Well another summer has quickly rolled around and I’m feeling rather optimistic about the prospects and variety in the northeast.

Reasonable winter and spring rains have the rivers running just nicely for trout anglers and hopefully some more bumper cod will fulfil my angling cravings.

What a primetime it is for fly anglers up this way and Nariel Creek is always a very reliable location. Upstream indicator nymphing will be productive, or if we get some really hot weather come our way, the ’hoppers might be out and a hopper pattern fished close to the overhanging structure will be a sure bet.

The Swampy Plains tailrace downstream of Khancoban Pondage, as well as the Murray River itself down to Towong, is renowned for its flyfishing this month. The evening rises can be awesome. Stockings of rainbow trout a few years back for the Australian Fly Fishing Championships have now blossomed and there are plenty of these fat rainbows to 1.5kg+.

Downstream below Tintaldra, the Jingellic, Dora Dora area always produces cod this month. There is a very good chance that the river will be running rather high and coloured so bait will be the best option. Look around for the slacker water or slightly deeper waters and fish the ever-reliable bardis, shrimp and worm cocktail or even jump onboard the ‘cheese’ bandwagon. Judging by the cheese craze, it’s obvious that the smell is the most important factor.

Catch scents like the Bait’em or Halco brands would certainly help. Lures will still work here. The cod will most likely respond to a big spinnerbait with double Colorado blades being most appropriate. These blades transmit plenty of vibration to get the attention and gold blades I’ve found to be far better in the coloured water.

I’m very excited about the cod fishing prospects ahead. The river should have settled just nicely. From Myrtleford to Wangaratta is certainly very restricted water and very fast and shallow – and great for the canoe. This is spinnerbait water and there are plenty of golden perch.

Below Wangaratta to the Murray Valley Highway crossing near Bundalong, the river changes completely. Steep clay banks and timber galore provides plenty of great habitat. Traditional hard-bodied lures trolled or cast have produced some fantastic fishing for us. The water here always seems to be rather dirty even when low but fishing with confidence is the go. Canoes or small tinnies that draw very little water are the best options as far as fishing it goes.

CAP

Wow! The author considers this close to the Holy Grail in the northeast Victoria. Aaron Lezius came up trumps on this monster 96cm river cod casting a spinnerbait from the canoe.