Last month I reported that the Ballarat district had received above average rainfall in early autumn. Since then we’ve hardly had a drop of rain, similar to the last few years.

Our water storages are low and if we don’t receive exceptionally heavy rains during winter and spring, some our fisheries will disappear. The Ballarat district, like others, has already lost a few quality fisheries: Burrumbete, Learmonth and Wendouree to name just a few. The absence of these waters puts even more fishing pressure on the remaining ones.

Fishing around Ballarat during the latter part of autumn and early winter has been very good with perfect weather for those targeting trout or redfin.

The real winter weather will hopefully close in on us soon. Anglers will need to put on their wet weather gear and rug up to tackle the elements. Those who do will likely be rewarded with excellent catches of quality trout and redfin.

Tullaroop has again been the focus of many anglers with both rainbow and brown trout being caught and released lately.

Ballarat flyfisher Brian Hughes has been catching quality brown trout on fly. Smelt imitations have been successful and the fish have been chasing smelt up and down the shorelines and into the bays all over the reservoir.

All forms of angling have been effective in the last month including bait fished on the bottom and lures casting along the shore. If you take the time out to head up to Tullaroop you’re unlikely to be disappointed.

Beaufort Reservoir, located in the middle of Beaufort, has been fishing very well for both trout and redfin. It’s only a small water storage with an annual stocking of trout from DPI. But this water produces quality trout with reports of fish to 5lb being caught in good years.

Billy and Malcolm Stevens have been fishing Beaufort Reservoir of late and have been catching mainly rainbow trout up to 500g on mudeyes fished under bubble floats.

Lakeside Angling Club member Rod McMaster won the Ballarat and District Anglers Association Shield for the Lakeside Anglers Club at Newlyn. He landed 2 brown trout 1.445kg and 840g from amongst 45 anglers who fished the competition. Rod fished gudgeon on the bottom with a running sinker.

Newlyn has been one of the districts most consistent waters with other reports of trout and redfin caught over the last month. Winter is usually a very good time to fish Newlyn with quality trout chasing smelt throughout the reservoir. Flyfishers and lure casters fishing from the shore have done exceptionally well on these smelting trout.