For the majority of West Aussies, fishing means jumping on a boat or heading to the coast and enjoying the fabulous saltwater fishing opportunities available. There is, however, the option to escape into the wilderness of the South West and be swallowed up by the whole freshwater fishing experience.
Freshwater fishers will tell you there is no experience like it, as it is so incredibly different to any other type of fishing. Many people see freshwater fishing as the thing to do if you do not have access to the ocean or a boat.
This is far from true, and often fishers become so enveloped with freshwater fishing that they live and breathe it.
Recfishwest strives for great fishing experiences for all in the WA community forever and many of our members feel this passionately about giving back to fishing in WA as well.
It is these members that make up Recfishwest’s Freshwater Fishing Reference Group (FFRG) whose combined experience and knowledge go toward providing well-informed advice on behalf of the community around the management of freshwater fishing.
FFRG Chairman Ian Sewell has been a long-time avid fisher and works tirelessly with Recfishwest to ensure sustainable, accessible, enjoyable and safe freshwater fishing for generations to come.
“This dedicated group allocates where the available trout, which includes, fingerlings, yearlings and ex-brood stock will be stocked for the coming season as well as providing feedback on management issues that may affect this unique fishery,” he said.
With a mild wet summer, WA’s ‘put and take’ trout fishery is looking set for a great 2017/2018 season.
Stream flows have remained good over the summer period which is when most fish face their hardest times. In celebrating our unique freshwater fishing experience, the FFRG are pleased to announce the inaugural community stocking and fishing day, scheduled for September.
This event is set to highlight the fantastic fishing available at Drakesbrook Weir, near Waroona, where participants will have the opportunity to release trout grown at the hatchery in Pemberton, as well as receiving expert advice and tutelage on freshwater fishing from some of WA’s experts.
“The community stocking and fishing day will be a great opportunity for families and friends to get along to a regularly stocked waterway to experience what freshwater fishing is all about,” Ian said.
“For many, this fishery is clouded in mystery where in reality it is all about getting into the bush, having a cast and enjoying some of the best parts of WA.”
For those interested in attending, please keep an eye on the Recfishwest website and social media channels for further information.
Recfishwest wishes to acknowledge the fantastic work put in by the FFRG in ensuring the continued success of freshwater fishing in WA.
