▲TopTROUT FISHING PREDICTIONS FOR LAKE JINDABYNE

by Steve Williamson

for 7th JULY 2008

NEWS

Quite a few people fishing at the moment due to the poor snow conditions and I have seen some good fish landed.

A few boats out on the lake but most people are fishing from the shore.

The best method would be bait but those that know how to lure spin are doing OK as well.

A couple of fly anglers are about and they are getting good results from the top end of the lake using bigger flies stripped quickly over weedy areas.

The weather overall hasn’t been all that bad and only one morning last week where it was freezing due to the big frost. Other mornings have been just above zero and warming quickly to days of mid to higher teens.

The next week looks a little different with rain and snow predicted later today and then maybe even snow to 1000 metres by late tomorrow.

This weather may stay with us until next weekend. Snow and rain is great for trout fishing in winter it’s just that you need to rug up and brave the conditions to get the results. See you on the water soon.

SNOW CONDITIONS

This week we are hoping to get a good fall of snow because at present there is NO ski able natural snow in the resorts. All resorts are pretty much relying on runs with man made snow. Today we are hoping that the rain doesn’t do too much damage before the natural snow comes. It’s school holidays at the moment and we need extra snow for the second week of the holidays.

NEXT WEEK

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. Troll very slowly for best results. Don’t forget your thermals as the mornings will be cold. Ex Brood Atlantic Salmon and Brook trout are still cruising the lake and add to the attraction. Remember the rivers are now closed to fishing. Be aware that NSW fisheries officers are out and about so make sure you have your licence on you.

Lake Levels

The levels are still dropping slowly as predicted. The level is now about 46%.

The boat ramp is just out of the water but launching is still no problem, with a good gravel base in place.

Water Temperature

9 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.

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 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 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 worms at present are best fished with a float just deep enough to keep them out of the weed. 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.

LAKE SPINNING

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.

Over the last week smaller floating Rapalas fished slowly over the weed bed is getting results.

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.

TROLLING

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.

‘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.

FLYFISHING

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. As reported earlier the bigger flies stripped quickly are getting the rainbow trout to strike.

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.

SHOP HOURS

I will be open at 8am (most days) and then close at 5pm and 6pm on Saturdays in July and August.

ACCOMMODATION

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.

GUIDING

Now that winter is here, I have to divide my time between the shop and my guiding activities.

Boat trolling trips will resume mid July when the boat returns from having a new canopy fitted. The boat will have heaps of cover 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.