The record-breaking rainfall hasn’t affected fishing in the lakes in the same way as the rivers. In fact, it’s increased the water levels to the point where some lakes are covering new ground, which is bringing the trout closer to shore.

Before the rain came, reports indicated that the lake was fishing well, mainly for bait fishermen using earthworms, scrubbies and mudeyes under a float. While fly-fishermen were taking the odd trout to 2lb on caddis, pupae patterns worked very slowly.

The water level of the lake has increased and this has now induced the trout to the edges, feeding on washed in insects. Bait fishermen are still taking trout on the above-mentioned baits with the addition of yabbies for good-sized redfin.

There have also been reports of smelting trout much further out in the lake, with the best fly patterns being a size 10 Tom Jones and the Silver Doctor fly, both of which have caught some fly anglers brown trout to 3lb.

The coming month should see a continuation of bait fishing and also an increase in trout chasing the local smelt.

With the lake now well and truly full, reports have indicated that it’s starting to fish well to bait and fly fishermen. Mudeyes under a float have produced rainbow and brown trout to 2lb and for fly fishermen, grey Matukas and stick caddis are taking similar sized trout.

There was another report of some trout being taken with the use of the Tom Jones fly, as trout have been feeding on baby redfin fry. The best fishing locations have been along the northern shoreline and within the southwest corner.

This small lake is still fishing well for modest captures of redfin to half a pound and newly released trout on earthworms and scrubbies fished on the bottom, and mudeyes fished on top.

Fly-fishermen are finding the fishing tough, not getting a touch on wet fly patterns that have normally produced well. However, on windless evenings adult midges are bringing a few of the smaller trout to the surface, which has produced some good dry flyfishing for some anglers.

Bostock is fishing well for many good-sized redfin to half a pound, using worms and scrubbies. Fly fishermen are also taking some redfin on wet fly patterns with a touch of red in their construction; the best fly pattern has been size 8 red and black Matukas.

There have also been a few reports of trout smelting around the lake and fly-fisherman John Guljas caught a 1.5lb brown trout on a size 10 freshwater Clouser minnow. John said that some of the trout seen were easily in the 4-5lb range, but were difficult to reach with most smelting beyond casting range.

The water level has increased with the recent rain and reports have indicated that the lake is fishing well to bait fishermen catching redfin on worms from the banks. Better prospects however, are obtained fishing out of boat and working lures around the submerged tree structures.

Trout have been harder to catch with the occasional one coming to the net on earthworms and mudeyes and only the odd trout is being tempted by fly-fishermen using damsel nymph patterns.

The coming month should have better fishing prospects for bank anglers with the increase in the water level bringing the trout closer to shore. The best methods will be bait fishing with worms and scrubbies or flyfishing with attractor type flies like woolly buggers and Hamills killers worked close to the shore

Before the rainfall Jim Crow was reported to be fishing well to fly-fishermen working nymph patterns. The across and down technique has been the most productive method to take daylight trout. The only other time when the trout are showing themselves is in the evening within the last hour of light. Trout between 1-2lb in weight have been taken on size 16 Elk Hair Caddis dry flies. With the rainfall I haven’t received any reports, but I’d say it would be running high and fast, but shouldn’t take that long to come back to normal.

BEST FLIES ON THE LAKES

Termites- Yellow flying ant, yellow deer hair ant

Grasshoppers - Nobby Hoppers, Latex Hoppers, Banjo Hoppers

BEST BAIT FOR THE LAKES

earthworms

scrubbies

whitebait

mudeyes

powerbait

BEST LURES

Tassie Devils Gold winged- 89, 82, S12, Lazer Lures, Min Min lures, Wee Wobblers, Strike Pro Pygmy-205/ 71, Raider 10 and Maniac 7 and Tassie Devils-No- 63/ 6/ 38, Stumpjumper- Frog 25

SOFT PLASTICS

Glitter Minnows, Nippers, Swim Minnows, Power Frogs, Floating frogs, Atomic Grubs, long tail Minnows, Wriggle Tails, Bullheads, Squidgy fish.