Now is an exciting time to be on the water

FRESHWATER

Peter Fragomeni

With the longer days and the cooler nights that normally occur this time of the year, early autumn can be one of the most exciting times to be on the water searching for trout, redfin or any other freshwater species in WA. Cold misty mornings can result in trout moving into quite shallow water close to the bank.

If early rains occur, then our rivers and streams can also turn on some reasonable fishing as well. Judging by the reports coming through it seems a few of these species are being caught recently, although due to personal reasons I haven’t been able to get on the water to confirm these reports, so I’m relying on word of mouth.

As reported earlier the Recfishwest FFRG met recently to discuss stocking strategies. I wasn’t able are chilled throughout the summer months to lessen heat mortality that we so often suffer from here in the West. Unfortunately, due to pond upgrades currently underway, this has resulted in the lack of ability to hold the normal brood stock and has also resulted in a large drop of yearlings being held this year. Things we be back on track next year with big expectations on the cards for trout fishers in this state.

AUSSIE NATIVES

The same enthusiasm shared by our authorities regarding trout stocking can’t be said for East Coast native freshwater species in this state. The subject was only raised once at the meeting and it’s like to attend in person but I did attend via video link. The meeting did run longer than normal due to an exceptional presentation delivered by Andrew Beer who is the Senior Research Scientist from Fisheries WA who is in charge of the Pemberton Hatchery in the South West of our state. There was mixed news on hand as he disclosed a massive upgrade to both the Hatchery itself and fish transportation in the way of a purpose-built truck and trailer that will bring stocking of trout in line with other Fisheries over on the East Coast.

A nice little brown from a tight section of the Lefroy Brook. Will future dams being built in the headwaters jeopardise this little water?

I must say the thought and dedication placed on our trout fishery has not been seen in the last 45 years that I’ve been involved in the sport in WA. New grading facilities that can electronically sort fish into specific sizes will save so much time and allow better continuity of trout to be stocked at specific times. This will allow a minimum size to be stocked into redfin waters to reduce the number of trout falling victim to these veracious species, it will also lessen the likelihood of them falling victim to our little pied cormorants that are so active on our waterways.

Other upgrades are in the way of inside water recirculating tanks that everyone wanted to avoid the situation like a mouse avoids a cattery.

This is extremely sad because these species would add much needed growth and funds to our towns

A few silver perch and the odd Murray cod have been caught by those lucky enough to have access to the waters where these species are. There are a few locations that are available style plastics in the 3” size seem to be working well. Trolling in the shallower back area have turned up some nice size fish up to 40cm on hardbodied lures that don’t run deep. Things should improve with trout stocking due to commence shortly.

Drakesbrook Weir throughout the summer months when trout lay dormant due to heat stress, and redfin do not offer much sport as they are mainly caught in sub 30cm ranges. I am often told that if there were species other than trout and small redfin in our waters then people would be more inclined to purchase a freshwater licence, especially now with the current situation regarding the demersal ban prohibiting saltwater fishing for half of the year. to the public, so if you are keen to find out where they are located just PM me and I will be happy to assist.

DAMS

Waroona Dam

Trout have been harder to locate than the redfin recently, although a few trout have been spotted close to the bank. Some nice redfin are being caught in the deeper sections on jigheads cast well out and allowing enough time to sink to the bottom before slowly rolling then back to your feet. Berkley Grubs in black or any of the minnow

Regular local angler Jonah Chiera is a master on this little water and reports that water levels have been ideal recently. Trout activity has increased of an evening however, tempting them to strike has been challenging. Hopefully, with the earlier FFRG meeting this year it will result in translocation approval being granted earlier this year by Fisheries WA Translocation Officer. It astounds me that permission to stock waters that have received the same species for many decades still have to be granted by the same department that has carried out the same stocking every year. I can understand when a new water comes up, as was the case for Wellington Dam and Preston River but, most of our dams and the stocking lists have not changed since they were constructed and stocking commenced half a century ago.

Logue Brook Dam

The huge amount of ski boats and jet-skis on the water have deterred most of the serious freshwater anglers from fishing this water. It can be frustrating to fish even without the boats being active as long hours can be had with zero results.

Cool cloudy days will see activity once again return to this sky blue water. No redfin are present so if the trout aren’t playing the game then things can get boring.

Harvey Dam

There have been reports of good trout being caught in numbers, however it seems the occasional trout being caught would be more appropriate. Either way this is great news redfin and size can vary on different trips. Try to target the 3-5m line trolling lures that work in this range. The inlet end of the lake is firing with lesser number showing up around the outlet side adjacent to the

Very low with some drying up over summer. A few of the spring fed streams are producing small rainbows on light gear. Winter rains will push up larger fish that reside in the dams along the scarp.

