Freshwater

Knowing where to look

FRESHWATER Peter Fragomeni

Most freshwater anglers tend to shy away from fishing our sweet water throughout July and August, preferring to wait until the warmer weather returns in spring. I can understand this because trout tend to come in close, especially towards dark and can remain there for some hours. This is where you have a distinct advantage if you are a fly fisher and know how to handle a fly rod in the dark.

I find this style of fishing very exciting and tend to walk along the shore looking for any rising fish Corporation has taken at one of our biggest freshwater destination, Harvey Dam, with their hard-line stance against camping. The excuse they use is the anti social behaviour of some individuals since the Covid pandemic has restricted anyone leaving the state, and has put a strain on any potential spots with lakeside

The Lefroy Brook offers a diverse range of fishing spots from scenic timbered sections to gentle flowing waters amongst the beautiful farmland.

the rivers can be swollen and running dirty and the chances are the weekends will be blustery and cold after a clear sky week when most people are stuck at work.

I find some of the best fishing can be had if you know where to look. Trout can be found tucked up in

Ethan Look was happy to land this rainbow from the bank at Drakesbrook Weir using an artificial lure.

or just casting blind until you do. Any of the popular fly patterns work but as a general rule I start with a size 10 fly, and when it’s dark I’ll go up to a 8 or sometimes a 6 but never larger. Lure fishers tend to do okay during the daylight but when it’s pitch black the fly will out fish them every time. camping. The same thing is happening at Waroona Dam that resulted in the lakeside camping been ban some time ago. I can say that I spend a lot of time at Harvey and, apart from a few individuals in offroad vehicles cutting up the banks, I found most people were generally well behaved.

dams into drinking water storage dams, where access is strictly prohibited, as is the case on all drinking water storages that Water Corp manages. We also nearly lost Logue Brook Dam and, if it wasn’t for a ferocious fight by all the stakeholders, the fact the Barnett government promised they would leave the dam for recreational activities if they got elected then things may have been

Redfin are the only reliable freshwater species on offer at most of our impoundments, with the exception of spring hatchery stocking of trout from Pemberton. The potential of stocking East Coast natives has not yet been realised by our authorities. Wendy Banks is a keen freshwater angler.

above the Stirling Dam off us recreational users in a $250 million deal struck with the government back in 1999 to secure more drinking water prior to the desalination days. The deal was that they would expand Harvey Weir to compensate for the loss of irrigation water and turn the above different.

Water Corp promised access would be available for anglers and electric powered vessels would also be allowed at Harvey Dam, however camping was an issue and although it was basically not permitted they turned a blind eye to those that did the right thing. They where aware that camping was allowed at both of the other dams that we fished so I guess this was a compromise. We were always wary as Water Corp actually owns the land on the south side of the dam and also at Drakesbrook Weir between the wall and the farm land on the west

The author’s first ever brown trout from Logue Brook Dam he caught drift flyfishing using a fast sinking line. Brown trout only went in last year for the first time. Could this be the end of a prime rainbow fishery after a number were caught in very poor condition, which is not normally the case for this water?

PREDICTED DAM LEVELS OF SW WA

Overall storage in our dams that allow public access and recreational activities are currently 57.6 % as of end of May 2022 compared to 42.59% at the same time last year. Below average rainfall this autumn has resulted in not a lot of water flowing into our dams. WAROONA DAM 52 % DRAKESBROOK WEIR 84 % LOGUE BROOK DAM 69 % HARVEY DAM 62 % WELLINGTON DAM 72 % GLEN MERVYN DAM 54 % BIG BROOK DAM 92 %

side that is now leased to the Waroona Shire. The rest of the irrigation dams are on crown land and the banks are controlled by DEPAW and now DBCA – a much better angler-friendly department than Water Corp in my opinion.

