Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Report. 2 May 2011

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Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Report.
2nd MAY 2011 REPORT
By Steve Williamson. –
Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Adventures.
0408 024436                      Shop -02 64561551


NEWS
PLEASE NOTE
The rules on the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers changed on May 1st to ONLY 1 fish over 50cm may be kept per angler per day. River fishing season closes midnight Monday 13th June. Lakes open all year to fishing!

Last Week –
The weather remained perfect all week with lots of sun. The river level was dropping a tiny bit and the water was very clear which meant that the fish were pretty spooky and needed some real angler stealth to catch the fish.
Minnow lures like Rapalas for the lure spinners and bead head nymphs fished deep in the running water for the fly anglers.
On the lake the weather again was a little to go for fishing and now that the fish have spread out over the lake you just needed to spread lures at different depths if boat trolling and if fishing from the shore, and without wasting too much time in one spot, move on and cover as much water as possible. Having the water level of the lake dropping, due to releases into the Snowy River may not have helped the fishing conditions either.

This Week –
With some showers predicted on Monday, we might see an improvement in the river fishing, as all we need is a rise in water levels and maybe an overcast day and the fish should come on the bite. Both minnow lures and bead head flies will be best once again. On the lake, now that the lake level has stopped dropping, the fishing around the margins should also improve and I would say that the bait fishing will be good once again.
Boat trollers will need to just spread lines at different depths and keep in mind that lure colours are changing and bright pink and orange lures will start to catch more fish as the month progresses.

LAKE LEVEL and TEMPERATURE
The lake water temperature is still about 13 degrees C.
Lake Jindabyne’s water level is steady once again in is possible about 79%.
Photos of the latest lake levels can be viewed at www.swtroutfishing.com.au
Let’s have a look at what the fishing is going to be like over the next weeks.

Trolling.
Over this month there will not be much change in the fishing conditions so the reports will look very similar week to week. Start off the day off trolling surface lines through no more than 15 feet of water, but keep the length of line from the boat at least 70 metres to 100 metres away for best results. Lead core line at about 30 metres out and with a Tasmanian Devil lure will get you down to about 10 feet deep and trolled along with a surface line will get you the bigger browns feeding on the bottom. (Bigger minnow lure are better for bigger browns)
It’s still worth downrigging in the middle of the day at about 20 to 35 feet in deep water.
Reports are that there are still some good browns being caught on bigger Rapalas (9 to 13 cm) up near Waste Point and I would expect a few more brown trout will be there with the cooler changes coming through now.
Lure colours are also changing now depending on the light conditions. Over all there have been days when pink or orange and black lures are working best and I have been using the duel depth Tasmanian Devils with better results now. The number 50 Frog pattern is still worth keeping out of the tackle box and Y Freddo very popular for the brighter days. Y48 and Holographic (mostly brown lures) Tasmanian Devils in the Duel Depth best in the very early morning for brown trout.
Best areas to try are East Jindabyne Islands, Hayshed Bay, Lion and Cub Islands and the South arm have been fishing very well. It might be worth trying Sid’s Bay early in the morning.

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!)
Bait fishing is improving with reports of more fish taking powerbait now, mainly rainbows. A few bigger browns being caught late evening and into the night mostly on worms or bardi grubs off the bottom.
Talk to my shop as to the best powerbait colour as its changing day to day. (Sherbet and Chunky Cheese has been good)
When bait fishing, 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. (Try silicone Muslin on your line so as not to damage it)
Best areas for bait fishing at the moment have been, Rushes Bay, Curiosity Rocks, Waste Point, The Snowy Arm and East Jindabyne pumping station.


Lake Spinning
Quite last week but may improve if we get some rain. Having the lake dropping suddenly never helps the spinning.
Y48, Holographic, orange and bright ping number 55 Tasmanian Devils are well worth a try. Rapalas, Celtas and Mepps are all worth a try in the shallows when fishing early and late in the day. Still keep soft plastics and blades in mind as well.


River Spinning
The Thredbo River is low and fish spooky. Rain will help.
Minnow lure like Rapalas, Stumpjumpers etc have been best with possibly the best Rapalas being Rainbow and Brown Trout Patterns or Perch and throw in the brook trout as well for good measure.
Sinking Rapalas for faster and deeper water and don’t worry about size as bigger is sometimes better.


Fly Fishing Lake
The lake fishing was slow and although there have not been many anglers fishing the lakes so reports are just not there to give any accurate fishing report. Best to fish streamer patterns like green and black Woolley Buggers (Bead head) and Williamson’s Goldfish (maybe with added weight or sinking leader). Mrs Simpson and olive nymphs are also worth a try and again let them sink into deeper water as the shallow bays the water is warmer.


Fly Fishing Rivers
On the Thredbo, with the water so clear, black or brown nymphs and similar colour streamers are what you will need to catch fish. Maybe glowbugs if we get any rain this week.
Getting cold now on the alpine streams and you may fish a little bit of fishing when it’s a warmer day. Temperatures up high now are unlikely to reach over 10 degrees C even on a sunny day.

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 572991


Image:   Fenando Pontes from Kalkite with a 2kg Brown trout caught on a Steve Williamson personalised Black and Gold Tasmanian Devil Lure whilst Trolling over Easter.