Thread: Upper clutha

Hi folks!

I'll be heading up to Alexandra next weekend for a mission and will be taking the fly rod.

Was hoping to fish the upper clutha river?

Not after spot X but just some pointers on flys and good starting points ?

Am happy to trade info for spots around Southland etc and a box of beer you're way.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Rock river arms hunter

Hi folks!

I'll be heading up to Alexandra next weekend for a mission and will be taking the fly rod.

Was hoping to fish the upper clutha river?

Not after spot X but just some pointers on flys and good starting points ?

Am happy to trade info for spots around Southland etc and a box of beer you're way.

Cheers!

I have only fished the clutha at Roxburgh and just down the road at ettrick, have had a couple of rainbows both Taken with Mrs Simpson, I'm told that Hamills Killer is also a good pattern for the clutha. I was fishing with my 7 weight as I have a Rio 6 weight sinking tip line on it which you really need in the Clutha, it's not really nymph type water and the fish generally feed on cockabullys, crayfish, and other small fish so any of the "killer" type patterns would be worth a flick. It's a big fishery with a lot of water but access points are few and far between.

If you're running a floating line you could probably get away with a long leader and a couple of split shots to get the fly down into the current a bit. I'm keen to give it a go with my 5 weight setup as I dont really want to buy another line just for the clutha and I enjoy fishing with the 5 weight

If you're in Alex then its only an hours drive to either the Poolburn (browns) or the Manorburn dams (rainbows). Not huge fish but plenty of them

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

If you're running a floating line you could probably get away with a long leader and a couple of split shots to get the fly down into the current a bit. I'm keen to give it a go with my 5 weight setup as I dont really want to buy another line just for the clutha and I enjoy fishing with the 5 weight

Hahaha I know what you're getting at

A great spot for fishing is where the Fraser river runs into the Clutha. There is a big gravel bar there. Nearly any sort of lure is going to catch fish there, but you could drop a fly in the Fraser and let it float down, lots of fish hang around there to get what is floating into the clutha. (The Fraser is more of a creek, usually no more than knee deep if you have to cross it) I used to fish there years ago for many years, dont think I ever didnt get something. Rainbows, Browns and the occasional Perch. Any lure green and gold worked well in the clutha, but I have thrown all sorts in and caught fish there.
Worms work, and if you get some crayfish from Butchers or Conroys dam, they work well also.

The foot of Clyde damn where the spillway is is also a good spot.