Summer of school holiday fishing fun at free south coast clinics

Black bream, flounder, whiting, herring, flathead and even blue swimmer crabs – these were some of the species the next generation of WA fishers hooked into while enjoying great fishing during the Southern Tour of SunSmart Fishing Clinics.

Held by Recfishwest in partnership with Healthway, the free-to-take-part-in, week-long Southern Tour of SunSmart Fishing Clinics showed why estuaries and rivers along our south coast are so important to local communities for the fantastic fishing experiences they provide on which many a young West Aussie has cut their angling teeth.

With clinics at Bremer Bay, Albany, Denmark, Walpole and Augusta, Recfishwest Operations Lead Matt Gillett said instructors taught the kids about the basics of fishing and the value of these special ocean and estuarine habitats.

Check out this flounder caught by one of the young guns at the Walpole clinic!

“Estuaries and rivers in the State’s south are very important fisheries given they’re safe, accessible and provide fantastic family-friendly fishing experiences for thousands of anglers,” he said.

“Estuarine environments provide nursery habitat for many popular species, such as black bream, and that’s why Recfishwest is committed to and protecting these areas and the fishing experiences they offer.”

These clinics focus on teaching kids, who are the next generation of fishers, the importance of safe fishing, correct fish handling, sustainability and caring for the aquatic environment, Matt explained.

“In addition to teaching kids the basics of fishing, the importance of sustainability and safe fishing, these free clinics also focused on the importance of being safe in the sun and we are grateful to our partner SunSmart for helping us to make these great community events happen,” he said.

📸 Click the photos below to see the full images of some of the awesome fish caught!

Albany

Bremer Bay

Denmark

Walpole

Augusta (keep an eye out later in the week for the Augusta snaps!)

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