Small catches of golden perch were reported on lure from Yerrabi Pondage, Lake Ginninderra, Lake Burley Griffin and the Molonglo River. Best lures were bibless minnows, small deep divers and spinnerbaits.

A few fat pre-spawning redfin were reported on bait and lure in Burley Griffin.

Best locations were around the Acton ferry terminal and the rowing regatta assembly area on Lady Denman Drive. One angler, who fishes several times a week, said his best catch was six fish in an hour using soft plastics.

A few golden perch were caught in Burrinjuck Reservoir on bait. Best locations were in deep water against a rocky shoreline in the lower reaches of the Murrumbidgee Arm. Live yabbies and shrimps were the top baits.

Blowing in the wind

Gale force winds made fishing almost impossible in the mountain lakes for several days this week but after the big blow settled a few fish were taken on the troll and on bait in Jindabyne and Eucumbene.

The favoured location in Jindabyne was Creel Bay where some large browns were caught on flatfish behind Cowbells and Ford fenders. A shore-based angler caught three Atlantic salmon in a session.

There were some smallish rainbows caught on bardi grubs near Old Adaminaby but fishing generally was slow in Lake Eucumbene. The water level has risen markedly in recent weeks and although it is covering new ground it hasn't yet reached the grass growth on the banks. Fish should start feeding along the shoreline when the water level reaches the grass.

Flying high casting call

The first of the free pre-season fly casting classes staged by the Canberra Anglers Association on the lawns in front of Old Parliament House last Sunday attracted a surprising number of casters, despite the awful weather.

The second of the classes will be held on Sunday from 10am until 12 noon.

Persistence pays off

Ten consecutive weekends of bad-weather at the coast have disillusioned many anglers but the more persistent found good fish in the estuaries.

One group working small hard-bodied lures caught good bream, estuary perch and bass and the occasional tailor in surprisingly warm 17 degree water. Another group did well with similar lures on bream and two flathead. Both groups fished well upstream and concentrated on the entrances to the smaller creeks branching off the main river arms.

Tip of the week

Take advantage of the free fly casting classes and get ready for the trout season opening on October 4.

Bryan Pratt is a Canberra-based ecologist