Holidays at Currango

Inserting Greg's photo with his first trout, made me start to think back on the fabulous holidays we used to have with Tom and Mollie Taylor at Currango near Tantangara dam in the Snowy mountains.

We had to go there after the crutching in March and before the lambing starting late April into May.So we would be in a lather of preparation for weeks before and finally set off from Hughes Park at 6 am ,just as light was breaking. Our little Volksy would be loaded to the gunnels with food, wine, brandy, all from Queltaler ofcourse , and the two little boys in the back with a 60lb tin of bluegum honey for Mollie under their feet.Cases and trout fishing gear on the roof rack securely tied down and off we went .All excitement and joy, like dogs let off the chain, we'd get to Renmark for breakfast and then the long haul to Hay along the dreary, hot Hay plains. We'd have the luxury of a Motel stay where one time in the mouseplague, the mice were heard thundering through the innerspring mattresses while trying to get some sleep.The next day we traveled past Narandara and on to Wagga where we would have our first glimpse of  clear running water.What excitement to get to Tumut and then begin the steady climb up Mt Talbingo and feel the cold mountain air.Past Yarrangobilly and Rules'Point to the liitle wonky bridge over the infant Murrumbidgee river. We would stop here and look at the clear mountain stream, breathe in the cool mountain air and feel elated that we had got that far in a day and a half. Then on to Currango through the dismal forest and over all the little tributaries jumping with fingerling rainbow trout as we forded the water. To see the four stunted willows at the last crossing and then drive up to the homestead to be greeted by a smiling and oh so welcoming Mollie and gruff Tom. After catching up on the latest news and Tom's promise of gigantic trout we'd go to Daffodil Cottage and unload our gear and grope for our freshly made beds as there was no electricity, but a fire had been laid in the stove for us to boil a kettle for hot water bottles.