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Different conditions
  |  First Published: February 2011



Many anglers spent the holidays testing out their new fishing gear but many families spent the afternoons soaking a few baits for mixed results.

With the high water and faster current taking a bit to get used to, plenty of anglers have struggled to land a fish.

Although the fishing hasn't been red hot, there have still been plenty of good fish caught by those putting a bit more thought into their day on the river.

Instead of pulling up at any old spot and trying to cast across to the other side of the river, switched-on anglers have fished close to the bank and tight in among the snags, especially during the heat of the day.

While scrub worms have consistently worked well in the dirty water. One angler fishing with bardi grubs landed four cod for the day, with three undersize and the other measuring 82cm.

Anglers fishing from boats have been making their way above Barmah Lakes and Picnic Point to fish in the fresh water.

Although the river is far from being clear, it's been good to see a bit of colour in the water, rather than just a tannin stain.

Visibility should start to improve once all the water is back in the main river course.

DARK LURES

Lures in darker colours, like red/black, dark green or purple, have been the standout colours in recent weeks.

Over the holidays a lucky angler landed a cod through this section of river that he estimated at 38kg.

Good-sized yabbies have also been productive, more so into the evening.

The Edward River at Mathoura has had a good run over the past few weeks with the majority of fish taking dark lures fished around the colour change in the water.

The Campaspe Junction has been the place to go for a mixed bag with reports of cod, yellowbelly and redfin.

It seems the fish have been moving up into the fresh water and it's just been a matter of tying on a lure and hanging on.

Two cod over a metre have been caught recently. Fluoro orange and green No 2 StumpJumpers cast around the fallen timber have been the standout lures while scrub worms have been the pick of the baits.

The Waranga Basin at Rushworth has produced some thumping redfin up to 44cm with plenty of smaller fish mixed in with them.

Small StumpJumpers and 50mm Poltergeist lures have worked well from the boat while night crawler worms fished from the bank have claimed a few.

Other days, anglers have struggled to boat a handful of fish despite seemingly perfect conditions.

Greens Lake has been producing small numbers of redfin and golden perch from the bank. A No 2 baitholder hook loaded with night crawler worms with plenty of wriggly ends is enough to make any reddie go weak at the knees (if they had any!).

HOT YELLAS

An angler casting lures had a good session on the yellas, landing six for the morning. Two were caught on Jackalls, two on spinnerbaits and the others on the new Ballista LED 75MM Dyno in the goodoo green colour.

Two yellowbelly were caught on the one lure – one on each treble!

Those chasing a feed of yabbies have been faring pretty well around the local channels and dams.

A lot of these dams haven't seen this much water in a long time and are thriving, with yabbies that have made their way from the depths of the mud.

Don't forget to ask permission when entering private property and be on the ball with the regulations regarding yabby nets because Victoria and NSW have different rulings on what styles of nets can be used, and restricted areas on certain bodies of water.

All going well, in the next couple of months the fishing should improve with the water clearing up and the river returning to its normal levels.

There have been plenty of reports of fingerling-size fish of 50mm to 80mm long spotted swimming in the shallows.

Depending on whether these are carp or native fish, there will either be plenty of food for the cod to chow down on or another good generation of cod and golden perch to call the river home.

Murray cod and golden perch have been caught by those fishing in the fresher water.

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