Did people see this, possibly via DPI’s Facebook page?https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2021/the-great-winburndale-trout-translocation

I had mixed feelings about it. The article is carefully crafted but are we still portraying trout in an undue bad light here? A quick exchange with Secretary Central Acclimatisation Society relaxed me. (CAS are Affiliated to NSWCFA same as we are) .

Brown trout are somewhat piscivorous and it was only sensible to reduce the numbers in an impoundment where they were of no benefit to recreational fishing, thereby maximising the survival chances of the Macquarie Perch fry,   and putting the trout where they will be a benefit to rec fishing.

We’ll probably repeat that yearly for the next few years.
It’s all about population dynamics. In the 4 years or so until they reach sexual maturity the Perch need the scales tilted their way. After that it might be interesting to see whether the two species coexist but I think that experiment might better wait until there are more recovering populations of the Perch.”

When I asked if the electrofishing was also used to remove redfin, Don responded. 

There are no redfin in the Dam, which is why it was chosen for the Macquarie Perch, and hopefully will remain that way. The redfin are so inimical to the Perch that there’s no point reintroducing the Macquaries where redfin are present or are likely to turn up.
Further, the redfin are such hardy prolific breeders that there probably would not be much point trying to reduce their numbers using the approach we took with the trout, a reflection of the degree of threat each represents. DPI see removal of some of the browns as an exercise in abundant caution.

A couple of interesting reflections arising from the exercise:
Anglers are not permitted to enter the area for health reasons, the Dam being for potable water supply, yet the indications were that quite a significant number of wild pigs lived in the area, which is bounded by a nature reserve. Given all the diseases that wild pigs host, it’s rather contradictory of the concern re anglers.

I had the opportunity observe the use of a calibrated electric shock to stun a fair number of trout of various sizes, fingerlings to 5lb stonkers, which were netted and held captive; all recovered within a few minutes, as did a few Macquarie Perch fry that were incidentally caught and released. Having seen this, I have no concerns about the use of electro fishing for research purposes on fish, including trout.

By the way, Ray Tang Wallerawang CAS organised the development, stocking and eventual opening of the Millpond, an old quarry at Portland with the aid of the Portland Trust.

Don provided some extra photos.

This message has been received from Monaro Acclimatisation Society. The gate has been installed due to anti-social behaviour occurring at Paddy’s Corner.

As agreed at a MAS general meeting last year a new gate has been placed at the entrance to Paddys Corner Reserve on the Thredbo River just below the Gaden Hatchery.  Due to the number of people camping at the Reserve during the snow season it was agreed to install the gate and restrict vehicle access to the reserve during the snow season to deter the camping, fires and defecation in the Reserve.  Members need to be aware that the Reserve gate will be open for the entire trout season and only closed when the Thredbo River closes to fishing.  The reserve is open to foot access at all times.  The Crackenback Trust is the MAS Trust for Reserves.

Due to the damage done over the past snow seasons we will need to seek options to have the access road and reserve roads repaired.

Steve Samuels

President, Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc

Got some news from Steve Samuels, Pres Monaro Acclimatisation Society.

Dear Supporters, I just thought I would take this opportunity to share with you a photo of the completed bank stabilisation works at Providence Portal.  From my perspective the contractors have done an excellent job and the clay ridden water of the past should be gone forever.  I hope you have had a good season.

Looks good eh? Almost like a real river. 🙂

If the mice plague does come to Canberra might we see this effect?
https://youtu.be/xH_sopgRC6A

Received from MAS. Good news but also a concerning issue

I am pleased to report that the bank stabilisation works at Providence Portal have now been completed.  A small amount of water has flowed down the system ( too small for fish to move up) and this small flow has remained clean.  The Monaro Acclimatisation Society has been in negotiation with Snowy Hydro over the commissioning date for the project and we have asked Snowy Hydro to delay any significant flow until after the close of the trout season (June long weekend), to avoid unnecessary impact on angling.

However, I have received a number of complaints about many anglers driving across the river and this is causing the water downstream of random river crossings becoming turbid, disturbing spawning trout and potentially destroying already laid eggs.  Anglers should note that Snowy Hydro has delayed commissioning of the works and have made a commitment that on commissioning the flow will be regulated to avoid turbidity in the water – but on the other hand anglers see fit to drive across the river, potentially damaging spawning redds, laid eggs and causing unnecessary turbidity in the river.

The MAS will be speaking with Snowy Hydro and NSW Fisheries in the near future to decide how to approach and deal with this issue, but the MAS is committed to ensuring that our trout are protected as are their eggs.  Anglers can assist by not driving across the river, the walk downstream will do you good.

Steve Samuels

President

Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc

 

Got this from Monaro Acclimatisation Society

Dear Supporters

On Tuesday 27^th April 2021 a band of some 16 boat skippers and crew descended on Buckenderra Holiday Village to assist with the first mass stocking of 10,000 Gaden Hatchery raised yearling rainbow trout into Lake Eucumbene.

