For recent Pambula / Merimbula / Eden Fishing Report please see bottom of page.

To find out more about the 'Discovery Parks Family Fishing Competitions, please click here.

Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Report.

AUGUST 18th 2008

To see some of the latest photos please click here.

NEWS

Over the last few weeks, we have experienced very cold weather with constant southerly winds dropping light snow flurries throughout the mountains with the occasional flake in Jindabyne. At the moment there is just over 1.5 metres of snow at Spensors Creek days which has meant that there is now more snow on the mountains than last season.

While that sounds good for the lakes there is still not enough water to get us out of trouble next summer but things improve daily and if they can just get some rain in the Murray Darling systems then things would be better.

With the weather the way it has been there have not been many boat out fishing on the lake but anglers fishing from the shoreline have been doing very well.

Bait by far has been the best method however there has been some fish also caught on lures.

I have been guiding on the lake the last couple of days and yesterday managed a few fish in a couple of hours trolling on the lake, so there is plenty of winter fishing happening, but bring your winter woolies and always check the weather conditions before leaving base because it can be very dangerous on the lake in a boat at this time of the year with strong winds hitting anytime.

LAKE LEVEL and TEMPERATURE

With cold conditions and no rain, there has been little inflow of water into the lake and so the level has remained the same at an all time low of 45.5%.

Launching bigger boats at the moment is hard as there is only dirt at the end of the ramp.

The council has promised to do something about it but to date I think they are hoping the lake will rise and they will get out of having to do any work.

SNOW REPORT

The snow can’t get much better with a reasonable cover of 1.5 to 1.7 metres.

The cold southerly winds and light flurries have kept the snow in a dry condition and some good skiing in light powder conditions can be found away from the main runs.

At this stage the weather pattern will remain the same and so the snow should be fantastic for a couple of weeks at least.

Mid weeks are the time to ski with hardly a person to be seen on some of the runs. With excellent coverage skiers can spread out across the resorts leaving the easier slopes to the beginners.

Let’s have a look at what the fishing is going to be like over the next few weeks.

Trolling.

It has been a bitter week to be on the boat this week due to the cold southerly winds, but overall we have had some really good days with fish being caught without a lot of trouble. The most trouble has been the wind and controlling the boat. Surface trolling has been improving but we need some warm days to get the action firing.

Lead core lines at two colours (20 metres) to three colours will also be best. (20 to 30 metres of line out will get your lure down an extra 2 to 3 metres). There is no doubt that lead core lines were catching most of the fish in the middle of the day, over recent weeks.

The best lure over recent weeks have been number 82 yellow wing Tasmanian Devil preferably in Duel Depth (20 gram) The Y48 duel depth is worth a try on dull days or deeper down.

You don’t have to fish these deep at the moment you just have to be in the right place at the right time

East Jindabyne islands, Hayshed Bay, Lion and Cub Islands and the South arm have been fishing very well.

Lake 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 BAITFISH IN RIVERS!)

Berkleys GULP Chunky Cheese Powerbait is still catching good size browns. Lime twist and lemon twist are also catching fish.

Tiger worms or scrub worms under a float have been doing very well for rainbows and Atlantic salmon.

Scrub worms off the bottom and a power bait dropper will be the best middle of the day for the brown trout. The big secret at the moment is to fish with bail arm open and make sure you grease the line to make sure you keep it out of the slime on the bottom of the lake.

Best areas for bait fishing at the moment have been, ‘The Haven’, ‘Curiosity Rocks’ (deeper water because there isn’t any water in the creek any more), ‘Waste Point’, The Snowy Arm and East Jindabyne pumping station. Baits suspended under a float are a more productive method early and late in the day.

Lake Spinning

To target rainbow trout and brown trout, floating Rapala’s are well worth a try. It’s time now to go back to smaller sizes with 5 and 7 cm floaters being better. Jointed minnows are still well worth throwing and working the dropoff for best results again use the smaller sizes now. Any trout pattern lure should be worth a try. It is also well worth trying a few small spinners like Celtas or Gillies spinners in the shallows but make sure you keep out of sight and it is better to spot the fish and cast past it bring the lure about a metre or two in front of the fish.

Tasmanian Devils are catching fish in the deeper water by casting and waiting for the lure to sink a little before a slow retrieve. Cast as far out as you can but best results will be when the water is choppy with a little wind.

