Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre

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1270 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Thornton VIC 3712
Added by Jopie, at 14 September 2016

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• Anonymous

  08 November 2017

  The Goulburn Valley Fly Fish Centre team are without a doubt the premier flyfishing & guiding service in Victoria. The team are all avid flyfishers themselves, know the waters they work in intimately, share their knowledge willinging and from my experience work exceptionally hard (above & beyond!) for the client to ensure success and a great day out on the water (their guided trips are also awesome). Well worth the time for a days visit or guiding with the team, whether a beginner or experienced flyfisherman alike.

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• Anonymous

  07 November 2017

  The guys at GVFFC are simply the best when it comes to fly fishing and guiding the Goulburn, Rubicon, Steavenson and other rivers in the area - nobody else comes close. I was lucky enough to have a day of guiding on the Goulburn recently, and their knowledge of the river is nothing short of incredible. I consider myself a fairly experienced fly fisher, but the level of advice and expertise they were able to offer was really eye opening. Everything from reading the water, to new tactics, to local knowledge of trout behaviour and which flies work best in which conditions - it's amazing just how much they can improve your fishing.
  
  To top it all off, they're great guys with a real passion for sustainable fishing.
  
  Do yourself a favour and book an experience with them - you won't regret it.

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• Anonymous

  17 February 2017

  Lovely stay at the units, great warm accomodating hosts. Fishing was terrifc. Werner the guide went out of his way to make sure we got on to fish. Had a great time. Will be back for sure. Thanks

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• Anonymous

  06 February 2017

  The guys at GVFFC provide amazing service and immense knowledge of the Goulburn and its tributaries. Arrange for a drift for a half day or more and see the river, the wildlife and the fishing in a manner that is just not possible any other way.

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• Anonymous

  02 October 2016

  I’ve only been fly fishing for two years, having started out at one of their fabulous weekend workshops. I researched all that I could online and these guys obviously have the best operation in the country, going by there website/social media presence/facility, but their operation is so much more than that.
  
  First off they have a small flyshop that has all the local flies and the basics to equip visitors for fishing in the area. It is located on the Goulburn River at Thornton and you can walk onto the back veranda of their shop and spot cruising and rising trout. They have a bunch of lakes onsite and accommodation. It really is a neat set-up catering to fly fishers.
  
  But even more important to me has been how welcome I have always felt, even when the guys are busy, they always make time for me and make sure that I am up to speed with the local conditions and armed with mud-maps/flies/info. Without them I would not be catching fish/enjoying the sort of success that I have been, at such a relatively early point in my fly fishing life.
  
  For the guys you can see that this is not just a business and I want to list a few examples to illustrate this fact.
  
  1. I showed up with a broken rod one day and had my credit card out ready to buy a new one. Antony would have none of it as he said my rod has a lifetime warranty and that it just needed to be sent away with an 8-10 week turn-around. He insisted that I took his favourite rod (top of the range SAGE) that was strung up in his car to use in the meantime. When I went to return it the next morning, he again explained that, ‘in the meantime’ meant that I could I borrow it until my repaired rod came back from the manufacturer. He took care of sending it and even managed to save time by sending it back to the USA via FedEx with his own broken rods; and he never charged me anything for doing it. Not even for the postage! When I tried to pay him something he waved me away saying that 'we are great guides but crappy businessman'. Very rare in this day and age.
  
  2. I stopped by on busy Saturday and was desperate to find some water to myself. Bo was serving and he phoned the guys out on the drift boats to find out what was happening (in terms of crowds/fish) and we decided on the best piece of water for the day, which happened to be driving down river and then walking all day upstream. I fished for eight hours and had a very interesting afternoon. When I was finished I called Bo at the store (as arranged) and he came and collected me and dropped me back at my car. Saving me at least an hour of walking in the heat! Thanks Bo.
  
