Central Plateau trout begin to target highland mayflies while lowland trout look for insects like small tea-tree beetles.

Mainly black and brown but also the green and gold soldier beetles, these sometimes tumble from clumps of tea trees flowering along river banks.

Much of the recent heavy downpours soaked into dry soil and the North Esk was the only major Northern river to reach minor flood level.

But timely rain boosted north eastern streams while some smaller tributaries rose sharply too.

One lined by many tea trees and worth checking for rising trout is the Lake River, others the Nile and St Pauls.

Worthwhile also could be the South Esk itself, including along its permanent sidewaters, St Patrick’s, certainly near its foothills, and the Meander River.

Please note, however, the temporary closure until further notice of angler access to the Meander through forestry plantation at Longridge Road because of tree harvesting there.  

In saltwater, the Upper East Zone of the rock lobster fishery is open and anglers based in the St Helens region are pleased with the number of crayfish they are catching.

Also reported by keen surf anglers are localised bags of hefty flathead and blackback at Four Mile Creek.

Up top, trollers are pleased with numbers of trout being boated from Great Lake, although many fish remain deep.

Reynolds Neck has also been a productive area for fishers.