▲TopTROUT FISHING PREDICTIONS FOR LAKE JINDABYNE

by Steve Williamson - 20th April 2008

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TROUT FISHING PREDICTIONS FOR LAKE JINDABYNE LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK Lake Levels Water Temperature BAIT FISHING RIVER SPINNING LAKE SPINNING TROLLING FLYFISHING NEWS - Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge – Lemon Tree Passage CONDITIONS PRIZES GUIDING

▲TopLAST WEEK

While the trolling last week was hard work the bait fishing improved and that is great for those anglers that don’t have a boat. No rain to talk about meant that the rivers were once again low and the fish spooky but there are still a lot of big early spawning brown trout is spots if you know where to look.

Fly fishing has been Ok with lots of hopers still about and some dry fly still available on the rivers and streams

It has been perfect weather in the mountains with mornings a little warmer than normal with no frosts to speak of and temperatures near 20 deg C during the day.

▲TopNEXT WEEK

Next week we are still predicted to have some great weather and whilst a little soon to predict the weather for the Anzac weekend I feel it should be OK. For most Anzac weekend will be the last fish for the season whilst others still have the June long weekend to look forward to before winter really sets in.

Just a reminder that May is also the month that the Thredbo river rules change to only one fish per day per angler, and that fish must be over 50cm long. Be aware that NSW fisheries officers are out and about so make sure you have your licence on you.

▲TopLake Levels

Down and down goes the water level but we still have about a metre to go before last years record low level. The boat ramp is only just in the water but launching is still no problem.

▲TopWater Temperature

14 degrees and about steady at the moment as we haven’t had any overnight freezes to talk about and the warm days have the lake temperature a lot warmer than normal for this time of year. The trees are only just turned colour and leaves are just starting to drop showing just how warm the weather has been.

REMINDER At this time of year, these reports are only updated IF the fishing conditions change.

Let’s look at what we should expect with the fishing over the coming weeks.

▲TopBAIT 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 BAIT FISH IN RIVERS!

This month is one of the best months for the bait angler fishing the edges of the lake. Big brown trout are cruising the edges looking for a feed before they head into the rivers on their spawning run. Bardi grubs or local scrub worms are the best baits to catch these big fish but it has to be a well presented bait before you can trick these very wary monsters. The natural oils in the bardi grubs will help it float off the bottom and so they need to be held down with a running sinker. Scrub worms are best fished with no weight at all, just a worm on a hook and tossed into the water preferably with the line greased to help it float off the bottom and out of the weed. If you like you can also use worms under a float over the weed beds.

Worms teamed with an artificial bait like ‘Powerbait’, and fished off the bottom, is a method that is working well at the moment on Lake Jindabyne. The new type of Gulp baits, in jars like the powerbaits, are stated to be 55% more efficient than the older formula and these are well worth a try. winter. Best areas to try over the next couple of months will be Waste Point at Creel Bay and the Snowy Arm near the pumping station.

▲TopRIVER SPINNING

When we get rain, minnow lures like the Rapala’s (especially the jointed ones) and the small 3 inch Stumpjumpers’ and the like will be the best choice for big fish. The jointed Rebel lures in the rainbow trout pattern are another that you should have at hand. Jointed lures have a great action and can be worked fast or slow.

Use sinking or deeper diving minnows when the river is high and stick to smaller lures when the water is low and clear. Don’t worry about the size of lures if the river is in flood because you might find that bigger is better. The Thredbo river is my river of choice from now until rivers close in June. As stated already, there are some early spawners in the river already but they are spooky and the best fishing has been in the dark.

▲TopLAKE SPINNING

Now that the water is cooling down the lake spinning has improved. Tasmanian Devil lures in brown colours such as number 48, the Red nosed brown bomber will catch you fish. When the water temperature gets below 14 degrees celcius, pink or orange lures will also work well.

Try some bigger jointed Rapalas here as well and 11 and 13 cm are not too big for aggressive brown trout. On the lake good spinning areas to try are ‘Creel Bay’, ‘Waste Point’, ‘The Snowy Arm’ and for fish still actively feeding try ‘Curiosity Rocks’, ‘Wollondibby Inlet’, ‘Hatchery Bay’ and ‘The Claypits’ area are also best.

