Big Brook is in the heart of the State’s deep south Karri forest, providing a beautiful setting for a family day out and an opportunity to connect with nature.
This will be the third Pemberton Trout Festival, and hundreds of fishing fans are likely to attend the Recfishwest and Southern Forests Freshwater Angling Club supported event.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD’s) Freshwater Research Centre at Pemberton is the foundation of Western Australia’s ’put and take’ recreational fishery, providing trout for stocking in river systems and dams across the South West each year.
This year 19,900 yearlings (including rainbow and brown trout) have been stocked at popular fishing locations and 2,100 ex-brood stock have been allocated to the dams at Drakesbrook, Waroona, Harvey and Big Brook, as well as the Warren and Lefroy rivers.
A further 44,500 trout fingerlings have also been stocked across the South West.
This year’s Trout Festival at Big Brook Dam coincides with National Gone Fishing Day, which is a great day on the recreational fishing calendar and celebrates our important fishing culture.
Past research has highlighted freshwater angling as a highly popular activity with nearly 10,000 people taking out a South-West freshwater angling licence each year. All funds raised through the sale of recreational fishing licences are spent directly on benefiting the management of recreational fishing.
An Economic Analysis of Freshwater Angling in South West WA found that satisfaction rates around the overall trout fishing experience were positive, including the quality and size of the fish caught.
DPIRD Senior Scientist and freshwater specialist Andrew Beer said the big jumbo ex-broodstock trout in Big Brook for Sunday would be a real challenge for fishers.
“These ex-broodstock will be real arm busters, but ahead of the event we will also be stocking 100 brown trout yearlings,” Mr Beer said.
“During the Pemberton Trout Festival, we’re expecting a big engagement with the kids attending to help release 200 rainbow yearlings and 200 brown trout yearlings.
“Trout fishing in WA caters to all types of recreational fishers, from the lone kayak fisher on a stocked dam, to flyfishing specialists wading forest streams.
“Gone Fishing Day is a reminder that the pastime offers people different things – sport, relaxation, fun, engagement with nature and the chance to catch a healthy meal.”
