Paddys River is one of the ACT's bigger trout waters, and the territory classifies the whole catchment as trout water, so the rules do not change along it.
It is a deep-nymphing river first. FlyLife's writers rank the Cotter first and put Paddys with the Naas as the pick for deep nymphing. In our experience, as the river drops through summer the same runs fish to a dry-dropper, and the banks are worth a hopper from midsummer.
Trout water means a season from the October Labour Day long weekend to the end of the June King's Birthday long weekend, fly and lure only, no bait, and one rod at a time.
If you are new to the ACT's trout, learn the Cotter first and come here second.
Water and habitat
The mapped river is about thirty-two kilometres of mainstem. The flow charts show the river's year and flow duration from its gauges, with the fall of the river and the bank survey beside them. In our read it is a river of runs and pools that rewards getting a nymph to the bottom.
Fish and forage
The territory classes the river as trout water, and its trout rules name brown and rainbow trout. Records of either in Paddys itself are thin, so read the river for what it shows you.
In our experience, mayfly on the warm afternoons, hoppers along the banks in summer, and the general drift of a cold clear river are the food. Check the current ACT fishing brochure for protected species before you fish.
When to fish it
The season opens on the October Labour Day long weekend and closes after the June King's Birthday long weekend; the dates move with the calendar. In our experience spring is for deep nymphs, from late November the river settles into dry-dropper water, and summer afternoons are for a hopper tight to the bank.
How to fish it
In spring, an indicator and a heavy nymph rig, fished in the slower water beside the main current so the flies plummet away from the flow, one run at a time, and expect the take at the tail-out. In summer, a buoyant dry with a small nymph below it through the pockets and runs, and a hopper along the tussock edges in the afternoon.
The gear rules in trout water: one rod at a time, a landing net, no more than two flies or one lure on the line, and no bait rigged or carried beside the water.
Access and safety
Use formed public roads and tracks, obey signs and gates, and check the ACT Parks nature park finder before you go. As on any mountain river, if the water is running high, fish from the bank or come back later.
Regulations
The ACT lists Paddys River and its catchment and tributaries as Trout Water. In trout water, fishing is open from the start of the October Labour Day long weekend to the end of the June King's Birthday long weekend; only artificial fly and lure fishing is allowed in the open season; bait fishing is prohibited; you may use one rod at a time and a landing net; the rod may carry no more than two flies or one artificial lure; and it is an offence to possess a handline, more than two rods, a rod rigged for bait, or any net other than a landing net in or beside the water.
Check the current territory brochure for any size or bag limit before you fish.
