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| lake jindabyne with steve williamson |
Dated: 7 January, 2008
Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Report 6th January 2008 - By Steve Williamson
LAST WEEKS FISHING IN THE MOUNTAINS
Fishing has been fantastic over the last few weeks with great catches especially for those with boats that are fitted out for deep trolling. Downrigging season has now finally started.
The Rainbow Trout are in fantastic condition after feeding up over summer on a diet of Daphnia (water fleas). Daphnia is a small crustation about pin head size and the trout and Atlantic Salmon just love eating it.
There is a fair amount of weed about around the lake edges which has been great for fly anglers fishing the sunrise and sunset periods as there are plenty of cruising trout.
Bait anglers that are fishing from the shoreline have to be aware of the weed and make sure you grease the fishing line so it doesn’t sink down and get caught up. Float fishing is best at the moment as some areas the week is a metre or more in length. Remember the water is now warm on the surface and bait fishing in the middle of the day will be hard.
On the rivers, fishing has improved after the rush of anglers over the holiday period and there have been some good size fish caught. The fishing on streams is better at the moment as the trout have been a little shy of spinners.
NEXT WEEKS PREDICTIONS
Warm weather is predicted for at least another week and we have been very lucky considering the fact that costal towns are being lashed by big seas and fishing down there has been difficult to say the least, so if your thinking of a fishing holiday I would say now is the time to head up to the Snowy Mountains for some great fishing and fantastic weather.
LAKE LEVEL
Good rain over the last couple of months has saved us from Snowy Hydro dropping the lake level and it has remained at 60% the whole of summer.
Talk however is that the levels may drop again if the Murray Darling basin doesn’t get more rain and they need it quickly.
LAKE WATER TEMPERATURE
With last weeks hot 36 degree days the surface has now warmed up to nearly 23 degrees C.
BEST METHODS TO CATCH A TROUT
Best method – Trolling using downriggers on the lake.
Best depth- Trolling or jigging at 25 to 35 feet deep.
Best lake lure – Tasmanian Devil in various ‘yellow wing’ designs or my black/gold Tassie Devil.
Best lake area – Deepwater off Lion and Cub Islands.
Best fly method – dry fly – various beetle and hopper patterns
Best river – Thredbo river above The Diggings
Let’s now have a look at how to catch one in a little more detail.
BOAT TROLLING
The lake water temperatures stayed down a little this year, due to rain, storms and cooler days and that has been good for surface trolling early in the day. Temperatures are now rising and you still need downriggers later in the morning. The fish are heading into deeper water by about 8am and you must be aware of that. Trout are also moving areas with the lake currents and so keep your options open.
Lead line trolling has been good and I would expect that we should see this continue over the next month or so. Try two colours (20 metres) early and three colours (30 metres) later in the morning.
The Tasmanian Devil number 82 or 89 have been good and Tasmanian Devil number 36 ‘Yellow wing’ has by far been the best overall lure to use on the lakes over the past month.
My new black/gold Tasmanian Devil has been very good for downrigging.
Some of the better trolling areas this month will be ‘Hatchery Bay’ and ‘Hayshed Bay’. ‘Sid’s Bay’ through to ‘Rushes Bay’ will fish well early in the day for big Brown Trout.
LAKE SPINNING
Best lure spinning has been on the lake but fish are still being caught in the Thredbo on small Rapalas in the sinking variety. The best spinning will be early and late in the day and fishing where there are steep drop offs with plenty of rocks will be the best areas. Bays like ‘Creel’, ‘Hatchery’ and the ‘Snowy Arm’ all fish well. As the sun rises, change to a ‘Tassie’ and cast further out over drop offs, letting the lure sink before you retrieve with a slow wind.
Best areas have been down at the South Arm or near Banjo Patterson Park.
RIVER SPINNING
On the Thredbo river, a variety of lures will work, but the best will be small bladed spinners, like the Gillies Spina’ or ‘Celtas’ used over the weed beds will be best early. By far floating Rapalas have been best for fishing the slower moving runs and the pools.
Lake Bait Fishing. (Primarily most rivers and streams in the Snowy Mountains Region are fly and lure only, We recommend that you first check with the Department of Primary Industries (NSW Fishing rules) as to which rivers in the area you can legally bait fish in. IF IN DOUBT DON’T BAITFISH IN RIVERS!)
Bait fishing will improve over this month and ‘Mudeyes’ and worms under a float will still be the best bait.
If you can’t get mudeyes, then try tiger worms under a float and either let the waves move it about or if no wind try and wind it in very slowly with a pause every turn of the handle.
Another bait worth suspending under a float is the old faithful grasshopper which is a bait you don’t often seen used much these days but they work a treat and there are plenty about at the moment however you might need the kids with a butterfly net to help you collect the bait.
Best bait fishing areas are ‘Creel Bay’, ‘Hatchery Bay’ and ‘Curiosity Rocks’. Another great area is the bottom of ‘Snowline Caravan Park’ near ‘Widows Creek Inlet’.
LAKE FLY FISHING
Some of the best lake fly fishing is during the coming months as the water cools and this year with so much weed around the edges of the lake we should see some big fish caught. Try any of the streamer patterns such as ‘Mrs Simpson’ and ‘Williamson’s Gold Fish’. Olive green nymphs and shrimp patterns are also worth a try.
The ‘South Arm’, ‘Creel Bay’ and ‘Kangaroo Bay’ are all great.
RIVER FLY FISHING
On the rivers, the Thredbo the hopper fishing season is now in full swing and there is plenty of evening rises and fantastic dry fly fishing.
The Alpine streams are still looking Ok and plenty of small fish are being caught on dry fly also.
Fly selection is not too critical in these streams but placement is critical or else you just scare all the fish.
Try a small Royal Wulff or Royal Humpy and a white moth fly is also not a bad option.
Well worth a look at the lower Mowambah near the weir on the Dalgety Road.
NEWS
Don’t forget the Bestons Trout Challenge being held at Snowline Holiday Park on the 16th, 17th and 18th of February, just call Snowline on 02 64562099 to book.
On the 23rd February I will be holding another one day downrigging course and if you want to learn more then give me a call or e-mail on swtrout@airlan.com.au.
Places are limited and the cost is $100. Call me at the shop on 02 64561551 for bookings
GUIDING
If you would like some personal guiding, I will be available over the coming months for fly fishing tuition and lake trolling trips. Lessons can be booked from 2 hours and trolling trips from 3 hours to a full day.
If you want to know more about the latest in fishing conditions just give me a call on 02 64 561551 or check out my web site at www.swtroutfishing.com.au and I am also starting to build my new web site www.fishingcourses.com.au so have a look at it and I would be grateful for your feedback.
Until next month, hope you catch the big one.
Steve Williamson
Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Adventures.
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Steve Williamson
Fishnet Pro Angler
Email : swilliamson@fishnet.com.au
Report brought to you by Steve Williamson's Trout Fishing Adventures
Phone : 0408 024436 |
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