Recfishwest Fishing Clinics.

We often hear about the flushing effect winter rains have on our estuaries and river systems, but just what do our seasonal freshwater flows mean for recreational fishers?

While heavy rains may shut down fishing in many systems in the days that follow, they actually play an important part in keeping those waterways healthy long-term and ensuring they provide good fish habitat.

Of course, sometimes an unusually heavy deluge or flood event can also have a very detrimental effect on the aquatic environment, destroying habitat, bringing in unwanted chemicals and pollutants which in turn sometimes causes fish kills.

However, by and large an injection of freshwater into the system is just a natural part of the annual cycle and something our fish are used to dealing with.

These freshwater flows oxygenate the water and flush out weed, algae and silt, while also delivering valuable nutrients to the waterway, keeping the ecosystem healthy with an annual refresh. Systems which do not receive these regular flushes often have major problems with water quality, including algal blooms.

In the Swan River, decreasing freshwater flows over the last decade have meant that in late summer, when flows are at their lowest, oxygen levels in some of the deeper areas of the river have been falling to lethal lows. This has reduced the habitat available to bream and may have contributed to decreased growth rate of the species in metro waters.

In the southwest many fishers are expecting good flows. Owner of Albany Bait and Tackle, Jim Allen, who has been fishing the area for decades commented that, “the benefits of the good flush we get this year will be seen in the quality of fishing in 3 or 4 years time, as in the past the lack of flows has led to poor water quality and habitat loss.”

Key recreational fishing species like bream, mulloway, trout, prawns, crabs and barramundi are all attuned to the changes these flushes create and each react in their own way.

For species like mulloway and barramundi, increased freshwater flows often trigger the spawning activity which is so critical to their stock numbers.

Black bream will invariably move downstream in systems when there is a big freshwater flush, preferring brackish water to fresh, although they can survive in the latter.

They will usually become harder to catch at these times, but this is also when very big fish get caught.

Both mulloway and bream will drop into deeper, more saline, holes in waterways when the freshwater level near the top of the flow is high.

Trout fishers are well attuned to the seasonal variations in water flow, as they play such a critical part in fishing for this species.

In winter, the water levels rise and trout instinctively push up the rivers and streams looking for areas to spawn.

For the popular blue swimmer crab, freshwater flushes will send them scurrying into deep holes in rivers like the Swan.

While they will be up on the shallow flats in summer, they return to depths where the water is more saline, like bream and mulloway.

The winter flush in the Swan and Peel-Harvey is also time for king prawns to be on the move.

The more water movement the better and a good flow, especially after the first rains, combined with a big outgoing tide is peak time for prawn dabbers in the lower reaches of both systems.

Although winter rains can make life difficult for fishers in the short term, without them we’d be a lot worse off!

If you are a metro fisher, then you probably don’t need to be told this year’s Australian salmon run was one of the best ever.

There were amazing scenes this year, especially for shore fishers, as schools of adult salmon moved along the metro coast and even pushed well up the Swan River.

The annual spawning run for salmon can often be hit and miss for Perth fishers, but this year there were unprecedented numbers of fish in metro waters.

Fishers trying their luck from jetties in the Swan got a shock when schools of salmon moved in and they were even spotted up as far up as Point Walter and even the odd catch at the Causeway!

On Anzac Day, there were scenes not seen in Perth for many years as fishers lined the entire length of both moles and any other land-based spots in Fremantle to capitalise on the frenzy.

The same day a school of fish almost brought traffic to a halt near the Left Bank, as it pushed bait against the retaining wall, almost within arm’s length of amazed spectators. Check it out here.

Offshore fishers had no problems finding fish from Mindarie to Rockingham and there were even salmon caught as far north as Exmouth, which is unheard of.

This bumper year was reflected by Department of Fisheries research, which showed recreational fishing pressure is currently having a minimal impact on the stock.

Fisheries researchers found a healthy spread of ages with fish from four years old right up to 11.9 years (12 years is the maximum recorded age for WA salmon), indicating the salmon population is in good shape.

They also found most salmon are mature at about 55cm total length and four years old, with females and males growing at a similar rate.

One recurring issue has been juvenile salmon being wrongly identified as herring by recreational fishers.

There are some key differences between juvenile salmon and herring and using the new Recfishwest app is the easy way to avoid this mistake. Download the iTunes App here or the Android app here.

This year’s Salmon season highlights the huge value the WA community place on this great sport’s fish. People travel hundreds of kilometres and spend plenty of money to chase salmon but the experience and excitement people gain from having access to quality land based sports fishing is important and something as the peak body, we value highly and would love to see continue next year and for many years to come!

Spearfishing is a unique form of fishing that has a devoted band of followers who love to immerse themselves in the underwater world. Some spearfishes prefer to hold their breath (free dive), while others use SCUBA.

