No doubt about it, those first warmish days of Spring are something to look forward to, especially if you’re anything like me and have been searching for any signs of new life.

I drive past a big willow tree on my way home from work every day. It starts to get the once-over right about now. Any new green shoots get a very big nod of approval. It’s been a Winter of old around these parts – cold and wet.

The ground in the bush is very wet; some of my Winter spare time has been spent hunting up high in the catchments of our western rivers and water is still pushing out of springs and soaks up there, which is great to see.

We are possibly heading into one of our best Spring fishing seasons for a long time.

Wyangala and Burrendong dams are both near full, which gives everyone plenty of space to operate over the coming months.

I quite often get asked why Windamere takes so long to fill; it’s all to do with catchment size. Windamere is within the Burrendong catchment but is higher up with nowhere near the water runoff available.

I am by no means a scientist but I think in a way the slower filling of Windamere actually helps the fishing; the fish get time to adjust to the change, the water is generally clearer and weed growth is more prominent. This all helps the water and the creatures that live in it.

Golden perch will sense the change in season, no doubt about that. They love nothing better than a few warmer days in September.

Catching them can be a little tricky, though. Fresh or frozen baits such as small yabbies, or even green prawns from the coast can work a treat.

Sunny north-facing bays and banks that are protected from the cold winds from the south-west are your best option. Getting out of the boat and fishing from the bank can also be worthwhile.

If you can work it so that you are fishing on a rising barometer then chances are you will be in for a good session. Office hours are generally your best time to be on the water this month.

Lure fishing in the same areas is also an option; just keep everything slow.

Bottom-contact lures such as skirted jigs, jig head-rigged soft plastics or lipless crankbaits worked slowly with lots of pauses can work a treat.

If you are struggling, it will be because you are going too fast. In this fast-paced world where everything happens at 100 miles an hour it can take some time to adjust.

Patience and concentration are the keys; it’s just as much a mental game as anything else.

The rivers and creeks are still off limits but what a season this will be! Everyone is looking forward to the opening weekend in October.

It’s possibly a good time to get into the local tackle shop and spend up restocking the tackle box.

I’m not sure about you but the blackberry bushes took a fair toll on my stocks last year, although I think the boy may have snaffled the odd one as well….

The bream anglers have really opened up the market as far as small lures and jigs go. Some of them work a treat on river and creek trout so keep this in mind when you’re in the store.

I have not sat in it yet but it’s here and it’s been a long wait.

It’s a little old-school as far as the steering is concerned, it’s a tiller job but that’s where old-school ends – it’s dripping with technology. I’ll need some time to adjust, no doubt.

Keep your eyes peeled for a black missile ripping down the dam driven by a bloke with an ear-to-ear grin and the wind in what’s left of his hair.