The leaves have hit the ground and the days are short. As the weather cools, the trout get restless. They eat whatever they can find, getting ready to fulfil that primal urge to reproduce.

It always surprises me how few fishers take advantage of this natural cycle. We seem to expect the fish to be at our beck and call. Trout have been hard to get during the summer months, but now is the prime fishing period. Now is the time to be fishing if you want one of those double figure trout, for bragging rights, or to adorn your wall – so head for Khancoban pronto!

The most effective hard-bodied lure colours have changed from greens and browns to pinks and blues. We have been having excellent results with soft plastics in either rainbow trout or redfin colours. Scrubworms seem to be the bait of choice, if you can get them and afford them (they are very scarce and pricey due to the drought). Wet flies would be the choice for the flyfishing fraternity.

Winter fishing is very productive. Even though the rivers and streams are closed, Khancoban Pondage is open all year round. Nestled in a picturesque alpine valley, Khancoban, at an elevation of only 300m, is about the warmest, most protected winter trout fishing available.

During the winter months we see some huge trout, so come and check it out. You’ll need your winter woollies and a pair of fingerless mitts (preferably with the flap-over mitten). Chemical hand and feet warmers are optional, but appreciated on those frosty mornings. A good pair of Sorel type boots are worthwhile, to keep the tootsies toasty (you can hire these at the Khancoban Caravan Park).

You can also fish Murray 2 Pondage all year round (which is 10 minutes up Alpine Way). A number of trophy trout have been caught here over the years. Access is a pain because there is a steep walk out, but it keeps everybody else out – so you usually have the place to yourself. Fishing access is limited, depending on the Pondage level, but there really have been some rippers wrested from the depths. Murray 2 Pondage is also very sheltered, being at the bottom of a steep gully, so is out of the wind when those northerlies affect Khancoban Pondage. Spinning or bait is the go for these waters.

Don’t forget Khancoban Trout Fest, either. Now in its second year, it will be a much bigger event this year. Held in the last weekend of November, now is the time to get your entries in. For your entry forms go to: http://www.visittumbashire.com.au/EventsAttractions/KhancobanTroutFest.aspx for further details and entry forms. We’ll see you over winter!

Carl Brown picked up this lovely 6lb brown trout on a scrubworm in the Swampy Plains River not long before the season closed. The Pondage is still open and now is the time to target trophy trout.