Well, we had another weekend of uncertain weather with a forecast of storms, but in reality, while not being warm, we had little, if any, rain and what did fall was scattered, and in most cases, below what we were told to expect.
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With that in mind, the releases from water storages continue to keep river levels and flows at higher than normal levels for this time of year.
The one exception is Waranga Basin. It is well below the level of all other storages.
It has been suggested that the releases from the storages are to make room for the spring rains and snow melt, but whatever the reason, river levels and flows remain high and the outcome is less-than-ideal fishing conditions.
The best results have been at Eildon. I know that I have been banging on about Eildon, but it does provide anglers with a choice of species to fish: cod, yellowbelly, redfin and trout.
Although the cod season will close in a few weeks, there is no season close at Eildon, and cod can be taken all year round, but size and bag limits do apply.
Redfin are still biting along the treeline in the river arms, including at Jamieson, the Big River arm, Bonnie Doon and Peppin Point.
Yellowbelly can be caught around Fraser National Park and other structures. The best method is to cast lures and bait towards the bank and retrieve slowly.
Fishing for trout is the same as Dartmouth. Use a finder trailing a bait or Tassie Devil-style lure. Troll the river arms, especially early mornings and late in the afternoon, for the best results.
With the end of the month not far away, that means the close of the cod season is also approaching, with the exception of Lake Eildon, although size and bag limits will still apply.
With the close of the cod season comes the opening of the trout season.
Speaking of trout, the fishing at Dartmouth has been good. As the lake continues to rise, the fishing has improved.
The best spots at the ‘Dart’ are Larson’s Cutting along the line to the wall and also around the Mitta Mitta arm and among the trees.
While most anglers fish the Dart from a boat, you can also angle from the bank. It’s a lot slower, but a more relaxing way to fish.
The best method is to put a bait under a float, then wait for a passing trout to feel hungry, then bingo!
Another spot worth a try is Waranga Basin. Redfin are still on the bite, as well as an occasional trout on the inflow side, and yellowbelly.
Lake Nillahcootie, which was once a haven for redfin, is now better known for yellowbelly.
Just fish the rock wall opposite the boat ramp, as well as the area near where the creek runs in.
Now, let’s head south to the saltwater at Queenscliff where Rod Lawn, from Adamas Fishing Charters, has been chasing tuna off Barwon Heads.
Rod said they were not big fish, up to 10 kg, but tuna is tuna.
He said it was getting closer to the start of the snapper run when the big fish will move into the area.
At the moment, there are just resident pinky-size fish.
I have been asked, “What is the difference between a pinky snapper and a snapper?”. A pinky is a juvenile fish and has a smooth shape to its head. A snapper is a mature fish and has a pronounced bump on its forehead. Either is still good to eat.
So roll on spring; the sooner the snapper arrive the better.
Rod said that inside the heads around the grass beds either side of the bay, squid are to be had and can be caught on prawn-shaped lures or a baited jig.
Rod said he was catching plenty of flathead on the sandy bottom. Nothing of huge size, but good to cook and eat. Nothing beats a freshly cooked flathead tail.
Rod reported tuna were still biting off Portland, but the bigger fish were further off shore and were heading north into NSW.
Over the border at Eden, John Liddell said the crew from Freedom Charters were still bagging snapper, morwong and other reef fish while bottom-bouncing the inshore reefs as far south as Green Cape.
They were also catching plenty of flathead in deeper water off the cape.
At Narooma, Graham Cowley also reported snapper and morwong all along the inshore reefs, as well as schools of kingfish out towards the shelf past Montague Island.
Finally, everyone, stay safe and mask up. I can now comment on both the flu and COVID-19, having gone through both.
In my opinion, COVID was the lesser of the two. The flu put me out of action for a week.
So let me say again, stay safe, mask up, sanitise your hands and good fishing.
FISHING PRODUCTS