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Static Spring
  |  First Published: October 2011



The next month or so will see fishing come to a near stand still in and around Mulwala.

Cod season has closed and the run of spring yellowbelly doesn’t generally fire until mid to late October as a rule. This will give you time to tidy up the gear with a bit of a service, sharpen your hooks and wait for your next fix of green (or gold if that’s your preference).

August was a great month in terms of numbers of quality fish but as quickly as they appeared and people got wind of how to catch them, they disappeared again! Early August saw the lake return to full level and river flows settle. With this, fishing below the weir was the spot to be with numerous whoppers being reported. A steady flow of customers reported tangling with specimens in excess of 1m.

First to kick it off was Brodie Every from Bendigo, who had a great day picking up a 96cm and a 101cm fish both on cast Muldoon lures. Brad Reeves was another landing a monster around the Bruce’s Bend area on a bardi. Jamie Stewart made the trip over from Moulamein on several occasions to be rewarded with a 103cm whooper taken on a cast Outlaw spinnerbait.

However Kevin Brooks undoubtedly earned the title ‘angler of the month’ for his efforts. Kev spent more time in the boat than on the tractor and turned up the goods repeatedly. He boated many cod measuring from 50-90cm, with another three stretching the tape out over 1m. A 108cm beast was the pick but they all put a huge smile on his dial. The larger Koolabung lures did all the damage.

The lake did see a bit of boat traffic with reports varying from a few per day at best down to zilch. Doug Ogilvie landed a fit 85cm cod on a bardi while Nez Smith trolled up a personal best of 72cm.

I had the pleasure of hosting a few boys from the Boort Angling Club on their annual trip away. A great bunch of blokes worked their butts off in trying conditions for little return. This couldn’t be said for Peter Stringer, though, as he took home the weekend’s bragging rights landing a 53cm and 63cm cod, both caught on chicken breast covered with melted parmesan cheese. I know it’s not traditional but if it works, why not?

The finish to cray season was a non-event downstream with high water flow making it impossible to keep pots anchored to the bottom and out of the snags.

For anyone that does encounter a cod over the next couple of months, it should be released unharmed as quickly as possible. To minimise cod encounters while targeting yellowbelly, lures no more than 80mm should be used. All anglers must be aware that the section of Murray River from Yarrawonga weir, downstream through Cobram to the bridge at Tocumwal is totally closed to all forms of fishing. This region will re-open on December 1.

Entry forms are now available for the Cod Classic. This event again promises to be huge and shouldn’t be missed. Call in and see us at Lake Mulwala Fish Camp & Ski, the official Cod Classic shop (Opp Post Office) or call 0357 441667 for further information.

On a sad note, Brian McKee, a great friend and the man with the original idea to organise the Cod Classic has passed suddenly. Many of you who have attended a Cod Classic or visited us at the Melbourne tackle show would have come across Brian and went away with a smile on your face after his friendly banter. My deepest condolences to his family.

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