Come On, Spill……..

It’s on! What is I hear you say? Well, it’s a phenomenon in Central Victorian fishing circles not often seen, but much anticipated and enjoyed. But what the hell is it? It's Lake Eppalock, Campaspe River SPILLWAY SEASON!

Whatever your thoughts on global warming, climate change or 5G radio towers frying our brains, the reality is that with regard to rainfall, water,and our storages, things seem a little different to say 3 decades ago. Back then, the storages seemed to fill often, or did they only seem to? Irrespective, times change. Blame the weather, blame the authorities, hell blame Darky if you want for deepening the farm dam on the property to grab a bit more runoff!

But, 2022 will go down as one of those years, and I for one am excited! What is it? I’ve affectionately called it a “spillway season”, that incredible time Lake Eppalock fills, overflows into the Campaspe River and transforms the waterway below into a redhot, knock it outta the park, Central Victorian fishing hotspot! Want some of this action? Read on…..

The last two decades have seen a 6 odd year cycle for a spillway season. Due to work commitments in other areas of the state, I’ve missed out on the last 2, but I’m aiming to get around this one at some point. Here's my how to, where to, and what to, based on almost 40 years of Campaspe River fishing.

Why?

So we’ve got this fairly innocuous (yea right) river, sure it fishes ok on a good day, if you’re Johnny on the spot. What exactly is it, that turns it into a hotspot, once the spillway goes over? Well unless someone has recently learned to “ talk fish”, this is really only speculation. But I think we may have a fair handle on it.

Firstly there’s that flush of fresh, clean water. Who wouldn’t be stimulated into some activity with that? Sure, there’s the environmental flows at other times, but they’re miniscule compared to the spillway flush. This one really pumps!

With this flush comes a covering of fresh ground by water. It’s no doubt more prevelant in filling lakes, but irrespective, there’s a lot of the old Campas’ that was high and dry, that is no longer. All fish species love feeding over freshly flooded ground, it’s a genuine fish smorgasboard (picture the old, all you can eat Sizzler buffet of the 1990s) and all manner of worms, grubs and insects of all types, are very quickly converted into fish shisen!

So, we have fresh water, we’ve got an all you can eat buffet, what else? Well let’s look at the time of the year. It’s Springtime, the time when all manner of the earth’s creatures turn their attention to the making of new little creatures……… Still with me? No! Ask your parents……. (sex education is way above my pay grade).

Anyway, many species of fish will be stimulated into a reproductive pattern, with moving water, applied at this time of year. It’s a little like the honeymooners lowering the lights, putting on some Barry White tunes and cracking the "special occasion" bottle of Moet. The fish will move upstream, towards the incoming flow. Whether they actually spawn is another matter, but they will go through the motions, if you will…….

Campaspe, what’s in there?

It’s probably easier to say what’s not in there. This is truly a river that’s got the lot! Back in the day (there’s the first one for anyone keeping count) it held a self sustaining population of incredibly big and fat brown trout. Anecdotal evidence suggests the brown trout population may have dwindled a bit in the past couple of decades, but there will still be some there, and this is the prime time to tangle with them. Be assured, the Campas’ has as good browns as you’ll find anywhere in the country, I’ve taken them to 8 old fashioned pound. Be prepared!

The ubiquitous redfin, what a cracker fish for our dinner plates! Much maligned for their proliferation and “stuntedness”, the reddies make up for it ten fold with their position on the angler’s menu at home. Anyone who doesn’t like eating reddies, really isn’t having a crack at all! The spillway season stirs the reddies up beautifully, and be aware, it’s often the EXTRA LARGE size, that you’ll encounter.

Golden perch (from this point forward shall be referred to by their rightful name of yellas) are also prolific in the Campas’. Whilst nowhere near as common in the keep nets as the reddies, they’re in there and active once the water starts flowing. Yellas are a wonderful, ambush species which are a great sport fish, cook up well (I quite like one in the smoker) and freely available in this waterway.

The Campas’ is in my opinion a little hidden gem for Murray cod and just like all other species, they too are turned on by the water, like a clubber when his favorite disco track comes on (anyone for the Bee Gees??). But, they are currently in closed season. You cannot target them, at least until December 1st. If you encounter one and manage to get it within arms reach, I encourage you to dehook it without lifting it from the water. Do the right thing.

Do you want your arms stretched? Easy! The carp population is as “healthy” here, as anywhere else in the state. We traditionally don’t like them as a species which is fair enough, but there’s no denying their pulling power, they pull like a……….. actually, never mind. If encountered, please despatch the carp then return it to the river to benefit other marine life. Don’t leave them stinking up the bank, it’s disgusting.

Where?

