The Gellibrand River has been a great spot to take one of these special natives for the last few months, but over the last month the local fishing fraternity have been chasing the bigger blackfish.

Louie Presani has been taking some nice fish during daylight hours, which is unusual for these nocturnal feeders, by presenting big bunches of un-weighted worms along the deeper banks.

But when size mattered it was local fishing writer Doug Lucas that turned up with a couple of 1.4kg rippers taken on yabbies that got everyone talking.

I better not forget Marg Osborne’s fish of 1kg that won the Colac Angling Clubs annual blackfish comp last month either.

There are still a few trout about in the river as well. Whether you are spinning with lures, using small plastics, floating crickets or grasshoppers or casting a fly during the day or evenings, there seems to be enough trout to go around.

They aren’t always huge but there are a few up to 2kg being taken. Lower down the river has good numbers of estuary perch and plenty of eels, which only enhances this river’s reputation even further.

Purrumbete has been a bit slower of late.

Redfin have been in excellent numbers for those who have been concentrating their efforts on them. As for the trout there have been a few exceptional captures, none better then Camperdown local Steve Riches who landed a magnificent female brown of 10.5lb.

This monster was taken on bullhead fished at 20m.

Ernie Ollington from Maryborough was also rewarded for his efforts with a nice brown of 5.5lb.

At present it seems rainbows around 1.5kg are showing up the most in anglers bags. These fish are mostly being taken on mudeyes fished under a float. Remember if you are having trouble getting mudeyes Marie and Darren at the park usually have a good supply.

Bullen Merri is clear and looks great, now we are just waiting for those big schools of minnows to come in along the banks.

Once this happens the action will change from a few rainbows on Powerbait to plenty of fish on lures and flies.

Wurdi Buloc is again worth a mention with water levels much higher then previous years. There have been reports of brown trout around 1.5kg being taken by fly anglers using nymphs; some have also been falling to lures.

Small redfin in plague proportions can be a hindrance at times.

West Barwon has been okay for browns and rainbows and as seems the norm for this water if you persevere casting a Tassie Devil or fishing a mudeye under a float, you will usually end up with a fish or two.