After the amount of rain the border area has had over the past couple of months it is hard to believe that this time last year we were preparing for yet another long summer of drought.

The rain has been so plentiful that finally the local waterways are just about full. This might not sound like such a big thing but when they have been averaging only 50% or less over the past few years it’s a huge relief for the local farmers and anglers. Lake Hume is looking great. Sitting at around 90% full, it’s the best it has been in years. So far the fishing has been steady but there’s still plenty to look forward to.

The yellowbelly are starting to move but the inconsistent hot and cold weather over the past few months has made them a little more inactive then usual.

On the upside, reports of goldens are starting to pick up. I’ve found trolling in 4 to 5m best, the shallower water holding more fish due to its warmth. On my past few trips the Viking lures have cleaned up on the redfin and although I have yet to score a yella this year in the lake, given time I’m sure they’ll slay them as well.

Baitfishing around trees in water to 6m has been a good way to target reddies and from most reports there are quite a few nice ones to 1kg.

Lake Hume spillway is still firing with plenty of goldens averaging 1.5kg. The best way to target them is still with lures, with no particular brand prevailing – I’ve seen almost every type work down there. A slow retrieve is the only technique to remember when fishing below the wall because trying to imitate a stunned or distressed redfin that has been sucked through the wall is a must.

Being only 15 minutes from the Albury CBD, the weir wall is a great spot to try after work and the evening fishing is probably the best. But being so close to town, sometimes there are too many people down there to find a spot.

So here are a few more areas to try where I have had some success lately. The first area down from the wall is called the Water Works. It’s basically opposite the Albury airport and has some awesome snags with quite a few yellas kicking about. The second spot is even closer to town, around Gateway Island, which is where you cross from NSW to Victoria. This area has it all – awesome yellowbelly water, and later on in the season, it becomes a great place to target cod. There have been some real rippers caught there over the past few years.

If you have any questions or would like to fill me in on some local fishing reports, email me at --e-mail address hidden-- or call me on 0409 820 998.