Spearfishing is an ancient method of fishing that has been used throughout the world for millennia. It is amongst the most selective form of fishing and has a very low environmental footprint. Done properly there is no bycatch, no lost fishing line, lures or sinkers, no discarded bait bags and no entanglement of birds. Spearfishers are also limited in where and when they can hunt, with factors like visibility, water depth, and strong currents limiting the times and locations suitable for spearfishing. For all of the above reasons spearfishing should be governed using the same rules as all other fishers.

From coral trout in the north, mackerel in the mid-west and Pink Snapper along the south coast, Western Australia has some of the best spearfishing in the world and offers something for every level of experience.

For anyone wanting to give spearfishing a try a good idea is to start small in the shallows, targeting species such as King George Whiting, Flounder and Flathead. These species allow fishers to hone their techniques. As you become more confident you may want to challenge yourself and target fast-moving pelagic species such as Tuna, Mackerel and Dolphin Fish.

While most people who go spearfishing use spearguns, an affordable way to get into the sport is to use hand spears or gidgies. Other important equipment includes a good wetsuit which will allow you to stay in the water longer and offer protection from the sun and stingers. A good set of fins is also essential. Spearfishing fins are longer and narrower than the fins used for snorkelling. You’ll also need a mask, snorkel, and a weight belt if you plan on spearfishing in anything but shallow water.

Experienced spearfishers recommend gloves and booties but warn against carrying too much gear as it can slow you down in the water. A knife is essential for dealing with any fish you catch, and could also come in handy in an emergency such as an entanglement.

When spearfishing make sure you display a diver down flag (blue and white flag) so people in boats can see you. A majority of freediving accidents involving boat-diver interactions could be avoided with this simple and cheap flag. A float is also useful for resting on and for attaching your day’s catch.

The number one rule of spearfishing is to never dive alone. Always fish with a buddy and take turns diving with one person watching out for the other. Spearfishing is an experience best shared with friends who are there to help you if something goes wrong, such as a shallow water blackout, which is caused by a lack of oxygen.

Spearfishing is practised right throughout WA and is becoming more popular, especially with the younger generations. If the correct safety precautions are taken and you start shallow and progress into deeper waters, there’s no reason why you can’t become a pro in no time. Invest in quality safety equipment and enjoy the underwater world of Western Australia. Joining a spearfishing club is a great way to learn about the sport and find some likeminded friends to go fishing with.

Recfishwest’s Fishing Reports often highlight great photos of spearfishers coming up with their big catch. If you have some great photos please send them through to recfish@recfishwest.org.au

The fish ID tool in the new Recfishwest Smartphone App is the perfect reference point for travelling fishers in WA.

The App is available on both iPhone and Android making it the perfect digital companion for recreational fishers, especially those wetting a line in unfamiliar waters.

Fishing new locations can often mean you are unaware of the exact identity of the fish you catch, and in turn the rules and regulations for those new species.

The Recfishwest App not only allows you to identify fish through a simple three-step process based on fish shape, tail shape and colour, it then provides the recreational fishing rules for that species. For example, this could be particularly useful when dealing with different types of Emperor species through the Mid-West region.

There are several types of Emperor and they can be very difficult to identify, for even the avid fisher, which can then cause problems due to differing size limits for various species.

Using the Recfishwest App, you can correctly identify any fish you catch, and find out the exact size and bag limits for the relevant location. All the current recreational fishing rules for WA are in the App, so no matter what species you need to know about, the information is at your fingertips.

Some people wouldn’t have realised this, but by having the App and actively using it when you fish, you’re actually doing your part for sustainability and healthy fish stocks. If the App guides you to release your catch or outlines specific rules for that fish and your fish doesn’t comply, a swift return to the water will ensure you’re not in the wrong and the fish can live to fight another day.

The App will even send you reminders about relevant seasonal openings and closures. This information is available through your device, even when you are out of reception range making it a necessity for recreational fishers. The App will give you confidence in knowing the rules so you can focus on your fishing and best of all, it is completely free.

Note the recent rock lobster season closure notification had technical difficulties in sending and thus you may not have been notified.

The 2015-16 freshwater fishing season ended on June 30, however there are still opportunities for keen trout anglers to get their freshwater fix. There are still a number of locations where freshwater fishing licence holders can try to catch a trophy trout until the new season opens on September 1.

It can be a testing time of the year for freshwater fishing in the South-West, with extremely swollen rivers, caused by the winter rains, making both access and fishing tricky.

Trout anglers in WA are mainly comprised of lure, fly and bait fishers. At this time of year, the best results are likely to come from lures and bait, due to the cold, dirty water. Simple light spin tackle comprised of a small reel, 1.8-2m rod and 3kg line is sufficient for both methods. If the rivers are too high and dirty to fish, then impoundments like Big Brook Dam, Logue Brook Dam and Glen Mervyn Dam which are stocked each year and are worth a try for rainbow trout.

