| article: trout tales may edition 2007 by steve williamson |
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Dated: 14 May, 2007
MAY EDITION 2007
IN THIS ISSUE
* MAY FISHING REPORT
* FLY FISHING WEEKEND
* LAKE LEVELS
* JINDABYNE NEWS
* PAMBULA NEWS
* TROLLING CLINIC and more!
Hi and welcome to the MAY 2007 issue of Trout Tales.
Well, May sees the change of rules for fishing the Thredbo and Eucumbene rivers. From now until the rivers close on the Monday of the June long weekend, it is allowable to keep only one fish OVER 50cm.
Don’t get caught with more and don’t keep any fish under 50cm. It doesn’t matter if it’s a brown, rainbow or salmon.
Now you all know that I think this is a stupid rule and would like the rules to remain as they are for the rest of the season so I am not going to say any more than that.
This issue will be talked about at the Snowy Lakes Working Group meeting on the 5th May.
Anyhow, it is now ‘glow bug’ season again on the rivers as the fish spawn and I can tell you that there are a few very dangerous purists out there that would like to see the rivers closed altogether from May to November but just remember, trout are introduced, we breed the little buggers at Gaden Trout Hatchery and Dutton Hatchery with our fishing licence money and we STOCK the rivers. So what is the problem with people fishing over winter anyway? 99% of anglers only fish for the sport and they put the spawners back anyway?
Are you aware that more damage is done by trying to land these bigger fish only to find out they are 49cm instead of 50cm so we muck around and take photos only to release the fish so as it can later die of stress.
How stupid is this rule? There is absolutely NO scientific evidence that numbers of trout are declining. Remember they don’t actually stock Brown Trout in the Thredbo River or Lake Jindabyne the only ones that are, are fin clipped Brown Trout for research reasons.
FISHING REPORT
Last weekend we had a cold change come through with a little rain and the fishing was great. Then on Thursday morning another southerly with little wind but very cold and misty. These conditions combined have helped pick the fishing up and we had spectacular fishing with most anglers catching a lot of fish. Yesterday morning I had regular Amanda Walshaw and a friend from France out trolling and what a morning it was with 10 fish in three hours and plenty of time in between spent taking photos.
All fish were caught on mostly yellowing tassies and at all depths. The Rainbow Trout were up to 3lb and in spectacular condition.
Past Jindabyne resident and now regular visitor Stephen Frisk has been enjoying his two week stay and has decided to stay another week because he has been having a great time bagging out most days either fly fishing or trolling (or both) on the lake.
I can’t emphasise enough that the trout are in spectacular condition at the moment and fighting hard as well.
The cold change on Wednesday has also encouraged some big fish into the Thredbo river and anglers are having a great time at the moment on both lure and fly. I would say that with more rain expected next week we should see some more fish move into the Thredbo and a continuation to some great fishing for the rest of May.
The last two days have been the coldest so far this year at just on 0 degrees C.
For the latest updates on the fishing please check out my web site.
WHAT’S HAPPENING OVER WINTER
My guiding business will finish up on the Wednesday 6th of June when the boat will come out of the water for a couple of weeks for maintenance. I will also be on holidays from the 9th June for one week.
The shop will also close from the Tuesday after the long weekend until the following Saturday so that we can do a little bit of shop maintenance also. After that it will be back to business by the end of June and I will be available for boat trolling and fly fishing lessons right through out winter.
FISHING AND 4WD SHOW
There is NO show in Sydney this June and the show this year will be in November 9th to 11th which of course is my busy time and also the end of the Snowy Mountains Trout Festival week. Bad timing so I will not be there this year.
DOWN THE DRAIN GOES OUR WATER
PLEASE, Snowy Hydro how about a little more information on what the hell is going to happen with our water. Too many rumours and it is your fault this is happening, by not being totally transparent about what you are doing you create rumours! You talk about Lake Jindabyne being lowered another 1.6 metres by the end of April, when in fact we all know that the pumps at Waste Point are drawing silt and the lake would have to be dredged or pumps extended to take the lake lower? Or is still more rumours’?
