For the third month in a row, Lilydale Lake is our ‘area winner’, and has produced exceptional and consistent fishing. There have been many trout caught that have exceeded 1.5kg.

Ringwood staff member, Steve has fished the lake several nights after work, with his trophy catch for the month being a ripper rainbow. We have been ribbing him that the fish are not as big as he says, so he took some photos and the proof is on the brag mat.

The trout have been on the bite in the Yarra too, with the best areas being around Warburton and above. The fish like this time of year, with the cooler water temperatures before the hot summer weather. Success will come from fishing around log snags in deep pools.

These areas require accurate lure casting or bait drifting techniques. The technique is to work your lure just over the edge of the submerged logs. If you’re using a sinking lure it is important to know the sink rate of the lure and the depth of the water that you are fishing. Have your lure swimming 15cm off the bottom or structure. The fish ambush the bait or lure as it swims by, so the closer you can mimic the food sources the more success you will have.

Lures working well on trout have been 7g Norstream spinners in copper, silver or gold, and Ecogear SX-40 lures in 333 or 304 shades.

The areas around Chirnside Park and Reserve Road in Wonga Park have improved over the past few weeks, with good sightings of trout being reported. With the water running faster, you need to cast into the edge of the current and let your lure drift into the more gently flowing section. The fish will generally lie in the deeper holes on the edge of the current and attack the food source as it gets tossed out of the main water flow. Keep repeating this method as the fish will watch and when they are confident or sufficiently annoyed they will attack. Trout don’t like the heat, so shaded areas will prove more successful than sunny ones.

All the signs are good in the Yarra around Warrandyte through to Templestowe for another good Murray cod season. The water is clear with plenty of insect life, and with the excellent season last year expectations are very high.

For the bait angler, cod will generally take yabbies in preference to scrubworms. If you have found it difficult locating and hooking these fish, come along and hear Roger Miles, possibly the best cod angler in Australia, give a talk at the Ringwood store on Wednesday, December 10. Give the shop a ring for further details and bookings

I can’t wait to hit the water and chase some cod. To ensure that this species can breed successfully and increase in numbers in this area, please practise catch and release. This will give us all many great seasons ahead.

Scrubworms have been working very well in the Yarra around Warrandyte for both smaller trout and Macquarie perch.

For up to date fishing information, both fresh and saltwater, contact the boys at Compleat Angler in Ringwood on 03 9870 7792, or better still drop in at 92 Maroondah Highway. We’re open 7 days a week with plenty of top quality bait and a great selection of freshwater and saltwater gear.