Back in the day (that’s 2), there were more options for access. These days however, the authorities seem better at locking anglers out of areas, than welcoming them. Why? Who knows, not Darky that’s for sure. Once a fishing (or non fishing) family could drive through the gates to the pumpstation area, and barbecue, fish and generally enjoy a beautifully maintained area of Central Vctoria. But not any more. At some stage (while the Darky family were in the Bendigo hiatus), “the authorities" (picture South Park's Cartman) locked the gates, preventing vehicle access to the areas below. Why again? You’d have to ask them. Pedestrian access is still available, but stiff shit if you’re old, infirm or a youngster. Having been a frequent drive down user of the area in the past, I have to say it’s a sad waste, of what was once a wonderful resource.

If you're fit and well enough, wander through the gate, lugging all your gear and take the prime position "in the froth and bubble". The plunge hole at the base is a hotspot. Back in the day (3) you could park on the northern side of the spillway, jump the fence and wander down the goat track and fish the northern edge of the Campas' for as far as you're able or want to wander. It was a pretty good way to move away from the crowds and get a bit of your own space. But, be warned. This option may also no longer be freely available to anglers, do your due diligence and keep on the right side of the trespass laws.

An often overlooked spot is the pump outflow creek. No, it has nothing like the volumes of water going through it than the river, but it holds awesome numbers of fish. Maybe they're always there, or maybe they take a left turn from the river at spillway season. Irrespective, for a quieter but nonetheless productive fishing experience, don't overlook this spot. Sadly, once again, it's a "hump all your gear" down the hill scenario……

Downstream from the spillway there are numerous access points for anglers to explore the Campas'. The action may not (or actually it may) be as hectic as immediately below, but the resident fish throughout the entire system, will ALL be up and about. Doaks Reserve offers great access and gave up my 8lb brown, still my best ever. The end of Backhaus Rd similarly offers great access, as does the area behind the Axedale golf course and indeed the Axedale River Reserve areas.

Beyond Axedale the access areas are numerous. All of the old access points like English's Bridge, The Rapids, Barnadown and the river reserves further down are fabulous spots to try. You don't have to be in the spray at the base of the spillway to be amongst the action. I suggest jumping on Google Earth or Google Maps for the best access information.

How? And what with?

Spillway season is tailor made for lure casters. Don't worry if you're a "baito", there's oodles of opportunities for you too. But let's start with lures.

When casting waters like this, pick your spot to stand and start "fanning" the water with your casts. Move around it like a clock face if you will. The speed and volume of the water will dictate how far upstream you need to cast, to be effective. Be prepared for your lure to be swept away to a certain extent. That's ok, that's spillway fishing.

A word of warning, you WILL lose lures in spillway season. That's all part of the gig. The reality is that once they're snagged up, they're more than likely about to be a donation to the "fishing gods". I guess don't throw anything, you're not prepared to part with. That's my mantra anyway.

Cast and retrieve for as long as you will. The fish are moving around in these scenarios. Just because cast A was unsuccessful, cast B could see an active fish moving into your zone, just ready to snaffle your lure! There's plenty of movement in spillway season.

Lure wise, there's a few I recommend. Tassie Devils are weighty and cast a mile on the right outfit. They are predominantly a trout lure, but don't worry, a spillway reddy or yella won't turn their nose up as one comes near. Floating divers like the number 3 Stumpjumper are ideal as they come in a wide range of colours and won't break the bank or your heart, if you hang a couple up down there. The Bullet range are a newer brand, and ideal for spillway season. Dont leave home without a handful. Color wise, start with greens (they're always good) then move to yellows, reds and browns. Try and find something they like.

Then there's the newer, more radical options. If you want to try something a little left field, try some vibes, soft plastics on a good jig head, hey throw a Jackall out there if you want. Just don't hang that one up out there, that'll make you frown. All are excellent spillway options.

Righto baitos. How's your supply of scrubbies at home? If ever there was a bait tailor made for spillway season it's the scrubby. That said they'll all work fine. Set yourself up a Paternoster rig (Google is your friend) with two outrigger hooks. A rig like this allows you to easily adjust your lead as required, to ensure its anchored where you want it. And where is that Darky, I hear you say. Well I'm glad you asked. Bait anglers will need to seek out some slower water, look for eddys, the edges of a bend and the like. Your baits will stay anchored and the fish will find them. Got some yabbies? Some left over shrimp you froze at the end of summer? Frozen prawns? Even Powerbait is well worth a try.

Rod n reel?

In the faster moving water, you'll need something with a little more backbone than your average trout outfit. A 2-4kg outfit will be ok to fish the slower stuff, but for the faster water you'll need to up the ante to a 3-6kg outfit in 6 to 7ft, think yella weight. Not so much for the size of the fish, but for its effective use in very fast moving water. If you're into baitcasters that's fine, but I personally think a balanced threadline outfit is ideal for spillway fishing.

Finally

So there you have it, "darkys spillway season guide". Get out there and give it a go. Before you do however, drop in and see the friendly and knowledgeable McCreddens team. They have some cracking specials on some ideal threadline outfits, as well as all the lure and terminal tackle requirements you could need.

Get out and give spillway season a go. Based on recent history, it could easily be another 6 years before another opportunity rolls around.

darky out….