Mystery over missing fish

It seems all is not well among some anglers, at least the ones I spoke with regarding Arthurs Lake and the latest media from the Inland Fisheries Service.

According to the IFS, fishing has steadily improved over the past five years at this water, however, this season it seems anglers are reporting that it is very difficult to catch any fish from the shore at all, regardless of which methods are used.

IFS staff have also reported that the number of fish in the 2021 spawning run was the largest in many years, with more than 14,500 brown trout being counted through the three Arthurs Lake fish traps and allowed to travel on upstream to spawn. The spawning fish were in good condition.

Anglers reported some good catches in the past season. Winter rain kept the lake at a good level and it is still rising. This will give shore-based anglers plenty of options. The shallow areas around Hydro Bay, Cowpaddock Bay and Jonah Bay will be productive for bait fishermen.

In September, it is hard to look past an earthworm fished close to the edge. The colder it is, the further out your worm should be cast. There is no need to try and get fancy with different baits.

Steady and rising water levels will bring worms into the lake. These shallow areas are also the best and most popular spots for shore-based fly and lure anglers.

Carefully wading in kneedeep water and fishing slowly into depressions and around structure will be productive.

More and more fish will move on shore as the weather and water warms.

Trollers, lure casters and fly fishermen will do well fishing around 3m-4m below the surface over deep weed beds. This depth is productive in September and anglers should be fishing slowly with large, dark coloured lures and flies. Fish want to put weight back on after spawning and will eat bigger offerings than they will at other times. The water is often warmer at this depth which attracts large quantities of fish.

If spring is mild and the water warms quickly, the shallows will then become more productive.

The lake has a good number of bait fish on which trout feed. Any rocky point with the wind blowing onto or around is worth fishing. Trollers using black and purple near the submerged rocks on the northern and southern points of Seven Pound Bay will have success.

Look for similar spots elsewhere.

South westerly weather is common in September and Arthurs Lake is exposed to these cold winds. Calm areas in front of the shacks at Pump House Bay and along the shore south of Creely Bay will provide some protection.

Our family sold our shack at Morass Bay some time ago and at that time and in the years leading up to that point, the fishing was sensational.

Not any more, it seems, I find you are hard pressed to catch a fish from the shore using any method.

Some anglers think that there are no fish in there; one angler has had three trips towing his boat from Launceston for not a touch.

I don’t know what the answer is, perhaps “things” may improve as weather warms and we start to see those big gum beetle hatches of the past. I am sure the IFS and I would like to hear from anglers and receive their viewpoints on this water.

Until next week, good fishing!

I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS, PERHAPS ‘THINGS’ MAY IMPROVE AS WEATHER WARMS AND WE START TO SEE THOSE BIG GUM BEETLE HATCHES OF THE PAST.