The wind is dying down and the early summer days are upon us. Best of all, the fishing around our local area is heating up quickly.

The hottest spot would have to be Lilydale Lake. The number, size and type of fish coming out of this little piece of water is amazing. I was down there recently and saw about 30 anglers all trying their luck, with most catching trout to 1kg and carp.

On a previous outing, Yan Lewandowski raised the benchmark for all of us. Yan, who is 11 years old, landed a great trout (pictured) near the rockwall at lunchtime, fishing with his father Marek.

Yan was using 6lb line and had to be patient bringing in the fish. It took over 5 minutes to land him. This proves that patience is often rewarded when landing a large fish on relatively light gear.

Marek had set the rig up using a medium-sized middy feeder filled with maggots and orange PowerBait on a treble hook.

Other reports from Lilydale Lake include a 2.7kg carp caught near the weeds close to the boat ramp. An angler by the name of Joseph, fishing with two mates, landed this beauty using a float rig with Stimulate Instant bait and an Owner size 12 treble hook. Joseph also used Stimulate berley.

Lots of other customers have reported landing redfin, trout up to 700g, and carp. The best time is from around midday through to dusk.

Fly anglers are still having success in the Yarra River, with most reports coming from around the upper Warburton area. The water is still clear in most parts, making sighting fish easy. Claude and his son, down from Queensland for a week, fished around Woori Yallock, sighting four trout and landing two small ones.

In September and October I was fishing off Karratha landing 45kg fish, so it was a nice change to hit the Yarra at Pound Road in Warrandyte recently. Conditions were very good, with clear running water and plenty of insects buzzing around. This area will fire up after the full moon in November.

The best areas to try spinning for trout are the bridge at Warrandyte, Pound Road west of the tunnel, and the reserve off Jumping Creek Road. Using berley will be important, as will using small scrubworms pinned on a size 6 baitholder hook and cast upstream into the current and out to the sides.

The Chirnside Park area and the upper parts of Wonga Park have also improved over the past six weeks, with activity in these areas also set to improve over December and early January.

Anglers fishing Rowville Lakes have also had good success. Maggots, small yabbies and mudeyes are all working well. When fishing this area, berley mixed with maggots will ensure good scent in the water and improve your chances.

For up to date Yarra Valley fishing information contact the boys at Compleat Angler in Ringwood on 03 9870 7792, or better still drop in to 92 Maroondah Highway, or to our Dandenong Store at 29 Langhorne Street. Both stores are open 7 days a week, with plenty of top quality fresh bait and a great selection of freshwater gear.

Yan Lewandowski caught this awesome trout in Lilydale Lake. The fish took PowerBait in the middle of the day.