Is the Traralgon Ck DEAD?

[troutfisherau]

Hi everybody out there,I was wondering if anyone has fished the Traralon Creek(Vic) before the Floods,and have seen any Trout take off in the Shallow runs?The reason I'm asking this is because a few people I know haven't seen any Trout at all where there is usually HEAPS,so is the Creek DEAD and in need of Restocking,or am I wrong about the condition of the Traralgon Creek?

[Gazman55]

Why do I have a sense of dejavu -

http://www.fishnet.com.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=93862&f=14

Get up there and have a look.

Gaz.

PS No it's not dead.

[troutfisherau]

I'd say there's no point in checking the Creek myself,because of all of the RAPE and MUTILATION by cutting down the Willows and leavng the water devoid of shade.

[Gazman55]

While they are removing the willows in stages I'd say it's a bit alarmist to say they have raped and mutilated the place.

The Willow removal programme is a good thing.

The areas that have had them removed have recovered beautifully with native trees providing ample shade and cover over the river, the banks are recovering and the fish are most definately there.

But I guess I'll just continue fishing the place and you can sit at your keyboard getting angry about the fact we are removing a very invassive and destructive introduced species, and I am talking about the willows.

Gaz.

[troutfisherau]

What I don't like so much about the Willow removal,is the FACT that the Authorities are Cutting down the Willows too quickly,and not leaving at least one free standing tree(for shade)till the trees they plant have grown to a certain hight.Also if the Authorities are so Fair Dinkum about Creek improvements,then why dont they Electro Fish the STINKING S--T fish called the European Carp out of the Creek,as I see the Swamp Trout as a bigger THREAT than the Willows?

[Gazman55]

If they leave even one tree it will produce seed stock during the spring and defeat the purpose of the removal programme.

That's why they have only been clearing small stretches at any one time (about 1km) starting up stream, it still leaves habitat for any existing fish either up or downstream.

As far as carp go, well that's a different argument all together.

How do you electrofish without killing everything in the creek?

Trout can also be considered an invassive non native species, once again an argument I don't want to start.

But the Willow removal programme I will support 100%.

Gaz.

[troutfisherau]

I heard that Electro Fishing only stuns fish,that's why Tasmanian Fisheries use it to see how many Trout are in particular Habitat,so to gauge the Health of a River or Creek.

[Gazman55]

Your'e right, electrofishing should only stun the fish and it would be great to see a carp removal programme happening, in conjunction with the Willow removal, personally I've caught alot more Redfin, Trout and Golden's than Carp in that stretch of water.

I hope you can see my point as to why they don't leave even one Willow tree.

Now you got on hear to ask about the condition of the Traralgon Ck and I gave you my honest opinion, which you can take or leave, if you want to talk about the validity of the Creek regeneration programme you should contact the appropriate authorities, I'm just a keen fisherman making the most of what we have, which in my books isn't all that bad.

Gaz.

[troutfisherau]

Thanks Garry for your honest appraisal of the Traralgon Creek,but I don't see how the Trout and Natives(Blackfish,Tupong,Eels,Grayling and Crayfish)could get Quickly acclimatised to Willow removal,when they've gotten used to the Willows for over a hundred years,perhaps I'm wrong,but all changes shouldbe Gradual I think.