The weather conditions in recent weeks have been favourable to our area with some cooler patches.

This has allowed for the water temperatures to cool down a bit over night. This has made for some good cod, blackfish and carp fishing.

Redfin have also been reported from under the bridge at Warrandyte and around Fitzsimmons Lane Bridge. The majority of these catches is between just prior to dusk. Copper bladed redfin attractors proving to be the most successful

Ringwood customer, Ben reported taking a good number of fish including redfin, golden perch and a small eel from around Wonga Park. All where taken on large scrubworms using ground Stimulate Berley. Ben put berley into the area every 15 minutes or so.

In the smaller upper reaches of the Yarra, around Launching Place the occasional trout is still being taken. You need to pick your days carefully with plenty of cloud cover and several days with cooler nights before hand. For the fly angler, reports are coming through using Red Tag and Olive Woolly Buggers. The bait angler, scrubworms and small yabbies are working well.

The occasional eel is being taken in the deep holes around Warrandyte in the last half an hour of light with a large scrub worm and a size 4 Shogun Baitholder hook. Just remember to take the mozzie spray; they are out in plague portions.

Several customers have taken up the challenge of using tin foil as an indicator when targeting Macquarie perch with success. Best areas continue to be from Wonga Park through to Templestowe and a bit beyond, always in the shaded areas. The preferred bait for Macquarie at this time is good-sized scrub worm on a running sinker rig.

The Murray cod fishing has been excellent this year, with lots of reports coming through both the Ringwood and Dandenong stores. The most successful spots are around Templestowe with easy access from around Fitzsimons Lane or for the kayaks angler travelling down the Yarra from Warrandyte.

Anglers are having good success with Bassman Spinnerbaits in strong purple and black or all white colours. Try to use copper blades so as not to reflect too much light; the cod will respond to these subtle pattern better. For the bait angler yabbies on a Shiner 2 hook, scrub worms using a Baitholder size 2 or in stock now, Bardi grubs on a 3/0 Baitholder.

Always cast into shallow tumbling water near a rock bar drifting into a deep hole on rock with structure. Best times are the last 3-4 hours of the day.

Probably the best impoundment in the Yarra Valley region is Lilydale Lake. It continues to produce fish most months of the year. Although the trout have slowed down at present, carp and redfin have been taken in good numbers for this time of year. Carp are best taken on maggots while using a fine grain Stimulate Berley to attract them, and for Redfin small metal celta style lures in the gold and black colour.

For the bait angler, use small yabbies on a size 8 Shiner or CU10 hook. When using a CU10 hook on a yabby, insert just under the top of the body shell near the tail section, slowing pushing the barb along the inside of the shell.

When you reach the gap in the body and head shell push the barb up so the hook is then visible at the crown of the head shell. If you do this correctly the yabby will be able to walk freely around with a hook securely attached to its back. Another benefit to using a hook placement in this manner is that as the fish spits the bait, the hook will be caught in the inside of its mouth.

For up to date fishing information, both fresh and saltwater water, contact the boys at The Compleat Angler in Ringwood on 03 9870 7792 or better still drop in at 92 Maroondah Hwy– we’re open 7 days a week with plenty of top quality bait and a great selection of freshwater and saltwater gear.