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A memorable year ahead
  |  First Published: December 2011



This is shaping up as another among the best freshwater fishing years in memory.

Anglers who said the same thing about last season weren’t far off the mark so let’s hope they’re right about this one.

With most lakes full for over a year now and creeks and rivers running high at the right times to allow for optimum spawning and natural recruitment, I strongly believe that this year is going to be one to remember – and the next few aren’t going to be bad, either.

The native fishing at most lakes has been great but Blowering and Burrinjuck have been sensational. Almost all capable anglers have been rewarded and even a few that aren’t have done well.

Redfin anglers at both dams have been hooking into far more natives as by-catch than ever before.

Anglers targeting big redfin will need to stick to deeper water, from 6m to 15m, and shouldn’t expect to catch cricket scores of big fish like they did in the cooler months.

The redfin spread out now and the large schools of Winter are very rare. Smaller redfin and the occasional large fish can be found in good numbers around the edges of the lakes and will be much easier to target than the bigger fish out in deep water.

Casting small lures around any submerged trees should result in plenty of smaller redfin.

NATIVES

Fishing for natives at Blowering and Burrinjuck can be very rewarding at this time of year.

Golden perch and Murray cod can be caught during the middle of the day but for your best chances I strongly suggest you fish the last couple of hours of light in the afternoon and, if you’re up for it, right into the night.

Troll small to medium hardbodies or lipless crankbaits for the golden perch and use large hardbodies for the Murray cod.

Casting spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and the increasingly popular swim baits around the shallows just on dark is great fun and can be very rewarding.

Once you catch a fish, pay attention to what depth you were fishing, how you retrieved your lure and what sort of area the fish was pulled from. Then it is simply a matter of finding similar spots and using the same lure, with the same retrieve and a similar depth.

Paying attention to these details will see you hooking and landing several fish rather then just the one.

TROUT STREAMS

Trout streams in the Batlow/Tumut area have fished well all season and now is the best time to get a stretch of creek to yourself.

I like the challenge of a fly in the creeks and streams, even if they are running high and dirty.

In saying this, if you come to your favourite creek and it is high and dirty, you will get better results by casting large flashy spinners or by drifting a juicy worm, grub or piece of PowerBait.

COD FLY DVD

My first DVD, all about the new and exciting trend of catching Murray cod on fly, has just been released. I take anglers through all the basics while I am fishing, to show you what I’m explaining.

You should end up with all the knowledge, techniques and the confidence to go out and catch cod on fly yourself. Visit www.mrfreshwater.com.au to order. Join me on Facebook for fishing reports, updates and hints and tips.

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