In our area the headwaters of the Murray above Tintaldra Bridge will now be open for anglers, this includes the Swampy Plains River as well. The waters up this way will all be running high and very cold and will be a tad difficult to fish yet the fishing could be memorable.

These rivers, although not as popular as they were 40 years ago, are still well worth the effort even if you don’t catch many fish. Carp have long made their presence felt well up the Indi River which has to some degree taken the gloss off this long established opening.

Above the influence of the Swampy Plains River, the flow of water almost halves however this water is still extremely cold due to snow melt and can be very difficult to wade. Smaller lures like Vibraxes Celtas and Jensen Insect are much more popular, then on the big deep pools heavier Wigston or small diving lures will be effective.

Below the Bringenbong Bridge the water is much more accessible by boat and to this end there is a gravel boat ramp just over the NSW side of the bridge. This water is far more suited to bigger heavier lures such as Wigston’s, sluk’s and the wide variety of spoons than run a little deeper, one of my favourite lures is the Pegron Tiger Minnow, which is now back on tackle store shelves.

Have been a few reports of anglers chasing Murray Cod just for catch and release purposes in a few local waterways. This is breaking the law and it’s as simple as that, so don’t rig up with big lures and chase a Cod even if you’re going to release it, they are spawning so let’s just let them be. There are some waters open all year round for Murray Cod such as Lake Eildon so if you are in doubt call Fisheries or your local Tackle store, and failing all that just simply chase Yellas. If you do happen to catch a Cod while trolling for yellowbelly do not take it out of the water for a pic just let it go immediately.

This competition is rapidly approaching and I hope the people who wish to fish this comp have already registered and paid up. Just a thought, get your tackle ready now rather than the week before and if you need to organise bait, do it now so you’re well prepared.

Below the Hume Dam wall is arguably the hottest spot at the moment for trout fishos as some thumping Brownies have been caught there in the last week. Josh Read got in amongst them up near the line the  last Monday, Jasmine Morunga also nailed a good fish over 6lb on homemade leadfish as well. Lead fish with feathered hooks still the best by a long way.

Lake Hume still more miss than hit. Keep an eye on the sounder as most fish appear around 8-12m and those angler that have worked that depth have managed to land the odd couple. Yellas still very quiet, a few reports on lurecasting with bibless crankbaits are catching a few smaller fish. One customer of Compleat Angler Lavington, Peter, would like to thank the anonymous angler who with great honesty attached his lost keys to be easily found when he went back there.

The rivers and streams are average, still a lot of cold water coming off the snow and at Dart Dam you need to go a little deeper. Down rigging around the 8m is working well but you may need to adjust your depth depending on conditions.

Lake Jindabyne and Eucumbene are fishing well both from the bank with bait and lures, and for trolling as well. The Albury Wodonga Sportsfishing Club boys are at Jindy as I write this, and all early reports are good. Fish up to 1.5kg have been trolled on a variety of Rapalas and Wigstons flatlining and a couple of good fish nailed on leadline and 11cm Rapalas. The road to Tantangara should be opened too, so it’s all looking good for the long weekend.

Send your fishing pictures to 0475 947 279.