FOOD WITH MIGUEL MAESTRE KOSCIUSZKO TROUT In Jindabyne, just twenty- five minutes from Thredbo s ski fields, our chef Miguel Maestre takes to the banks of the Moonbah River for a fly fishing experience with local guide Brett Smith. Patience is a virtue when it comes to trout fishing and it all pays off as Miguel reels in the catch of the day a Rainbow Trout and a Brown Trout as well. Then, Miguel hits the kitchen in the cozy Moonbah Huts to create a delicious fish dish caught straight from the river and onto the plate! SNOWY MOUNTAINS FAST FACTS: The Snowy Mountains, known informally as The Snowies is the highest Australian mountain range and contain the Australian mainland s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches 2,228 mtrs (approximately 7310 feet).
The mountain range is thought to have had Aboriginal occupation for twenty thousand years. The area was first explored by Europeans in 1835 and in 1840 Edmund Strzelecki ascended Mount Kosciuszko and named it after a Polish patriot. Banjo Paterson s famous poem, The Man From Snowy River, was eventually adapted into a feature film in 1982 starring American actor Kirk Douglas and Australian, Jack Thompson. In 1944 it became known as the Kosciuszko State Park, and then the Kosciuszko National Park in 1967, which it is known as today. In the 20th Century recreational skiing in NSW moved southward to Mt Kosciuszko offering steeper slopes and more reliable snows. In the warmer months the region offers rock climbing, mountain bike riding, guided tours, horse riding, bushwalking, camping, boating and fishing. GETTING THERE: DRIVING: Est drive time from Sydney to Snowy Mountains = 5hr 20mins Est drive time from Melbourne to Snowy Mountains = 7 hrs FLYING: Qantas / Virgin Blue / Tiger Airways / Brindabella Airlines MOONBAH HUTS Owner Brett Smith has hand built both Lake Hut and River Hut and offers unique summer or winter getaways. The Moonbah Lake Hut was built near a small private lake that holds Brown, Rainbow and Brook Trout. One hundred meters away is the famous Moonbah River,
the regions premier fly- fishing stream. Here you will find the luxurious Moonbah River Hut. The Huts are located in the picturesque Moonbah Valley, just 15 minutes from the township of Jindabyne of the Snowy Mountain Region. Ex federal Police officer Brett purchased the land to fulfill the dream of living like Grizzly Adams, a popular TV series in the 1970 s- 80 s, which starred a mountain man living in a log cabin. Brett offers regional adventure holidays while staying at the cabin. He and his clients spend time taking photographs of the stunning scenery whilst fishing and cook trout alongside the river after catching one. He also offers an underwater experience popular with even very experienced clients. He particularly enjoys guiding entire families, couples and small corporate groups. Tours of Lake Jindabyne can be arranged including water skiing/wakeboarding/wake surfing/tubing, or lake fishing. http://www.moonbahhut.com/ http://www.snowymountainsfishing.com.au RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW TROUT FACTS: Distribution: This species, native to North America, occurs in the high country from northern New South Wales to Victoria, in hills near Adelaide, South Australia and in Tasmania. These fish are frequently maintained by stocking and have a more restricted local distribution than brown trout. Size: Although known to reach more than 110cm and more than 18kg, fish larger than 60cm or weighing more than 4kg are exceptional. Characteristics: The rainbow trout tends to have a more compressed body than that of the brown trout. Colours vary from silver to pale olive- brownish, darker dorsally with spots on the head, body, dorsal and tail. They have a rosy pink stripe along the mid- line and gill covers. River fish, and those on spawning migrations, tend to display more intense colourations with the pink becoming crimson and the lower fins, lower sides and belly becoming grey.
NSW TROUT FISHING SEASON: From start of October long weekend to end of June long weekend in general trout streams. General trout dams are open to fishing all year http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/closures/summary- fw- closures BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT FACTS: Distribution: Imported from England, the brown trout is possibly the most important sport fish to be introduced in Australia. It is commonly found in cool waters, mostly above 600m, with moderate to swift flow and also in cool, clear lakes and reservoirs. Size: In Australia they are known to reach at least 90cm and can weigh up to 14kg, but the most commonly caught fish are below 3kg. Characteristics: The brown trout is a thick- bodied species with a large head, mouth and moderate to large eyes. The mouth extends to below the eyes. Colours can vary depending on factors such as age and habitat. Generally silver to olive- brownish and darker along the dorsal area. They display dark spots along the back and sides, but these can sometimes be indistinct. Most spots are surrounded by a pale halo and are often red below the mid- line. NSW TROUT FISHING SEASON: From start of October long weekend to end of June long weekend in general trout streams. General trout dams are open to fishing all year http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/closures/summary- fw- closures
RECIPES MIGUEL S BAKED TROUT WITH TARRAGON AND LEMON INGREDIENTS 2 x 500g whole trout, scaled, cleaned & gutted Extra Virgin Olive oil 2 tbsp crushed capers 4 garlic cloves, minced Sea salt Freshly ground pepper Large bunch fresh tarragon, leaves picked & chopped Large bunch chives, freshly chopped 2 lemons, 1 zested & sliced, 1 cut in half 70g butter METHOD Score each trout about 10 times on each side, just on the surface of the skin not too deep. Rub trout with olive oil, garlic, capers and season with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavities with chopped tarragon, chives and lemon slices. Tie the fillets together with
baking paper and twine. (The baking paper stops the twine from burning and breaking during the cooking process). Put lemon zest on top, add dots of butter, cook for 5 minutes on BBQ until crispy and golden or bake for 20 minutes on 175 degrees. Remove and squeeze lemon over fish before serving. GARNISH INGREDIENTS 1 punnet cherry tomatoes, different colours halved 2 chorizo sausages, thinly sliced 1 bunch radish, quartered, 1 radish shaved handful pistachios ½ purple cabbage, shredded 1 orange, segments & juice Persian feta METHOD Bake radish, tomatoes & chorizo with trout when you put it in oven/bbq. When serving make a salad with cabbage, shaved radish, orange segments and juice. Finish with Persian feta and pistachios. WEBSITE LINKS http://www.moonbahhut.com/ http://www.snowymountainsfishing.com.au THREDBO ALPINE HOTEL http://www.rydges.com/accommodation/regional-nsw/thredboresort/welcome/