What a disaster those March floods were: The effect on thousands of homes and properties in the Riverina was absolutely devastating and times will be tough as people continue to rebuild their homes and lives.

The floods put a stop to the brilliant fishing that we experienced throughout Summer.

The good news is that the excellent sport through the past six months stemmed from the 2010 floods so as we look towards the future our rivers and creeks will be in pretty good shape in a few months, and even better shape in a year or two.

For those fishing the river over the next month or so, please take extreme caution because floods have a very bad habit of rearranging snags throughout the river and the can pop up in the least likely spots.

With the close of the trout season just around the corner many stream and river fishos will be getting up to the mountains to squeeze in a few final sessions.

All the rivers and creeks have been fishing superbly when running clear. If you find them murky then you’re better off heading to the lake, which has also been fishing very well.

Shore-based anglers have been having the most luck with fly and lure casters absolutely carving up on certain days.

From a lure casting perspective, focus on using brighter colours like pink, orange and red. These are aggression colours and as the fish prepare to spawn they attack these colours savagely.

I suggest using at least an 8lb leader, but that is a gamble if you get onto a fit and heavy fish.

The southern end around Buckenderra and Frying Pan has been fishing well but expect Old Adaminaby and Anglers Reach to fire in the coming weeks.

Trolling has been a little up and down but that will almost certainly change over the next week or two.

Focus your efforts on 3m-7m depths around the southern bays like Rushy Plains and Frying Pan, but it will be well worth putting in some effort down around Anglers Reach.

The fish will begin to stack up in certain areas and depths in anticipation of their spawning run; it’s just a matter of finding them by using a quality sounder or covering a variety of depths with your trolling runs.

As usual, the Bead-Head Nymph has been accounting for a huge amount of rainbows.

They are also a great option if you spot a big brown cruising in close. If you do spot a big brown in the shallows, be patient and watch the fish for a few minutes.

It will more than likely cruise in a pattern and you will be able to anticipate the best place to put your fly

While the resident browns have been more inclined to dine on larger flies, Woolly Buggers, Hamill’s Killer, Mrs Simpson and Craig’s Nighttime have all taken good browns over recent weeks.

A secret to Eucumbene success is fishing until the stars are well and truly up. It can be complicated at times but if you are prepared you will experience some great success, because many big browns come into the shallow water just after dark.

Night fishing doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Preparation is the key: wear warm clothes, have the flies you know you will use close at hand as well as the various tools you may need but, above all, use a head torch and put it on your head well before it gets dark.

It’s also nice to have a thermos in the car to help you warm up once you’re finished.