Spin close around rocky outcrops for best results later on in the day in the day and use smaller lures like ‘Celtas’ or ‘Gillies Spinners’ around the shallow bays after dark. Don’t stay in one place too long and only put in a couple of casts in each area.

Fly Fishing Lake

The days are getting longer now and the evenings are improving on the fishing front. I wouldn’t say that there is a lot of fish moving around the edges yet and you do have to do a bit of walking to spot anything. I would suggest that we still need the water to warm a couple of degrees before the fish really come on. Most of the brown trout are back from spawning now and reports from some NSW Fisheries (DPI) researchers stated that there are now plenty of rainbow trout in the Thredbo river.

I would suggest that the best flies to use on the lake at the moment are Woolley Buggers or larger flies deep down if just prospect casting but if you do spot a fish it might be better to try a small nymph first. Strip the flies slowly after letting them sink to the bottom. Yabby patterns are also worth a try in the areas you see yabby holes.

Craigs Night time and Williamson’s Goldfish have been two flies well worth using at dawn and dusk.

If you sight a fish in the shallows you may be better to cast a smaller fly than a larger fly, something like a green nymph.

For visitors to the Snowy’s we have a full range of fishing tackle for hire at my shop and fishing tours are now available.

My other web site for my fishing courses is now up and running and is being expanded all the time.

Check it out at www.fishingcourses.com.au

For visitors to the Snowy’s we have a full range of fishing tackle for hire at my shop and fishing tours are now available.

For any fishing updates in the mean time please give my shop a call on 64 561551

For more information on the local fishing conditions call into my shop at Snowline Centre, Kosciuszko Road next to the Shell Service Station..

For visitors to the Snowy’s we have a full range of fishing tackle for hire at my shop and fishing tours are now available.

For more information on the latest fishing conditions, please call into –

STEVE WILLIAMSON’S TACKLE SHOP

Shop 1 Snowline Centre, Kosciuszko Road Jindabyne 2627

Fishing Charters – Bait and Tackle Supplies- Marine Supplies

P.M.B. 5 Jindabyne NSW 2627 E-mail swtrout@airlan.com.au www.swtroutfishing.com.au

Shop – (02) 64 561551 Fax – (02) 64 561342

Pambula / Merimbula/ Eden Fishing Report.

As most of you know we are now also offering fishing lessons and tuition at Pambula on the south coast based at 'Holiday Hub Beach Resort'. Shortly we will also be offering the same tuition at Eden. Barry Hein who works for 'Steve Williamson's Fishing Adventures' is a local to Merimbula and fishes the area regularly. I have also been fishing down on the South Coast for the last 10 years and have experience in areas from Narooma to Eden. Together Barry and I, with help from other locals, are now offering up to date fishing reports for the south coast as well. These reports are formulated from our own personal experiences and with input from local tackle shops.

To find out more about the Discovery Parks Family Fishing Competitions, please click here.

May / June 2008

By Steve Williamson. –

NEWS –

As we head towards winter and the water cools down, we change our fishing tactics, as many species of fish head for warmer water.

That doesn’t mean the fishing is bad or anything it just means we often target different species.

Salmon and tailor are presently cruising the beaches in the area and are being caught on bait and lure.

Bream, luderick and some flathead are still plentiful in the estuary systems of Merimbula and Pambula and over the next month expect plenty of bigger tailor and salmon to move into the systems.

There are plenty of fish about so let’s look at the best ways to catch some of these fish.

ESTUARY BAIT.

What’s available- Bream, Flathead, Whiting, Luderick, Trevally, Mulloway, Leatherjackets and more.

Front Lake at Merimbula has been producing some good whiting on nippers.

Flathead are on the bite now in the Pambula lake and also at the river mouth. Drifting with live potty mullet is very successful at Top lake Merimbula with dusky flathead to 60cm.

Artificial ‘Berkleys Gulp Bait’ minnows and worms are also worth a try.

Trevally have moved into the estuary systems at the moment with a lot of fish hanging around the mouth of the river at Pambula. The moving water is the best time to fish for trevally and tailor in the river.

Some Australian salmon and tailor are being caught off the beach at Holiday Hub Beach Resort.

TROLLING

Inshore and offshore.

What’s available-Yellowfin Tuna, Slimy Mackerel, Trevally, Kingfish, Tailor, Salmon and more.

