Sometimes anglers can even surprise themselves with what they can achieve when they become a united group.

It has never been more apparent than the results that have been achieved at Lake Purrumbete. After the much-publicised rally on January 11 at the lake, locals and anglers made up a group of over 600 to protest the lack of access to this wonderful waterway, and a great result has been achieved.

Their aim was to get some action regarding boat access to the lake and now there is a temporary ramp, which had its official opening on March 5. This temporary ramp is giving boat anglers a chance to get back onto the best trout lake in Victoria. Making the opening day even better was the release of a further 10,000 fish into the lake.

A little chat to the caretakers at the park revealed what we had all hoped for; increased bookings and plenty of fish being caught. There have been quinnat (chinook) salmon to 3kg, plenty of browns from 2-3kg, rainbows up to 1.5kg and also plenty of redfin for those who like chasing numbers. The best method for the trout has been using mudeyes under a float around the weed beds. Fly and lure fishers have also been getting their share.

It will be interesting to see the results from Purrumbete over the next month or so, because there must be a good back log of fish just waiting to be caught.

Bullen Merri has been suffering from a pretty nasty algae bloom that has slowed things down. With poor water conditions making the bass competition a no-go, it was heartening to hear Paul Moskaljuk had landed a bass of 32cm on the last weekend of February. Taken while flat lining near the caves, Paul and his mates also missed a couple more on Jackall TN50s.

For Geelong anglers there is a bit more action at Wurdi Buloc with some nice trout moving along the east side. Bibbed lures have been a good way to go but, with a few warm afternoons and evenings, beetles and crickets could bring on some rising fish for the flyfishers.

The local rivers have had one of the best years for grasshopper fishing in a long time. The results for one or two wise local flyfishers have been trout to 1.5kg. Other anglers using lures in the lower sections of the Gellibrand River have been landing good numbers of browns, with some to 3kg.

With our typical calm warm autumn days there will be plenty of chances for anglers wanting to get into those Purrumbete fish. Get up there and give ’em a crack.