With constant wild storms and snowfalls since last month alpine region lakes are virtually idle this winter.

Most are not being fished to any noticeable degree by locals or visitors, however on the positive side all that lousy weather will ensure some great fishing in September when the trout fishing season opens again.

Both Rocky Valley and Pretty Valley reservoirs adjacent to Falls Creek remain inaccessible for fishing this month, with high snowdrifts surrounding both waters and blocking all access roads. Which is unfortunate as the former contains a large stock of wild-bred rainbow trout that reach in excess of 4kg in weight.

These very waters are used on a regular basis for both the state and national flyfishing championship events held bi-annually in late November/ early December: on at least one occasion for an international event. This is because they are so well populated with medium to large sized wild-bred rainbow trout and brown trout and located in such wonderful country.

During summer, many shore based anglers come here and many a trophy fish is caught by comparative beginners to trout fishing.

Lake Guy is located right in Bogong Village, which is exactly half way between the township of Mount Beauty and Falls Creek Ski Village on the Bogong High Plains Road. The lake is just on half full at present and is being kept low as engineers and workers finish building a new hydro-generator at the head of the lake. It seems that nobody has been fishing the lake for some time now, although brown trout to 1.25kgs are commonly caught by bait anglers fishing around the shoreline in summer.

The Kiewa River from Mt Beauty through Tawonga to Mongans Bridge is running hard and high this month and is closed to trout fishing until September. However, the section downstream from Keegans Bridge remains open for fishing for species other than trout.

The Ovens River is closed to trout fishing until September but open for fishing for native and other fish species. The river is running high and fast as good rains continue to swell all alpine rivers this month, so be careful not to slip on the muddy shoreline and fall in.

Lake Catani at Mt Buffalo is 100% full of ice cold water and is often surrounded by light snow in winter, making it only occasionally fished at this time. The lake holds large numbers of wild-bred rainbow trout to around 750gm on average, which are caught from around the shoreline in summer. Some locals believe that better sizes could be achieved if more anglers fished Catani and took these smallish fish out.

Mount Beauty pondage is currently full and fishing extremely well this month as anglers ply their lines around the shoreline during the afternoon as a rule, as the morning is often too cold and uncomfortable for them.

Nevertheless, there have been several reports of rainbow trout to 1.25kg being caught, although most have been around or below 650gm in weight.

Alpine fishing conditions can change very quickly whatever the season, so for the latest update phone Geoff Lacey at Angling Expeditions Victoria on (03) 5754 1466 or check out website www.anglingvic.com.au