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Below is a description and guide to some rivers I have fished.
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Liffey River
An excellent stream. Brown trout of 300 to 800g reside here, and the size of fish is often surprising. Carrick is a good spot to access the river. During the warmer months black spinners hatch during late afternoon. During the half hour before dark fish rise constantly, often leaping out of the water. However I am yet to find a dry fly pattern that will fool these fish. Drifting an unweighted worm where the fish are is a good method, a celta lure will also work at times. There are excellent opportunities here for both wet and dry flies.
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Tyenna River
A good fast stream with some deep pools as well. Try Celtas or matukas in the faster sections, a dry fly will work too if the river level is not too high. A wonder wobbler or celta will work well in the deep pools. No doubt a lot of fish are also caught on worms. Fish are in excellent condition, being 500-600g typically. Every year or three someone pulls a monster out of one of the deep pools here. Westerway is a good access point and fish can be caught right in front of the primary school. Brown and rainbow trout reside here, some of the latter escapees from the hatchery near by.
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Brumby's Creek
A very popular location for fly fishers, lure fishing is also worth a try. Clear water make it ideal for polaroiding. This water is home to some very large fish, some over 2kg, though most are typically under a kilo. Take note of where other people fish, experienced anglers work the areas they know are most productive. Try wet flies about the sluggish water near reeds and other objects. Just down from the bridge on the lower side is one of the best dry fly locations at the correct time of year.
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Apsley River
The water in this river is naturally green. Brown trout are present, not sure about rainbows. There are also many large eels is the lower half of the river. Having fished only the slow moving lower reaches, I can only make limited comments. Try fishing with a wonder wobbler, or large wet fly. Worms may also work for the patient angler. I heard a story about there being cucumber smelt(Australian Grayling?) in the top part of the river, however these are protected, and may be listed under a different name as the fish is not listed in the IFS booklet. Apparently they smell like cucumber. Take the turn off to coles bay, and about a kilometer in there is a bridge where the river can be accessed. The douglas-apsley national park, north of Bicheno, is another access point. Here the river is rocky and pool like, compared to the slow reed lined reaches further south.
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Flowerdale River
This small river is home to many trout, simply take a walk up stream and you will likely see a few. In summer, casting unweighted grass hopers upstream is a good method, otherwise try worms or small lures. Many parts of this river are very overgrown which can make fly casting impossible. Simply wading up the river is the bet way to overcome the overgrown banks, provided the water is shallow. The river is bridged many times on the small back roads of the area, just drive about until you find a likely spot.
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George River
This river, in the Priory area out back of St Helens contains trout of good size, it is simply a matter of finding a good spot to fish from. The bridge on Binalong Bay road is not the best place, rather go way further upstream around Priory, and be prepared to walk a fair way along the banks. This decent sized river is silted up in many places, trout are often seen cruising about and a worm is probably the best way to catch one. I caught two different fish here that weren't trout, and to this day I know not what they were.
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Meander River, (lower reaches)
Between Deloraine and Hagley: Fish in this region tend to be small brown trout in the 300g range. The bridge on birralee road is a good access point. Here a wonder wobbler is by far the best method in the slow moving sections of water and a fish is more than likely to be caught in this manner, the faster moving parts can be fished with a wet fly of celta. Late afternoon seems to be the best time, although even on the brightest days fish can be pulled from the faster moving sections. The large fluctuation in water level may be a reason fish here seem to be small. These fish, though good condition, are bad eating, and if you look where the river flows it tends to put you off eating anything caught east of Deloraine
South of Hagley the river becomes slow and calm, and the fish are larger. Fish rise here early in the morning and late evening, sucking up moths and other insects. Worms or wonder wobblers are the best method.
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