If you're having trouble catching fish then maybe you need to talk to us!

LAKE CAM

Now you can check out what the weather over Lake Jindabyne looks like without getting out of bed.

Airlan is the Snowy Mountain regions first locally based and operated Telecommunication Carrier. Airlan specialises in providing high speed wireless broadband solutions. Services like broadband Internet access, VoIP telephony and Video on Demand in the Cooma/Monaro region. Visitors to the area can also connect using Airlan's network by purchasing prepaid access cards. If you want to see for yourself, Airlan's first Mountain and Lake Cam of current conditions on Lake Jindabyne go to - http://airlan.com.au/cams/C1/current.jpg

LAKE LEVEL and TEMPERATURE

The lake level has continued to rise over the last week and now sits at over 55%. The boat hire marina is now back at the base of Discovery Holiday Park Jindabyne.

The water temperature has been very stable on 12 degrees celsius but should rise over the next few weeks as the weather warms.

Let's have a look at what the fishing is going to be like over the next few weeks.

Trolling

Surface anglers are doing well just trolling 13 gram Tasmanian Devils early up with possibly Y48 and number Y82 being the best two colours overall.

Lead core lines at two colours (20 metres) to three colours will also be best after the sun comes up. (20 to 30 metres of line out will get your lure down an extra 2 to 3 metres). There is no doubt that lead core lines were catching most of the fish in the middle of the day.

I have found the rainbow trout in areas of the lake sitting at about 25 feet deep and these are easily targeted with downriggers when you locate the fish on the sounder.

Minnow lures like the jointed Rapalas are still good early in the day but smaller sizes like 7 and 9cm are noe working better than the bigger lures. Small 3 inch Stumpjumpers are good still and pink colours are still working early and late in the day.

If you want to target the big brown trout then you need to be on the lake at first light and fish minnow lures like your Rapalas NOT over the weed beds like the last report but over the yabby beds now that the water has covered these areas. The Claypits is worth a try very early in the morning.

East Jindabyne islands, Hayshed Bay, Lion and Cub Islands and the South arm have been fishing very well.

Lake Bait Fishing - primarily most rivers and streams in the Snowy Mountains region are fly and lure only, We recommend that you first check with the Department of Primary Industries (NSW Fishing rules) as to which rivers in the area you can legally bait fish in - IF IN DOUBT DON'T BAITFISH IN RIVERS!

Berkleys GULP Powerbait is still going well. Orange Gulp and orange twist have both been good as well as Rainbow.

We have some big local scrub worms in stock at the moment and locals will tell you that these are the best bait for big browns at this time of the year. A few anglers have been trying mudeyes but with limited luck, which says it is a little early yet for them.

Scrub worms off the bottom and a power bait dropper will be the best middle of the day for the brown trout. Best areas for bait fishing at the moment have been, The Haven, Curiosity Rocks, Waste Point, The Snowy Arm and East Jindabyne pumping station.

Lake Spinning

Floating Rapalas are still worth a try early in the morning again where you know the yabby beds are. It's time now to go back to smaller sizes with 5 and 7 cm floaters being better. Jointed minnows are still well worth throwing and working the dropoff for best results again use the smaller sizes now.

Any trout pattern lure should be worth a try.

Spin close around rocky outcrops for best results later on in the day in the day and use smaller lures like 'Celtas' or 'Gillies Spinners' around the shallow bays after dark. Don't stay in one place too long and only put in a couple of casts in each area.

River Spinning

Spinners are still using the Drift Rigging technique with good success on glow bugs and black weighted nymphs. Rapalas also have been absolutely fantastic with the CD Rapalas needed to get the depth.

It is also well worth trying a few small spinners like Celtas or Gillies spinners in the shallows but make sure you keep out of sight and it is better to spot the fish and cast past it bring the lure about a metre or two in front of the fish.

Fly Fishing - Lake

With the lake water level rising so quickly, Polaroiding fish has been a little slower last week and fishing in general was a little tougher. Some fish are still being caught using Woolley Buggers or larger flies deep down if just prospect casting but if you do spot a fish it might be better to try a small nymph first. Strip the flies slowly after letting them sink to the bottom.

Craigs Night time and Williamson's Goldfish have been two flies well worth using at dawn and dusk.

Fly Fishing - Rivers

The Thredbo River is running hard and you have to make sure your fly gets down to the fish laying near the bottom. Glowbugs and brown or black nymphs are working well.

On the other streams the fishing will also be good as soon as the water levels drop a little.

When the weather warms again we might just see a little dry fly fishing on the rivers which will be good.

PLEASE NOTE

I still have a few spaces left for my beginners fly fishing course on the weekend of the 18th and 19th October. Please check out prices and details on my web site.

For visitors to the Snowy's we have a full range of fishing tackle for hire at my shop and fishing tours are now available.

For more information on the latest fishing conditions, please call into -

STEVE WILLIAMSON'S TACKLE SHOP

Shop 1 Snowline Centre, Kosciuszko Road Jindabyne 2627

Fishing Charters - Bait and Tackle Supplies- Marine Supplies

P.M.B. 5 Jindabyne NSW 2627 E-mail swtrout@airlan.com.au www.swtroutfishing.com.au

Shop - (02) 64 561551 Fax - (02) 64 572991