Spring has sprung, and the cod season has closed, but the trout season is about to reopen.
Rivers and streams that were closed to trout fishing can be fished from Saturday, September 6.
For details, check the current Recreational Fishing Guide; it has all waterways clearly marked, as well as bag and size limits. It also covers other rules relating to trout fishing and, indeed, all fresh and saltwater angling.
The closed season on cod did not apply to fishing in Lake Eildon; it is not considered to be a breeding ground, and the cod closure is to allow cod to breed.
Now that the cod season has closed, why not concentrate on other species such as redfin and trout? Redfin is still on the bite in Lake Hume, Waranga Basin, Lake Eppalock and Greens Lake.
Scrubs or worms are the best bait at this time of the year, but if you can get small yabbies and shrimp, they also work well. Lures are a good alternative, as are soft plastics and spinners.
The other freshwater option is trout, and with the rivers and streams soon to be open to fishing, you have plenty of alternative places to target.
The most obvious locations are in the north-east. At lakes such as Eildon and Dartmouth, trolling a fender either baited or with a lure is best, while in the rivers and streams, bait casting or lure fishing works. Wading the rivers or casting from the bank can also lead to success.
The upper reaches of the Ovens, Goulburn and Hume rivers are also good for catching trout.
You can also catch yellowbelly at this time of the year. If you can find shrimp or yabbies, they are ideal, but worms and lures are also worth trying.
Mick, the demon yellowbelly angler, has been unwell, so he has been giving the yellowbelly a rest. Get well soon, Mick.
You can also catch yellowbelly on lures, and as I have said in the past, lures with a rattle are good.
While we might have been blown off the water this week, the rest of spring should improve; we will get good fishing soon. I had a look at the Goulburn, and it is running a little high and is discoloured, but that should be good for bait fishing, mainly worms. The other options, if you can get them, are shrimp or yabbies.
The lakes and dams should settle down in a day or so, but while they are stirred up, they should fish well with bait; if you like, you can try lures, but the muddy water might not be in your favour.
At Dartmouth, the water is always clear, so lures should still work on trout, but early morning from first light until lunchtime will be best, as well as dusk. The same goes for Eildon if you are chasing trout.
With limited snow melt this season, the mountain rivers and streams should begin to settle down. Would you believe the ski season on Mt Buller has already closed? Mt Hotham only has limited runs and the same goes for Falls Creek, so it won’t be long before those resorts close. The snow melt should be off in earnest within weeks.
I spoke to Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters, and all he could say was blow it all. Rod said he had blown off the water and spent the week on the couch. He said he had not seen conditions at the heads like they were early this week. He said even the cargo boats and liners did not venture through the rip at the heads of the bay.
Rod said we should be in for a good snapper season, adding that sometimes a good stir-up was good for fishing, and the big fish should start soon.
Rod said fishing for tuna at Western Port Bay and down the coast to Portland was a no-go at the moment.
John Liddell at Eden said it was also a stop-at-home week around his region. He said even the long-line boats and other professionals stayed tied up. John said he was even getting big waves in his bathtub.
The same goes for all along the coast to Narooma and Sydney; Graham Cowley also reported a no-go, so let’s hope for better conditions.
Stay safe on the roads, rocks and water. Until next time week, good fishing.