The Steavenson is a clear freestone stream with a large head of wild brown and rainbow trout, and it is popular for its productivity, its access and its closeness to Melbourne.
Its lower reaches run down to meet the Acheron at Buxton.
Start from Marysville and work downstream. Access is good from there to Buxton, with road bridges along the way. Nymph it early in the season while it runs high and clear; once it drops and warms, take a dry.
Take a rod, a few dries and nymphs, and read the current Victorian fishing guide before you go.
Water and habitat
A clear stream with rainbows and browns holding in lots of different water types. In our experience that means you should fish each kind of water you meet rather than walking past all of it to reach one favourite pool.
Fish and forage
Brown trout and rainbow trout are the fish to plan for. Mayfly and caddis hatches are the most common on the river, with ant and beetle falls, midge and grasshoppers also on the menu. In our experience a dry from each of those groups, plus a couple of nymphs, is a fair start.
When to fish it
FlyLife's writers describe the Steavenson as fishing very well all season. Early in the season it is high and clear and suited to nymphing. As the height falls and the water warms, trout start taking dries.
How to fish it
Match the method to the water level. When the river is high, a good bet is to fish nymphs. When it drops and warms, switch to a dry, and match it to whatever is on the water, starting with mayfly and caddis. Fish each type of water you meet before you move on.
Access and safety
Access is described as good from Marysville down to the Acheron confluence at Buxton, including the road bridges on the Buxton-Marysville Road. That is a description of the road, not a statement of permission, so respect any fence or sign you meet.
As on any bush river, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back, and watch your footing on wet rock. Never wade a crossing you are unsure of, especially when the water is high.
Regulations
No water-specific rule was found for the Steavenson. Before you fish, read the current Victorian Fisheries Authority inland angling guide, check its closed waters list, and take any season, bag and size limits and licence requirements from it.