There is a lot of opposition out there and even the well run Harvey Water Bash is at risk, as it’s

a two-day event and Water Corp refuses to issue a camping permit for just one night. This is a shame as this event brings much needed funds to the region. We must not confuse Harvey Water with Water Corp as the latter leases the water to Harvey Water who is a main sponsor of the two-day event. The other concern is that if people don’t visit this dam to fish then we may reduce the trout stocking and redirect the limited trout stocks to better suited locations. I just hope we can reach some sort of deal with Water Corp, but going on previous dealings then I’m not sure they are willing to compromise. DAMS Waroona Dam

Things have been slow lately with the only trout being caught are very skinny x-brood rainbows from last year’s stocking. The water level is very low and the lack of available food has put a strain on the condition of the trout. Unfortunately the early Hatchery stocking didn’t occur due to some unforeseen issues.

Redfin have been on the small side with a few big specimens coming to the net.

Drakesbrook Weir

Regular angler Jonah Chiera has spotted a few trout recently but, as of writing, it seems no recent hatchery stocking has occurred. This is disappointing as the water has been cool since early April and freshwater anglers have been active and awaiting this stocking.

Redfin have been showing up and despite the increased angler pressure this little water has had it still fishes well for this species.

Logue Brook Dam

I fished this water recently and can report that the few trout I landed were

in poor condition compared to previous years. I landed a few on fly from the bank and managed some from the boat but worked hard for a small return. I did manage to land a brown trout from last year’s stocking, which is a first in the 44 years I’ve fished this dam.

I must stress to please release any brown trout you happen to catch as this is in experiential stage to see how they do. Harvey Dam

As stated earlier the restrictions on camping has made this water hard to fish as it’s a 2-hour trip from Perth and most have been reluctant to do a day trip. A few anglers that live closer have managed a couple of trout but it’s the redfin that seem to be more available at this stage.

Wellington Dam

No reports but I know a couple of the Collie and Bunbury anglers have

caught a few redfin but hard work and long days are required for success. Hopefully with better stocking the trout will become more available in this larger water.

Glen Mervyn Dam

Very low at the moment but redfin are always willing to play the game.

Big Brook Dam

Antony Matzkov fish this water and landed himself a nice 40cm rainbow. Other reports indicate there have been more caught around this size. Redfin have been coming from the wall using a variety of methods from spin to fly.

Antony Matzkov from Nuclear Fishing with a nice Big Brook Dam rainbow he caught on a recent trip. The Donnelly River can be an exciting water to fish, however long hard days can go unrewarded on occasions. Better results come to those that explore the secluded areas well upstream.

RIVERS Northern Jarrah Streams and Rivers

Not a lot to report but

The recent decision to enforce the no camping rule by Water Corp has put the Harvey Water Bash held at the local dam over the last six years at risk. If some sort of compromise is not reached it could spell the end for the 100 anglers that enter the competition and thousands of others that would visit the dam over the weekends.

this will change when we get decent rains and a bit of flow coming down.

Collie River above

Wellington Dam

Some nice redfin are being caught in the vicinity of the township on a variety of lures and plastic.

Blackwood River

This location must be the least fished water in the South West of our state. I can’t understand this as it can provide some exciting fishing in the right water level. It also receives a huge stocking each year so I’d suggest you try the section from Bridgetown to Nannup. Warren River

Again, this river has marked its reputation as being one of the best redfin fishery in this state and you would be doing something seriously wrong if you couldn’t get a fish out of this water. Although, water levels can be too high in winter and early spring. Trout have been slow but I know a few who are getting into a couple of good ones

in the faster sections. Lefroy Brook

This river has been fishing constantly but not everyone is getting into them. The trout are very spooked in the slower sections because of heavy foot traffic but they seem to be easier to tempt them in the faster water. There was a large brown spotted in the lower section and, if you can believe the anglers, then it was over 10lbs. Donnelly River

With the better flows coming down the river it has pushed the trout further upstream. My mate Steve Roberts fishes this river regularly and has successfully mastered this scenic river with the fly. A few good browns have shown up but are proving hard to entice with even a lure.

For a full list of proposed trout stocking go to the April and May issues

Tight Lines