With the trout season now in full swing and the spring weather allowing you to get out and enjoy WA’s beautiful South West, we’d like to take the time to reflect on our recent Troutfest event. Continue reading “Troutfest 2019 – Celebrating a safe and accessible fishery”
Tag: troutfest
Get ‘trout and about’ in our South West freshwater ways and give trout fishing a go
Trout fishing in the South West’s freshwater fishery is a great way to catch beautiful fish in some truly scenic settings and isn’t that hard to do.
In this article, Recfishwest staff member and self-confessed ‘trout tragic’, Nick Drummond, takes a look at some of the basics you need to know to give this fun form of fishing a go, as we gear up for our annual Troutfest event on Saturday, August 31. Continue reading “Get ‘trout and about’ in our South West freshwater ways and give trout fishing a go”
Freshwater fishing fun: Troutfest 2018 in pictures
Beautiful clear skies on the first day of spring set the scene for this year’s second annual Troutfest event at Drakesbrook Weir, Waroona.
It was better than we anticipated with over 400 people joining us to celebrate all things freshwater fishing at the community stocking event.
With the help of Recfishwest and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) fishers were given a licence free weekend allowing them to try their hand at freshwater fishing over the Fathers’ Day weekend.
With many people arriving early, just to get their lines in the water, it was evident that fishers were keen to land a prized trout or two and learn about freshwater fishing in Peel and the South West.
On the day, free rod hire was available for those that wanted to try their luck, free fishing tuition taught by our passionate Recfishwest fishing clinics instructors, as well as coarse fishing tuition, fly casting demonstrations with some of WA’s best fly fishers from the Western Australian Trout and Freshwater Angling Association (WATFAA) and an excellent education display by DPIRD.
The Hobie kayak and Paddleboard demonstrations run by our partner Getaway Outdoors were a hit with many people taking the opportunity to give it a try on the dam and the Lions Club put on a delicious BBQ for everyone.
The day’s major highlight was the exciting fish release when the community took take part in hand-releasing more than 200 advanced yearlings (18-month-old fish), 18,000 rainbow fry trout (two-month-old fish), 50 ex-broodstock rainbow and 12 ex-broodstock brown trout (fish used for breeding that are between two years old and five years old).
Click here to find out more about freshwater stocking and where this year’s fish have been stocked.
It was with the community’s attendance and support from our volunteers that Troutfest was able to increase the awareness of freshwater fishing in the South West, and provide families the opportunity to see, touch and catch freshwater species.
In previous years, the first week of spring marked the traditional opening of the South West freshwater fishing season but with improved fisheries management strategies now in place, we are fortunate to enjoy freshwater fishing all year round and we’re predicting with the recent rainfall of late, we’re in for one of the best freshwater fishing season we’ve seen in 20 years!
Troutfest definitely highlighted how good freshwater fishing can be, with some excellent catches of rainbow trout coming from the dam along with brown trout and redfin perch being caught at other nearby stocked waterways.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us and we hope you enjoy the slideshow below. Please save any images, share with your friends and family and continue tagging us in your images using the hashtag #RecfishwestTroutfest2018 and/or @Recfishwest.
We look forward to seeing you at a bigger and better Troutfest in 2019.
Missed this year’s TroutFest? Stay tuned for next year’s event and stay up to date on all things fishing by becoming a FREE member with Recfishwest.
You’ll get early notifications so you don’t miss an event again. Sign up here.
Fishing tuition, releasing fish and all things freshwater fishing!
As we move into spring, Recfishwest is celebrating all things freshwater fishing with the launch of the annual Troutfest event kicking off at 10am on September 1, just in time for Fathers’ Day!
The licence free weekend announced by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) presents the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time together by helping DPIRD and Recfishwest release thousands of fish into Drakesbrook Weir as part of an annual community stocking event.
As well as the fish release, Troutfest also includes freshwater fishing tuition for all ages, an education display by DPIRD, fly casting, freshwater tackle & rigging information and demonstrations and general fishing time for everyone to have a go at freshwater fishing for FREE.
Getaway Outdoors will also be taking part in the event offering free Hobie kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard demonstrations.
This year’s Troutfest is the second freshwater community stocking event, and due to its raging success from last year, this event plans to be bigger and better with something for everyone.
The location is suitable for people of all ages, abilities and knowledge so if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at freshwater fishing, fly casting or simply wanted to see a Rainbow or Brown Trout in the flesh, then now is your opportunity!
For many, this fishery was clouded in mystery, but after last year’s event Troutfest participants realised it is about getting into the bush, having a cast and enjoying some of the best parts of WA.
Each year, thousands of trout are released by DPIRD into many dams and rivers throughout WA’s South West. The trout are all bred in captivity at DPIRD’s Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre and either released as fry, yearlings or ex brood stock (bigger fish that have finished being used for breeding), and range from a couple of centimetres in size to a kilo plus sized fish. View trout stocking numbers for 2018 here.
The development of this fishery and community stocking event has all been made possible with support from the Recfishwest Freshwater Fisheries Reference Group, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, The Western Australian Trout and Freshwater Angling Association (WATFAA) and the Pemberton Hatchery.
