]

Another great report mate and some awesome pictures. Glad to see that Dean was able to accompany you and get onto some quality Trout.

[coasty1]

AWSOME MATE:thumbup: WHAT A COOL ADVENTURE,GOTTA LOVE IT UP THERE.

[mrsswordfisherman]

Bloody marvellous shots !!!

For those of us who can never go there it is intersesting to look at your photos

Which raider is next

mrsswordie

[taloyoak]

D...

I am willing to take anyone interested and that has a adventure heart.

Yeah the hike in is long- but look at the results....totally worth it.

So 12,000 members surely there are at least a few of you that want to enjoy this little Alladin's Cave of trout.

Just PM me, I am not a psycho....LOL

Bloody marvellous shots !!!

For those of us who can never go there it is intersesting to look at your photos

Which raider is next

mrsswordie

[Hodgey]

What a great selection of photos! Congrats on introducing another Raider to your 'slice of heaven' Matt, and kudos to Dean for his remarkable bag of fish. The aches will eventually subside, as will the blisters, but the memories will last a lifetime. A fantastic read as always Matt, from another reader who will have to enjoy the experience vicariously through others

Cheers

Hodgey

[jenno64]

Inspirational stuff guys and what a great read! Magnificent, healthy fish and a very entertaining tale. Brilliant photos too!

[bassboy888]

NANOOK and DWAG awesome report, as always it looks amazing, with great catches. There as some brilliant trout there, and i cant wait to hear the reslts of a bigger fly up there nanook.

[pmak]

Loved the report. My there's some big fish in there! Good on you for taking DWAG in. Even better that you guys made it out! Ha Ha

[Centrepin]

Hey Matt,

Great to see you got among them.

Good luck with the big Flies. I have tried this when the spinner is doing well.

I then tried with size 4 ALEX and other big streamers and could not get the desired result.

Best result was the streamer deaddrift in the area where you know the fish are.

Keen to see how you get on with the technique.

Lots of luck,

Geoff

[arpie]

AMAZING REPORT!! Matt!! How much do you charge for guiding?? How I wish I had decent knees!! Congratulations to Dean on some SUPERB trout! Some are in top nick too!!

WOW!! I reckon you'll have raiders lined up for trips down there now!! See if you can line that ute up again for the first part of the trip .....

You are a champion, Matt!!

Cheers

Roberta

[brendong]

Nanook some fantastic pics and words to match.....very pretty place and plenty of cracking fish to chase in there....was DAWG chucking sx40's on the spin gear? Congrats!!! Man if I hadn't recently used up the brown points with my Coota trip I'd be there for sure...

[dmad_dood]

I finally got back into my account (thanks stewy) awesome report!!Great report, really enjoyed reading it. Great pics, great place and wow thats a lot of fish!

Good work guys

Jono

[dragemout]

Good on ya Matty

I first discovered that little piece of trout paradise, if I remember August 1990 when I was a 20yo pup. nearly froze to death at night as I did not take a tent)I'm interested how you dicovered the spot and got in, I always did the walk downstream from Kanangra Walls(not sure could be a bit quicker or longer???)bloody steep though. Mate at times down there I've crafted a spear and landed some huge rainbows in the pools when the water is low. Your mate would have slept for a week when you walked out. I'd be keen for another trip in, some times of year the leaches near the river can be a real hassle.

Well done champion

Patrick

[GregL]

What an epic adventure!

Good on you Matt for sharing your "Happy Place", just wish I was built for camping so I could see it to!

Greg

[taloyoak]

What an epic adventure!

Good on you Matt for sharing your "Happy Place", just wish I was built for camping so I could see it to!

Greg

Greg- I'd be happy to be taken in by Bell Jet Ranger....LOL!

[tide'n'knots]

great report matt! reading your reports always makes me wish I was 20yrs younger and a lot fitter! couldnt you ride a trail bike or horse to make it easier?

6 hours walking and carrying gear!!!!!!! I guess thats why its such a magical place.

good on you for getting a fellow raider on to some superb fish.

pete.

[dean]

Thanks Matt for a great trip, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though the trip out was painful at times the fishing and scenery certainly made up for it. Even before my legs and feet recovered I was already dreaming about our next trip down there.

Troutboy the legs held up alright but due to a poor choice of footwear my feet paid for it. It took a few days to recover.

Poddy trapper any small lure that dives over a meter would work fine, I've never tried sx40's but I'm sure they would work. I was using Rigge zipbaits, lucky craft pointers and megabass all in rainbow or brown trout patterns.

Thanks again Matt.

Cheers, Dean

[taloyoak]

Thanks Deano- your the best!.

Love that first phot- know that place the tree growing out of the water and the spot to the right of it looks great but a "placebo" pool.

LOL- you took that pic on the sat when you got up at like 4am and fished while I was still snoring

Thanks Matt for a great trip, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though the trip out was painful at times the fishing and scenery certainly made up for it. Even before my legs and feet recovered I was already dreaming about our next trip down there.

Troutboy the legs held up alright but due to a poor choice of footwear my feet paid for it. It took a few days to recover.

Poddy trapper any small lure that dives over a meter would work fine, I've never tried sx40's but I'm sure they would work. I was using Rigge zipbaits, lucky craft pointers and megabass all in rainbow or brown trout patterns.

Thanks again Matt.

Cheers, Dean

[rizzo]

Guys what a report what a trip its like i was there with you guys

how healthy were those trout,except for that quassi moto rainbow model LOL!

thank you for sharing that with us that was awsum fellars well done

Cheers Rizzo

Edited September 28, 2010 by rizzo

[Bream Mad]

Wow

never given trout a go on the spinning gear

but it seem like i should ASAP

those pics and trout were just well beautiful

great work

KL

[Guest rzep]

WOW,

Once again you provide us with a great report, it is like I was there along side you both.

You visit places that I only dream of visiting.....maybe one day

Well done guys