Since I started writing for V&FM 6 years ago this is by far the leanest 4 months of any new year that I can remember and I put it down to a few things.

Firstly, the explosion of boat traffic such as wake board and ski boats, jet skis, big cruisers and also a big increase in anglers as well. As a local it really blew my mind how popular Lake Eildon has become; the road this summer just seemed to be a boating super highway – it was endless!

Also, the change in the weather pattern, which was a bizarre summer to say the least, I believe has unsettled the fish and has shortened the bite patterns that natives have. Trying to work it all out does my and a lot of other fishos heads in, this change in weather also meant a lot more water would be released into the Goulburn River with up to 9,000ML every day. This equating to a 9-10cm drop in water level each day, and this is going to shut ‘em down!

Last but not least is the sheer number of baitfish. The amount of baitfish available to natives at the moment is ludicrous and certainly explains the massive growth rats seen in the cod released about 3 years ago, they’ve have already reached between 50-60 cm, which is awesome.

Pretty soon the irrigation release will cease and the lake will start to maintain and slowly rise. This, I’m hoping, will be the change in fortunes for all of us that fish here on a regular basis. Bring ‘em on I say!

Recently local Milky took his 3 boys Tommy, Coey and Javi out for a fish and the boys were wrapped when they landed and released an extremely fat 72cm cod.

There’s still very few reports of yellowbelly or redfin down the Eildon end, but there have been some beautiful big brown trout up to 4.5lb getting caught flat lining Tassie Devils in the main arm.

The pondage is still fishing superbly even though it’s up and down like a yoyo, which is odd for this time of year. On a recent trip to the ponds Michael Koumanidis and his partner Catherine did well with the cheese and kisses landing a beautiful brown on a pink crackled Tassie Devil.

There have been loads of quality fish landed of late on bait with mudeye and local dough the best baits.

The Goulbourn is still gin clear and in astonishing condition. There’s fish everywhere with numerous people cracking double figure sessions of both rainbows and browns up to 5lb. There’s even a few platypus moving about. Both bait and lure are working well. For lures, make sure there’s plenty of gold in the pattern.