Collie River below

Wellington Dam

Some nice condition rainbows and the occasional browns are being caught along this section. Cool clean water being let out for irrigation has created our best tail-race fishery in this state for trout. Keep an eye on the water level as early rains can result in them shutting down the flow which results in a downturn of the fishing.

Collie River above Wellington Dam

Some excellent redfin are coming out of the section around the town of Collie. Kayak and small as the inland region has experienced warmer than average temperatures this summer with Dwellingup and Pemberton February temperatures being almost 2ºC warmer than average.

This month should indicate the true number of trout available after summer as these will be from last year’s stocking with this year’s stocking not predicted to occur until early winter. The redfin fishing has been constant with good numbers in the 25-30cm range being landed and the occasional specimen up to 45cm showing up as well. Deep drop-shotting is working well over the schools that tend to congregate this time of the year as well as trolling slowly at speeds below 2km/h on the 8m line.

Wellington Dam

Trout are showing up in the Yabberup Brook arm as well as the Farm Bay. The Hamilton arm has been quiet but a few have been sighted around the corner in the Collie arm a few kilometres above the Junction. They seem to be healthy so as I predicted the availability of food is not an issue with some going as large as 50cm.

Many hours of moving is the key as this water is over 20km long and not all areas are holding trout. Redfin are still being caught in pockets of the dam with large areas being void of fish so keep moving until you find where they are holding. A good sounder is handy for constant success.

Lake Kepwari

Only target species are campgrounds.

Big Brook Dam

A few reports are still coming in of both rainbow and brown trout being caught from both the rocks at the wall and the bird sanctuary close to the rear section of the dam. This month will see better fly fishing in the evening and well after dark if you are keen to get onto a brown trout.

RIVERS

Murray River here as well.

Not many reports have come through of trout.

Preston River

This river has received a regular stocking in the last couple of years and is starting to reward those that put the effort in. The section around Donnybrook seems to be the best but all areas are worth a go.

Blackwood River

Not many fish this section and those that do keep tight lipped about captures and locations. It cops a big stocking so the section from Balingup

Brook to just down from Nannup always hold a few fat rainbows. The first rains always stirs activity.

Warren River

The whole section from Bannister Road all the way to just above the mouth is turning up some nice rainbows. A few of my mates spent a week fishing from kayaks and where pleased with the amount of trout showing up in the faster sections although, tempting them to strike was difficult.

Overall storage in our dams that allow public access and recreational activities are currently 55.6% compared to 63.1% as of the same time last year.

Perth and the South West has experienced a very dry summer, placing a huge strain on irrigation needs for our farmers that rely heavily on this water. This has resulted in some of our dams being very low.

WAROONA DAM 45%

DRAKESBROOK WEIR 86%

A few very big browns where also spotted. Redfin seem to be widespread and some nice size fish are there for the taking. It seems one day they were taking soft plastics yet the next they were only taking hard bodied lures of all brands. Size of around 40-50mm seemed to work the best.

Lefroy Brook

It seems like there may be a threat to the longterm water supply of this little stream that supplies water to our trout hatchery. It’s in the way of a large 3.5 gigaliter private dam proposed to be built on the head waters of Bigbrook which supplies Bigbrook Dam. It’s from Bigbrook Dam that water is released to feed the Hatchery on the banks of the Lefroy.

The purpose of this new dam is avocado production that has been responsible for a massive decrease in stream flow in the area. If this goes ahead, then there must be conditions put in place in the way of a guaranteed environmental flow that has to be strictly monitored all the way to Bigbrook Dam. This would guarantee a summer flow to safeguard our fragile fishery. Meanwhile the Lefroy has been fishing reasonably well of late.

Donnelly River

Very dry upstream with the only viable area being downstream where some water is available. Boat Landing is holding some small rainbows for the trolling anglers.

Redfin are still holding in the deeper pools with better size specimens being taken well upstream of Dwellingup.

Northern Jarrah Streams boat anglers are doing well both casting and trolling all the way down to the small weir below the road bridge. Redfin love plastics being casts into structure

LOGUE BROOK DAM 64%

HARVEY DAM 59%

WELLINGTON DAM 60%

GLEN MERVYN DAM 44%

BIG BROOK DAM 71%]

An Inland Freshwater Licence is required to fish in our states South West but unfortunately, a short term licence isn’t available like other states so it can be frustrating if you are a travelling angler from another state. Some fire restrictions are still in place this month so check with the authorities.