Boy, are we ready for summer up here! The rivers are in the best condition they’ve been in many a year and the trout are biting well, with good caddis and beetle hatches occurring as the days and, more importantly, the nights become warmer now that summer has finally arrived.

Rocky Valley Reservoir at Falls Creek is 90% full and fishing extremely well. Rainbow trout to 660g are being caught from the shoreline by bait, lure and flyfishing methods, while trolling enthusiasts are finding larger specimens to 1.5kg in deeper waters. Best lures for trolling are Tassie Devils and Ford Fenders attached to paravanes and lead line rigs.

Pretty Valley Reservoir is 100% full and also producing rainbow trout and a few browns, but they are smaller than Rocky Valley fish. Pretty Valley Creek is in full flow and producing lots of small brown trout for flyfishers. The creek is very shallow for most of its length, which suits dry flyfishing at any time.

The inflow streams to Lake Guy are running high and cold and producing a steady supply of brown trout for bait and lure anglers, with good rises occurring from late afternoon into dusk. Successful flies have included size 14-18 Red Humpy, Black Beetle, Cochybondhu, Royal Wulff, Greenwells Glory, Blue Dun and Bogong and Kosciusko moths.

The upper reaches of the Ovens River are at their peak now, providing the best fishing experienced for some time. All the water upstream from Germantown to above Harrietville is just jumping with brown trout rising to natural caddis moths and beetles throughout the day. Most fish are brown trout of 350-500g, with larger specimens rising towards dusk.

Lake Catani at Mt Buffalo is 100% full and fishing has begun for the season, if only on a limited scale so far. The lake is 600m above sea level, making it perfect for fishing from the shoreline or a canoe on hot days, when the temperature is much cooler than elsewhere.

The fish are mostly brown trout of 450-550g that fight well. Many flyfishers who come here in summer tend to put them back, so there’s always plenty of trout available.

The Mt Beauty Pondage is at a good level for all kinds of fishing, with rainbow trout to 750g rising among the reeds at dusk. Bait anglers are doing well with mudeyes presented on a size 12 bait hook about 1m under a half-filled bubble float and with drifted worms. Tassie Devils and Rapalas are among the most popular lures. Few fish are seen rising during the day but activity increases towards dusk.

The Kiewa River upstream from Mt Beauty through Tawonga to Mongans Bridge is proving popular with anglers, with brown trout to 1.5kg reportedly caught by absolute rank amateurs using worms on 5-7kg line fitted with size 8 hooks and sixe 2 sinkers.

Other reports include flyfishers taking browns in good numbers at Tawonga towards dusk, as the fish rise to caddis moths and tea-tree beetles.

The lower Mitta Mitta River at Mitta Mitta through to Eskdale is flowing at around 200 megalitres and producing some nice brown trout and a few rainbows to 650g. Bait anglers are doing well fishing with drifted worms in the runs and mudeyes under a bubble float in the pools. Lures are also taking a few with Tassie Devils the most popular. Good-sized trout are rising towards dusk around the airport region.

Dartmouth Dam stands at 20% of capacity with numbers of brown trout to 750g being caught by trolling at mid-depth and near the top. Tassie Devils are the most popular lure at the moment.

Alpine fishing conditions can change very quickly whatever the season, so for the latest update phone Geoff Lacey at Angling Expeditions Victoria on 03 5754 1466 or check out website www.anglingvic.com.au