Your web site is out of date or deceptive to say the least and you media department haven’t got a clue about the real facts. Try asking them! Do any of you at Snowy Hydro know what you’re doing? Some of us have businesses to run so it wouldn’t hurt to let us know from day to day what is happening! Would it?
We all know that now there is a new outlet at the dam wall it is possible to take the lake many metres lower but I guess you don’t want to do that as you can’t make money from the water once it goes threw our new little power station.
What’s happening with Morris Iemma’s promise of letting more water down the Snowy River should he win the state election? Well he won does that mean that we are going to loose even more water out of Lake Jindabyne?
Hey, Snowy Hydro, whatever you have to do, you have to do! We understand that! But why do you leave us all in the dark? We have business to run too and we need to make plans! So why the big secret Snowy Hydro, or isn’t there anyone that works in Snowy Hydro that knows what their doing?
On the 23rd April there was a meeting about these concerns at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall. Unfortunately I was down the coast and didn’t make it to the meeting – but neither did Snowy Hydro!
From the newspaper reports not a lot was mentioned so when I find out more I will let you know.
Stop Press - SUMMIT SUN REPORT – Thursday 26th April
Unfortunately last weeks report in the Summit Sun states that Lake Eucumbene will continue to drop. The worse thing is that Terry Charlton, Snowy Hydro CEO, stated they are looking at ways of dropping Lake Eucumbene to below minimum operational level (MOL). This apparently can be done by gravity feed which is not possible in Lake Jindabyne.
Currently Lake Eucumbene’s water level is RL1122 metres but could drop up to a further 5.5m to around MOL at 1116.5 metres by late July early August. Lake Jindabyne may drop another metre if they dredge the silt away from the pumps. The current level is RL 897 and minimum is RL896. Evaporation can be 100mm (four inches) a month and then there is the water for the towns water supply over winter. MOL is expected by mid May (they said it would be at MOL by mid April in March) but that is if we don’t get any rain. Mr Charlton stated that the current total of Snowy Scheme storages are only 9% !!!!!!!!!
JINDABYNE NEWS
Jindabyne votes for clean energy with it’s “50:50 by 20:20” Campaign, Mayor Richard Wallace has also supported the campaign with a push for solar and wind energy.
Snowy Hydro’s cloud seeding to continue this winter with research showing that seeding has resulted in an increase of precipitation of between 5% and 20% in some cloud formations.
John and Sophia Kalimetis of ‘Johnny’s Tourist Shop has sold his business after 30 years of operation in the Old Town Centre. You could always rely on Johnny’s for supplies when everything else was shut. Jindabyne will miss this hard working couple.
Mick Pendergast passed away on the 16th March. Mick (Bernard George ‘Mick’ Pendergast) along with his brothers Dave and Noel (Deceased) and Jack and Vaughan (and sisters Kit, Mag and Mary) were regarded locally as the real men (and women) from The Snowy River. Mick was aged 93 years and 7 months and passed away after a short illness. Mick received The Man from Snowy River award in 1988. R.I.P.
SNOWLINE HOLIDAY PARK UPDATE
Rhonda and Les have now retired and we welcome Samantha and Shaun to Snowline. Sam and Shaun have had some experience in parks management for some time and I look forward to working with them. Beston Parks Management continues to grow and have now just purchased Gerroa Shores Holiday Park and that now makes six parks in NSW and a total of nearly 40 across Australia with more on parks on the horizon. I have recently been down with Phill Jones of Fishing Monthly Magazine to do some feature articles on Shadrack at Eden, Holiday Hub at Pambula and Wallaga Lake Park near Bermaqui.
BOB WESTERN’S ‘GLENGARY’ or ‘MICHAEL’S
Last week Bob Western called in to have a chat to us about the number of inconsiderate anglers that were camping on his property not asking permission about fishing or camping and then and leaving their trash behind.
