Australia is not the first place most anglers think of for fly fishing, but Guided Episode 13 makes a strong case for putting it on your list. Host Greg Keenan talks with Josh Hutchins of Aussie Fly Fisher, who guides trout, Murray cod and saltwater trips, shoots photography for magazines and brands, and makes fly fishing films. Here is what stood out.
Murray Cod on Topwater
Murray cod are Australia's largest freshwater predator and can grow very large. They eat big flies, including topwater patterns, which makes them a thrilling target. Josh's team deliberately focuses on small water where the fishing is visual and appealing, and in winter they also work big dams, which he described honestly as a grind: huge flies, blind fishing, fish in roughly six to twelve feet of water. The takeaway for any big-predator fishery is to match your expectations to the water you choose.
Barramundi Setups
For barramundi, Josh reaches for a 9 or 10 weight, nine-foot rod. The fish pull hard and jump a lot, and they have a raspy mouth, plus a sharp edge just behind the gill plate, that can wear through leader. So he often adds a heavier bite section at the end. He mentioned running something like a 40 pound leader from the fly line down to a stout shock tippet. Fishing barra in fresh, colored water also brings crocodiles into the picture, so listen to your guide and keep a safe distance from the bank.
The Blue Bastard
The blue bastard, an Australian saltwater species, is another bucket-list fish for traveling anglers. Josh typically fishes around a 20 pound fluorocarbon leader, going down to 16 pound at times, because the fish run for rocks once hooked and abrasion is the enemy. A simple leader built in thirds or halves, around nine to ten feet overall, keeps things easy to manage. He fishes through flats and structure from the northern third of the Australian coastline.
Films and Travel
Josh also described the film "Down Under," a road trip from Tasmania, where they caught wild brown trout, up the east coast through Sydney Harbour for yellowtail kingfish and on to Murray cod country. If you want inspiration for a trip, films like that show how varied the country is.
Gear
Before any big-fish trip, the most useful thing you can do is get your leaders and knots right. Our Tips and Tricks for Fly Fishing eBook covers leader building and rigging basics, and a Five Panel Cap helps with the glare. For a 9 or 10 weight setup, ask your local fly shop to match the line to your rod.