River fishers can try their luck in the Warren, Murray, Blackwood and Donnelly rivers. All these locations are easily accessible and offer good trout fishing opportunities for fishers of all ages and skills. The tributaries, brooks and streams flowing into all these dams and rivers are all open to fishing as well.

Rainbow trout are the main capture in the South-West, with brown trout only found in a handful of locations. You can tell the difference between the two trout from the distinct pinky colour like sheen that exist down the sides of rainbow trout only, while the brown trout are ‘you guessed it’ brown, with larger more distinctive body spots. Download the Recfishwest app for more information.

A Recfishwest freshwater fishing reference group meets each year and makes recommendations on trout stocking, which is carried out by the hatchery in Pemberton. Trout are stocked from Pemberton in the south and as far as the Serpentine River, making fresh water fishing more accessible for the community. A bonus for any trout fisher could be a fat redfin perch. Redfin, which aren’t great fighters, are considered feral in WA and are not to be released back into the water, but the good news is they are first-class table fare.

More good news for fresh water fishers was the decision made earlier this year by the State Government, to remove the requirement for fishers under the age of 16 to have a freshwater licence. This decision will hopefully encourage more kids to give fresh water fishing a go and enjoy all that it has to offer.

I Love Fishing has a plethora of freshwater fishing information including helpful tips and tricks on where and how to catch trout in the South West and cooking tips for your catch, so be sure to check out our How to Catch Freshwater Trout guide.

Squid fishing is booming in popularity due to it being an accessible and enjoyable style of fishing for families and avid fishers alike.

Squid can be caught right throughout WA, but are particularly popular in the southern half of the state, where they can be found in big numbers and generally offer easy and rewarding fishing from both boat and shore.

The simple nature of squid fishing makes it easy for family fishers, as you have the choice of boat based squidding or shore based squidding. People can place their boat in likely locations, such as over the ribbon weed beds, and simply drift along waiting for squid to find the jigs. This is a perfect way for young children to experience some exciting fishing without the need to be constantly casting and retrieving. Not to mention that kids love it when the squid shoots out a jet of ink close to the boat!

While some fishers still like to use baited pencil jigs for squid, most dedicated squidders these days use the prawn-style jigs first introduced into Australia from Japan more than 30 years ago. Jigs are available in a vast range of colours and styles these days, and come in various weights to suit different squidding scenarios. Most serious squid fishers will carry a wide range of colours, sizes and weights and rotate through them until they find the right jig on a particular day. A jig that works well one day might be ignored the next, so flexibility is key and colour preferences are very much an individual thing.

While the Australian approach has generally been to simply drift and let the movement of the boat provide the action on the jig, the Japanese like to work their jigs aggressively, letting them sink to near the bottom and then ripping them upwards, before letting them sink back down again.

Squid will invariably be found close to ribbon weed beds, which are generally found in shallow water of less than 10m, and these are the perfect places for boat fishers to seek them.

For shore anglers, squid will also come in very close to shore, particularly if there is weed in the shallows and especially at times of low light such as sunset and sunrise, and casting jigs can be very productive.

Squid are also attracted to light, and more specifically the small baitfish they can find in it, and there are a few well-lit jetties along the coast when they can be found in good numbers at night, such as the famous Busselton Jetty. Likewise, they will often be attracted to the back of a well-lit boat.

Cleaning squid can be a bit messy, but the reason so many people are prepared to put up with it is the eventual reward of a superb feed of succulent calamari at a reasonably cheap cost that the whole family can enjoy. For more squidding check out our How to Catch Guide for Squid.

A new study has revealed the huge popularity of boating in Broome.

Locals and visitors alike have long lamented the lack of a quality boat launching facility in Broome and there are now at least two proposals for marinas in the town circulating.

A Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) study has analysed footage from the Entrance Point boat ramp over 12 months to determine the factors affecting the launch of recreational boats, most of which are being used for recreational fishing. The research revealed 6057 launches were recorded over the 12 months, a significant number for a town of around 13,000 people.

It shows the popularity of boating in Broome and is about 22 per cent of the numbers of launches each year at Perth’s Hillarys ramp, which is one of the most popular launching locations in the Perth metro area.

The data was matched up against several environmental factors (including weather and tides) and other key determinants such as school holidays to reveal more about Broome boaters.

Launching at Entrance Point peaked during the dry season from May to October, when visitor numbers to the town are up.

However, the consistent launching numbers during the wet season also reveal how much locals enjoy their boating, with wind speed one of the most significant factors in variations in ramp use.

Not surprisingly, boat launches were generally up on weekends, although weekdays were also popular during the heart of the dry season.

Most launches take place from 6-10am, so if you’re new to boat launching in Broome, launch in the mornings in case you need a hand from a fellow boatie. For more on fishing in Broome and Kimberley region, check out our Where to Catch article for Broome.