It is easy to see why so many people fall in love with Oberon. Not only does the pioneer town rub shoulders with Kanangra Boyd National Park, but its streams, rivers and lakes provide some of the best trout fishing in NSW.
Each year during the trout season - which runs from the October long weekend to the Queen's Birthday in June - hundreds of fly-fishers descend on Oberon to try their luck at the aptly named Fish River or nearby Lake Oberon, which is well stocked with both brown and rainbow trout.
In 1823 gold was discovered in the Fish River, but today the mighty trout (some fish are in excess of 3.5 kg) are considered an even more precious commodity. Such is the town's fishy fame that Oberon now sports its own Big Trout, outside a motel of the same name.
Because the rivers and lakes around Oberon are part of an official trout fishery, anglers are encouraged to catch and release breeding stock. Fishing licences (monthly, annual or tri-annual) are available at the Shell service station in town.
While many people head straight for Chifley Dam, Rockley Weir or the Fish River (the stretch between Tarana and O'Connell is popular, as is the Bathurst Road bridge), the more adventurous angler will try one of the smaller rivers or remote highland streams. For this, a local guide is highly recommended.
One of the most spectacular fishing spots is on the Kowmung River, which lies within the Kanangra Boyd National Park. The Kowmung provides plenty of sport for the fly-fisher prepared to put in some bushwalking effort. Experienced anglers recommend a combination of dry and wet flies and lures. Beadhead nymphs are also popular.
For those who can't face the prospect of camping out by the river, a couple of commercial operators now offer helicopter trips to fish in Kanangra Gorge. Three-day packages include helicopter transport and bush cabin accommodation.
Alternatively, Robbie Lee of the Fish River Fly Fishing Company offers one-day, two-day and weekend packages.
Not only does Robbie provide a wealth of local fishing knowledge and expert tuition ('polaroiding' and stalking brown trout are just two of his specialist skills), but anglers in his party have exclusive access to 4 km of riverbank on the Fish River near Tarana.
First-time anglers can take advantage of Robbie's two-day fly-fishing tuition packages. Guests stay overnight at a rustic cabin near the banks of the Fly River. The cabin, which sleeps four people comfortably, also has a 400 metre fishing canal - an ideal place to practise your fly casting and rod work.
If all goes to plan, your day on the river or lake should provide a couple of decent trout for the table. Here is a simple, yet delicious recipe for trout stuffed with pine nuts. You'll find it works equally well on the barbecue or camp fire - it's also a great way of using up those unwanted gherkins in the cupboard.
Fry bacon until crisp, add pine nuts, fry for a minute more, drain. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Trim fins from cleaned fish. Open fish out as flat as possible, skin side up. Run rolling pin firmly down the backbone, starting from the tail. Turn trout over. With a sharp knife cut through the backbone at each end of the fish. Gently lever out the backbone and remove any remaining bones. Fill cavity with pine nut filling. Place each trout on greased sheet of aluminum foil. Slice gherkins into fine strips and sprinkle over trout. Fold foil over top of fish and seal ends. Barbecue until fish are tender.
NSW National Parks can be closed at times of bushfire and bushfire danger. It is advisable to check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you set off. Either phone 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600 or visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.
The Arch Vale Trout Farm outside Lithgow is somewhere I have been going to for over ten years. It's a great family outing, group holiday or date destination. You hire a fishing line, wait 10 seconds for a bite and the owners clean the fish for you, which you can then BBQ for lunch. The farm is set in bushland just off the highway next to a river. It makes for a gorgeous setting, fun activity, delicious food and a cheap, memorable excursion.
Dd, Sydney.
Camp out by the river. It's a peaceful place to spend a night or two, very tranquil of a night, you'd never guess you were just a couple hours from Sydney.
Glenn, Ashfield.
4WD
