The Australia Day holiday fell on a Wednesday this year, with many anglers choosing to take a few extra days either side of it to create a five day weekend. The weather was warm and settled for most of the week, with waters patrolled including Craigbourne Dam, Lakes Leake and Tooms, Woods, Arthurs and yingina/Great Lake, Pine Tier, Little Pine, Bronte / Bradys area, Nineteen Lagoons, Tyenna River and Lake Pedder.

Arthurs Lake was fishing well for fly anglers searching weedy areas, while those fishing wind lanes on yingina/Great Lake landed good numbers of both brown and rainbow trout. Trolling shallow and deep diving lures proved effective on yingina/Great Lake, with a very high percentage of well-conditioned rainbow trout coming to the net.

Western Lakes polaroiding was excellent, with Flora and O’Dells, Double Lagoon, Lake Kay and Howes Bay Lagoon all providing excellent fishing on dry flies.

Little Pine Lagoon was very popular over both weekends. While anglers found mayfly hatches inconsistent, those in the right areas at the right time landed some typically well conditioned fish. Anglers at Penstock, fishing small nymphs and stick caddis during quiet periods, increased their catch rate.  

On the rivers, the Tyenna, Meander and Mersey all fished well in spite of low flows.

The high rate of compliance was pleasing, with two infringements being issued. Three cautions were issued for minor boat safety offences and three for fisheries offences.

Anglers are reminded to be aware of the size and bag limits that apply to specific fisheries and to measure their fish. The minimum size limit for rainbow trout in yingina/Great Lake is 400mm with a bag limit of three. Any fish under the minimum size limit must be released. If the fish has swallowed the hook, fly or bait simply cut the line as the fish will digest it. Trying to remove an embedded hook will increase the chances of fish mortality post release.

Anglers should also ensure that lifejackets comply with the Australian Standard 4758 and that inflatable jackets and yolks have been serviced to the manufacturers specifications. This is typically an annual service.