Here we are, almost halfway through the football season.

And no, my team is not in the hunt, unlike George’s.

His mob is on top, but would you believe last night, or should I say late last week, I was listening to Test cricket?

Bit of a mixed-up season.

I should have gone fishing instead.

The reason being that the local fishing has been a winner following the recent rain.

The rain perked up the rivers and streams for the fish.

The secret to getting results is to fish close to the banks, use worms and stand back.

The fish will virtually jump on the hook — well, maybe.

What happens is the rain and the ensuing water rise washes fresh bait into the water and feeds hungry fish.

The morning frost is enough to keep even the most ardent angler second-guessing about wetting a line.

But then, the idea of catching a feisty rainbow trout or a brown trout forms in their mind.

You can spend nearly as much time looking for bait as you do fishing with it.

That, I suppose, is half the fun.

Bait gathering for saltwater is a lot simpler — mostly fish fillets, unless you are after special fish such as weed-eating types like luderick.

Most saltwater fish will eat any other fish, such as mullet, garfish, stripey tuna, etc.

One of the most versatile baits for saltwater fishing is squid.

You can even buy squid tubes in the supermarket.

Back to freshwater fishing.

Most reports indicate cod and yellowbelly are biting, as well as trout.

It all depends on which you prefer to catch.

At Dartmouth, fishing for trout is still best in the morning from first light through until noon when it slows down until just on dusk.

Trolling a fender baited with a bunch of worms, or a mudeye, even a clown-pattern Tassie devil or minnow-style hard body lure, all seem to work.

Trout do not seem to be too fussy at this time of year.

Trolling pace is best at around walking speed, and keep close to the tree line.

The best spots are from the boat ramp, clockwise to the wall, then follow the shoreline all the way to Larson’s Cutting.

Then back to the main bay and return to the boat ramp.

Keep an eye out for inflow gutters and pressure areas.

Do a circle around them.

You can do a similar pattern in both the Mitta and Dart arms.

While the pondage below the spillway looks good, I have never really fished that area much.

If you intend to keep a fish, always place it in a slurry of ice and water.

It will keep better.

Mostly, I let most of what I catch in fresh water go.

I am a saltwater snob.

Or should I say, I prefer eating saltwater fish, and catch and release those I catch in fresh water.

Just a quick aside — when heading to Dartmouth, always give a thought to Lake Hume.

It’s on the way to the Dart, and if the redfin are on the bite, a couple of hours can be time well spent.

Now a look at saltwater fishing.

Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters said he was still bagging a few resident snapper.

But the main run was still a few months away — in September or October.

He was also catching flathead and was seeing bluefin tuna off Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.

But catching one was tough.

Rod said that Portland was still the best spot for tuna.

North of the NSW border at Eden, John Liddell said the boys from Freedom Charters were catching snapper and morwong on the inshore reefs, as well as kingfish.

The same went for Narooma, according to Graham Cowley.

Well, that is it for the end of the week.

Just thought I would let you know I spent a night in the GV hospital.

And let me say, the way I was looked after was magnificent.

My thanks to all the staff and nurses.

See you all next week.

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Monday, 5th May 2025

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