So, how do we anglers get our fishing fix when the cold winds close in?

If you have the appropriate clothing to deal with whatever the weather throws at you, there are many waterways open for trolling.

These diverse impoundments range from the snowy lakes of Eucumbene,  Jindabyne, Khancoban, Blowering,  Talbingo or Dartmouth to our own backyard in Lake Hume and, just a bit further into Victoria, there’s Eildon.

All of these lakes have their fair share of trout and all have the odd trophy or two just to make it interesting and exciting.  The most obvious method is to troll lures for the potential hook up with a decent trout, which is also the most popular.

There is no doubt that Wigstons or some other form of winged lure will spend the most time getting wet and most catches will be taken off these lures, yet other anglers will shun them and find rewards with other lures. Some of these lures are well known to any reasonable trout fisho – Nilsmaster Invincibles, Rapala floating or Count Down and bullets are but a few, and all find pride of place in my tackle box.

One important factor is to find the correct speed to troll these lures. This factor is so decisive that arguments often break out among the quietest of fishos. To me, I find many anglers troll too slowly, about 2.5km/h, whereas I will vary the speed from 3.5 up to 5km/h unless I’m trolling diving hard bodies and then 2.5km/h is suitable. Anglers who are using multi trolls such as cowbells, fordfenders or others of that ilk, should troll slower as the multi trolls will do all the work.

One little ploy is to jerk the rod forward sharply with a little force, then drop it back to make the lure imitate an injured fish, ensure you keep contact with the lure when you do this as often the fish will take the lure on the way back. Dawn and dusk are the prime times, but if you alter your strategy and troll deeper as the sun gets higher you might be pleased.

Work out where you want to troll before you get out on the water, as this will maximise prime time fishing. If that doesn’t work, broaden the working area further.

Don’t be content to work the same water all day – change the depths you are working, look for fishy areas such as soaks, rocky points or grassy banks covered by rising water. If you’re a bait fisho, any trout will find a well-presented mudeye irresistible, and floating them around sunken timber or drowned trees the best way to go. Another alternative is letting a scrubworm float to the bottom with as little weight as possible is another great way to nail a good trout.

The simple fact remains you have to get out there to catch fish, as you won’t catch them in front of your heater. Though at least you will be warm.