This time last year the water level at Lake Eildon was already dropping with irrigation releases, but not this year folks.

The rain has just kept on coming and the lake is well in to the 70% now - barely believable! Just looking at the lake is amazing to say the least. How high is it actually going to go, and is it possible that it may fill next year; only time will tell.

One thing that has changed drastically at the lake is the car and trailer parking availability. It has diminished significantly, so be patient guys and don’t get to angry with skiers and jet pilots who think that the boat ramps are there solely for them to sit on and relax.

Another thing that stands out is the humid conditions we have been having: not what we are used to that’s for sure.

Timing has been key on the lake. Varying weather conditions and fluctuating barometric pressures hasn’t made things very consistent by any stretch of the imagination. If your timing was good or you were in the right place at the right time the rewards were outstanding.

The yellow bellyfishing has been insane with lots of big fish being taken on lure and baits. Average fish size is around the 4.5kg. But the big news and surprise been the numbers of cod coming to play. Lots of fish around the 50-55cm mark and right through to 90-95cm and they all in awesome condition.

Good mate Justin Causby caught a nice 65cm model on a black and gold Berkley T-Tail on a nice Friday night session. Unfortunately my Boga grips are still in its mouth, not a text book cod release Justin, or should we call him the Boga man?

Also in this session, 50m or so off the rock wall we were fishing large trout up around the 3kg mark that were sipping flies off the surface, but would not touch a lure or a plastic. If only we had a fly rod on board.

Speaking of trout, the fishing has been quite productive with the trolling fraternity doing the best with the salmonoids by going a bit deeper to the 6m mark with lead lining with Tassie Devils in (yellow, gold and blacks) being most productive. Both browns and rainbows around 1.5kg are quite common. The redfin have also been very active from 10cm right through to 40cm and 1kg. Worms are best or red coloured plastics.

With all of the rain in December the rivers were filthy dirty and resembled ice coffee. But when they do clean up it should be a very productive January unless it rains for the whole month.

Who knows what the darn weather will do.

Tassie Devil supremo Justin Causby with a wonderful Murray cod from Lake Eildon. This fish is probably still swimming around with a set of Boga grips in its gob!