Redfin, trout are on the chew in Lake Hume

It was like flipping back to 2016 when everyone could see the dam rising rapidly toward capacity, predictions from every forecaster known to man was for heavy rain, but they stubbornly held onto that liquid gold until it was too late, flooding downstream.

It was all unfolding before our eyes again - and it was just extremely lucky for everyone concerned that there was no follow-up rain during the week, and bugger all predicted for this week. That's given those in charge just enough time.

Last Monday, there was around 75,000 ML coming into Hume with just more than 25,000 going out, although releases increased to nearly 31,000 by Thursday.

Now, I know that farmers and businesses that buy and work on flood prone land should expect a flood every once in a while, but it must be frustrating when just about everyone can sit back and frustratingly see dramas unfolding.

I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but in this case, the rising dam has been a topical discussion with just about every fisho and cocky I've been talking to for the last month.

On the flipside, I can also imagine the pressure on those that are in the unenviable position of making the decision on when that release button must be pressed, and how hard it has to be pushed.

When you consider water prices are predicted to reach around $141 per ML this year, there's a lot of responsibility and accountability in the case of any stuff ups I'd reckon.

Just to give you a rough example, Hume holds just over 3,000,000ML. One per cent of that is 30,000ML.

If we multiply that by the $141, it means each and every per cent of water in Hume Dam is worth $4,230,000.00

Now, with that in mind you can understand why they try and catch and hold every drop possible, particularly when they've oversold what they can deliver, and every man and his nut farm is screaming for it.

Dartmouth (76.5 per cent) - nobody I know had seen it for a few weeks and we were starting to wonder if it still existed, but that changed in a hurry yesterday.

Plenty of fishos would have shot up there to enjoy their new freedom. Unfortunately, due to lead times, we didn't get reports back quick enough to be able to fill you in with any gory details.

Those recent rains certainly made it jump a fair bit in the last week, in fact nearly 3 per cent.

The break via COVID and the rise in level should only mean good things, you'd suspect. I know of lots of fishos that have had their boats packed and ready to go for quite a while, so I'm sure we'll have plenty to write about next week.

Please keep in mind the businesses on the track up and back too. They've seen virtually no one for weeks and would certainly appreciate you dropping in, saying g'day and making a purchase, no matter how small.

Streams - are at least accessible for all you Victorians now. While they'll probably still be a tad high, I'm sure they'll be fishable in a lot of areas.

You'd think it'd be hard for any self-respecting trout to resist a Vibrax spinner, a small Rapala or a well-presented scrubbie despite the high water, since they haven't seen one for so long.

Hume Dam (98 per cent) - is fishing well, with redfin and trout continuing to co-operate.

There were a number of ripper trout caught this week.

Again, Tassies seem to be going as well as anything else, with the K-9s in the heeler or greyhound colours doing better than most.

The reddies are still going bait and lure, with trollers going OK on McGraths and Halco Poltergeists, in particular, with a plastic above.

The plastic above is also a must for fishos casting vibes and bait fishos - it certainly increases your strike rate.

Average size of the reddies is well over 25cm for most, so they're well worth chasing. There's also been some nice yellas starting to show up.

There wouldn't be many better than the 68cm caught by young Jake Power during the week on a fish trap while flicking for reddies though.

The Murray - just below the wall has been tough going, with the spray and wind created by both turbines being open.

Although, the odd trout to 2.5kg is coming in - though most fish are averaging 1kg, and not in huge numbers.

There's been some decent reports downstream toward Albury too, with some solid trout being caught on gravel bars spinning and on worms.