The Nundle region offers a fantastic variety of freshwater fishing opportunities, from the cool, trout-filled waters of Sheba Dam to the deeper reaches of Chaffey Dam and the flowing runs of the Peel River.
Each location presents its own unique challenges and rewards, and choosing the right fly can make all the difference. Whether you’re stalking rainbow trout in clear shallows, sight-casting to carp in the margins, or chasing mighty Murray cod in the depths, the following fly selections and Club favourites will help you get the most from your time on the water.
Trout – Chaffey Dam and Sheba Dam
For chasing trout in the clear waters of Chaffey Dam and Sheba Dam, a good mix of dries and streamers will cover most conditions. Termite flies and Rodney’s Blowfly are reliable surface patterns, particularly during the warmer months when insects are thick on the water. Rodney’s take on a hopper is another excellent dry choice for windy days when grasshoppers are getting blown in. For subsurface action, the classic Red Tag remains a proven performer, while an Emerging Woolly Bugger or Olive Woolly Bugger will tempt cruising trout when they’re feeding just below the surface or deeper along the dam edges.
Termite fly, Rodney’s Blowfly, Rodney’s take on a hopper, Red Tag, Emerging Woolly bigger and Olive Woolly Bugger
Carp and Perch – Chaffey Dam and Peel River
When targeting carp and perch, natural movement and food imitation are key. Bread Flies remain a favourite for sight-fishing to feeding carp, while the Backstabber Hybrid Carp Fly and Bead Headed Carp Fly are ideal for getting down into the strike zone where the fish are rooting through the mud. For the more aggressive golden perch, Bass Vampires are a top choice, especially around submerged timber and rocky drop-offs.
Bread Fly, Backstabber Hybrid Carp Fly, Bead Headed Carp Fly and Bass Vampires
Cod – Chaffey Dam and Peel River
Cod fishing in Chaffey Dam and the Peel River calls for big, attention-grabbing patterns. Purple and brown flies work particularly well, especially when fished on a sinking line to reach the deeper haunts where cod hold.
Try purple and brown colours and take a sinking line to get the flies down deep.
Try some Vince’s Loudmouth Popper‘s, Vince’s Diving Gurgler, Paul Fedeles’ Orange Bass Flopper and the Backstabber Hybrid in larger sizes – 1/0 and 2/0s – plus a few of Rob Meade’s Gutless Flies.
Rob Meade’s Gutless Flies
I don’t have specific tying instructions for either but with some 2 or 3mm sheet foam, plastic eyes and silly legs the shuffler is not too hard to tie.
Little lengths of tube can be used to glue on the eyes. The tube can be secured just behind the eye of the hook and used to wrap the foam to form the head.
It seems getting the barb hole in the right place is the only tricky bit. Purple and Brown seem to be popular colours.
The gutless frog is even easier with Gap Filler Rod in 6mm from Bunnings, some silly legs, plastic eyes, super glue and a variety of coloured marker pens – make your frog the right colour!
The closest I could find was this video – so the main difference is to use the gap filler rod and glue the rod together half way down the hook – from the eye – leaving the gutless bit around the barb.
