Freshwater

A month of marron mayhem

FRESHWATER Peter Fragomeni

The unseasonably cool conditions that persisted through spring resulted in trout being active throughout our South West, with some nice size trout coming out of a number of our waters. If these conditions continue then hopefully some good trout fishing will be available in January, which is normally a month that is better suited to redfin in this state.

The Pemberton Trout Festival was a success with a large crowd turning up to enjoy the carnival Silver perch are widespread throughout the South West. This one was caught in a small dam near Perth.

Wellington Dam has fished well for redfin this year. Lachlan King landed this one while trolling with his dad.

atmosphere on the banks of Big Brook Dam.

Redfin have also been active with some of the better locations turning up large specimens.

AUSSIE NATIVES

Not a lot of reports have come through recently, which is not to say these iconic species are not being caught. I checked a few metro lakes out on a recent visit to Perth and was surprised to see a good number of silver perch free swimming near the surface. Trying to fish these locations may draw unwanted attention so tread with caution as (although not stated) I would imagine the local councils wouldn’t approve of fishing, as priority is given to bird wildlife in these areas. MARRON

This is the month that this large freshwater crayfish becomes available, as a short season that normally runs from 8 A nice little brown from Harvey Dam. Unfortunately, this water is not fishing as well as previous years. Jesse Higginbottom is the happy angler though!

however, redfin have been caught using a variety of methods. This dam is a reasonable marron water but unfortunately the ski boats can muddy the water to the extent that visibility is an issue.

Drakesbrook Weir

A few trout have

One of the many dams that are open to marron fishing in summer. As the sun sets, it’s time to place chicken pellet bait along the shore around 20m apart and then checking them throughout the night.

January to 8 February is imposed. Most of our irrigation dams and lots of our rivers throughout the South West are home to this tasty critter. You need a marron licence if you choose to participate in this great outdoor activity and strict rules apply, as well as heavy patrols through the short season. DAMS Waroona Dam

Not much in the way of trout recently,

PREDICTED DAM LEVELS FOR SW WA

Overall storage in our dams that allow public access and recreational activities are currently 72% as of the end of November, which is well down from 81% as of the same time last year. Although they are down from last year, there is enough water to cater for anglers and irrigation needs throughout the hot summer conditions.

WAROONA DAM 70% DRAKESBROOK WEIR 87% LOGUE BROOK DAM 79% HARVEY DAM 85% WELLINGTON DAM 74% GLEN MERVYN DAM 83% BIG BROOK DAM 98%

been caught in the cool conditions we experienced prior to Christmas. Redfin have been prolific out in the deeper sections of the dam.

Logue Brook Dam

Heavy ski boat activity would make fishing difficult this time of the year. This water was heavily

stocked with marron so it may be worth a go if you are heading that way. Harvey Dam

Not many reports have come through recently, which is sad considering this was our premier freshwater fishing location close to Perth. On the positive side if you are chasing a feed of marron then this is the place to be. Remember this is a snare-only water so no nets of any description are allowed, as is the case on any of the dams that are open to marron fishing.

Wellington Dam

A few good reports have come through of some nice trout being caught up around the Hamilton River Junction. Redfin fishing has been constant with some nice size specimens being taken throughout the whole dam.

Big Brook Dam

By far the best water in the state this season. Reports of nice size rainbows and XL class browns being caught on all methods, which is the result of the huge stocking this water received this season. If you want a trout then this is the place to be. RIVERS Murray River

No reports coming through with redfin being the only option through summer. This water can produce marron in the larger pools.

Collie River above

Wellington Dam

Some nice redfin have been constantly landed around the town of Collie.

Collie River below

Wellington Dam

By far our best cold water fishing, this section holds some nice trout in

Blaine Simpson with a superb brown trout he landed on a recent trip to Bigbrook Dam.

A beautiful section of the Collie River below Wellington Dam that offers reasonable summer trout fishing due to cool irrigation water being let out.

WA is fortunate to have a healthy population of large freshwater crayfish called marron. There is a short 4-week season and it’s strictly controlled by Fisheries patrols all through the year.

the faster runs. It fishes better in medium flow as it can be too high in peak irrigation conditions.

Blackwood River

Finally some good reports have come in of some nice size trout being caught in the mid-section between Balingup and Nannup. Warren River

Trout are still showing up in the faster sections of the river, however, hooking them can be challenging at times. Redfin have dominated the catches with nice big plump fish turning up in the pools. This river is a prime marron water so get in early if you want to secure a spot. Lefroy Brook

January sees some good dry fly activity on this little stream that meanders its way along a valley next to Pemberton. Stealthy approach is required as the water is low and the fish are easily spooked. Look for less accessible areas away from the heavier fished areas. Donnelly River

A few trout have been reported through the midsection and a nice size brown was caught just down from the highway bridge. It may be an idea to pay a visit to Boat Landing if you can get on the water.

Although January is not the best time to chase trout in the West it offers a couple more options like redfin and marron fishing. Be aware of snakes around water and a total fire ban applies in most areas. Happy holidays and until next time keep those lines tight!

FISHING NEWS

Remembering 50 years of trout stocking

Imagine starting a school project which leaves a decades-long legacy benefitting generations of fishers!

This is exactly what happened to avid fisher and Pemberton School Headmaster Cyril Allerton Glew. In 1927 Headmaster Glew built a trial hatchery on the school’s back veranda, filled it with 10,000 trout eggs and later released mature trout into Pemberton’s streams.

The hard work of Glew and many other local anglers laid the foundations for the Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre, which is celebrating 50 years of scientific innovation this year.

If you have ever caught a rainbow or brown trout in WA’s southwest, chances are your catch started out as a young, healthy fry at the Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre. The centre now produces 200,000 trout for stocking into southwest rivers and dams annually, boosting tourism in the southwest by an estimated $20 million.

Today, the largest freshwater hatchery and research facility in Western Australia is home to a dedicated scientific and technical team. The hatchery focuses on trout production and stocking for recreational fishing in the southwest, as well as supplying trout fingerlings for commercial aquaculture ventures.

To find out more about the Centre’s interesting history, check out the new