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TROUT FISHING PREDICTIONS FOR LAKE JINDABYNE LAST MONTH NEXT WEEK Lake Levels Water Temperature BAIT FISHING RIVER SPINNING LAKE SPINNING TROLLING FLYFISHING SHOP HOURS ACCOMMODATION GUIDING

▲TopTROUT FISHING PREDICTIONS FOR LAKE JINDABYNE

by Steve Williamson for 1st JUNE 2008

▲TopLAST MONTH

Well the month of May went very quickly with very little change to the fishing conditions.

The rivers remained low and the fish spooky and although there were some big fish caught in the Thredbo, there were also a lot of lures and flies thrown between the fish that were caught. Again I say that we desperately need rain and the little snow and shower or two we did have last month did nothing for the water in the rivers.

On the lake the fishing again was predictable with the days that we had some overcast or windy conditions the fishing was OK but when we had fine and sunny weather and the lake was calm, it was good to go fishing but not so good for catching fish. Saying that though, May was also the month we did however see some very big brown trout caught on the lake by lake trollers. Fish to 8lb were caught and 5lb were common, with each day someone catching a good fish either trolling or on bait.

Bait fishing improved over the past month with the better fishing by using the Powerbait varieties. Mudeyes are now mostly unavailable and those that managed to bring some with them have had very little success using them anyway. Those that did have success, were trolling them behind ford fenders.

Overall the weather has been very good and we are still experiencing above average day time temperature but with the clear nights we have also experienced some very chilly mornings with Cooma having one at minus 9 and Charlotte Pass having a record autumn chill of minus 13. the coldest we had in Jindabyne has been minus 5, but most mornings it hovers just on zero or above.

▲TopNEXT WEEK

Winter is here!
Monday night 9th June is the closure of the river fishing for winter to allow the trout to spawn in peace. Being also the Queens Birthday long weekend, it is also a busy one in the Snowys with anglers coming to have the last go at catching a big brown trout in the spawning rivers and it is also the start of the snow ski season with the resorts of Thredbo and Perisher Blue having their season opening celebrations. Bait fishing on the lake will be worth a go and the fishing is definitely improving by the week. Trollers will have to put the time in to get results and we will continue to see some big fish caught early.

Don’t forget your thermals as the mornings will be cold.

A couple of the ex Brood Atlantic Salmon and a couple of the Brook trout have been caught over the last week in the lake meaning that they are also starting to come on the bite. If you’re planning on fishing the Thredbo River, you must remember that you will not be the only one on the water. The usual haunts like Paddys Corner will be very busy with anglers so don’t be surprised if you’re not the only one on the water.

The long range forecast is for rain and a little snow by the end of the next week and if this happens there will be a run of fish in the rivers and some excellent fishing for the Queens birthday long weekend. Just a reminder that until the closure, the Thredbo river rules are 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

The levels are still dropping slowly as predicted. The level is now about 48%. The boat ramp is just out of the water but launching is still no problem, with a good gravel base in place.

▲TopWater Temperature

13 degrees and about steady at the moment.

REMINDER _*At this time of year, these reports are only updated ONLY IF the fishing conditions change. This is also the last report until late June. My shop will be closed from the end of the long weekend until the 17th June, while I have a break. Then we are back in full swing again for winter.*_

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!

You can’t get much better bait fishing than in the winter months. Big hungry trout and Atlantic salmon are cruising the edges looking for a feed. Very little food about in winter and the trout are looking right through out the day and night. Berkley powerbait and 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. 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 tiger worms under a float over the weed beds. About 4 or 5 small worms with wriggling tails dangling down is hard for a fish to reject.

Worms teamed with an artificial bait like ‘Powerbait’, and fished off the bottom, is another 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

The season is coming to an end as reported earlier and there are early spawning browns in the Thredbo, but the river is low and clear and the fish are spooky.

When and if we get rain, which may happen in time for the long weekend, 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.

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. Monday the 9th is the closure!

▲TopLAKE SPINNING

Now that the water is cooling down the lake spinning has improved. Tasmanian Devil lures in aggression colours like reds, pinks and oranges are starting to work best now. The Red nosed brown bomber has also still been good and will also catch you fish.

The fish move close to the edges of the lake in winter so you need to be careful not to spook the fish. 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. Soft plastics are also well worth a try in winter and some of the Squidgees and Gulp bait type lure are working with the smell and attractants helping to make the fish strike.

See me in the shop for some instruction on what is best and the best way to rig and use these artificials.

▲TopTROLLING

Lake trolling is interesting in winter and some days the fishing is spectacular. Mostly however you just get out of bed and hit the water when the frost and ice melts off the boat and you troll around all day and there will be no pattern as to when and where the fish will bite. Knowing what the weather is about to do will help with your decision on what lure colour to use but mostly the fish will be non selective and it will be more being in the right place at the right time that will bring the results.

When the snow is coming though, go for aggression lures.

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. The duel depth Tasmanian Devils have been very popular with trollers due to the little extra depth and stronger action.

‘Lead core lines’ and ‘Downriggers’ will still be very useful over the coming months as the fish will spread out and can be anywhere at anytime. Remember all the photos in the magazines of big fish caught off downriggers with big minnow lures trolled slowly? 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 (be careful of snags) always fish well 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

For the last week of river fishing it will be mostly nymphs and glow bugs on the Thredbo River however you might see some dry fly action on some of the other streams like the Moonbah. 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.

▲TopSHOP HOURS

Winter hours will actually increase from the end of June whilst it is peak snow season. I will be open at 7am and then close at 5pm and 6pm on Saturdays in July and August. I however will close the shop totally for a week on Tuesday 10th and reopen on the 17th June while I have a break down the coast and the boat gets some servicing.

▲TopACCOMMODATION

It’s often the case that accommodation is hard to get in peak season and the price is very high. For special fishermen deals and big discounts on rates call Shawn at Snowline Holiday Park for huge discounts of normal prices. You may get close to off season rates for June and September and big discounts for July and August for midweek’s if cabins are available. Call Shawn on 0407518924.

▲TopGUIDING

Now that winter is here, I have to divide my time between the shop and my guiding activities. Boat trolling trips will resume at the end of June when the boat returns from having a new canopy fitted. The boat will have heaps of cove and be ‘draft proofed’ for your comfort. Even a cabin backdrop of ‘clears’, that can be closed off in the worst weather conditions. All we need now is the heater and we will be in full comfort, however with the new setup we will be fishing almost in a glasshouse, so you might have to dodge the tomato plants whilst we fish.

Over winter I will be concentrating only on boat trips for bait fishing, spinning, fly fishing and trolling. All trips will mostly be done from the boat for comfort reasons. Fly fishing casting lessons will also be available in winter. Sight seeing trips to the ruins of the old town and church will also be held in late winter. Call me if you want to book but please call in advance.

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.