.png)
This week, another species has stolen the spotlight from the giant southern bluefin tuna that have dominated reports over the past few weeks. Trout anglers have been enjoying an outstanding start to the season, while our estuaries continue to fire on all cylinders. Let's take a look at what's been keeping anglers' lines tight this week.
Freshwater
As mentioned above, the trout fishing has been exceptional for the opening weeks of the season. Local rivers have been producing quality fish on both artificial lures and live baits, with many anglers taking advantage of our Winter Trout Competition to chase that trophy fish. Judging by the entries so far, plenty have succeeded.
Numerous trout pushing the 60cm mark have been landed, although they've varied greatly in condition. Everything from the disproportionately fat fish young gun Ferg landed in town through to the long, lean fish in the upper Hopkins has been eagerly taking larger hardbody lures and paddle-tail soft plastics worked around runs and deeper pools.
Emu Creek has received the strongest flows of any local waterway and is carrying plenty of foam. While many anglers avoid these conditions, don't overlook the fish hiding beneath it. If you can present your lure or soft plastic below the foam without fouling, you'll often find trout waiting underneath.
The junction of the Hopkins River and Emu Creek has also become a popular destination for anglers prepared to put in a short walk before wetting a line. We'd like to thank the local landholders who continue to allow public access through this section of river. Please respect the privilege by taking all rubbish home and leaving gates and property exactly as you found them. Access like this can quickly disappear if it's abused.
The lower Merri River continues to carry thick duckweed, which is fairly typical for this time of year. It can make trolling difficult, as weed collects on your line before catching on leader knots or split rings, causing your lure to spin unnaturally. Instead, look for clear pockets amongst the weed and concentrate your casting efforts there.
The Daiwa Double Clutch continues to be one of the South West's most consistent trout lures, and this season is proving no different. The 60mm model has been particularly effective in the lower Merri, closely matching the size of the abundant baitfish throughout the system.
Further upstream, where water flow is stronger, larger hardbodies have been accounting for plenty of fish. Rapala lures, particularly in the ever-reliable Spotted Dog pattern, have been flying off the shelves. Floating F7, F9 and even F11 models have all been standout performers. Don't overlook the classic Perch pattern either, especially when fishing discoloured water.
There have also been a few welcome surprises below the Hopkins Falls, with anglers landing some beautiful estuary perch on these larger lures. It's not a species commonly encountered in this stretch at this time of year, but nobody is complaining when they're nudging the high-40cm mark.
Lake Bullen Merri has continued its excellent run over the past couple of weeks, with word now well and truly getting around. Several busy days have been reported as anglers target the lake's quality trout.
Most successful anglers have stuck with proven techniques such as trolling using downriggers or paravanes to precisely target the depth the fish are holding. Good electronics are invaluable, allowing anglers to locate thermoclines, bait schools and active fish before setting their spread.
Over at Lake Purrumbete, anglers have enjoyed consistent action on both redfin and quality trout patrolling the weed beds. Bent Minnows have been particularly effective along the weed edges, producing both brown trout and some impressive tiger trout. A steady retrieve is all that's needed, and the visual strikes make for some exciting fishing.
Estuaries
The Hopkins River has fished exceptionally well this week, with quality bream becoming much more active as they've adjusted to the dirty water pushing through the system.
Ben and Gordon Jeffery made the trip across from Mount Gambier and enjoyed an outstanding session, landing multiple bream over 40cm within a few hundred metres of the Jubilee Park boat ramp. We haven't seen fishing like this for quite some time, so hopefully it's a sign of what's to come.
Winter schooling has certainly begun, with large concentrations of fish now holding throughout the middle reaches of the river. From Rowans Lane right through to the mouth, sounders have been lighting up with schools. While many are smaller estuary perch moving downstream to spawn, there are also some very large mulloway mixed amongst them.
Imagine casting for perch one minute before suddenly hanging on to a fish that's determined to empty your spool—that's certainly a possibility at the moment.
Unfortunately, two large mulloway have recently been found dead in the river. At the same time, we've also sounded plenty of healthy fish in the lower reaches, while our last proper session saw a mulloway chasing mullet on the surface near King's Head. If someone was prepared to brave the cold with the right baits, we'd be surprised if they didn't hook one.
Marine biologists believe the dead fish may have been carrying parasites picked up in the saltwater and had moved into the freshwater in an attempt to relieve the irritation. Sadly, for at least one fish it appeared to be too late, with a significant wound visible on its flank.
If you're specifically targeting mulloway, it's hard to go past fresh spew worms, clickers, or either a live mullet or fresh mullet fillet fished on the bottom with as little weight as possible. Pair this with a baitrunner reel, allowing the fish to move off freely before setting the hooks.
The Glenelg River has also continued to fish exceptionally well. At this time of year, bream, estuary perch and mulloway tend to spread throughout the deeper sections of the system. Black metal blades remain a winter favourite for bream and perch anglers, while mulloway find them equally irresistible.
Most anglers targeting mulloway have been concentrating around the Princess Margaret Rose Caves, where the deeper water holds quality fish and offers a welcome escape from the heavier fishing pressure in the lower reaches.
With favourable conditions forecast for the weekend, we're expecting plenty more reports to roll through over the coming days. If you're heading out on the water, good luck, stay safe, and don't forget to send us your photos—we'd love to see how you go.