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First And Last Light
  |  First Published: February 2006



Anglers should avoid the midday heat and fish the cooler periods of first and last light. Fishing at night is also a good option. January’s best fishing went to bait and fly anglers and this should continue in February.

Newlyn

Bait fishermen have been catching trout from 1 to 3lb using mudeyes and live minnows under bubble floats and whitebait fished on the bottom. Lure fishermen have landed some nice trout casting heavy lures such as Tasmanian Devils from the dam wall.

Daybreak to mid-morning has been the best time to fish. The action has stopped as the days have heated up, often creating calm surface conditions.

Flyfishing has been quiet most days, but Neil Day reported that night fishing the lake has produced trout to 2lb. Neil recommends using big wet flies that create a good silhouette, such as size 10 Craig’s Night-times and Hamills Killers.

Hepburn

Bait anglers have been fishing live minnows under floats and scrubworms on the bottom, and landing trout to 2lb. Flyfishers have found the fishing tough with the odd trout taken on stick caddis and damsel nymph patterns. Fish the western shoreline at first and last light for best results.

Deans

Deans Reservoir has responded well to mudeyes fished under bubble floats with spider mudeyes the favourite. The last two hours of light has been the best for bait anglers with brown trout to 1lb on offer. Flyfishermen have been scoring trout by working wet fly patterns such as black Matukas, and B.M.S. flies along the dam wall.

Malmsbury

Anglers fishing earthworms and scrubbies in the weedbeds have been landing rainbow trout to 400g. Lure anglers have had success with Tassie Devils, Celtas and Rooster Tails. Flyfishermen have found the smelting trout along the shoreline hard to catch, however the odd trout to 1lb has been landed on Tom Jones and B.M.S. flies. The best fishing has been along the dam wall.

Campaspe River

This river has had a nice flow and the fishing has been best for bait and lure fishermen. Trout have been taken on scrubworms fished on the bottom with some good golden perch taken by locals on trolled StumpJumpers.

Lauriston

With a good water level this lake has produced numerous redfin for bait anglers and the odd trout to 1lb. The most successful method has been earthworms fished on the bottom, especially near weedbeds.

Flyfishermen have taken a lot of redfin fishing big wet flies and the odd trout on midge patterns during calm conditions.

Wombat reservoir

A good water level has produced some nice fishing for bait anglers along the dam wall. Flyfishermen have caught the odd trout on midge dry flies when the natural insects are hatching. These midge hatches are very dependent on the weather. A gentle presentation is important in these conditions.

All trout taken have been small rainbows to 250g with the odd one to 500g. The coming month should see midge dry fly fishing continue with the evening fishing period best.

Pykes Creek Reservoir

The trout fishing at Pykes has been poor of late, but the reservoir has been fishing well for small redfin, probably because of the hot weather. Anglers have been catching big numbers on earthworms, scrubbies and red No 1 Celtas. Flyfishermen have had success on the redfin too using sinking lines with big wet flies. The recommended area has been in and around Doctor’s Creek.

Facts

FEBRUARY Ballarat flies

Midgessize 20/18 Spackle midge, red midge, black midge, rabbit midge.

Mudeyessize 10 olive green and brown Cruddlers, Hamills Killers, Mrs Simpsons, and Craig’s Night-times.
Nymphssize 14/12/10 gold bead head nymphs, weighted Flashback nymphs, Pheasant Tail nymphs, weighted black and brown Seals Fur nymphs.

Damsel nymphsbead eyed damsel, mono eyed damsel, olive green Woolly Bugger.

Adult stonefliessize 16/14 Wonder Winged Stonefly.

Smelting fliesB.M.S. in grey and silver, Bag flies and Tom Jones.

Other wet fliessize 10/12 Hairy Dogs, red and black Matukas, red Woolly Buggers, Zulus and Red Tags.

Caddis patternsstick caddis

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