Diamond Creek

Diamond Creek fishing is largely overlooked by locals when it comes to locals, let alone people from other areas of Melbourne.

While large sections are difficult to access and it is true that the creek can run to very low levels in Summer. In fact it has been known to run dry in parts during some droughts.

The larger pools do in fact often contain a variety of fish species.

While Eels are really common there are Carp, Tench and even the odd Trout and Redfin in the lower reaches towards Eltham.

What is missing, from personal observation, are the native smelt and galaxias. However wild (released by humans) goldfish are prevalent. As is the Japanese Weather Loach.

Diamond Creek Overview

Before proceeding I’d like to ask you to take special care to ensure the safety of native platypus populations.

Local groups have worked long and hard to clean up the creek and promote the welfare of these wonderful creatures.

So – don’t leave any broken fishing line on the banks or in the water. Take your rubbish and butts home with you.

Right?

Yes

Please!

Diamond Creeks Location

The Diamond Creek flows from the mountain ranges below Kinglake until it meets the Yarra River at Eltham.

It flows through the townships of Cottle’s Bridge Hurstbridge, Wattle Glen, Diamond Creek and Eltham.

Local history suggests the creek was named after a prized bull, named Diamond, that waded into the creek and became stuck.

The creek got its name after that.

Sounds like bull?

Maybe. Hard to tell.

But don’t argue with the locals. They get a bit upset about it.

There were certainly no precious diamonds extracted from the area. Though there was gold mining. With several pits and tunnels scattered around to this day.

I explored some of the mine tunnels as a kid.

Dangerous. Slipping supports. Kids can be stupid like that. I imagine they are in an even far worse state now. They go back to the 19th century. I strongly recommend not even trying.

Stick to fishing the Diamond Creek instead!

Take extra care if fishing in warmer months – October through to the end of March. It is Tiger Snake, Eastern Brown Snake, Copperhead and Red Bellied Black Snake heaven!

Not kidding in the slightest. Most of our deadliest venomous snakes love a meal of frogs, birds eggs and other small creatures.

So they are where the food is.

Be careful.

Wear protective leather boots and a pair of jeans. A little more protection than just bare legs – though not much.

Walk firmly along tracks. Don’t walk through long grass and creepers.

Stay out of blackberry patches – and don’t turn over old pieces of wood, tin or boards.

Leave the snakes alone. Most will leave you alone.

Copperheads and Red Bellied Black snakes tend to go out of their way to avoid a confrontation. Most Tiger and Eastern Browns will choose flight too if given the chance.

Look. I’ve been bitten by red-bellied black snakes (yes, plural – thankfully not all at the same time.)

• I don’t recommend it.
• It’s avoidable.
• It hurts.
• You can die pretty easily of it
• Not taking care is kind of dumb.

Diamond Creek Fishing – What Fish Species

I grew up in the area and have fished the creek for decades. It has been cleaned up substantially.

Though the banks tend to still be overgrown by noxious weeds and blackberries.

It’s surprising how many fish species are present in Diamond Creek, however.

Fish Species	Quick Info
Carp Cyprinus carpio	Bait: Earthworms, Corn, Chicken.
Eel Anguilla australis	Often caught as a bycatch. Breeds in the Coral Sea and migrates to live until adulthood in Victorian Rivers and streams. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Crabs, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Whitebait
Weather Loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus	Invasive Imported Pest species. Do Not return to water. Bait:
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss	Bait: Earthworms, Soft Plastic Lures, Spinners, Spoons, Flys
Brown Trout Salmo trutta	Bait: Earthworms, Soft Plastic Lures, Spinners, Spoons, Flys
Redfin Perca fluviatilis	Also known as English Perch. Imported and considered invasive. Please do not return to water. Bait: Earthworms, Chicken
Flathead Gudgeon Philypnodon grandiceps	Bait:
Goldfish Crassius Auratus	Bait:
Roach Rutilus rutilus	All Year Round Seasonal Note: Invasive Imported Pest species. Do Not return to water. Bait: Earthworms, Chicken
Tench Tinca tinca	Invasive Imported Pest species. Do Not return to water. Bait: Earthworms, Chicken
Short-head Lamprey Mordacia morda	Bait:
Yabby Cherax destructor	A native crustacean similar to the Crawdad found in the USA. Bait: Lumps of meat, pet food.

Diamond Creek Fishing - Carp

While I’ve found the Redfin to be largely very small the Carp can often be surprisingly large.

When Diamond Creek fishing for European Carp looks for larger pools. Corn and/or chicken have worked well for me here.

While Rainbow Trout are reported they are fairly rare in my experience.

Though when the water level is high (late winter and through spring) Diamond Creek fishing provides slightly better trout conditions.

Particularly below fast runs or rapids.

Closer to the Yarra River at Eltham can be more productive as this section for trout tends to have permanent water.

Try spinning soft-plastic lures for Trout or surface lures.

Diving lures will get snagged pretty quick.

I generally choose a short, but strong rod. Short because overhanging branches make casting difficult.

Strong because carp easily break lightweight rods.

So fibreglass flexible rods rather than carbon fibre or carbon fibre/fibreglass blends. The more flexible the better.

Pack a landing net, too!

As far as Eels are concerned. It’s not hard to catch them on standard baits, including worms and chicken.

I generally prefer not to catch them at all. They tend to be difficult to handle and possess some pretty serious teeth.

I do not recommend eating your catch from the creek.

I grew up in the area. As a young teen Diamond Creek fishing was all I was able to do most days. So you can take me at my word when I say it has seen almost a century of neglect and pollution.

Both industrial, gold mining, agricultural and domestic.

From mercury, superphosphate runoff and septic runoff from townships.

Plus a lot of illegal dumping in the past.

Catch and release – except for carp which must be dispatched by law – only just makes sense.

Right? Yup.

Diamond Creek Fishing Review Summary

I’ve only rated the fishability of the Diamond Creek fishing as two stars.

The fact is most of the creek is not accessible. Nor does it run along its length all year round.

There are fish there to be caught.

But apart from Carp (which must be humanely dispatched by law) catch and release is the order of the day due to incredible pollution.

Further downstream towards the Yarra the Diamond Creek fishing certainly improves.

However, it remains very hit and miss all the same.

Pros

• Not Commonly Fished so little fishing pressure
• Lots of parking
• High numbers of eels in the Diamond Creek

Cons

• Very polluted over the years
• Venomous snake heaven – take care
• Very overgrown and difficult to access most of its length
• Not always flowing during warmer years and summer months