Kowmung
River
The
Kowmung is a wild and largely remote mountains stream
which starts at the junction of The Hollanders and Tuglow River’s
South of Oberon. The river carves a
winding path through the Kanangra Boyd and Blue
Mountains National Parks
dropping from 900m above sea level to below 200m where it meets Cox’s
River, in
the restricted area around Lake Burragorang.
The
wild trout of the Kowmung are regarded as the healthiest
fish in the region. In winter the spawning run from Lake Burragorang
is legendary, yet very few fishermen have ever experienced it due to
the remote
and difficult terrain found along much of the lower reaches of the
river, and
the freezing conditions in winter when the trout are spawning. Not to
mention
that fish my not travel up river in years of drought which have been
common in
recent times.
Methods
By far
the best way to catch fish in the Kowmung is with celters and small
minnow lures.If you’re fly fishing the best methods in summer are
generally
streamers with a slow jerky retrieve and dry flies such as ant patterns
(during
the day) or small moth patterns like the white moth and white wulf.
When fishing winter
spawning conditions bright pink and orange streamers, glow bugs and
nymphs have
their place. Bright lures also work better at this time of year.
Fish Species
Rainbow
Trout and Brown Trout are most common. Carp and some
species of native perch are also a possible catch.
Public Access Points
The
lowest section of river is off limits to fishermen as it
is within the Warragamba Special Area and no public access is
permitted. Other
access points can be difficult to reach due to the rugged bush, steep
gorges
and remoteness of the rivers path.
Kowmung Gorge –
Kowmung Gorge can be accessed but only experienced bush walkers who
have strong
navigation skills should attempt to access this stretch of river. The
gorge is
located in the Blue Mountains
National Park from
Kowmung Lookout – It is a long
walk down fire trail on Scott’s Main Range
(Old Cedar Road).
As you walk the track
turn left at the fork near Sugarloaf Hill. Then walk off the track to
the west
just before the Schedule 1 catchment area starts (do not enter Schedule
1 land).
Walking
is the only option to access the area as there is a
locked gate at new yards ridge - a car can not be left here as it is
private
land and bikes are not permitted in the area. I suggest arranging a
drop off or
parking away from the private property if you want to do this walk
Gingra
Trail/Kowmung
Junction
For experienced
bush walkers only! From the Old Cedar Road you
can turn left at Bran Jan Hill and follow the trail for 1km to a locked
gate
from here it is about 2.5km to the Kowmung where the Gingra Trail meets
it from
the northern side of the river. This trail only follows the river for
about
800m. It is possible to get to the Kowmung by walking along the Gingra
Trail
from Kanangra Walls. It is a 20km walk from The Walls to the Kowmung. A
great
walk even if you are not fishing!
Roots Ridge Trail and
Denis Ridge Trail
For experienced
bush walkers only! From Scotts Main Range
turn off the road at Mount Feld onto Denis Ridge Trail (in a north west
direction). The ridge goes down a
spur to the Kowmung
River but
the trail itself
becomes patchy toward the lower end of the spur. You can also follow
the Roots trail
which starts about 1.5kms along Denis
Ridge from the junction
with Scotts
Main Range. It is a 1.5 km
walk along Roots trail to the Kowmung.
Bulga Ridge Track
For experienced
bush walkers only! Located about 3km north
of the butchers creek crossing on the Scotts Main Range Road. This
track is not heavily used.
It is 3.5km walk in a westerly direction from the road to the river.
Uni Rover Trail
The Kowmung River is a 20km walk along
the Uni Rover Trail from the Kanangra Fire Trail (this is the road/fire
trail that
leads to Kanangra Walls).
Black Snake Bend
– Via Spring
Ridge Firetrail
Merong Falls – From Kanangra Walls Road take the
Boyd River Fire Trail and follow down to the Kowmung or take Merong
Creek Fire
Trial to the river. Gates are usually locked at Kanangra Walls Road.
Kowmung River Fire
Trail
To access the
area from the North take Kanangra Walls Road then
turn onto Kowmung River Fire Trail (Gate may be locked). You should
reach the
river approximately 10km down this trail.
From the south
take Banshea Road
and then follow Boucher
Creek Fire Trail until it reaches Kowmung River Fire Trail. Follow this
trail
north until you reach the river. Approximate distance of fire trail to
be
covered is 6km from Banshea road to the river.
Tuglow River – Access is via Gurnang State Forest
Hollanders River
– Access via Hughes Spur using Ben Lomond Fire Trail. Turn off Kanangra
Walls Road
onto
Mount Emperor Fire Trail (Gate may be locked) this becomes Ben Lomond
Fire
Trail. Follow this track down Hughes Spur to the Hollanders River.
Regulations:
“General
Trout Stream” regulations apply above and including the junction with
Morong
Creek.
Fishing Open Season - Saturday morning October long weekend
to Monday night
June long weekend.
See
the regulations page for details
Links
http://everything2.com/title/Kowmung+River
http://www.subw.org.au/archives/POR/pbt2.html
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