G'day fishos. Another week and another few changes brought on. It's getting wearing working out what we can and can't do!
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If you live in NSW, nothing has changed this week. If you live in regional Victoria, you're now under the stage three restrictions.
As far as us fishos and hunters go, we are still allowed to go out and do our thing but no camping.
Apparently, it's written somewhere that these activities are now restricted to your "local" area and I'm sorry, but I haven't got the definition of local for you.
I know what I would class as local but everyone's definition could vary a bit so I'd say as long as you don't go crazy distances you can fish in Victoria.
As mentioned last week, the work on the Bowna and "Pines" boat ramps to make them a little more user-friendly has been approved. Not sure of the timetable though as yet. We'll try to keep you posted
AT A GLANCE
Dartmouth (53 per cent): Is going well with most success stories still revolving around flat lining and lead lining, with Tassies still being the most popular weapon of choice. Some of the fish catching colours have been the Greyhound and Golden Lab in the K-9 series, as well as the ever-popular Pink Panther and Black Thunder.
Streams: It's only four weeks until the opening of the Victorian trout season (Saturday, September 5) and like the whole year of 2020, it looks like being a pain in the bum for a lot of fishos that traditionally get out on that weekend but may not be able to.
Things can change fast though, so who knows? The streams themselves are looking great. We had enough rain to get those spawners running that's for sure. I suppose we'll just have to wait to see whether the weather is going to be kind and make for favourable conditions at the time.
The cod scene: has been ok with a few coming in on lure and bait in the Murray up and downstream of the Hume. Things will change in a few weeks on that scene too with the season closing on September 1 for three months, so if you're into your cod you'd better get motivated in a hurry.
Same goes for those that are into their crays, as the season also closes on September 1.
The crays have been great this year so now's the time to give them a crack because after August 31, you won't get another chance until June next year.
Blowering (66 per cent): is still producing big cod, particularly for bait fishos. They still aren't in big numbers but there's enough coming in to keep interest up and with one of 1.180 caught this week, that's enough to stir most fishos into having a crack.
Burrinjuck (47 per cent) and Wyangla (24.5 per cent): have both been reasonable too, with reasonable numbers of cod attracting quite a few fishos up that way. Big, soft plastics have been working well in both.
Eucumbene (28.2 per cent) and Jindabyne (52.7 per cent): would be pretty hard work this weekend you'd reckon but both are producing a few nice fish without being fantastic if you're thinking of heading up.
Flat lining and lead lining seem to be the popular methods in both at the moment.
Hume (52 per cent): was a bit slow for most trout fishos again last week but both the yellas and the reddies are certainly picking up.
We've heard of a few fishos catching both and the trick seems to be bait.
While the odd one's coming in by those flicking blades, vibes or plastics, bait fishos angling worms around timber in the 6 to 10-metre mark are definitely having the most success.
The odd trout are still being trolled.
Luckily, they're all big suckers and that's the thing that's giving most fishos the incentive to keep trying, I'm sure.
Tao Joos picked up a ripper 67cm model on Sunday after a couple of other fishless sessions, which isn't an uncommon story.
Simon and Lynda Graham trolled up two ripper trout on Saturday, as well as angling a nice yella on worms and most fishos are commenting on how much clearer the water's getting in some areas.
It was also great to see another 10,000 brown trout released into the Hume this week by Vic Fisheries, with the help of volunteers.
This was the last release of trout for the season for the Hume and brings this year's releases to 39,200, with a lot of the last release being around the 150mm size range, which is sure to help with survival rates compared to the old practice of stocking fingerlings.
Well done to all those involved.
Anyhow, if you're planning a trip out, tight lines.
Send your fishing photos to 0475 953 605.