While not an official club trip I though I'd share our visit to the first annual Fly Fishing Expo in Thredbo.

Malcolm Holden and myself decided to head down for a 3-day weekend to check out the Expo. My main reason for visiting were the words "Spey Casting demonstration" in the brochure and considering my failing attempts to spey cast I figured any help I could get would be most useful. I don't really need a reason to visit the Snowies but I had one anyway.

Departing the coast mid morning we headed south, arriving at Thredbo around 5pm. We hadn't stopped on the way at the traditional homes of fly fishing (Alpine Angler and High Country Outfitters) as there was a pre-expo drink at 6 and we didn't want to miss it (and posibbly a free beer). Besides, we wanted to see how many would turn up - maybe we'd be the only ones. To our relief we weren't the only ones - about 20 people turned up in the bar at the Alpine Hotel for a meet-and-greet - and we enjoyed a beer (yes it was free) and a yarn with the hotel manager and Craig Daly the local guide who organised the event.

The next morning we were up early to check out the river above the resort. There's a handy little walking trail along the river for a kilometre or two and we followed it's path checking the river for fish as we went. The water was low and clear and we didn't spot or spook many fish so headed back for a cooked brekky (part of the accommodation deal at the hotel) before checking out the morning casting demonstrations in the park in front of the hotel.

There were about 40 people out there listening to Craig give an intro to fly casting. It was pretty basic stuff but many were obviously new to fly fishing and were taking it all in. We decided to head down to Jindabyne to do some fly shop shopping and grab a coffee before checking out the river to pick a likely location for a fish in the afternoon. Then it was back to the Expo for a streamcraft talk around noon. The auditorium had some product stands and a fly tying demo was going on so we perused the products spending some coin on a leather fly wallet and a 27 foot leader (you can never have too many of those) and heckled (or hackled) the fly tyer before sitting down to an informative talk on streamcraft. I think it's always good to hear how experts fish their streams, if only to confirm I'm doing the right thing.

After the talk we were off to put into practice the streamcraft ideas. Down on the river the wind was gusting to strong winds making casting a challenge. The water was gorgeous and there HAD to be fish there, but we didn't see or spook a single specimen. By the time the sun went down we had fished for a couple of hours and decided to call it a day.

Up again early the next morning we decided to try the river above the resort, fishing the little plunge pools and glides out of them. Malcolm spotted a couple of fish in a larger pool but we couldn't entice them take a nymph but later on I managed to trick a small rainbow into taking a midge pupa pattern I'd tied the week before. At least we weren't going home empty handed.

Back at the hotel we headed out to the spey casting demonstration. Craig gave us a quick talk on spey before were able to get our hands dirty and have a go at casting. Immediately Craig was able to pick what I was doing wrong and had it corrected. I was a happy camper and wiled away the next couple of hours hogging Craig's 11 foot switch rod. The Expo ended with a fly casting competition (in which I came second and won a 2 hour casting session with Craig) and a BBQ lunch put on by the hotel.

In all we had a great time and met some great people. The Expo itself was free and the accommodation was pretty good value. This was the first year and as such it was a bit of a trial to see if there was enough of a response. I believe the organisers considered it a success so it looks like it'll be on again next year. I'm already looking forward to heading down in 2014 for a bigger and improved version. You'd do well to come along.