By the time April arrives the weather has well and truly started to change. In fact, in at some of the higher altitudes around Oberon it will have started weeks ago with small frosts on the deck up high.

I love the distinct four seasons of the area I live in, partly because it creates different opportunities for fish and the environment they live in. When we start getting colder nights and the water temperatures start to drop, it’s like a trigger for several different species of fish. Trout quickly sense the change and start to feed up big time, especially the browns. Larger prey items such yabbies and small fish account for a larger percentage of the diet at this time of year. Keep this in mind when selecting lures and flies.

Native fish, especially cod, feel the change as well. Thousands of years of evolution have taught them to put the feedbag on at this time of year to build up fat reserves for the upcoming winter. Again, it’s not time to be bashful with lure size. It’s amazing what these cod eat, especially the bigger ones! These fish are top of the food chain in the underwater world and on the right day there’s not much that scares them.

Presentations still need to be thoughtful though, because the big fish have lived for many years and have seen quite a bit in their time. In popular waters I am sure they know the dangers of a boat, and those rattling doohickey things that come trundling past. If it’s good water, don’t be afraid to pull the boat up well short and drift in. Turn your sounder off, tip toe around the boat and make your first presentation from a distance and make it count. This approach works well at Wyangala.

I hope so! Cooler temperatures mean fewer water users, and at Lake Lyell that’s a real blessing. It’s been pretty busy and the bass fishing has been hit and miss. Hopefully with some stable autumn weather things will change.

Crucian carp will play a big part in where the fish are. They are very active in the early morning and late afternoon, flipping about chasing titbits on the surface and just below, and the bass will not be too far behind.

Surface lures will still be on the menu so don’t put them away just yet. With falling surface water temperatures the chance of the daily double (trout/bass) in the same session is well and truly on the cards. There aren’t too many lakes where you can do that, so think about your lure selection if that’s what you have in mind.

The summer season has seen a plenty of redfin coming over the side. Ben Chifley and Carcoar have both fished well, along with Oberon Dam. As the season progress we should see some bigger fish starting to appear. Around 40cm+ is what I call a better class of redfin, and they give a good account of themselves on light gear. On the table you won’t find many fish that will top them.

Soft bodied lipless cranks are a favourite of mine with the bigger fish. Sometimes it pays to throw a little wider of the main school (smaller fish), let the lure sink and rip it violently up from time to time as it sinks, then let it fall again. Stay just in contact with the lure as it falls with just a bit of slack line. If the line tics or jumps slightly on the way down, set the hook. If everything goes to plan you should have a good one boat side. Bigger redfin are shockers for throwing hooks at the net so make it count.

Hope to see you on the water soon. Until then, tight lines.