WHEN I hear an old timer grumbling about how fishing isn't as good as it used to be, I can't help but think that fishing for most of those old blokes was no better than today.
In my experience, fishing today is better than 20 or 30 years ago.
Technology has made it easier for anglers to find fish, or at least structure where fish are likely to lurk.
Tackle is a vast improvement on what was available in "those good old days" and most anglers are more knowledgeable.
Our available fish populations have been improved by the reduction in commercial fishing pressure and a general acceptance by right thinking anglers that fish not destined for the table should be returned in a healthy state.
The benefits are for all of us in the catching.
Autumn through to late June is prime fishing time for many species.
Sometimes the mixed bag available poses problems.
Selecting a species to fish is not always an easy decision, but it's nice to have options.
So, tune your drags and check your tackle because, as I write, fish are being caught all over the state.
On the freshwater scene, it is time for our lakes and rivers to fire up.
The heat has gone off the water and the trout will feed more actively.
In the mountains, the cooler weather will lower water temperatures and reinvigorate the trout.
Mountain streams and rivers like the Kiewa, Goulburn, Nariel and Mitta Mitta, to name a few, will see trout rising more often to insect hatches.
River fishing will be rewarding in southern lowland waters like the Gellibrand, Aire and Merri rivers.
The weather change has the same effect on lake trout populations and fishing will improve as brown trout in particular start to move inshore and feed in shallow water around the lake margins.
Anglers who specialise in Murray cod and yellowbelly will know from experience that the next couple of months often produce excellent fishing.
The change of season also brings with it an opportunity to try something different on cod.
Bardi grubs are starting to turn, and by this I mean their ends becoming more pointed and their skin colour going brown.
When the autumn break occurs, the ground is softened by rain and this makes it easier for the grubs to come out of their holes and change to ghost moths.
It also means it is easier for young grubs to tunnel down.
Ghost moths are active at night, and on still nights you can sometimes hear a boof and splash on the river as Murray cod feed on them.
This is when you break out the surface lures and start fishing for cod at night.
Rivers worth fishing include the Goulburn, Broken, Kiewa, Murray, Wakool, Edward and Murrumbidgee.
Much bounty awaits in saltwater.
Salmon numbers will be building on beaches from Mallacoota to Nelson.
Another month and it will be standing room only on some beaches, like Venus Bay, Kilcunda, Wild Dog Creek, Peterborough and Discovery Bay.
Offshore anglers will do well.
Shark fishing has at least another month to run before it declines and, in the southwest from Port Fairy to Port MacDonnell, migrating southern bluefin tuna will punch through the waves.
Expect tuna to 100kg or more, with an average size of 20-40kg.
Estuary fishing continues to improve, specifically for bream and estuary perch, and sometimes mulloway.
West of Melbourne, estuary systems like the Aire, Gellibrand, Curdies, Hopkins, Moyne, Surrey and Fitzroy Rivers will produce bream.
Head east and you have great fisheries like the Gippsland Lakes, Marlo, Bemm River and the magnificent Mallacoota Inlet.
The bonus in East Gippsland is dusky flathead, big breeding mothers that should be released to ensure the sustainability of the species.
In South Gippsland, places like Shallow and Anderson Inlet are great for King George whiting, salmon, mullet and gummy sharks.
In Western Port, King George whiting in the 40cm plus Kidney slapping class, big gummy sharks and mulloway will be on the chew.