Here we go again! A FEW have just about spoiled it for everyone haven’t they.
For many years, as long as I can remember Bob Western has been kind enough to let anglers on his property and now it’s all but over because of the minority. Bob has asked us not to send anyone onto his property, not that we ever did anyway, we have never encouraged it. Remember it is private property and unless you ask permission you must stay away.
Camping is NOT permitted around the lake shore but you can camp in designated areas that are in the National Park. If you are fishing around the lake foreshore it is also a good time now to clean up some of the broken glass and bottles that are laying about. If we as anglers don’t make an effort to keep the lake clean we will end up having more and more areas cut off to fishing.
PAMBULA NEWS
Once again our family fishing workshops were well supported at Holiday Hub Beach Resort at Pambula and we started for the first time the same workshops at Shadrack at Eden.
Barry has been holding these workshops now for about six months and with their success we will continue to operate them, with the support of our sponsors Australian Fishing Tackle Association, Wigston Lures, SAGA Tackle, Wilsons Tackle, Alan Perry, Australian Fishing Network and of course Beston Parks. Thanks for your support and we look forward to continuing our operation in October School Holidays. We could always do with more support so if you know of anyone that would also like to contribute with any sponsorship no matter how small they can contact me on 02 6456 1551.
CLIMATE WARMING?
In times of global warming when every one is trying to do the right thing to reduce carbon emissions, the whole of the Snowy Mountains through to Canberra and who knows how much further, is covered in a smoke haze caused by recent hazard reduction burning by National Parks and Wildlife! Isn't this smoke carbon based? Doesn't these burnoffs contradict everything that is being done to help stop global warming? Can someone please explain?
ONE DAY DOWRIGGING COURSE in Jindabyne
The one day downrigging course was a huge success and all had a lot of fun and learnt heaps. With the popularity of this course I will hold a few more of these after winter. Let me know now if you are interested as there is a limit of only six people at each course. The course is $100 for the day.
TROLLING CLINIC
The next weekend trolling clinic will be in October.
GADEN TROUT HATCHERY GETS $263,000 UPGRADE
Primary Industries Minister Ian MacDonald was in Jindabyne last month to inspect the worksite of the new upgrades at Gaden Trout Hatchery. $263,000 will be spent doubling the current hatchery rooms, including new sate of are insulated flooring, new incubators, breeding troughs and tanks for holding fry. We must remember this money has come from The Recreational Freshwater Trust Fund (your licence money) and the Iemma Government has promised to ONLY provide an additional $25,000.
FISHING GUIDES
If you are or know any fishing guides out there that are thinking of becoming a member of the Professional Fishing Guides and Instructors Association it is their chance to come to the AGM meeting at Holiday Hub Beach Resort at Pambula on Saturday 2nd June. There are some important issues to be discussed that will be seriously effecting guiding in Australia. This is a great chance to see what the PFIGA is all about and a great chance to meet other guides and network. For more information please contact me for your official invitation.
FISHING REPORTS
You can always access the latest Jindabyne Fishing Reports from my web site at www.swtroutfishing.com.auhowever should you wish to have a report directly e-mailed to you as soon as they are updated you can always request to be put into my address book and have theme e-mailed direct. You will also find on my web site now fishing reports for Pambula/Merimbula and area.
These saltwater reports are compiled by myself, Barry and friends down on the coast that fish the area regularly. At the moment I am tending to fish the coast a day or two a week so I have a reasonable handle on what is happening and intend to update monthly. These reports will be a little more up to date than what you read in the magazines which are more than often written a month before they are distributed.
SHOP NEWS
As we run down to the end of another trout fishing season we would like to thank you all for your support over the last year. Again winter will be a tough one for us as we haven’t really had a very good summer. The bush fires in January didn’t help and the continuing drought conditions frightened people away.
It was silly to say away though, as the fish continued to be good, after we were saved by two weeks of heavy storms in February. No body is saying that it is not going to be a tough year ahead if the drought continues and we do once again thank you for your continued support as without it we would not be operating much longer.
