Early March is still like summer, and late March is perfect autumn.

The trout action was in the rivers and streams in February with many fly and lure fishers benefiting from this.

Many rivers along the northwest are doing well but the best include the Leven, Forth, Mersey, Black, Duck, Inglis, Dentition and Cam rivers.

Best methods are fly fishing and spinning, but bait has been taking a few fish here and there, with the only baits that really works are worms and grasshopper.

The lures of choice for spinning would have to be the celta andany kind of spoon lure. For the fly fishers the patterns of choice would have to be grasshopper patterns such as Letort Hopper, Chernobyl Hopper, Yellow Hopper or a Royal Wulff.

Flathead where hitting very hard in February and anglers just couldn't keep up with the numerous places to target the fish.

The best spot is Sisters Beach; this has been the most consistent.

Best tackle to use is either bait or lure but mainly soft plastics because you needed to keep your lure on the bottom where the flathead are laying and waiting; this is easier with soft plastics. If fished correctly hardbodied lures can also be very effective. These flathead should continue into March.

Trout will just get thicker as March goes on. All the usual lakes and rivers will be firing like Lake Burbury, Lake Mackintosh, Huntsman Lake, Lake Mikany and many more. As I mentioned above the rivers such as Mersey, Leven, Forth, Black, Duck will be fantastic, especially if we get decent autumn rain.

If you’re heading off bait fishing then I suggest you do a bit of leg work and catch some grasshoppers.

Although the cooler weather will arrive in March, there is still a lot of opportunity to catch Australian salmon.

March sees salmon right across the coast, but it will be all about picking the right spots and using the same gear that has been working thought the summer months.

When it comes to salmon, bait such as bluebait or squid can be used in the rivers, or out in the surf and lure fishing soft plastics, bright coloured Tassie Devils, silvers slices and fluoro or shiny minnow shaped deep divers are the go.

A good tip if you are out surf fishing for these salmon is to use a surf popper in your rig.

Luke Williams caught a ripper fish on a blue surf popper; they are always a good thing to incorporate in your rig.