sydfish
29-06-08, 09:27 AM
TROUT FISHING PREDICTIONS FOR
LAKE JINDABYNE
by Steve Williamson
for 22nd JUNE 2008
NEWS
Well after a weeks break saltwater fishing down at the South Coast, it was back to Jindabyne and into the shop for the week.
At the moment the boat is out of the water and away getting a new canopy fitted which with further improve the winter comfort of a fishing trip on the boat.
It’s a shame I didn’t tow my Polycraft back from the coast to Jindabyne because the days last week were so warm on the lake it wouldn’t have mattered if I had cover or not, the weather was so mild.
This again is a crazy winter and the weather forecasters haven’t been right yet with their predictions.
Unfortunately even the predicted heavy rain turned out to be a night of light showers.
Unfortunately the town has been very quite with not a lot of anglers about and not a lot of reports although the few reports I have had were quite good with a couple of nice browns weighed in at around the 5 to 6lb mark. One was caught trolling and the other on worms off the bank.
The weather next week is predicted to be sunny days with very cold and frosty nights due to a massive high pressure system over the top of us.
That will at least make it pleasant enough on the lake for a fish in the middle of the day and besides sliding on man made snow in the resorts there is not a lot else to do in town at this time of the year than to relax by the lake and catch a couple of trout for dinner.
SNOW CONDITIONS
This weekend we have predictions of a dusting of snow for the mountains but in actual fact there is no ski able natural snow on the ground at the moment and what man made snow is available is only a little at Perisher Valley and Thredbo. Smiggin Hole is still closed.
Last week Perisher Valley had a maximum one day of 11 degrees. NOT GOOD!
Here we are near the end of June and the next predicted snow fall are not until about the 11th July.
Better bring your fishing rods down if you’re booked over the next few weeks!
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.
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 47%.
The boat ramp is just out of the water but launching is still no problem, with a good gravel base in place.
Water Temperature
11 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 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.
LAKE 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.
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. 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.
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.
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
Winter hours will actually increase from the end of June whilst it is peak snow season. I will be open at 8am 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 at the end of June 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 (http://www.swtroutfishing.com.au/) and I am also starting to build my new web site www.fishingcourses.com.au (http://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.
LAKE JINDABYNE
by Steve Williamson
for 22nd JUNE 2008
NEWS
Well after a weeks break saltwater fishing down at the South Coast, it was back to Jindabyne and into the shop for the week.
At the moment the boat is out of the water and away getting a new canopy fitted which with further improve the winter comfort of a fishing trip on the boat.
It’s a shame I didn’t tow my Polycraft back from the coast to Jindabyne because the days last week were so warm on the lake it wouldn’t have mattered if I had cover or not, the weather was so mild.
This again is a crazy winter and the weather forecasters haven’t been right yet with their predictions.
Unfortunately even the predicted heavy rain turned out to be a night of light showers.
Unfortunately the town has been very quite with not a lot of anglers about and not a lot of reports although the few reports I have had were quite good with a couple of nice browns weighed in at around the 5 to 6lb mark. One was caught trolling and the other on worms off the bank.
The weather next week is predicted to be sunny days with very cold and frosty nights due to a massive high pressure system over the top of us.
That will at least make it pleasant enough on the lake for a fish in the middle of the day and besides sliding on man made snow in the resorts there is not a lot else to do in town at this time of the year than to relax by the lake and catch a couple of trout for dinner.
SNOW CONDITIONS
This weekend we have predictions of a dusting of snow for the mountains but in actual fact there is no ski able natural snow on the ground at the moment and what man made snow is available is only a little at Perisher Valley and Thredbo. Smiggin Hole is still closed.
Last week Perisher Valley had a maximum one day of 11 degrees. NOT GOOD!
Here we are near the end of June and the next predicted snow fall are not until about the 11th July.
Better bring your fishing rods down if you’re booked over the next few weeks!
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.
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 47%.
The boat ramp is just out of the water but launching is still no problem, with a good gravel base in place.
Water Temperature
11 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 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.
LAKE 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.
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. 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.
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.
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
Winter hours will actually increase from the end of June whilst it is peak snow season. I will be open at 8am 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 at the end of June 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 (http://www.swtroutfishing.com.au/) and I am also starting to build my new web site www.fishingcourses.com.au (http://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.