howqua river

The Howqua River is situated in the scenic region near Mount Buller in Victoria. It meanders through stunning landscapes, offering anglers a serene and captivating fly fishing experience. The river's course winds through valleys, gorges, and remote bushland, surrounded by towering eucalyptus trees and stunning mountain vistas. The Howqua River begins beneath the prominent Mount Howitt on the western side of the crosscut saw, the headwaters provide remote fly fishing opportunities with kilometers of river only accessible by foot and requiring experience in remote area navigation and safety. The river makes its way down toward the upper Howqua campground which then follows a well maintained 4X4 track through to Pikes flat, the river through this area is made up of both pocket water and deep pools formed by large rocky outcrops and boulders as well as long gentle riffles. From Pikes flat the river continues to cut through rugged and steep terrain and the river is only accessible by foot until it reaches 8 Mile Flat on the Howqua Track, a well-maintained road that follows the river's path, providing access to various fishing and camping spots. The track offers a plethora of convenient entry points along the river, allowing anglers to explore different sections and discover their favorite fishing conditions. (due to its popularity and ease of access along the Howqua Track, its important to pay attention and respect other anglers fishing the river. You should only enter the river well upstream of any anglers occupying the river, its also good practice to leave a note on the dash of your car so we can work together as anglers in sharing the river whilst giving each other space to fish effectively. This practice should be applied to all waterways) 

The Howqua River follows an abundance of runs, riffles, and pools from this point on, creating a diverse range of fishing environments. The river's character changes as it flows through different sections, offering fly anglers exciting opportunities to explore various techniques and tactics. The river's natural flow, combined with its structure and vegetation, creates enticing habitats for trout. The river's faster sections are home to wild rainbow trout, which readily take dry flies from the surface and the deeper sections are home to some true trophy size Brown Trout. These elusive trout require a more stealthy approach, often these large brown trout require a heavy nymph rig cast deep into the top of a pool, a scenario that brings with it many challenges to test all anglers.

The Howqua River hosts a diverse range of aquatic insects, which play a crucial role in the trout's diet. Mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies are prevalent throughout the fishing season. Mayfly species such as Baetis and larger mayflies like Ephemera provide exciting hatches that attract trout to the surface. Caddisfly species such as net-spinning caddis (Hydropsyche spp.) and case-building caddis (Brachycentrus spp.) are also abundant, offering productive fly fishing opportunities. Of course everyones favourite, Grasshoppers are abundant along the grassy banks during the summer months. Additionally, stonefly can be found in the river, providing an alternative food source for trout.

The Howqua River is well-suited for the dry-dropper technique, where anglers can fish a dry fly with a trailing nymph. Mayfly and caddisfly nymph imitations are particularly successful in imitating the resident prey of the river. When fishing flat pools, using more subtle CDC dries and emergers can entice pickier trout, and it's not uncommon to be rewarded with the sight of a larger trout breaking the surface to take the fly.

Anglers should be mindful of the river's east-west orientation in certain sections, which exposes it to the sun all day. During the summer months, low water flow and high temperatures can cause the trout to become less active and cease feeding. Therefore, it is essential to choose fishing times carefully and prioritise fish care to ensure the well-being of the trout population.

The Howqua River offers anglers a captivating fly fishing experience in a scenic, diverse and largely easily accessible environment. Its meandering course, diverse insect life, and thriving trout populations provide ample opportunities for anglers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and history of the area while enjoying the thrill of fly fishing.