John Sheridan wrote:Where in the Snowies would be a good place to fish for trout I want the NON spawning big ones if you don't mind, I would like to keep some to cook, you guys seem to think the ones in the snowies are tasty

Could I suggest that you go into a fishing store and pick a free copy of NSW Dept of Industry and Investments, NSW Recreational
FRESHWATER Fishing Guide 2011 (or 2012 if it is out), if you don't have a copy. There is a lot of essential info about major fishing closures, trout waters, and everything else that will keep the Federalies off you back. In the Northern Alps (around the ACT) you need to check the ACT Government TAMS website for closures. There are several good spots that have been closed here in the ACT, most likely because of extensions being done to Cotter Dam.
Where to start in the Snowies? Start on the Northern Frost Plains of Kosci. At Yaouk and on the Murrumbidgee and Caves Creek at the Blue Water Holes or work your way down along the Bicentennial National Trail to somewhere like Big Tolbar Creek. There are no shortages of fish in the streams in the little visited places. You can stand and watch them.
In the last week there has been a sewerage spill at Perisher from a broken pipe that will make its way (after Island Bend) through the tunnel to Jindabyne. The authorities are saying it is an acceptable spill ...
OK!Any of the streams that flow into and are close to the Murrumbidgee are good. I use red and gold Celta #2 lures and green and yellow Celta #3 frog lures, in places like Caves Creek and the Murrumbidgee and at Yaouk. Bradleys Creek, Yaouk Creek and Old Yaouk Creek flies do best. I'm not a fly fisherman because I have OK success with the spinners/lures(best around sunrise and sunset). In the smaller reedy streams that flow into the Murrumbidgee, watch out for Tiger Snakes. In the tighter meandering streams use flies. If you don't have a fly rod and line, use a trace between the line and the fly so you don't have to have special gear. At the moment you need to sink the fly deeper and work hard to catch anything around Eucumbene. If you chat to the guys in the fishing stores, they know what insects need imitating for the seasons, consistent with what they stock.
At a place like the Alpine Caravan Park at Adaminaby, Lars the owner, sells excellent large flies for the dryer times, perfect for this region, for both streams and lake. A card with a dozen flies is only $12. Or $6 for half a dozen. Check out their photo gallery ...
http://www.alpinetouristpark.com.au/photo-gallery.phpEucumbene is at 44% capacity and still filling. Much different to the last few years, when the bigger drier flies were working and the lake looked like a clay pan. The Tolbar Trail on the Low Water Route across Eucumbene is flooded. There is a high water route which is the best Tolbar route if you are on foot. The streams that feed Eucumbene like the Eucumbene River, Big Tolbar Creek, Tabletop Creek, Swampy Creek and Hughes are all flowing well. If you are going fishing from the October long weekend on you will need to stock up on the flies that suit the season. You can do that in Adaminaby.
On the October long weekend the roads reopen around Tantangra Dam (and else where) if the weather is good and the dirt tracks reasonably dry. If conditions are muddy the roads will remain closed. Off Tantangra Road there is Gang Gang Creek. Near Dennison where the Tolbar Trail High Water Route crosses Eucumbene River, Alpine Creek flows into the lake.
If you are wondering about a rod to go walking with, I have a telescopic fishing rod that collapses to 40cm, it is small, I forget that I have it.
The Murrumbidgee at Yaouk. Tiger Snake country.

Behind the Yaouk Travelling Stock Reserve ... nice. It looks like private property but is crown land.

Caves Creek. Walk towards the waterfall. In Clarke Gorge, fish above or below the falls. I've seen Tiger snakes sunning themselves on top of the Pimelea bushes in Clarke Gorge ... a metre off the ground.

There are some deep dark pools on the Naas River north of the confluence with Second Hand Creek. No one goes there. Lots of snakes. The water is very cold ... perhaps this enhances the flavour.

Warren.