Nothing spells adventure more than getting up early and loading up the coffee jar with a fresh grind, enough coffee to last the next five to six days.
With breakfast done and the Hilux packed I hit the road, first destination a bakery somewhere between home and Canberra. Unfortunately Heatherbrae’s wasn’t the grand stand finish I was hoping for, but it is by far the better option to Trappers!
With Gungarlin River Campground as the destination I pushed on, being a Tuesday traffic was of the lesser and I arrived at Nimmo on the Eucumbene River just after 2pm. With hunger on my mind I pulled up, devoured some crisps and a cherry pie.
With my stomach somewhat satisfied, I pulled up stumps and made my way along Nimmo Rd with a quick pitstop to collect firewood. Then the trek along the Powerline Trail down to the campground.
I pulled up to the same spot as a few weeks prior, with the weather turning it on I kicked back with an icy cold beverage and took it all in…
As the afternoon drew to a close I made a quick meal, sparked up a fire and waited for Brad to arrive.
After a few night caps it was off to bed, an early night after a long day of travel.
Sunrise at Gungarlin is never a let down, with clouds in toe and sun sneaking through the vista I wasn’t sure what to make of the weather.
After a quick coffee the decision was made to hit Adaminaby before any chance of precipitate!
Adaminaby is an interesting place, there isn’t much but it’s never quiet; a bakery, pub, general store and a few other bits and bobs attract the weary traveller or Snowy Hydro personnel.
Over a pie and cake we made the decision to traverse Long Plain down to Perkins Flat…
Ahh the serenity.
Unfortunately for me I’m every so often chained to my work laptop, the next morning was a case of WFC (Work From Camp), but what an office!
After a coffee or two I finished up my WFC experience and took it easy for the rest of the morning. Once afternoon kicked in I had a feed and pineapple flavoured beverage before donning the waders and heading downstream.
The trip downstream was a short one; as I approached a section of water a snake skirted off and with a mass of very uncharted foliage that I needed to navigate through my decision to abandon ship was likely a good one.
On a side note, I did fish into the evening with some long range releases – happens when you go barbless!
One of my favourite rods, the old school Scott G series 8’8″ 5wt. You really don’t appreciate slow until you cast one of these.
Perkins Flat, such an amazing place and I was so sad to pack up and go.
After assisting NPWS with some minor track work it was time to air up and head to the next destination, Three Mile Dam for the final night of the trip.
Mental note; always carry a chainsaw and partake in appropriate PPE by wearing Japanese work boots.
A sombre night sitting by the fire staring at the distant moon, the cold hard realisation that this was the last campfire of the trip. Morning broke with a jack frost across the lake, accompanied by the mandatory coffee and final pack.
A pitstop for a dogs eye and apple turnover and the long drive home…
