Lake William Hovell in Winter

I last visited this area in detail in autumn 2012, see blog posts here:

http://wfrblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/king-river-valley.html

http://wfrblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/king-river-valley-ii.html

I thought I'd try to catch some winter trout here as most rivers are closed but impoundments are fishable all year round. Currently in August 2023 the lake is 100% full with the spillway flowing. No luck with the fishing but it was an exceptional day relaxing by the tranquil lake shore and taking Helen for a bush bash and exploring around the lake. We saw two people all day and the temp was around 15 Deg c  and sunny periods after a cool 2 degree c start.

Tranquil shore

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The setting.

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My view.

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The fun patrol is in charge.

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Looking East.

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Helen tests the water.

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Hound dog sniffing for deer.

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The dam wall, Lake William Hovell, King River Valley.

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The spillway.

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High Country Winter Reccy

The west branch of the Kiewa River rises from near Mount Hotham then flows in steep forested country, before reaching the township of Mount Beauty.

Locals

The Path

The bridge to Mordor

The West Kiewa River

Murray River Spiny Freshwater Crayfish

June is the start of winter and the fishing season of the Murray River Spiny Freshwater Crayfish, June till the end of August, so legal to target and take in winter only. Helen and I went up to the Goulburn River in Victoria to try our luck.

A legal Murray spiny freshwater crayfish must have a minimum carapace length of 10cm and a maximum of 12cm. The carapace is measured from the back of the eye socket to the nearest part of the rear edge where the tail joins the main body. They have a bag limit and possession limit of two.

We got five altogether in a couple of hours with just two hoop nets, you can legally use five. We released all but one (see below) which was legal the others were in berry, small (under 10cm) or too large (over 12cm). All in all a good day out up the river.

A legal Murray Cray.

The Goulburn River.

The fisherdog.

In the hoop net.

The area around the river.

Good to see juveniles in the system.

Jenny in berry.

Here is me releasing a Jenny. You can't take or possess female freshwater crayfish with eggs, that is in berry, carrying eggs.

Cooking the catch.

Cooked.

Crayfish and garlic pasta.

High Country Deer Hunt May

No deer this hunt but had a great walk and about 3Km up a gully from our camp I found this cave and waterfall.

sunrise

Well worn track

Small Cave

Simmonds Creek

The end of this gully is almost a cliff face.

In a rainy time this waterfall would be gushing.

The Lower Campaspe River

The lower Campaspe river runs 140km north from Lake Eppalock to the Murray river, through Axedale, Barnadown, Elmore, Rochester, Strathallan and runs Ito the Murray River at Echuca.

The river flows are regulated to meet the needs of irrigators and also to maximise river health benefits through the delivery of environmental flows. The Campaspe River’s health has been affected by the construction of reservoirs, the clearing of native vegetation, and farming and urban development. The Coliban and Campaspe Rivers supply Bendigo’s drinking water but the largest demand for water comes from agriculture.

The river is home to a variety of flora and fauna species, including Murray Cod,  Redfin Perch, Yellow Belly and even Platypus, native Water-rats and the Long Necked Tortoise.

K39 Reserve near Muskerry

K39 Reserve near Muskerry

Barnadown Reserve

Barnadown Reserve

English's Bridge near Goornong

English's Bridge near Goornong

Avonmore Reserve Avonmore

Avonmore Reserve Avonmore

Campaspie Weir near Elmore

Campaspie Weir near Elmore

Campaspie Weir near Elmore

Campaspie Weir near Elmore

Campaspie Weir near Elmore

Overlanding Kitchen Update on the Isuzu MUX

Molle Bag on fridge handle.

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Removable table in the bench setting.

Kitchen drawer and Molle bag open.

Fridge out on slide.

Molle bag closed.

Tools drawer.

Clamed shut.