Where Are They Biting?
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Readers are most welcome to submit reports for publication on this site
email to: hogan.ross.a@edumail.vic.gov.au
Many thanks to Robyn and John Scales from the Dartmouth Hotel for the following reports on Dartmouth and district.
JACOB TOYOTA SOUTHERN CROSS TEN DARTMOUTH WOMEN'S FISHING CLASSIC
One hundred and seven lady anglers displayed their skills on Lake Dartmouth, Lake Banimboola and the Mitta River last weekend. Competitors travelled from as far away as Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Mornington and Bundalong to compete in this inaugural event.
Perpetual Trophies were donated by Cobram Trophies and the Dartmouth Alpine Angling Club, and will be displayed at the Dartmouth Pub.
A total of 152 fish were caught and released over the two days, the majority being Brown Trout. Only 16 Rainbow were measured. Each angler was entitled to score the best two fish per day, even though many caught a lot more. Mandy Gay caught the Best Brown in the competition, a 52.5cm trout. Cynthia Stuart recorded a 48 cm Brown Trout on the Saturday. The Best Rainbow was 46cm and was caught by Lorraine Graves from Mornington on Saturday, whilst Lola Hole from Thurgoona measured a nice 44cm Rainbow on Friday. These anglers won Kookaburra Ice Boxes, donated by O'Connell's Refrigeration, Daryl & Anne Leary from Beechworth, Colin Leary and Bates Excavation.
The Best Junior Catch on the Friday was won by Dana Lindeman from Altona, and Dartmouth Angler, Chloe Graeber won the award for Saturday for the Junior Angler. Their prizes were sponsored by Murray Country News & Dartmouth Alpine Angling Club. The girls received Rod and Reel combos, sun glasses, tackle boxes and Dartmouth Angling Club windcheaters. Runners Up each day were Chloe Chase and Natalie Hick.
The Best Catch by a Local Angler was won by Cynthia Stuart of Dartmouth. Cyn caught some beautiful fish over the weekend and won a meal voucher to the Garden Gallery Café and a gift pack donated by Tallangatta Pharmacy. Her best four fish measured 181.5 cm.
The Champion Individual Angler of the Tournament was Mandy Gay, a Preschool teacher from Tallangatta. Mandy and her husband Jamie are keen fishermen and know the Lake and streams well, having lived at Mitta Mitta for many years. The total length of her top 4 fish measured 190cm. Mandy won a Rod and Reel from Mason's the Complete Fisherman, a weekend at Tokemata Resort, Cobram, a rod holder from Profishional, and a twelve month's subscription for Fresh Water Fishing.
Mandy Gay teamed up with Tallangatta Primary School teacher, Melissa Mansell, to win the team section. Teams of two people could nominate to fish as a team. The Reel Deal Team, as they named themselves, caught over 8 fish, measuring 344.5cm. The winning team won rod and reel combos donated by Elks and Capper Pro Tackle, rod holders from Profishional, subscriptions to North East Angler and weekend accommodation at Lake Mulwala Holiday Park. Twenty five teams were registered to compete with all sorts of colourful names such as Barra Babes, Big Trout Hunters, Fish Fingers, Wonder Wobblers, Brunski Fishin, and Stunned Mullets, to name a few. Teams which scored well included Altona 222.25 cm, Toogee 204 cm, Crossed Flowers 222 cm, Flower Power 171 cm. Dartmouth Bags 170 cm and Ken's Oars 178.75 cm.
The Club Section of 4 Anglers was won by the BIG DEAL - a club made up of Faith Scales, Michelle Rhodes, Mandy Gay and Melissa Mansell. They caught over 16 fish over the 2 days and have won a fly fishing weekend at Dartmouth with Scott McPherson from Indulgence Fly Fishing. All accommodation and meals are included. The girls won subscriptions to Victorian Fishing Monthly, Okuma Femme Fatal Rods and Reels donated by Toogee Tackle and Rapala Freetime.
Club scores were as follows: The Big Deal 466.5 cm, Crossed Flowers 393 cm, Wombat Wenches 320 cm, Dartmouth Hookers 292 cm, WRP 153 cm, Gatta Girls 125.5 cm, and the Coland Chicks 114 cm.
David Green from Benalla won the Skipper's Draw, taking home a Minn Kota trolling motor. Lloyd Mildren from Wahgunyah won a Hook'Em Fish net donated by Jay Broman. The Skipper Draw was designed to encourage those many patient guys out there to give the girls a go. Craig Mc Laggan from Lofty's Lures generously donated a Cobra lure to each contestant.