It’s just one of many Recfishwest lead initiatives working towards improving habitat and fish stocks which build better environments that contribute to making fishing better in WA.
Registration is FREE but essential. Register here.
View the activities map here.
Watch last year’s video here.
Families wanted for Freshwater Fishing Fun!
After the success of last years event, Recfishwest would like to invite you once again to be part of something special and help us release trout by hand and celebrate all things freshwater fishing.
Event details: Saturday 1st September 2018
Starts at 10am to 1:30pm
Drakesbrook Weir, Weir Rd Waroona 6215
What to bring: the whole family with an appetite for fun! You’re welcome to also bring your own rods, lures, sunscreen, hats, weather proof clothing and picnic sets.
The day will include:
- Trout Stocking – help us release over 2000 trout into the dam by hand
- Freshwater Fishing Tuition for all ages (30 rods provided) – Members of the Western Australian Trout and Freshwater Fishing Association will be on hand to teach you all about fishing in freshwater, along with our Recfishwest Fishing Clinic Instructors and NextWave Future Leaders Team Members
- Fly Fishing Casting Demos – ever wanted to try your hand at fly casting? What better way to learn than from some of the WA’s top fly casters!
- Freshwater Tackle and Rigging Information and Demonstrations – Learn all you need to know about tackle and rigging for freshwater fishing
- Sausage sizzle and soft drinks hosted by the Waroona Lions Club
LICENCE FREE DAY Registrations FREE but essential.
Click here to register!
Relive the excitement from last years event!
FAQs
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
There is parking available at the event, however it is limited. Its best to get there early to get a good spot.
What can I bring into the event?
You’re welcome to bring chairs, fishing rods, bait and lures. You should also bring weather proof clothing, a change of clothes and /gumboots reef shoes.
We will have rods, lures and bait available however it will be limited.
You may also like to bring along a canoe/kayak.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
We will have a Facebook page where you can ask any questions leading up to the event, alternatively you can email info@recfishwest.org.au or call the office on (08) 9246 3366 between 9 -5pm Monday – Friday.
Where else can I fish if this event is full?
Harvey Dam, Waroona, Logue Brook Dam, Big Brook Dam, Warren River and Donelly River are all excellent places for freshwater fishing if this event is full.
Want to know more about upcoming events? Visit our Events Calendar.
TroutFest Sheds New Light on Freshwater Fishing
After the success of last years event, Recfishwest would like to invite you once again to be part of something special and help us release trout by hand and celebrate all things freshwater fishing.
Event details: Saturday 1st September 2018
Starts at 10am to 1:30pm
Drakesbrook Weir, Weir Rd Waroona 6215
What to bring: the whole family with an appetite for fun! You’re welcome to also bring your own rods, lures, sunscreen, hats, weather proof clothing and picnic sets.
The day will include:
- Trout Stocking – help us release over 2000 trout into the dam by hand
- Freshwater Fishing Tuition for all ages (30 rods provided) – Members of the Western Australian Trout and Freshwater Fishing Association will be on hand to teach you all about fishing in freshwater, along with our Recfishwest Fishing Clinic Instructors and NextWave Future Leaders Team Members
- Fly Fishing Casting Demos – ever wanted to try your hand at fly casting? What better way to learn than from some of the WA’s top fly casters!
- Freshwater Tackle and Rigging Information and Demonstrations – Learn all you need to know about tackle and rigging for freshwater fishing
- Sausage sizzle and soft drinks hosted by the Waroona Lions Club
LICENCE FREE DAY Registrations FREE but essential.
TroutFest 2017
Recfishwest’s first ever TroutFest was held on September 2, 2017. The event was a raging success, with thousands of Rainbow Trout being released into Drakesbrook Weir. The community came out in force as an estimated 500 people, comprising of mums, dads, kids, grandparents and fishing lovers, turned up to celebrate freshwater fishing. During the event there was a release of thousands of fingerlings, 400 yearlings and 70 ex-broodstock, these fish were a portion of the 600,000 fish that have been released this year by the Department of Primary Industries Regional Development, Fisheries Division.
https://www.facebook.com/abcsouthwest/videos/10154749284126811/
TroutFest was a celebration of freshwater fishing and encouraged families and friends to head to a regularly stocked waterway and experience what freshwater fishing is all about. For many, this fishery was clouded in mystery, but after TroutFest participants realised it is about getting into the bush, having a cast and enjoying some of the best parts of WA.
As well as the fish release, the event also included Freshwater Fishing Tuition for all ages, an education display by Fisheries, Fly Casting, Freshwater Tackle & Rigging Information and Demonstrations and general fishing time for everyone to have a go at freshwater fishing, and for most, it was the very first time.
Recfishwest would like to thank the members of WATFAA for sharing their passion of fly fishing with people on the day as well all of the other volunteers that attended and made TroutFest a memorable experience for all those involved.
TroutFest promotes sustainable, accessible, enjoyable and safe fishing for the benefit of the community and will help encourage freshwater fishing in the South West.
TroutFest is just one of many Recfishwest lead initiatives working towards improving habitat and fish stocks which build better environments that support your fishing.
