Freshwater

FRESHWATER Peter Fragomeni

April can be an exciting time to go trout fishing, especially in the latter part of the month. With the cooler days comes cooler water, which results in trout moving into shallower water

Ben Kelly from South West Kayak Anglers holding one of the trophy browns being stocked by Fisheries WA. There should be around 350 large rainbow and browns up to 4kg going into a few locations this year.

closer to the bank, or taking up station in any available flowing water in our streams and rivers.

A few reports have come through by those few keen anglers who have explored the local dams and southwest rivers. Some people are reporting there are good numbers showing up in our streams and rivers in the Pemberton area. This could indicate that a good proportion of trout have survived our very hot summer.

Redfin have also showed up in varying numbers and sizes, with few nice specimens being landed in some of our dams and rivers throughout the south of the state.

The Recfishwest FFRG (Freshwater Fisheries Reference Group) met via a zoom conference in March. This group was set up to advise WA Fisheries on preferred stocking locations, and also to recommend numbers to go into each water starting from autumn, with the completion of stocking by late spring. Present at the meeting were three staff members from Fisheries WA, comprised of Biosecurity, Translocation and Senior management from Pemberton Hatchery. Others present were three staff from Recfishwest,

a representative from Australian Trout Foundation WA, WA Trout & Freshwater Angling Association and a number of keen freshwater anglers including myself.

Topics for discussion were generally around stocking, but other business on the agenda included Environmental flows out of Bigbrook Dam, new stocking location near Pemberton, AFT projects, continued use of electric-powered vessels at Wellington Dam should the removal of skiing be imposed.

We also discussed a catch-and-release policy for brown trout, with a possible slot limit. Unfortunately, the latter was rejected, with myself being the only one in favour. It was the view that there should be no restrictions on brown trout as they are stocked and should be available to all anglers who purchase a licence. It was interesting to hear Fisheries concern

that it could attract unwanted attention from animal welfare groups, as catch and release is already on their radar, and any new laws along those lines could fuel their debate. In my view, this could question the minimum size limits on all species, not just trout, as we are already required to release undersized fish.

It’s good to report that the Pemberton Hatchery recorded only minimal losses during our hotter than usual summer, and although yearling rainbow numbers are down 8,000 to 32,000, the brown trout

yearlings are well up to around 12,000. It’s also good to see the fingerling numbers will be drastically reduced to only 150,000 from 350,000 last year and 750,000 the previous year. Stocking will take place only in streams that are void of redfin and retain reasonable flows over the summer period.

The other good news is that some of the 3,000 rainbow broodstock and 600 browns will be available for stocking in autumn, as they won’t be required as breeders and are now being held as a sportfish to boost

the angling earlier in the season. I’ve been pushing for this for years, and hopefully it will continue in years to come.

A new purpose-built transporter will make stocking at different locations easier, eliminating the boom and bust situation of previous years. Upgrading the hatchery with oxygen meters, dead trout egg sorting trays, and a better automated feeding system should improve conditions in the future. I must add that the current management and all the staff are doing a great job down at the Hatchery, considering we are in a challenging environment with summer temperatures exceeding any other place in the world where trout are bred solely for angling.

AUSSIE NATIVES

The latest climate projection released recently shows a warming trend, which would put more strain on our marginal trout waters in this state.

Our Fisheries Department has so far refused to allow the introduction of a better suited species, as has been done on the East Coast. With redfin in most of our dams, the damage has already been done

Wet wading is possible in autumn before the cold weather sets in. This rainbow was caught sight fly fishing the shallow area of one of our dams.

A number of tagged trout were released into Harvey Dam last year. If you happen to catch one, please take a photo on a brag mat or ruler and text the details to the number on the tag.

Redfin perch are by far the most common species in South West WA. Since the early 1980s their numbers have exploded.

(and they are spreading rapidly), so the Fisheries Department’s arguments of environmental impact have no merit in these waters. I keep bringing this up, because it’s what many anglers want, but I lack any real backing around the table where it matters. I have warned them that if we don’t act now, we could lose a number of freshwater anglers who want to fish

for species other than trout and redfin. The few lucky anglers fortunate to have access to these native species are reporting that the hot summer has had no

ill effect on their fishing, and have actually recorded better than normal numbers. DAMS Waroona Dam

Most of the reports coming in are from anglers catching redfin, with trout absent in most situations. Concerns were raised of the potential of this dam as a trout water, and reduced stocking was proposed. I challenge this, and others agreed that the redfin have reduced the available food source so trout find it hard, but being close to the metro area it provides a useful winter/spring fishery of stocked trout. Around 400 large rainbows and 75 large browns along with 1000 large yearlings will go in this year.

Drakesbrook Weir

Redfin numbers have increased of late but the really big models seem to be scattered. A few trout have shown up, but size and condition is a concern. I pushed for a bigger stocking this year because this little dam gets a lot of attention and is handy for those from Perth and Peel regions. All agreed, and for the first time this water will get 400 large rainbows (up from 200 last year), 75 large browns, around 800 larger yearling rainbows and 500 brown yearlings this year.

