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Frosts fire up the fishing
  |  First Published: April 2007



Late April around here usually means our first frosts. Note that I said usually; the way the weather has been lately it could happen at any time.

Frosts cool the water quickly, creating a sign for native fish such as golden and silver perch, Murray cod, and catfish to stock up their fat reserves for the Winter.

The Easter break also coincides with a full moon which, for many anglers, is a great pointer to good fishing.

This is also a great month for trout fishing on the Central Tablelands.

Creeks and rivers such as the Fish River around Tarana and the Duckmaloi out around Oberon have not looked this good for a long time. Recent rains have lifted water levels, allowing trout to move out of bigger pools.

With the rain all manner of critters get washed in. I have found large brown and black nymphs to be great flies to use at this time.

Dry-fly fishing at this time of year can also be quite good. Small Black Spinners presented in a proper, delicate manner to rising fish are rarely refused.

Grasshoppers are usually quite prevalent as well at this time of year so it will pay to have some patterns in the fly box. Hopper patterns are great if you are just starting out flyfishing on streams and rivers because your presentation does not have to be subtle. In fact, sometimes the heavier your fly hits the water, the better.

TROUT DAMS

This time last year Lake Wallace and Lake Lyell really fired up with some great fishing off the bank. Most of the rainbow trout from Wallace were 500g to a kilo, which is a good average size. This year they should be just a little bigger.

Spoons of various profiles and colours worked well when cast from the shore. Berkeley PowerBait should also work well.

Lake Lyell has the added attraction of a healthy brown trout population.

These fish feed surprisingly close to shore at this time of year. In fact most keen bait anglers I know who fish the dam set their rods up 2m or 3m away from the bank and sit a little farther back. Sometimes a cast may only be two or three meters out.

Low light periods and cloudy days are best for this method of fishing.

COD FEEDING

The April frosts are a big trigger for Murray cod to feed up. Wyangala Dam unfortunately has had a fair flogging this year with low water levels and increased anglers so the cod are a little shy. Anglers who think outside the square will do best this month.

You can catch me Saturday mornings, usually around 5.15am, on 2KY’s Hi-Tide with Kieran and Bruce for the latest fishing information on the Central Tablelands.

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