Summer is on the way but well below average spring rain is not what we asked for. Nevertheless, the warmer weather has seen an influx of fishers to the Eildon and Alexandra area, which is great for local businesses.

In late October, Lake Eildon was at 23.4% of capacity, which is similar to this time last year. Gary at Eildon Bait and Tackle has reported that Krocodile lures in every colour except for rainbow have been very successful on the lake. A number of brown and rainbow trout of 3-6 kg have been reported, with one husband and wife bagging out three days in a row.

On a recent trip, members of the Albury Commercial Angling Club reported catching redfin down in 10m of water on a white StumpJumper with a red tip.

Other catches reported are a brown trout around the 4kg mark caught on an Oargee lure and a 3kg brown caught on a pink Tassie Devil (along with two 40cm trout). Rapala lures have been successful too.

Drifting scrubworms has also been an effective way of catching trout in the Big River Arm.

There have been no reports of any native species caught lately, but I’m expecting this to change shortly with the warmer weather. Just remember cod season is closed until early December.

Plenty of trout have been released into the Pondage recently, so there is no surprise that a number of good reports have come in. Russell Patterson of Rubicon sent me an email of a 3kg brown he caught near the cemetery using a lilac Tassie Devil. His mate Rodney Monk caught a 4.5kg brown on the same lure the next day. Thanks for the photos and information fellas – and well done!

Silver and gold Krocodile lures have also been successful on the Pondage, notably around the full moon period.

PowerBait is, as usual, producing good catches too. Orange, as well as pink and green, have been accounting for most fish, which are mainly rainbow trout. A 4.5kg rainbow caught on orange twist has been the biggest capture reported.

The Riverside Drive area has been fishing well, with a number of rainbow trout taken on dough. Maggots are also doing well in the same area.

The temperature of the water released into the Goulburn at the Pondage gates is currently around 12oC. With the lake at the same level as this time last year, we know the released temperature will dramatically increase as summer nears. Last year the water temperature got up into the mid 20’s over the summer period, and the trout fishing was, as you would expect, ‘shizenhousen’.

Ken and Vicky of Totally Trout in Alexandra report the Breakaway is fishing well with lures. Rapalas are netting trout around 1kg.

The Alexandra Bridge has been popular with bait fishers, with scrubworms and maggots the best of the baits. Bladed spinners such as Celtas are also popping up in reports. Between Eildon and Thornton, worms are producing well, along with Squidgie soft plastics in brown trout colour.

Woolly Buggers and Mrs Simpsons are the preferred flies at the moment but by November this will change due to increased insect activity.

Don’t forget to send me an email if you would like to share photos and information on your catches.

For further information about fishing around Eildon, or to book a guided fishing trip, call Wayne at Hooked on the Goulburn Fishing Tours (03 5772 2626).

Russell Patterson, of Rubicon, with a 3kg brown trout he caught on a lilac Tassie Devil in the Eildon Pondage.