Upper Nimbau, Kombai Game picnic area (11) Jul. 13, 1978 Dr Hesselin took me in tow today and drove up the Nimbau to headwaters in the National Forest reserve. He says there have been some nice fish taken there while the Motuna is largely dead. He started fishing the narrow, brushy creek just along the Kombai picnic grounds. Very shortly hooked into a 4 pounder and landed it despite some brush problems. Not long after he rose and hooked another of equal size but it pulled off. I'd seen some big ones and apparently missed a couple of good strikes. I didn't raise a fish. It amazes me that such a tiny stream (about the size of Sogden Creek) can hold such big trout. The reason may be the population of crayfish. One was in the tummy of Woody's fish. It rained hard for an hour in midday and lots of birds came out of the native bush - toucites, yellowhammer, bell bird, native pigeons to name a few. There are a few wallaroos low this high in the hills, and these came up, presumably to enjoy a trout breakfast. He tells me that there are a fair number of red deer up here and they are increasing. The price of red deer is up to $150+ for a hind. Even the common Australian possum is bringing $7 to $15 for a pelt. The deer market for venison is still best Germany. There is a growing industry of deer farms, selling breeding stock locally (like Chinchilla).