The project, which is funded by the Victorian government from money raised by recreational fishing licence fees, has just entered its final year.

Project officer Michael Broughton said timber had been laid from Lake Hume to Eskdale. 

“It’s all about giving the community greater access to get back on the river to fish,” he said. 

“Over so many years of European settlement, the river’s been cleared of timber by what they initially thought would improve water flows.

“But obviously removing all that timber has removed the habitat for our native fish and, therefore, the natural stocking of the fish doesn’t exist anymore.”

It is hoped the timber will attract Murray cod, trout cod, yellowbelly and freshwater crayfish but Mr Broughton said they were still after more logs.

“If anyone’s got a property in the nearby area that’s got fallen timber,” he said.

“Even local councils that are doing road clearing, farmers clearing their boundary fence lines, and new housing developments who are clearing timber – we’d love to hear from those people.”

Recreational fishing group Cods of Anarchy had also assisted with members’ knowledge of fish movement.

“We use that local knowledge to get the best bang for our buck basically,” Mr Broughton said. 

“To put that timber where it’s going to be the most useful.”

There was still solid support from landholders to continue the program, according to Mr Broughton.

“We’d like it to put forward another grant proposal for a following three years,” he said. 

“We’d also like to extend our reach past Eskdale and work a bit more in the trout water as well.”

Mr Broughton welcomed any additional community input. 

“We’d like to ask the local community that gets out and fishes whether they have an area they’d like to see us do something,” he said.

Fore more information call the North East Water Catchment Authority on (02) 6043 7633 or visit www.necma.vic.gov.au