Logue Brook Dam

Some nice little rainbows have come out of this water, but a lot of effort

is required for success. No ex-broods will be stocked this year as it’s a semi-wild fishery, and seems to do well with yearling stocking and spring fry with the

absence of redfin. Around 800 yearling rainbows, 500 brown yearlings and 20000 rainbow fry will go in this year. Harvey Dam

One of our most popular freshwater fishing locations, Harvey Dam has not been living up to its usual reputation as a reliable redfin water. The trout fishing has been slow as well, although trout anglers normally wait for cooler weather like we experience at this time of the year before giving this water a good crack.

Hopefully, around 900 large rainbows in the 40-50cm size range will get this water fired up, and another 120 large browns will also help boost the fishing. Around 5000 yearling rainbows and 1000 brown yearlings will also be stocked throughout the season.

Glen Mervyn Dam

Not a lot of reports come from this water, however it will receive 200 rainbow yearlings this year.

Wellington Dam

By far our biggest dam with public access, Wellington, was formed by flooding 22km of the Collie River. This resulted in a catchment of 188 gigalitres, covering 186 hectares when full. It’s a hard water to crack because the redfin are normally in scattered groups, but if you are lucky enough to find them you will be in for a good time.

Last year Wellington received 10,000 rainbow yearlings, and a further 5000 will go in this year. It’s good to see that 2000 brown yearlings will go in; this is the first time since 2003 that this dam has had a brown trout stocking. It was proposed that 900 of the 2850 ex broods rainbows get stocked as well. I challenged this because the dam is so big they would most likely get lost in the dozens of bays and legs that are hard to access. It was agreed to reduce the number to 500 rainbows and 100 large browns to attract more anglers to the water. Norilup Dam

Only a very small dam near Greenbushes, this dam doesn’t get much attention. Although redfin are present it gets 200 rainbow yearlings and can at times fish well. Big Brook Dam

A couple of colleagues fish this water and were surprised by the number of fish sighted, which confirms what the crew from Southern Forrest Freshwater Angling Club have reported previously. Big Brook is only half the size of Drakesbrook Weir but it gets around 1500 rainbow yearlings and 1000 brown yearlings stocked each year. It also will receive 150 large rainbows and 75 large browns up from 30 browns last year.

All the above dams will receive an earlier than usual stocking of large trout as the numbers are no longer required for fry stocking like the previous years. This will be made possible because the translocation and health certification will be submitted a lot earlier than previous years. Again, this is because of the great work achieved by the Pemberton Hatchery management team. RIVERS

A full stocking list will be in the next edition. Northern rivers and streams Murray River

This water should pick up with some rain later in the month when trout become more active. Redfin

are being caught throughout the whole system but size is a bit on the small side. Nanga Brook is holding small rainbows.

Brunswick River

Worth a look above the highway as it gets a stocking these days.

Collie River below

Wellington Dam

Some reports of trout turning up in the extreme downstream section below Honeymoon Pool but the going is tough.

Collie River above

Wellington Dam

No reports but redfin are always willing to take lures and soft plastics casts around any available structure. Preston River

Not many people realise that trout were stocked last year so give it a go – you may be surprised. Capel River

Redfin are still being caught around the winery. It’s best to have a kayak to explore the area.

Blackwood River

This is the month to explore the section from Bridgetown to Nannup. Some good-size trout are available but don’t expect great numbers. Warren River

The upper section around Rooneys Bridge is turning up some impressive redfin from the deep pools by those using big soft plastics cast to the big laydowns that stretch out well into the river. The middle section is starting to fish better at the stream mouths with fly and small lures. A couple of WATFAA boys explored the bottom section around the Colonel’s but found the fishing tough. Lefroy Brook

This is a nice time to fish this little brook that meanders through the town of Pemberton. The fish can be easily spooked by a careless approach so crouch low and use any available cover. They can be found right through the system, both above and below the Hatchery. It was alarming

to hear that Watercorp has requested that the hatchery cease stocking any trout above the town weir, but this was strongly opposed by the FFRG as they tried this before and were overturned. Hundreds of cattle graze the foreshore so water contamination has no merit in this area. Donnelly River

Very low in the top section so I would concentrate low down below Vasse highway. Boat landing can be a productive area, but a boat or kayak is the best way to explore this section. Casting into the stream mouths and trolling lures between spots was a favourite of mine in past years.

As you can see, there are many different locations to chase trout and redfin in our southwest, but don’t expect big numbers. The risk of fire is lower but check as some shires have restrictions and certain times of the day you can light a fire. Limit your catch, don’t catch your limit and remember brown trout in WA are rarer than other states so please consider releasing them for others to enjoy.

Overall storage in our dams that allow public access and recreational activities are currently 62.9% as of the end of March 2022 compared to 34.9% at the same time last year. The cooler weather we experienced in March slowed the demand for irrigation water, so our dams are looking better than at this time last year, which is a good thing for any early trout stocking.

WAROONA DAM 51% DRAKESBROOK WEIR 82% LOGUE BROOK DAM 71% HARVEY DAM 61% WELLINGTON DAM 70% GLEN MERVYN DAM 58% BIG BROOK DAM 78%

Not many people realise that Murray cod exist in a few locations in WA. They are highly regarded by those who target them.

A nice little early season rainbow caught fly fishing in one of our irrigation dams. Brian Norton with a nice brown trout he caught from his kayak.