Central Tablelands Fishing Report

September/October 2010

The October Long Weekend has arrived which hails the beginning of the trout fishing season. It looks like we are set for one of the best seasons in decades thanks to late winter rain which has soaked the soil, and provided plenty of food for fish to feed on.

The number and size of trout spawning in the Cox's and Macquarie River Systems has been impressive. A numerous locals have described this winter as the best spawning season they have seen since the 1990's. Provided that the summer is not extremely hot you can expect an increase in recruitment over coming seasons as a result for the good rain of late.

The streams to hit first this season are the Fish River, Duckmaloi River, TuglowRiver , Campbell’s River and Cox's River. There are a few grass hoppers out already and plenty of white moths of a night time so imitations of these are a good place to start. Streamers often fish well early in the season if the fish are not surface feeding. Nymphs fished under a strike indicator are a good option around the rapids.

The Belubula, Bell, and Abercrombie River's are holding smaller numbers of fish than they once did. It will take some time for these streams to get back to their peak, although some of the larger pools are still holding good fish.

We have seen minor flood warnings for some western streams following recent rain events. The lakes of the region have benefitted greatly from the increased inflows. Burrendong Dam has been the biggest winner. It is now at 98% of capacity up from 14% in early July, an increase of approximately one million mega litres in just three months. 

Reports from Burrendong, Windamere, Ben Chifley and Wyangala Dam's have all indicated that the rising levels have improved fishing. You can bet the camp grounds and cabins at these lakes will be packed over the long weekend. Yabbies, worms and shrimp are the pick of the baits at this time of year. If you can get your hands on wood grubs (bardi grubs are best) they are also magic bait as they tend to float off the bottom when fished using a light leader.

There are also a few carp about some of these dams. Corn, worms and cheese are proven baits.  Some fishermen have also been targeting carp using fly gear by slowly retrieved streamers and nymphs.

Using polarised glasses on a clear day can be very rewarding particularly with water levels rising. Trout have been coming to the shallow edges of many lakes. They are hitting the recently covered grassy ground to feed on worms and submerged insects. Lake Lyell and Oberon Dam have been fishing particularly well early and late in the day.

Boating is currently hazardous. You really don't want to hit a recently submerged tree and end up in the waters. Get to know the area your fishing and avoid high speeds if you don't know the area well. Some large trees have been covered along the banks of Burrendong in particular.

Most boat ramps are in pretty good condition, but they will be packed over the long weekend, so be prepared to wait 30mins or more to launch your boat at the popular ramps. Hit the water early to avoid the water skiers!

If you fish from your boat with care you should reap the rewards. Trolling lures such as yellow wing Tassie Devils (for trout), Stump Jump's (for native fish) and Blade's (for redfin) are all good options. Using a downrigger and sounder will greatly increase your chances of getting the large fish sitting close to the bottom of the lake.

Don’t forget that the Murray Cod closed season runs from September – November.

Trout Fishing – Streams

With healthy river levels and the streams open as of the October Long Weekend there are so many options for one to choose from. The Cox's and River Lett at Hartley, the Duckmaloi, Campbell's and Fish River near Oberon are worth a visit.

Spinning with celters and small minnows with a slow but varied retrieve speed works well.

Fly fishing streamers and nymphs will work well or match the hatch in the area you are visiting if you choose a dry fly. Red Tags are a good fly to start with if you are not 100% sure what to try.

Experienced bushwalkers have the opportunity to target the last of the spawning trout in some remote sections of river on the Tablelands at this time of year. The lower reaches of some rivers are not classified as notified trout waters, but can become full of spawning trout from May until September (depending on the amount of rain) and the water level in Lake Burragorang. As of 25th September there were still some fish spawning in the creeks and rivers that flow into Cox's River. Get out there soon if you want to target these fish.

Check the regulations for each river and avoid the prohibited area within the exclusion zone around the lake itself.

Be warned that going into these remote areas is dangerous, particularly if not fully prepared for the conditions or an emergency. Even experienced bushwalking club members have required rescue from the banks of local streams. 

Most importantly do not go bush if you are not an experienced overnight bushwalker. These areas are remote. Do not go without leaving a route and emergency plan with the police or a loved one. Avoid going alone. I strongly recommend taking appropriate communications equipment such as a Sat Phone or at the very least borrow an EPIRB from the NPWS at Blackheath or Blue Mountains Police (Katoomba or Springwood). You will also need suitable warm clothing (including wool or polypropylene thermals), a first aid kit and a warm sleeping bag.

If you decide to target these spawning fish try small nymphs and glow bugs.

Trout Fishing - Lakes

Lake Lyell is very low but the level is rising. Fishing from the bank with bait, fly or lure is recommended as well as trolling with Tassie Devils. Flat line trolling has picked up in recent times, but downriggers are handy if you want to target big brown trout down deep or just get your lure to the rainbows at anywhere down to 20 feet. 

There will be a few big browns hanging around if you try surface trolling big rainbow or brown trout "spotted dog" pattern minnows. You can try lures up to 10cm in length if the pattern is right.  The best time to catch big fish using this method is the crack of dawn.

Lake Wallace has been stocked with plenty of rainbow trout along with a few browns, but the fishing has been a little slow. Most fish are being taken on PowerBait from the area near the baseball pitch, but the outlet is also a good option when Delta Electricity is filling the dam or near the pipeline opposite the old cemetery.

Thompson’s Creek Dam is holding some very big brown trout. Just try to pick a day with clear weather and rising air pressure so you maximise your chances of getting a fish. Usually the day after a blustery front is best.

I find the dam fishes very well early in the day at this time of year and if you get their early you will get first cast at the fish. Take your polarised glasses and avoid the area when heavy wind is predicted.

Oberon Dam is rising and the fish and moving toward the edges to feed on the recently covered ground. Worms, PowerBait, and small yabbies are good baits. Casting lures such as Tassie Devils, minnows, blades and small soft plastics around steep drop offs or newly covered shallows is your best bet during the middle of the day.

LAKE LEVELS

Thompsons Creek Dam - 46%
Lake Wallace - 100%
Lake Lyell - 53% (Warning Blue Green Algae Risk)
Environmental flow level out of Lake Lyell into Cox's River – 5 Million Litres  per/day

Burrendong Dam - 98% (Warning Blue Green Algae Risk)
Windamere Dam - 26% (Warning Blue Green Algae Risk)
Oberon Dam - 34%
Carcoar Dam - 27%
Wyangala Dam - 36%  (Warning Blue Green Algae Risk)
Ben Chifley Dam - 100%

 
For the latest water level updates visit www.de.com.au or www.waterinfo.nsw.gov.au

LAKES - NATIVE FISH, CARP & REDFIN PERCH

Burrendong has been the pick of the storages due to good water levels and strong inflows. Chifley has also been producing good numbers of fish on lures such as crankbaits, blades, jigs and spinnerbaits.

If you are chasing native fish in the larger storages try to get your lure and bait close to submerged timber or at the lower edge of large drop offs or where fish are feeding in the newly covered grasses and nettles.


RIVERS - NATIVE FISH, CARP & REDFIN PERCH

The pick of the rivers for natives and redfin are the Cudgegong & Macquarie

The Nepean has plenty of bass and carp near Norton’s Basin, Penrith and Yarramundi. Mullet have been active in the Hawkesbury/Lower Nepean and are great fun for kids to catch.