By supporting our shop we can continue to give you the best advice and support when you come to fish the Snowy Mountains area. Our motto ‘We might not have the best price, but we do have the best advice’ holds very true! We spend a lot of time with our customers to make sure they have the best chance of catching a fish. Myself and my staff spend nearly every day somewhere on the water, so we do know what is going on! If you remember that, and support us by making your purchases in Jindabyne, we will continue to operate.
If you support the bigger department stores or internet – don’t expect us to there for you in years to come! NOTE – Our shop will close for four days from Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th June opening again on Saturday 16th June. ALL STAFF GONE FISHING!
BEGINNER FLY FISHING WEEKEND COURSE
The next course in Jindabyne now won’t be until spring. Call my shop and let them know you’re interested in attending.
RAINBOW LODGE
Rainbow Lodge is now booked out for winter and will be available once again in October. Bookings please phone my shop on 02 6456 1551 during business hours.
E-MAIL ADDRESS
The old address no longer exists! Please update my address to swtrout@airlan.com.au
A FUNNY
You know you’re a fisherman if:
1) You have a power worm dangling from your rear view mirror because you think it makes a good air freshener.
2) Your wedding party had to tie tin cans to the back of your boat.
3) You call your boat "sweetheart" and your wife "the cook".
4) Your local tackle shop has your credit card number on file.
5) You keep a rod by your favourite chair to change the TV channels with.
6) You name your black labrador "Mercury" and your cat "Evinrude".
7) Your local tackle shop has a private line just for you.
8) You have your name painted on a parking space at the launch ramp.
9) You have a photo of your 10lb. trout on your desk at work instead of your family.
10) You consider VB and crackers a complete meal.
11) You think MEGABYTES means a great day fishing.
12) You send your kid off to the first day of school with his shoes tied in a palomar knot.
13) You think there are four seasons--Pre-spawn, Spawn, Post Spawn and Hunting.
14) Your $30,000 boat's trailer needs new tyres so you just "borrow" the ones off your house.
15) You trade your wife's van for a smaller vehicle so your boat will fit in the garage.
16) Your kids know it's Saturday---Because the boat's gone!
Three Blondes Fishing
Three blondes are sitting by the side of a river holding fishing poles with the lines in the water. A Fishing inspector comes up behind them, taps them on the shoulder and says, Excuse me, ladies, I'd like to see your fishing licenses.
We don't have any, replied the first blonde.
Well, if you're going to fish, you need fishing licenses. said the inspector.
But officer, replied the second blonde, we aren't fishing. We all have magnets at the end of our lines and we're collecting debris off the bottom of the river.
The inspector lifted up all the lines and, sure enough, there were horseshoe magnets tied on the end of each line. Well, I know of no law against it, said the Inspector, take all the debris you want. And with that, the Fishing Inspector left.
As soon as the inspector was out of sight, the three blondes started laughing hysterically. What a dumb Fish Cop, the second blonde said to the other two, doesn't he know that there are steelhead trout in this river?!
One for the doctors out there.
A world renowned neurologist is giving a seminar to a group of doctors about involuntary muscular contractions. He goes on to explain that there are many muscles in our body are reacting involuntarily of each other and without us even knowing. He senses the class is becoming bored with his speech, so he tries to lighten it up a bit by asking a woman doctor in the front row, “You probably have no idea what your asshole is doing every time you have an orgasm”. She smiled sheepishly and replied, “ I know exactly what he’s doing, he’s out fishing with his friends.”
If you would like an up to date fishing report e-mailed direct to you each week, please e-mail a request to me and you will be added to my list.
Hope you enjoyed this edition of ‘Trout Tales’, the next edition should be in early JUNE.
I look forward to catching up with you all soon.
Steve Williamson
TO SUBSCRIBE TO ‘TROUT TALES’ e-mail swtrout@airlan.com.auor check out my web site.
Please e-mail me if you want to unsubscribe as well.
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