▲TopTROLLING

Lake trolling is interesting in autumn as some days the fish will strike out of aggression and some days they will be feeding. Knowing what the weather is about to do will help. As with spinning on the lake, big jointed lures are well worth a try for big browns.

Tasmanian Devil lures are still well worth a try and this is the time I quite often change to pink or orange coloured lures. These colours seem to work best on the aggressive spawning fish. ‘Tasmanian Devils’ in colours 55 pink or 56 orange are good lures to try for non feeding fish.

Even at this time of year the day will often warm up and the fish will still go deeper. ‘Lead core lines’ and ‘Downriggers’ will still be very useful over the coming months. Remember all the photos in the magazines of big fish caught off downriggers with big minnow lures trolled slowly?

‘Duel Depth’ Tasmanian devil lures rigged through the side hole to troll deeper to 4 metres will also help during he middle of the day, but make sure you don’t troll too fast when this lure is rigged in the deep dive hole.

‘East Jindabyne Islands’ and Sid’s Bay always fish well in autumn for rainbow trout and as the brown trout move to the end of the lake ready to spawn, ‘Creel Bay’ and the ‘Snowy River Arm’ are well worth trying.

▲TopFLYFISHING

The streams and rivers will still have good days even this late in the season. You will possibly still even fish that fish will still take a well presented dry fly.

As the rain comes and more brown trout move into the Thredbo, anglers minds will change to chase big trophy fish and fly anglers will have the best success using ‘glowbugs’ and nymphs. Black and brown nymphs in about a size 10 or 12 are good and make sure you have some weighed flies for when the river is flowing hard, as you need to get the fly down to the fish before you will catch them.

Lake Jindabyne will fish better this month. Water temperatures have a big effect on how close to shore the fish come but it’s cooler now and the fishing is much better and will continue to improve as the water cools even further.

Flies to try over the coming months will be the ‘Purple/Black Woolley Bugger’ and ‘Mrs Simpson’. Don’t forget the ‘Williamson’s Gold Fish’ around the creek inlets during the late evening.

▲TopNEWS - Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge – Lemon Tree Passage

Please note that Bestons Holiday Parks has had a name change to Discovery Holiday Parks. www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au

I am helping with the organisation of the Koala Shores Family Fishing Challenge and would love you to join me for a weekend of fishing and fun.

The ‘The Family Fishing Challenge’ is an environmentally friendly fishing competition suitable for the whole family.

Where – Koala Shores Holiday Park, Lemon Tree Passage, NSW.
When – Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th MAY 2008
Registration and reading of the rules 7pm Friday 2nd May
Cost - $50 Adults and $25 Children (for Guests of Koala Shores Holiday Park.)
Non Guests must be locals of Port Stephens area, where entry fee will be $60 adults and $30 Children which includes the cost of two BBQ lunches and 1 dinner.

Timetable
The Family Fishing Challenge is a fishing competition held over 2 sessions.
Friday - 7pm Registration and reading of the rules.
Saturday- Dawn to 4pm – Fishing session 1
Saturday- 4pm – Session I Weigh in and BBQ Dinner at 6pm
Sunday- Dawn to 11am – Fishing session 2
Sunday- 11am – Fishing session 2 weigh in
Sunday 12 noon – Presentation BBQ

Only the best fish species nominated for the competition, caught by each angler will be ‘weighed’ in at each session. The length of each fish caught will determine the winners of each section.

▲TopCONDITIONS

The Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge is a fishing competition that has been put together so that anglers of the same interests can have a fun weekend in the beautiful surrounds of Lemon Tree Passage, Port Stephens N.S.W..

▲TopPRIZES

Prizes will be awarded for - Longest fish of each chosen species. Best lady angler. Best child angler under 16.

Best team entry. MAJOR PRIZES - Lucky entry prize and Secret length and many more. For bookings and competition entry – Koala Shores Holiday Park – 1800 463 209 In association with event organizer – Steve Williamson (02) 64561551 ‘Steve Williamson’s Fishing Adventures’

▲TopGUIDING

As the guiding season comes to an end it will be necessary due to staffing levels to make sure you book well ahead. 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 report, hope you catch the big one.