Finally, spring is in the air after what seems like a long, dry and brutal winter.
Sadly the extended dry period is still apparent.
There is brief glimpses of hope with showers seeming to become more frequent.
The upside is that it will rain again.
The rivers west of the great divide are obviously impacted negatively throughout prolonged dry periods with a lot becoming completely dry for kilometres long stretches.
It is a sad fact of life in the boom and bust nature of our environment here in Australia with either very dry or very wet cycles.
Impoundments situated on these river systems are currently also at extremely low levels.
As we have mentioned previously, the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn are one of our favourite times to fish.
In addition to the great temperatures it is a wonderful time to be both outside and fishing.
Golden Perch are a great species to target at this time of year as they seem to emerge from a Winter slumber and are looking to feed and breed.
They readily take a well presented diving lure either trolled or cast from the bank or from a boat on an impoundment.
At this time of year you will find them on rocky points or submerged timber structure and if you catch one.
Repeat what you did because there is usually more than one frequenting the same area.
A small sounder (fish finder) coupled with an electric motor mounted onto a small tinny is great platform to manoeuvre impoundment structure and target Golden Perch.
A welcome by catch with this method of fishing is Murray Cod and Silver Perch.
A small bait cast or spin reel mounted to a four to six kilogram rod is all that is needed in the hardware department.
Gelspun lines put you in contact with your lure much better than mono fishing line and a small Hell Yeah chatterbait or deep diving plug style lure on the business end should all that is required for spring time fun.
Keep an eye out on the Seven network MATE TV channel for our fishing shows.
Just search Josh and Jamie in your TV guides.
If you have any questions, reports from your area or if you have some fish photographs (and a brief story) that you would like to see here, drop Josh Smith and Jamie Condon a line at joshandjamiefishing@gmail.com or visit www.joshandjamiefishing.com.au
Value your time on the water and the outdoors with your family and friends and enjoy your fishing.