  3. After dropping by the store I was sent out to particular piece of water. When I arrived at the access point there was already a car there. I walked upstream to the point designated on the mud-map I had been given and I ran into Werner, one of the instructors that I’d had at the Beginner’s course. He was catching a few fish and in his own world. When he noticed that I was 75 yards downstream and not catching anything, he snuck out of the river and walked down to me and started helping me by changing to a two fly rig and giving me a couple of caddis emergers. As that is what the fish were eating. He stayed with me for the best part of an hour and I caught half a dozen fish and missed as many again. He then realised the time and had to go as he had to collect his kid from school. He left me with another 4-5 of the right flies and took off.
  
  I have had really good experiences with the guys at GVFFC and cannot recommend them more highly. They are extremely knowledgeable about their area (they have guided there full-time 365 days a year since 1994) and they are super-friendly and just want to help.
  
  The three interactions that I’ve outlined above really show that for them, what they do is more than just a job and I sincerely hope that they keep going for years to come. I always stop by for a cuppa, some flies and a chat about what’s going on. And I hope to one day be ready to take a trip to NZ and Montana! That’s the dream.
  
  Keep up the good work guys.

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• Anonymous

  02 October 2016

  A life changing moment occurred nearly a decade ago when my wife and I happened upon GVFFC as we were exploring our newly discovered sport of flyfishing. We entered the shop and we're welcomed by David. After a chat we decided to take up the offer of a guided day of fishing which we booked for the following day.
  Geoff (now retired) began the day with teaching us the basics of stream craft. I still remember his teaching the importance of the "Colour, size and shape" of the natural and the fly. I carry so much of that first lesson on every fishing adventure. I hear Geoff say "fish your way into the water" everytime I approach a stream or lake.
  That day has been followed by an annual trip to New Zealand with David and the team, Cameron, Bo and most importantly Nella who looks after all of us so well. The guides are excellent at tailoring the fishing to suit the weather and the abilities of the clients. They will assist with helping to improve all aspects your fishing with patience.
  Through these trips, I have met other clients who have become among my most valued friends. The trip has become the highlight of my year, every year.
  My wife and I went with GVFFC to Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. That trip stands our as a highlight of our lives.
  Flyfishing is so much more than going fishing. It is about people, places and experiences. And this is what GVFFC is all about.

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• Anonymous

  23 September 2016

  Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre has been my go to for equipment, trips, float trips etc for over 20 years. I have been to New Zealand coming up to 10 years straight - never once have I felt like a "client" we are a family once we get together over there. if you want a drift boat trip or a trip to NZ or wherever go to these guys - but be warned - it will never be a once off - you WILL be back :)

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• Anonymous

  21 September 2016

  I first fished with GVFFC after seeing an ad in FlyLife circa 1995. In the old shed with couches, a few rafts and a passion for fly fishing a phenomenon was born.
  From drifts down the Goulburn and Mitta, walking the Goulburn and Rubicon, fly tying days, off-season weekends, stays in the cabin, weeks in NZ and the camaraderie, teaching and friendship of a wonderful group of committed fly fishers. I have been truly blessed during the times spent with Geoff (now retired), David, Anella, Antony, Cameron, James and Bo.
  Now 21 years later they still are able to be there for me whenever I turn up at Thornton. A cuppa, a fire to dry wet legs, great conversation and a generosity of knowledge that confirms their skills in all forms of river fishing. I will continue to fish and travel with GVFFC (in both Australia and NZ) and hope to reach Montana and Patagonia with them in the not too distant future.
  I would certainly be much less of a fisherman, and probably less of person, if I had never spent time with the GVFFC team. Here's hoping that I ( and many more of you out there in the world) are able to continue to share the same joy and growth that I have from my time with GVFFC so far. And that it continues for many years to come

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• Anonymous

  21 September 2016

  Thanks to Ant and David for many wonderful days on the river. It never ceases to amaze me how they know exactly what is going on with water levels, hatches and fish and then being able to zero in on what is going to work.
  I just love the whole feeling of GVFF, especially the unique lodge and ponds setting right along the beautiful Goulburn river.
  The cabins are also very comfortable with all you need to relax and get immersed in the whole fly fishing experience for a couple of days
  Thanks again
  Dennis

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