This highly successful fishing competition heralds the end of the trout season in both states, in the rivers only while the dams such as Eucumbene, Jindabyne, Khancoban, Dartmouth and even our own Lake Hume are open all year.

After midnight on Monday of the Queen’s Birthday weekend all angling is banned in the Mitta above Peters Bridge or any tributary that runs into the river above there with the exception of Dartmouth Dam and Banimboola Pondage.

The Kiewa River and tributaries there of, are closed upstream from Keegans Bridge however Rocky Valley, Pretty Valley (access difficult due to snow) and Mount Beauty Pondage will be open all year.

Downstream of those bridges and in other Victorian waters of the North East you can fish for other species but if you catch a trout you must return it back to the water as quick as possible.

New South Wales trout waters close the same time as Victorian waters and the Murray upstream of the road bridge at Tintaldra is closed to all fishing.

The Murray below Lake Hume is open all year there is no closed season for trout and any trout caught can be kept.

As mentioned all lakes remain open all year and you can fish up to where the flowing waters of the river meet the backed up water of the dam.

If you are in any doubt call your local tackle shop to get confirmation on any angling rule.

Dartmouth Dam can be an imposing complicated body of water to fish, being deep and having such a large surface area. 

Only two hours up the road from Albury and Wodonga,  this  lake will be the mainstay of trout anglers in the area  despite the isolation and vagaries of the weather.

The most useful item of tackle on this dam, as in most impoundments is a reliable sounder as they can help you find fish and also find the thermocline.

This section of the water column is the most comfortable water for trout and on your sounder can appear as a line running along the screen or other times just sporadic fish symbols at a similar depth.

Last weekend this depth, despite the weather was 18 metres, and those who had downriggers did get amongst the fish.

By setting  the bomb to run just above the thermocline you can troll right through the fish.

Trolling with a leadline outfit as well as flat line trolling also worked but not as well as downrigging.

On leadlines, three colours is all you really need, more than that the effect of the line diminishes very quickly.

If you still not getting into some fish you may need to let the lure run further back usually 20 metres is enough but at times 50 or more metres  may be bring more joy.

Don’t be deterred from experimenting in depth, distance from the boat and speed which can be as important as changing a lure.

 Just an early reminder  the Lake Hume Classic is on October 22-23 and entry forms are out already, major prize is a Quintrex Mercury Package as well as many other prizes for longest trout, yellowbelly, redfin and carp in junior and senior sections. This is a great weekend and well worth getting organised for early.