Spring has sprung in the South West but cold water species such as trout, tuna and salmon will still be the major focus for anglers in the month of September.

We had a couple decent rain events in July, which made the rivers rise and dirty up more than last season. Hopefully this will continue and have a positive effect on trout fishing in September. There have been good 2kg fish taken in the lower Merri and Hopkins during the winter sea run open season, but it’s been hard work for most. With all areas reopening on 3 September, trout anglers can spread throughout the local rivers and streams, as opposed to hitting the smaller region that was open over the winter months. I’ve had good success with the 9cm Daiwa TD minnows in dirty water, and switching to the 6cm models as it clears up.

The school run of bluefin has continued, when conditions allowed anglers to get amongst them. These fish have been further out than they can be at this time of year. The 50-60m range has produced goods. Bag limit catches have been easily achieved, once fish are located. No big fish landed locally has been like those at Portland. In past years, you would expect the tuna run to be pretty much over in September, but this time last year, fish as huge as 100kg were still around in September, so here’s hoping.

Local salmon beach hotspots like Levis and Killarney have cranked out good fish recently. Those strong northerly wind days that tend to wipe out options locally, are often good times to hit the beach in search of a salmon or two.

The bream and EP in the Hopkins haven’t been difficult to find lately. Large schools can be sounded up in the lower reaches. Getting them to bite is the issue. Coinciding a run-in tide with a high barometer can help, and depending on conditions, some good EP fishing can be had in September.

The Moyne River has continued to provide plenty of fun with trevally, mullet and salmon – all available around the boat ramp jetty on a high tide. The back passage area is always worth a look for decent trevally at this time of year.

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Good water flows in the river will get big browns like this on the move.

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School tuna continue to be in good numbers offshore.