The Dartmouth Women's Fishing Classic was an enormous success with all entrants looking forward to its continuation next year. The Committee wishes to thank all of our sponsors and people who helped out over the weekend.
Dartmouth Fishing Report August 12th 2007
It's time to dig out the downriggers, paravanes and the lead lines as the trout head downward. Almost all fish caught in Dartmouth this week came from between 30, and 45 feet down.
Chris Brown and Peter Ryan joined us from Ballarat, and took home seven lovely Browns up to 1kg. Six of the seven fell to White Tassie Devils (S.12), at five colors of lead line; with the seventh succumbing to a fluorescent green Wigston.
Phil Wall and his mates from Melbourne managed seven for the weekend.. The similarities in method were identical; 5 colors of lead line and an assortment of Tassie Devils. The best fish was also around 1kg in weight.
Billy Dart and his mate from Wangaratta managed a 1kg Brown on Saturday. The brown was caught on gold Tassie Devil, down rigging at 30ft.
Dartmouth Fishing Report August 5th 2007
Dartmouth Dam continues to rise slowly and the trout are responding as we expected. Increased numbers are being taken on a myriad of methods.
Bait has replace lures as the preferred trolling accessory, and early morning is the prime time. Scrub worms and mudeyes behind Fenders and Cowbells will net you up to four or five a day; not great numbers, but the fish quality is excellent. Murray and Marc Ainsworth angled with worms, out of the boat in the head waters of the incoming streams. They scored twelve over two days, eight browns, two rainbows and they also returned two beautiful Macquarie Perch around two pound. Indeed we are getting more and more reports of Macca's being landed and this is great news.
Bob Deretic and Mick Callahan struck success drifting amongst the trees, in the headwaters of streams, flicking brown and rainbow trout Rapala around. Their return was seven lovely browns over four hours.
Lake Banimboola is the real success story this month. While the number of anglers has dropped off, the numbers and quality of fish has risen dramatically. Anglers are guaranteed action with worms on a running sinker, simple but really effective. It is restocked annually and the fish grow well. It is easily accessible, no boating allowed, and offers big brown and rainbow and on occasion, some very handy redfin.
When fishing Lake Banimboola you must be on your toes at all times, and I suggest at least 8lb line as a minimum, if you are fishing with worms on the bottom. This season alone three trophy trout over seven pound have come from this sensational stretch of water.
John Scales
Dartmouth
Dartmouth Fishing Report June 6th 2007
The Mitta Valley has had over 55 ml of rain in the past week, and the grass is starting to grow at last which is welcome news for our farmers. Many of the small streams which haven't flowed since November last year are at last running. Lake Dartmouth is starting to fill again, with over 3000 megalitres a day flowing in, and releases down the Mitta River restricted to 200 megalitres. Lake Banimboola is full, ready for the Dart Cup Fishing Competition this Queen's Birthday Weekend.
Boat ramp facilities have been upgraded and car parking areas extended in anticipation of the big weekend of fishing. The fishing has been good on the Lake, with 10-12 boats a day on the water. Cool evenings and sunny days have made for perfect fishing conditions, most fishing groups catching at least 2-3 fish a day. Steve Adams from Beechworth concentrated in the Dart Arm of the Lake, lead lining with Christmas Tree Tassie Devils and Brown Bombers, bagging 4 nice Browns and a Rainbow. Average weight of 1 ½ lb.
John Sirionni from Cranbourne caught 9 Brown trout, flat lining around the wall area, using pink and fluro green Tassie Devils. And Gary Anderson from Wangaratta bagged 3 Browns, flat lining in the Dart Arm. They used yellow and brown Tassie Devils.
The town of Dartmouth is preparing for the Dart Cup this weekend, with over $15,000- of prizes. There are cabins still available in the Caravan Park 02 60724218. Registrations and inquiries regarding the Dart Cup can be directed to Lorrae Saxton on 02 60724263.
Just a reminder about the Dartmouth Women's Fishing Classic in November, a Catch and Release Competition for Women.
Tight Lines,
Ross Hogan
Been fishing in the North East lately? Please email me a report for inclusion (and acknowledgment) on this page.
Tight Lines,
Ross Hogan
Been fishing in the North East lately? Please email me a report for inclusion (and acknowledgment) on this page.
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