It’s a sight for sore eyes — the first salmon school you spot for the autumn.
Watching the big school cruise along the coast within casting distance from the world-class beach you’re standing on in WA’s south – it doesn’t get much better than this —salmon season is here.
Hook into an awesome autumn
Today, Recfishwest is proud to officially launch this year’s Awesome Autumn of Salmon, proudly supported by Shimano and Western Angler.
This kicks off our FREE Salmon Slam 2022 app-based fishing comp that runs over the next three months and gives salmon fishers of all abilities and ages the chance to win a heap of sensational fishing and outdoor prizes just by catching a salmon!
For entries to be valid, include the ‘#SS2022‘ tournament code next to the catches you enter – either on a piece of paper or in the sand next to the fish.
Salmon season marks exciting times, with big schools of big salmon soon to start migrating from the south coast northwards along accessible parts of the lower west coast and potentially to the metro area.
Slam! One of Australia’s biggest fishing comps
As part of the Awesome Autumn of Salmon, we are again hosting the Salmon Slam, which is one of Australia’s biggest fishing comps.
Following the success of last year’s Slam, which saw more than 1,600 fishers take part, the smartphone app-based comp is one of the biggest fishing competitions in Australia.
There’s plenty of fishing prizes to be won across the three-month competition’s three phases, including a Shimano prize pack valued at more than $3,000 for the overall random winner.
A Stella SWC 5000XG and a Coltsniper BB S 9ft6″ rod, among plenty of other Shimano goodies, could be yours for simply catching a salmon and entering it into the 2022 Salmon Slam.
To take part — catch a salmon, taking a photo of the fish on a brag mat with the ‘#SS2022‘ tournament code visible and log your catch via the official Salmon Slam app.
See the list of prizes up for grabs here!
This year, Recfishwest has welcomed Shimano aboard as supporting partners of this year’s Awesome Autumn of Salmon, alongside Western Angler.
With two major fishing brands and a host of other great West Aussie fishing industry members throwing their support behind the celebration, it truly shows how salmon are such a highly valued recreational fishing species, Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said.
“We’re delighted to have Western Angler as a great organic West Aussie brand and Shimano as one of the highest regarded industry brands there is get on board with our salmon campaign this year,” he said.
“Along with a wider range of other industry supporters sponsoring this event, collectively it sends a powerful message to decision-makers that salmon abundance must be protected to ensure West Aussies can continue to enjoy these fantastic sportfishing experiences.”
Sounds great – how do I enter?
It’s easy — this is what you need to know:
- The free competition runs from 1 March to 31 May 2022;
- All entries must be made via the Salmon Slam app;
- Competitors can register at any time during the competition; however, competitors must be registered before they start fishing;
- All fish entered into the competition must be caught in WA;
- Competition entries must be in the format of a photo of your salmon on a suitable measuring device, such as a brag mat or fish ruler with the code “#SS2022” visible next to your catch;
- There are also monthly photo prizes for the best trophy shots with competitors posing with their catches. Photos must be in line with Recfishwest’s photo guidelines. Photos must be taken at the time and place of capture and fish must be alive in photos;
- Competitors will only be able to win one of the three top section prizes in this year’s competition to ensure everyone has a fair go.
A southern sportfishing icon
The West Aussie salmon is a true southern sportfishing icon with tens of thousands of fishers chasing salmon, often bigger than 80cm, along pristine beaches in the State’s south each autumn.
The fishing is so good, WA fishers spend $331 million annually on chasing the hard-fighting and readily accessible sportfish to provide an annual shot in the arm to the regional economy.
“It’s WA’s salmon abundance that underpins the awesome fishing experiences enjoyed by so many fishers in the Great Southern, South West and, when we get a good run, in the metro,” Dr Rowland said.
“The run generates a great boost for local tackle, retail and hospitality outlets, and other providers.
“However, the real value lies in the pleasure it gives to tens of thousands of anglers from a variety of backgrounds — the time spent fishing with family and friends is priceless.
“This is a true world-class sport fishery which is accessible to so many West Australians — that’s why we’re committed to protecting it.”
Join us on the run
Whether you’re a new fisher or a seasoned angler, join Recfishwest on the run this autumn and compete in the Salmon Slam.
“Salmon is a part of the West Aussie fishing lifestyle,” Dr Rowland said.
“We will continue to raise the profile of this important sportfish to make sure they’re recognised and celebrated as one of the WA’s icon recreational fishing species.”
