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The wait is over
  |  First Published: September 2006



After three slow months of fishing in our region we can look forward to some great trout fishing. From reports coming through at the store, anglers are excited about the new season and will be out in force during September.

The early parts of the season are great for bait drifting because fish will be closer to the surface looking for worms and bugs that have been washed off the banks. Try using a 7’-plus soft-tipped graphite rod with a large scrub worm on a size 6 Baitholder hook on 6lb or lighter line. Place one or two splitshots about 10cm up the line. Use the smallest shot possible so the scrub worm can drift close to the surface with a short to medium cast.

Wading in the river facing upstream, cast your bait drifting rig using a ‘shotgun’ method. The shotgun method involves multiple short casts around small to medium structure along the river’s edge. Small, wispy twigs are ideal. The scrub worm should be drifting with the current while maintaining a lightly looped line. Ensure that you always keep the loop ahead of your rod tip. When the scrub worms gets to within 60cm of your rod tip, retrieve and re-cast upstream.

Coating your line with a line floatant, such as Gink, gives the line a high, floating action which provides greater drift and strike visibility. Always strike on every movement. Although eight out of 10 will be sticks, the other two will be fish!

Lilydale Lake has been fishing well for trout, redfin and carp over the past few weeks. Young Tom outfished his father again at Lilydale Lake. Chris landed two small fish and Tom took the best for the day, a 640g trout. Mudeyes under a bubble float proved the winning combination. David also landed three good-sized carp from the weed beds just up from the boat ramp. Scrub worm and sweet corn are the best baits for carp.

The Yarra around Warburton and above always fishes better during the three-month lead-up to Christmas. The ideal conditions are late afternoon, after a warm sunny day with an early insect rise. These conditions suit fly and spinning anglers. This is when you will get specular termite hatches which result in a feeding frenzy for trout. Even though it happens only a few times in a season, when it does the action is worth the wait.

The area around Warrandyte has been very slow for redfin and won’t be fishing at its best until later in the year. However, don’t be put off, try the shallower areas around the bridge and in Wonga Park off Reserve Road.

Had some success? Send me the details via email at --e-mail address hidden-- . And include the angler, species, where caught (you don’t need to give me all your secrets) and bait, lure or flies that you used.

For up-to-date Yarra Valley fishing information contact the boys at Compleat Angler in Ringwood on (03) 9870 7792 or better still drop in at 92 Maroondah Hwy– we’re open seven days a week with plenty of top quality fresh bait and a great selection of freshwater gear.

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