The private lodging used at Bemm River is very well situated on Sydenham Inlet with views across the lake. The three-bedroom house dating back to the 1970s is basic but comfortable with wooden floorboards, full kitchen, lounge/dining, bathroom, heating and air-conditioning suitable for a maximum of six adults.

Outside, there is an entertaining deck with lake views, BBQ, and additional outdoor toilet, shower, laundry and garage storage facilities. With ample parking and room for numerous boats and vehicles, additional camping tents or campervans can also be taken for larger groups.

When the lake levels are adequate, the house also has access to a private jetty across the road, which enables you to leave any private boats boat moored throughout your stay.

The quiet, sleepy fishing town has a general store only minutes away with an excellent range of fishing gear, while the Pub also offers meals nightly displaying some of the history and fine captures on its walls.

For Fly Odyssey hosted trips, all meals are provided during your stay, including hearty breakfast and cooked evening meals, with packed lunches taken out on the water to maximise fishing times.

Bemm River is a place that people never visit just once. It’s a charming coastal location with some of the finest Black Bream and Estuary Perch fishing in the country, with a huge range of habitats ideal for fly fishing.

Bemm River passes through warm temperate Rainforests and ancient wet Eucalypt forests, before reaching the waterfalls close to the Bemm River township. From here the river provides depth and abundance of structure including fallen trees and snag systems which are a perfect habitat for ambushing Estuary Perch, Black Bream and variety of exciting species. Australian Bass and Brown Trout can also be found in the upper reaches before the river makes its way into Sydenham Inlet, a huge lake system some ten kilometres down-stream.

An outstanding target on fly, Black Bream fight hard and feed throughout the day with #5 and #6 weight outfits perfect for most river, lake and estuary fishing. The population of Bream in the system is profound, with large females in excess of the magic 40cm mark common, however, with fish of this size estimated from fisheries science at over 3o years of age, all big breeding fish are handled carefully and released to protect the fishery for future generations.

Bream can be targeted in the river and lake systems throughout the water column, snags and edges while in the lake, the weed-beds, drop-offs and sand flats provide great habitat to target them in shallow water. They can be polaroided on the surface or on the flats in the Summer months on floating lines, or with intermediate and sinking lines around structure and a variety of small weighted and unweighted flies, with light tippet. Takes are often very subtle and often in contrast to the powerful head-shakes that soon follow.

The Estuary Perch numbers in the system are also very good, and at times thick, however, the mysterious Perch do have an ability to seemingly disappear throughout the system during the year and are as such a very rewarding capture on fly, both on the surface, around snags and weed-beds.

The sand-flats around the tidal channel mouth are also great for wading and targeting Silver Trevally and Flathead with numerous other species also available including Luderick (Blackfish), and large Tailor which are a great target. Australian Salmon and whiting can also be found here seasonally, with the ocean entrance closing and opening throughout the year.

Travel times to the fishing grounds typically take 5-15 minutes, with numerous locations targeted throughout the day, depending on the season and conditions.

Fly Odyssey hosts and guides small groups throughout the year, and we have been fishing the Bemm for over forty years. For un-guided trips to Bemm River, we can provide a comprehensive pre-trip guide, local advice and maps to make the most of your stay, and put you onto fish.

Guided Fly Fishing is available over 5 nights and 4 days twin share, from an Anglapro Stealth, complete with Suzuki 40HP 4-stroke engine, casting deck, electric mount, livewell and professional photography.

Numerous flights are available to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport or Melbourne Avalon Airport and easy access from all Australian major cities.

Departing from Melbourne, Victoria, the travel time to Bemm River is approximately 4-5 hours with collection in a comfortable SUV/4WD vehicle. The duration of guided trips is typically 4 days / 5 nights with longer or shorter stays possible subject to availability.

Fly Odyssey can facilitate private airport transfers and accommodation in Melbourne and throughout Victoria if you wish to extend your stay, or as a part of a multi-destination itinerary throughout Australia.

A minimum of six months validity on all passports from date of arrival is required. An Electronic Travel Authority or Tourist Visa Stream is required by residents of eligible countries to enter Australia (excluding New Zealand)

If self-driving, please be aware that the latest fuel stop is located on the Highway at Newmerella, some sixty kilometres away. As such, all boat fuel will need to be taken with you to Bemm River.

5 Night / 4 day Adventure 

Cost: $2,575 per person (twin-share)

Availability: 2 anglers

Guide: James Laverty (Fly Odyssey Australia)

Inclusions: 5 nights accommodation, four days guided fishing (twin-share), full board, return private transfers from Melbourne, fly fishing gear, fuel and photography.

Excludes: Victorian Fishing Licence, items of a personal nature, flies, alcoholic beverages.

For non-guided rates and accommodation availability, please get in touch. For larger guided groups, the cost is on an application basis, subject to angler numbers and boat access.

Let us do the groundwork for you.

Our tailored fly fishing and accommodation itineraries are designed with you in mind to suit your preferences.

Fly Odyssey has access to the best guiding and lodging rates, suitable tides and updated availability to this destination which can vary throughout the season.

This includes flight bookings, transit accommodation, transfers and a host of non-angling activities and experiences.

We specialise in group stays to the region, and our long involvement with our partners on the ground in East Gippsland will ensure you are well looked after both on and off the water.

This includes extended stays throughout Victoria and Australia.

Please enquire for the latest rates and availability, including information on any applicable special offers.

CONTACT OUR AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

• M: +61 (0)499 900816
• E: travel@flyodyssey.com.au