Season – mid October to June.

Tailor and Australian Salmon are being trolled up both off Merimbula and Pambula estuaries with kingfish and striped tuna also being caught closer to shore.

Two Fold Bay has a lot of baitfish in it at the moment and the fishing is spectacular.

Try Tura Head, Long Point and Merimbula Bay for the pelagics.

REEF

What’s available- Snapper, Flathead, Morwong, Trumpeter, Ocean Perch, and more.

The reef fishing is always good in late May and June and the weather is nearly always perfect.

Tuna and pilchards are the best baits for snapper and flatty and fish the early morning on the tide change for the better fishing. Plenty of burley will certainly help with positive results.

Charter boats are available to take you reef fishing and there are some good peaks 15 miles east of Merimbula and Eden. See Blue Water Sports at Merimbula for bookings.

ROCK, BEACH AND ESTUARY LURE SPINNING and BAITS

What’s available- Bream, Flathead, Tailor, Luderick, Trevally, Mulloway, Australian Salmon, and more.

The rocks north of the wharf at Merimbula is a hot spot for big lures for Mack tuna, bonito and big salmon, at this time of the year. Tura Head is best for throwing metal lures for mackerel tuna, bonito and the odd kingfish.

Spinning around the oyster racks at both Merimbula and Pambula Lakes has been producing some nice size bream.

Big salmon are being caught off the beach at Merimbula and Pambula on pillies ganged on 4/0 hooks.

Incoming tide is best.

Top Lake at Merimbula is producing some tailor, the odd one to over 2kg and also bream to 1kg.

June is the month for some good size Luderick that move into the systems.

Pambula has produced bream and good size flathead near the river mouth on the run in tide. Beach worms for the bream and pilchards for the flatty have been the best baits but flatty are also being caught on Berkley Gulp baits worked slowly on the drift. Bigger jig heads are needed during the run in tide to keep in contact with the bottom.

A few trevally have also been caught also with some hanging around Shark Hole on the Pambula river.

Rock anglers are catching small kingfish, salmon, and tailor.

The mouth of the Kiah River down Eden way is producing some very big flathead and there are some good trevally hanging around the navy wharf at Two Fold Bay.

ESTUARY SOFT PLASTICS

What’s available- Bream, Flathead, Whiting, Luderick, Trevally, Mulloway, and more.

For some fantastic bream fishing, try the oyster racks at high tide for the best results and use very small soft plastics in pink. Both Pambula and Merimbula are great for this at this time of the year.

The trevally have also moved into Pambula lake and these are absolutely great fighters on soft plastics.

Merimbula top lake has been great for soft plastics catching the flatty pink Squiggies or pink Eco product eyeballs have been best. The best flatty have been caught over near the airport. Drifting is better than anchoring. You can’t go past some of the new Berkleys Gulp Baits these soft plastic like baits are amazing and well worth a try.

Fishing for flathead is best on the falling tide and you don’t need deep water, but a drop off is best for locating these fish.

BEACH FISHING

The beach fishing has been good, with bream, whiting, tailor, salmon with fresh squid and live beach worms being the best baits. On the beach fish the gutters on an incoming tide for the best results.

Merimbula Beach, Pambula Beach near the surf club and some great fishing at the moment off the beach at Eden.

Salmon and tailor are being caught in the early morning using metal lures but look for the gutters for best results.

ESTUARY FLY FISHING

What’s available- Bream, Flathead,, Luderick, Trevally, Mulloway, Tailor and more.

Chase the bream around the oyster racks at Pambula lake or Merimbula with the high tide being the best time so as you can cast the fly above the lease and twitch it back. I find most shrimp patterns work very well but a ‘Crazy Charlie’ in pink is great also. You can also fish at any other structure and you should be able to get into some good size chopper tailor as well if you’re lucky. Trevally have been caught when fishing the oyster leases in Pambula Lake.

Flathead are a little harder to catch on fly this month but with so many luderick in the estuary systems why not target some of them for another fly challenge. They will take a fly and best fishing is when you can Polaroid the fish and watch for the take.

NEWS

For tuition on the use of soft plastics in saltwater you can contact Barry Hein.

Mobile for fishing lessons call on Barry 0428 949778

This report is sponsored by –

Holiday Hub Beach Resort