The school holidays are with us, and it may be a bit hard to tell the difference between a lockdown and end of term.
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But this time we can travel further from home and head to some much-loved fishing destinations.
While Mother Nature is giving us some glorious spring weather during the week, she has been a little stingy at weekends, making the decision to go fishing a bit harder.
This weekend it looks like it will be more of the same but without the earthquakes.
Wasn't that a bit of a shock?
I must admit, it was the biggest quake I've experienced, being centred around Lake Eildon.
Apart from giving the fish a damn good shake-out, I hope the wall was not affected.
It does not appear to be and that is a good thing.
Speaking of Eildon, it still remains the most productive fishing spot in the region with cod, redfin, trout, and now yellowbelly all biting in most of the arms and bays; The Delatite Big River and Bonnie Doon being most popular, as well as the Fraser National Park. Also don't forget in front of the wall.
Despite the closure of the cod season you can still take and keep cod from Eildon, but the usual bag and size limits still apply.
Most anglers fish from boats at Eildon. It is the best way to go where the fish are, but don't discount fishing from the bank. It has its benefits, and it is more relaxing when angling from the bank.
I use a float and cast towards the structure. Allow about a metre of line or more below the float, then set up the chair close to the esky, sit back, relax and wait.
As a child I caught my first ever fish using exactly that method; A small and very unlucky redfin. I was with my dad, fishing the river at Studley Park in Melbourne. That was many years ago, but I still remember the event as clearly as if it was yesterday. I hooked the redfin, and almost yanked it a couple of yards up the bank I struck that hard.
Back to the present - and the word from Dartmouth is good. Trout are biting mainly early morning on top, but going deeper during the day. Best baits are worms or mud-eye, Tassie Devil, a lure behind a Ford Fender, or angling a bait.
Below the weir is also producing some nice fish, mainly brown trout. It's easy to tell the difference between brown and a rainbow - the latter has spots that go all over the tail, a brown also has spots but not on the tail.
Closer to home, Victoria Park Lake has again been stocked with trout that were bred at Snobs Creek Hatchery and they are on the bite at a good catchable size. Get the kids there so they can catch one before the pelicans. Once again, a float is probably the best way to fish, it keeps the bait out of the weeds. Try the western side of the lake near the grassy hill for best results.
Waranga Basin is also worth trying, but pick a wind-free day - the basin can be quite choppy and rough when the wind gets up. Just like we've experienced of late.
Anglers have been catching redfin, mainly small-sized fish, as well as an occasional yellowbelly or even a cod, but unlike Eildon, cod must be released. Some trout are also in the basin.
You will also get good results from fishing the Main Eastern Channel, all the way from Wahring to Shepparton East. The drop bars, and siphons are a magnet for redfin, but you can also occasionally bag a trout.
Boy, didn't the lockdown bring saltwater fishing to a halt last weekend? When Geelong was locked down so was fishing at Queenscliff.
Rod alone from Adamas Fishing Charters had just started to take bookings again when the door was slammed shut. So no reports of saltwater action.
Let's hope things improve and lockdowns will be lifted sooner rather than later.
The boys north of the border are still in lockdown. Both John at Eden and Graham at Narooma are hoping for a change in fortunes.
But the immediate future is still bleak.
Stay safe and rest in the knowledge that Greater Shepparton has beaten the virus so we know it can be done. Keep your distance, wash your hands, wear a mask and get double-vaxxed.
Trelly is back fishing
Steve Threlfull is back fishing, and back trading the old-fashioned way, with customers coming through the door and his helpful staff offering the right advice on what's biting and how to catch them.
Daiwa Saltist MQ spin reels
Sizes 2500 to 6000 available, $399-$429
These reels have had a revamp to produce an even better-performing heavy-duty workhorse.
The single-piece Monocoque (MQ) body now houses a larger diameter, Tough Digigear, transferring all of that power delivered through the handle to your line and ultimately stopping those harder-fighting fish in their tracks.
Oar-Gee lures 75 mm plow, 4.5 m diver
Standard bib $19.99Painted bib $21.99
Don't say the name too fast but the Oar-Gee Plow range can be used for either casting or trolling. Target species are Murray cod, golden perch, bass, redfin, trout and you are virtually guaranteed to get that "wow" moment.
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