The chill of August bared its teeth, sending the yellowbelly deep and searching for their electric blanket. The result for the angling community was a tale of the ‘haves’, and ‘have nots’.

Those guys who did get amongst the fish caught them on bait, both on the banks and jigging around structure. The humble worm was the preferred option, along with dead yabbies.

Fish caught this month included a cracking eight yellowbelly up to 580mm long from Mark Rich and the boys of the Wellington Fishing Club.

It seems that the new must-have item to put next to your tackle box is a 4lb mallet. If fish have been sounded around structure but are inactive, a good flogging against the tree with the mallet to arrest the fish from inactivity (or their electric blankets) will first scatter the fish from their tree, then see them come back frisky and aggressive.

Yellows and catfish are also being plundered off the bank, but these are the exception to the rule.

With warmer conditions setting in, we’re sure to see the fishing fire up and see the Lake at its best.

For all of your bait and fishing supplies, call the Lake Burrendong Holiday Park kiosk on 02 6846 7460. More information on the lake is available at www.lakeburrendong.com.au .