About Your Guide
Hailing from the southernmost reaches of Australia, Jimmy Barwick’s journey into fly fishing began at a very young age. Catching his first trout on the fly at just 6 years old and with it, he caught the fly fishing bug... BIG time!
Meet Jimmy Barwick, a fly fishing fanatic who lives and breathes all things fishing. Here's a glimpse into the life and expertise of the man behind the rod.
Your Guide - Jimmy Barwick
Jimmy with the infamous “Blue Bastard” from the Northern most reaches of Australia
How long have you been in the industry?
I started guiding back home in Tasmania when I was in my early 20s. My journey has been a unique blend of guiding and a career that has seen me not only travel but also fish in some of the most amazing locations, while working in the maritime industry. Before setting roots down in Tumut, I lived and worked on boats for over 10 years.
From exploring the most remote northern waters of Australia, to touring the Mediterranean and venturing through Southeast Asia, my career has given me some of the most amazing experiences and incredible fishing highlights from all over the world.
Jimmy introducing his nieces to the trials and tribulations of fly fishing
Why a Career in Guiding?
Becoming a fly fishing guide has always been a dream job for me. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had an early opportunity to make this dream come true. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
Growing up my friends used to call me "Junior Rex Hunt" so it’s no surprise to anyone that knows me! Guiding has allowed me to share my passion for fly fishing with others.
I absolutely love helping beginners learn to fly fish or for my more experienced clients, helping them achieve their fishing goals.
It's the joy and excitement on their faces that is just priceless to me. Be it their first, biggest or most memorable, I feel really privileged to be a part of these special moments.
Expertise and Approach
My approach is all about creating a seamless experience for my clients. I use my knowledge and insights which I’ve developed from countless hours of practice and refining my own techniques across many different disciplines.
Having lent my hand to a vast array of different fishing styles, from conventional lure fishing techniques, heavy tackle sport fishing for giant black marlin, to the commercial sector of line caught spanish mackerel and of course, my one true love - fly fishing.
I like to think I provide very clear and comfortable lessons, tailored to the needs of each individual I have the pleasure of guiding. I feel my experience hosting guests aboard luxury super yachts and various charter vessels has instilled a “client-first” mentality, which I am proud to bring to Snowy Valleys Fly Fishing. I want to make sure I provide people the very best experience and I am often told my enthusiasm for fishing is infectious.
My ultimate goal is to help people fall even more in love with fly fishing and grow the sport to be inclusive of all, not just those who wear “tweed jackets”!
Estimated 900lb giant black marlin onboard KEKOA - Picture by Kelly Dalling Fallon
Career Highlights and the Birth of Snowy Valleys Fly Fishing
Over the years, I've accumulated a treasure trove of career highlights, I won’t go into the stories behind them all - check out my photos and galleries - “a picture tells a thousand words”.
But one of the most significant moments was when I decided to start Snowy Valleys Fly Fishing. The dream had always been to start my own guiding business, and I envisioned it in Tasmania. However, I stumbled upon the breathtaking beauty of the Snowy Valleys 4 years ago, and I couldn't resist making Tumut my new home.
It's the first time in my life I’ve ever been landlocked, but this area has everything a fly fishing enthusiast could ask for: a versatile river right on our doorstep, high country creeks and streams, pristine lakes, and the famed Blowering Dam, home to some of Australia's largest trophy murray cod.
It’s a fly fisherman’s paradise!
Behind the Scenes
Fishing has given me so much and a love of the outdoors is high up on the list. Always chasing what’s around the next river bend, you might find me camping, bird watching or refining my photography skills, but these other hobbies ultimately revolve around fishing and my rods are never far away! I’m definately not known for sitting still for too long and there’s always an adventure to partake in. Although after spending so many years living out of a suitcase, I now couldn’t be happier to have made a home in the beautiful Snowy Valleys.
Discovering the Waters
The Tumut River: How would I describe it? It's a bit of a fish factory, the cold clear water is teeming with opportunities for anglers of all abilities. For the Beginner it offers a fantastic platform to really hone your skills and become well versed in the art of fly fishing.
As your ability progresses, you’re able to take advantage of the wide array of opportunities the river has to offer. Summertime grasshopper fishing can really provide red-letter sport. It can be demanding both for angler and oarsman, but when it all comes together it is nothing short of amazing! Aside from this, the Tumut River fishes top notch right from opening day until the season closes.
Being a tailwater fed by the infamous Blowering Dam, the water runs cold, clear and fast, all season long! Polaroiding in these waters can find you casting at some exceptionally large fish, getting them to the net however is another thing.
The ever-productive indicator nymphing provides nonstop fun for anglers of all skill levels, prospecting likely areas with a dry/ dropper setup will see some surprising results come to hand all season long, not to mention swinging flies on double handed rods through the most inviting runs.
The streamer fishing for larger model brown trout is a sight to be seen, it is not often you witness a brown trout act like a queenfish, trying it's hardest to eat the fly. Honestly the Tumut River has it all! Every day of the season is productive and drifting it on the raft offers up SO MANY opportunities that would otherwise be closed off on foot.
One of the Tumut River Locals, taken while hopper fishing in Summer.
Australian Natives
Australian Natives have only been on my radar really since moving to the area 4years ago. Since being introduced to them I’ve been completely obsessed, to the point where I am honestly spending more time chasing them than not. Being situated so close to such fantastic fishing opportunities has seen me fully immersed in the pursuit for XXL trophy Murray Cod, on fly.
Through this my results speak for themselves, not only equalling the then known largest recorded capture but bettering it weeks later. It is truly something else and I am working hard to bring this forward as an option for clients to experience – watch this space!.
Jimmy with a Trophy 127cm Murray Cod.
An Old Hat That Holds Memories
One last thing, when I first started guiding, my dad gave me his favourite hat. He was as proud as punch. "If you're going to be working as a fly fishing guide," he said, "you need a good hat." Although my dad is back home in Tasmania, wearing his hat while I’m out on the river makes me feel like he’s never too far away.
The Hat - as worn by Jimmy’s father, Kerry.
