Dry, hot summer punishes winter freshwater fish

FRESHWATER

Peter Fragomeni

The west coast of Australia experienced one of the driest summers on record and, although the coastal areas remained quite cool, the inland areas were hotter than normal. This is not of the smallest over there at 366GL. Having said that, it seems that judging by the reports coming in, the fishing has not been that bad with both trout and redfin showing up in a few locations.

AUSSIE NATIVES

Not too many reports coming through of late. The cooler water has the opposite secure a meal. You had to be quick on the fly as they were so fast. The lazy anglers would often find it difficult to hook one of these superb conditioned rainbows. I find on occasions this still occurs if you happen to be there at the right time. The planned small trout stocking should improve things in winter. an ideal situation when it comes to trout fishing our freshwater locations.

Warm dry summers normally result in excessive use of water by the irrigators with our dams having reflected this by being quite effect to trout as all these species except Murray cod seem to be less active this time of the year.

Still there’s plenty around if you know where to look.

Don’t expect big expanses of water as most are caught

Predicted Dam Levels for South West WA

Overall storage in our dams that allow public access and recreational activities are currently 50.7% at the end of March compared to 58.9% as of the same time last year. Perth and the South West has experienced a record dry period, placing a huge strain on irrigation needs. Some very heavy rains fell in late March with mainly inland areas receiving the better falls. Our dams are very low and good rains are needed this winter.

WAROONA DAM 43%

DRAKESBROOK WEIR 86%

LOGUE BROOK DAM 62%

HARVEY DAM 57%

WELLINGTON DAM 54%

GLEN MERVYN DAM 35%

BIG BROOK DAM 58% low from the lack of rain we experienced. The rivers have also suffered with most being very low as well. Late March heavy rains hit throughout the inland parts with widespread falls from 50-130mm. This was followed up by falls from 10-50mm only a week later, which fell in the same area, and also closer to the coast where our dams are located.

A recent trip to the East Coast fishing a number of their dams reinforced just how little water we have here in the South West. Our irrigation dams only hold around 300GL when full, so a comparison would be Windemere Dam near Mudgee NSW being one in small lakes and dams throughout the South West.

DAMS

Waroona Dam

It is very low at the moment with large exposed banks not offering any incentive for trout to come to the edges. The exception being when they are chasing gambusia in very shallow water. I remember back in the early 1980s at this very dam when we would look forward to the exciting fly-fishing in autumn.

Trout that averaged around a kilo would chase schools of these little invasive species, and in some cases would nearly beach themselves in the attempt to

Drakesbrook Weir

I haven’t fished this little water for some time, however local angler Jonah Chiera has been keeping a close eye on the place. He reported that the water level has been fluctuating recently and apart from a few rises in the late afternoon the fishing has been quiet.

He hasn’t been able to get his kayak out to the deeper areas where most of the bigger redfin tend to hold. This water needs a decent stocking and although trout stocks are limited this year (due to a revamp at the Hatchery) there will be enough to provide limited sport.

Harvey Dam

A few good trout have been caught around Quarry Bay, Nicholson Point and Winter Creek Bay. The trick is to move around until you find where they are holding. I have most of my success when fly-fishing of an evening by first locating the schools of rainbows and trolling during the day. Then I come back at sunset to fish the adjacent bank, as the trout come in closer when it darkens.

I tend to favour a small killer pattern like a Mrs Simpson or Hamils Killer but change to a larger Craig’s Night Time or Woolly Bugger when it gets dark.

Redfin are being caught with the better sizes falling victim to the ever more popular technique of dropshotting. This is one of my favourite techniques I mastered around 10 years ago and boated over 60 redfin when I was spot-locked on a school in 15m of water in this very dam.

Wellington Dam

I am planning a 4-day trip to this dam so will report in the next issue. Meanwhile the reports are that trout are being caught from the Yabberup arm, as well as Farm Bay and Hamilton River arm. The new boating laws have prohibited skiing on this water and the use of any petrol-powered vessels with a motor greater than 6hp.

The use of electric powered vessels are allowed, which is a rule that I managed to get Department of Transport to change as the previous ruling prohibited even electric powered vessels outside the ski area. It’s this spot as the rewards can be low. I tend to fish it occasionally and always manage a trout or two. Some nice redfin hold in the deeper sections so a good sounder is a must. Water is very low at present.

Lake Kepwari

Redfin are the only target species with some nice size specimens coming out on occasions. The top end where being caught, however size can be on the small side.

RIVERS

Murray River

Trout have been elusive in the main section with the occasional little rainbow being spotted in Nanga Brook. Redfin are holding in the deeper sections with far upstream being better for the larger fish. Casting soft plastics around the logs in the over summer but I would give it a miss as low water flows result in poor quality fishing.

Collie River above

Wellington Dam

Some great redfin are still being caught in the vicinity

The Blackwood River can be productive at times as not many people fish it. Don’t expect large numbers but the trout are normally a decent size. Photo still not clear if bass style boats or larger boats like my Stacer Crossfire that has a large heavy petrol-powered motor mounted on the rear is allowed, even though it has a bow mounted Minn Kota electric motor on the front. I’ve had no issues at other electric powered dams so would expect Wellington the river flows in can be a good area to head for if you have a boat or kayak. Petrol powered vessels are allowed as it’s a skiing dam as well.

Big Brook Dam

This water fished well even over summer. A few trout are still getting caught despite the heavy angling pressure it receives. Fly deep pools is the go.

Northern Jarrah Streams year to explore this system as the first rains fire some action. Look for the faster sections of water from Bridgetown to Nannup with the latter being the preferred option. Large flies and lures are preferred if recently. Look for places away from the popular spots with the more inaccessible runs holding some fish. They have been hard to tempt but this month should see better flows and less wary trout. would be the same. Some big redfin are getting caught but this is dependent on area and as this water is over 20km long it’s all trial and error.

This is the time of the year when you will see trout moving up from the number of dams dotted along the escarpment. Small lures and flies on ultra light gear is how to attack these streams that can be heavily overgrown in sections.

Eric Kirsch with two large redfin he caught spinning a South West river. This is the time of the year when redfin are very active.

Glen Mervyn Dam

Not many anglers fish fishing can be fun up the back section with a few trout taking any of the wet patterns. Spin fishers are also managing the odd one using small-bladed spinners or soft plastics on light jigheads. Redfin are

Brunswick River

It had a stocking so worth a look above the highway bridge.

Collie River below

Wellington Dam

This section fished well of the town. Casting into the structure with any of your favourite lures will produce fish of varying sizes. Being on the water gives you better options as you can move around with ease.

Preston River

Reports have been low recently, however some nice little trout have shown up in the faster sections around Donnybrook.

Capel River

Good redfin are being caught around the winery but most are keeping tight lipped about captures.

Blackwood River

This is the time of the the water is dirtier.

Warren River

A few trout are still being caught right through the system but redfin are a more reliable option with some large models being caught in the larger pools. As with most situations those with kayaks or small tinnies are experiencing most of the action. Don’t be fussy on style of lure as most of the popular ones are working. Soft plastics are easier on the hip pockets and get down deep fast.

Lefroy Brook

Has been very low and receiving a lot of pressure

Donnelly River

Low upstream with any options being down below the permanent streams that flow in. Boat Landing has been quiet with saltwater species offering most of the action. That wraps up another month and as can be seen there are a lot of areas that hold fish. Don’t expect large numbers as the fishing can be limited. There’s something to be said about sitting around a campfire on a chilly night with a nice red, port or a whisky talking over the days fishing with family or friends. Until next time, stay connected.