Responding to a call for assistance by the Monaro Acclimatisation Society and the Alpine Angler Store, the volunteers arrived in the heavy fog to assist the Gaden Hatchery staff unload and bag the trout.  Once bagged the trout were ferried to all reaches of the lake by boat and were safely delivered into deeper waters where they have a very good chance of avoiding predation from the numerous pelicans and cormorants that call the lake home.

Most boats made two trips and the stocking of the 10,000 yearlings took about two hours.

Feedback from the Gaden Hatchery staff and DPI personnel was that the stocking was fatality free and went on with military precision.

On behalf of the Monaro Acclimatisation Society and the general public who will ultimately benefit from this event I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the volunteers who freely donated their time, effort and resources to accomplish the stocking.

A similar stocking event was held today (Wednesday) on Lake Jindabyne which was coordinated by the MAS Sub Branch, the Jindabyne Fishing Club.

I would also like to thank the staff at Gaden who have worked hard over this season to on-grow these yearlings, and their work indicates that when the MAS initiative of the Trout Grow Out Facility at Gaden is completed we will be able to look forward to similar events on a larger scale.

Steve Samuels

President

Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc

Maybe you haven’t already read the instructions on how to use our blog, including the idea of replying to posts or registering to receive emailed alerts when new things are uploaded.  Anyway, our latest innovation is to provide a link to our new search page … it only searches the blog but that’s still pretty useful for those (like me) who can’t remember when a useful snippet was posted.

Management of NSW Crown Lands has been somewhat problematic – it impacts on we anglers as the sale of crown roads and travelling stock reserves can impact on angler access to fishing sites.

The opportunity to comment on a Discussion Paper on the Review of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 has been extended to Friday 9th April 2021.

You can read the Discussion Paper and provide your feedback via the Have Your Say form on our website.   If you have any queries, you are welcome to contact the Office of the Crown Land Commissioner at commissioner@crownland.nsw.gov.au

You’ll probably need to read portions of the Act (links in the Discussion Paper). I’ve personally sent commentary – especially in relation to the Community Engagement Strategy – for that you need to also read the Crown land Community Engagement Strategy

The following has been received from Monaro Acclimatisation Society:

Following a number of complaints regarding the water quality in the Eucumbene River down stream of the Providence Portal and the upper reaches of lake Eucumbene the Monaro Acclimatisation Society engaged with Snowy Hydro to identify the cause and to propose remediation works.  Over the years the Providence Portal out-flow has scoured out the rock and clay banks to a point where the fine clay sediment was affecting the lower Eucumbene River and the upper reaches of the Lake.  In February MAS President Steve Samuels and Adaminaby Branch member Col Sinclair met with Snowy Hydro managers at the site to discuss how the problem could be remediated.  The Snowy hydro Board has approved funding for the works which are beginning now and will continue for the next few months.  Anglers are advised that the Providence portal will be closed to fishing to allow the works to progress and a traffic management plan will be put in place to keep people and vehicles safe during the works.

While this will be a small disruption to fishing the long term benefit will be a stable outlet and no further siltation from the erosion.

For further details please consult the following joint press release from Snowy Hydro and the MAS.

Improvement works at Providence Portal

Work is about to start on a 500m section of channel between the Murrumbidgee / Eucumbene tunnel outlet and the Eucumbene river at Providence Portal, to improve safety and environmental outcomes downstream.

This section of channel is designed to sit below the Lake Eucumbene full supply level, but due to the current lake levels, it has been exposed, resulting in some unstable banks. As a short-term measure, the area has been fenced off.

Improvement works have been designed and funded to address the instability, according to Snowy Hydro area manager Kent Allen.

“The banks of the channel would benefit from ‘laying back’ and armouring with local rock material to address these concerns. This work is also expected to improve water quality outcomes downstream,” said Mr Allen.

The work is being carried out for Snowy Hydro by Leed Engineering and Construction and is due to commence in late March so it can be finished prior to winter.

“Snowy Hydro regrets any short-term impacts to people who use this small section of channel. This can be a busy time of the year for fishing and camping. However, the works are not expected to impact anyone who is fishing upstream of the Portal on the Eucumbene River or visiting the wider Eucumbene foreshore area,” said Mr Allen.

“The long-term benefits of these improvement works will result in a much safer and improved foreshore experience for people visiting this area of Lake Eucumbene.”

The works are being carried out in close consultation with the local trout fishing advocacy group, the Monaro Acclimatisation Society. MAS spokesman Steve Samuels said the works should improve conditions downstream for trout breeding and fishing, which are an important economic driver for the region.

The work is expected to be completed by 30 April 2021.

This arrived after our March Burley Line.

Read it here. Key points not previously covered by the NSWCFA March Newsletter are:

• National ban on polystyrene packaging
• Progress at last on Trunketabella Lake access? – the local council is examining a complaint that a private landowner has closed Coopers Island Road near Tuross Head.
• Gone Fishing Day is now scheduled for Sun 10 Oct.