A New England river split by Copeton Dam, with Murray cod, golden perch and freshwater catfish recorded and trout and natives both stocked by NSW. A big fly worked slowly through deep water in the warm months is the best first plan.
The Gwydir is a New England river where Murray cod, golden perch and freshwater catfish have all been recorded, and the reason to drive to it is a big native fish on a fly worked slowly through deep water.
One structure shapes the whole river. Copeton Dam sits across it and holds back a large lake, which cuts the river into two parts: the river above the lake’s backed-up water, and the river below the dam wall, which carries on until it joins the Barwon.
That gives you two trips, and the one to start with is the natives. Cod, golden perch and catfish have all been recorded in the river, and NSW has put cod and golden perch into it over several recent seasons, which the stocking chart sets out. In our experience the warm months, roughly October to April, are the time to go, and a heavy streamer is the fly to carry. The access card shows one boat ramp; check its details there before you plan a launch. Read the current NSW fishing guide before you fish.
The second trip is trout. Rainbow trout have been recorded in the river, and NSW has stocked both rainbows and browns over recent seasons. In our experience trout in a New England river do best in the cooler, faster water higher in a system rather than in the warm lowland pools, so look for them where the river still has some pace. Check the current NSW fishing guide for the stretch you intend to fish before you drive up.
If you have one weekend, make it the natives: a dark streamer, the deepest water you can reach, and the last hour of light.