Alpine Fly Fishers Inc

23/05/2026

Fish life in the Ovens River 2026.
Field observations over summer by Lukian Adams from Melbourne University

"During my study, I found Murray cod were present all the way up to Bright, but I did not observe any upstream of the bright weir.

I found good trout numbers upstream of Bright, but numbers were low downstream of Bright, and very low below Porepunkah. Two-spine blackfish were found in high abundance throughout.

During the heatwave in late January through to early February 2026, peak daily temperatures sometimes exceeded 30 degrees. This is enough to be very stressful for trout and some native fish.

I found that many trout that I tagged near Porepunkah moved upstream to Bright at this time, where waters were cooler. It is possible that this movement was to escape the heat, and that these fish would have moved further upstream if not for the Bright weir acting as a barrier.

All of these trout moved back downstream when waters cooled down again in autumn. However, many rainbow trout died during this period, while there were not deaths among brown trout or Murray cod."

13/05/2026

25/03/2026

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17/03/2026

31/01/2026

Our sincere apologies, but we have had some trouble recently with the QR codes on our registration process. Please see updated flyer with a new QR code inserted (which we hope will not crash this time).

If you intend to come along to this event, we will need you to register in advance so we have an idea of how many people we need to cater for, and to enable the event run as smoothly as possible and to be one of the best Ovens River Challenge yet.

Please share this flyer with your friends and family / club members, etc.

If you have any questions, you can get answers by replying to this post, or emailing Terry or Tim (their addresses are on the flyer and also listed below).

TO REGISTER:
Scan the QR code on the flyer
OR
Visit our website: https://australiantroutfoundation.com.au/events/
OR
Use this web address: https://form.jotform.com/230311106217842
OR
Email: [email protected]
or
[email protected]

15/01/2026

SAVE THE DATE:

OVENS RIVER CHALLENGE 2026
March 28th & 29th, 2026

The Australian Trout Foundation and Native Fish Australia have once again partnered to conduct the Ovens River Challenge in 2026.

This is intended as a catch and release, family-friendly event in the Ovens River Catchment, where all ages can participate and have some fishing fun.

The event is also a Citizen Science Research Project for the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), Australian Trout Foundation (ATF), Native Fish Australia (NFA) and the Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body (VRFish).
Recreational Anglers will record catch details for all fish caught and released in the Ovens River Catchment during the Ovens River Challenge to be held on 28th & 29th March 2026.
The VFA, ATF, NFA & VRF will analyses and utilize this research during 2026 when planning for future fishery enhancements.

There is no entry fee to participate in the Ovens River Challenge, and anglers of all ages are most welcome.

There will be approx. 15 attractive prizes for various species captures and age categories, and a free draw for a share in $1,000.00 worth of Gift Cards in which all participants who register will qualify, this event is one to mark on your calendar!

Pre-registration is easy with these options:

1. Accessing websites – https://australiantroutfoundation.com.au
2. Email to: [email protected]
or
[email protected]
3. By using the QR CODE below:

09/12/2025

Great to see all the work that's been done by Alpine Fly Fishers on the projects Bridging Waters and Mayfly Rise 1 @ 2 in conjunction with NECMA ans Aust Trout Foundation, These projects will the improve the aquatic habitat in the Ovens River for all native species including platypus and water rat, and of course, Trout.
Even though I don't live there any more, I just want to say Well done to all at Alpine FF - hope you have a great Christmas and a successful season. And, to show I'm not above a little boasting, here's a lovely brown I got last week on a damsel nymph, so the Trout Gods still smile occasionally 😁 - Brian Eddy

07/12/2025

What fish are in the Ovens River?

As one of Victoria's very few unregulated rivers - with no dam and a section downstream of Wangaratta heritage listed - two surveys are being undertaken to count and identify the fish species in the Upper Ovens.

Melbourne University's study is to catch and tag Murray Cod and trout at several sites between Porepunkah and Eurobin. Anglers who catch the tagged fish are asked to help with their survey. Call or text 0485838278

The Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research and North East CMA are conducting a survey by sampling river water at several sites. By filtering the DNA they will learn about the movements of specifically Macquarie Perch.

We hope you will support these important surveys in our beauriful 'wild' river...