Historical Catch Records - Part A
First Open Trout Seasons in Pemberton 1939 to 1949
To provide more detailed information about the quality and quantity of the trout fishing experience in Pemberton in those the early first years of the fishery, I have utilised the Annual Reports from the bodies responsible for or associated with acclimatisation and then the subsequent running and control of the trout fishery within Pemberton and Warren Districts.
Because there was little personal information in these annual reports, I have in addition, used the piscatorial publishing available from the newspapers of a fly fisherman who became well known in Pemberton and Perth because of the articles he authored that were published in various newspapers of the day. He was Mr John Claire Adlard, who in his professional life was the language master at the Perth Modern School. The articles that he authored, have been collated under Historical Catch Records - Part B: The Trout “Master”.
By using this information, I hope to create a better understanding of the trout fishery experiences that were available in the early years of the Pemberton trout fishery. I also hope that it will help to provide some measure of comparison and reflection, whereby we might judge how good was the fishing then compared to what we enjoy today. But all the time remember that whatever we have today, it is because of the few persistent and informed individuals and the many, many other people most of whom were mill workers in the timber industry, who had absolutely no idea of what they were doing, but did it and were able to give us the precious gift that we are able to enjoy today when we go fly fishing for trout. It is that tangible concept of the artificial fly, which connects us back across the years to 2,000 BC and the origins of fly fishing in Macedonia.
The First Open Trout Fishing Season in Pemberton, catch 5th March 1939
March 1939
- By 1939, the numbers of fish seen in local waters was thought adequate to support the declaration of the first “official” trout season under the direction of the WA Fisheries Department in Perth and the local acclimatisation body in Pemberton.
- In support of this declaration were some examples of what sport and catches might be anticipated. “Three rainbow trout have been found in the Big Brook (Lefroy) over the last week. One was found dead and 14.5 inches long and 2.5lbs in weight; the second was in difficulties in a shallow pool, its length was 16.5 inches and weight 2.5lbs; the third was the same size and was preserved by the local secretary L.D. Mickle and is now on view at Kelly’s.” (Bridgetown Advocate Thursday 19 January 1939, page 8.) These are thought to be the first mature rainbow trout to be apprehended in Western Australian waters.
- Despite the anticipation of the first official season, all did not go according to plan. “The season was to have opened on March 1, but owing to election time being close the powers that be, were unable to deal with the business and as no official intimation had been received up to February 28 and the local club officials were in quandary, for on the eve of March 1 visiting fishermen, together with hundreds of locals were all set for the rush next morning. How the rush was stopped we do not know, but perhaps an official notice posted by the local police had a big effect. However, the opening was postponed until word was received that Sunday March 5, would find the season open.” (Nannup Review Friday 10 March 1939, page 6.)
- The Government Gazette of March 17, 1941, stated: “It shall be lawful during the period between March 4 and April 16 both days inclusive, to take trout by means of rod held in the hand and line, which may be supplemented by a gaff, or landing net with artificial fly as lure.” The intention here was that fly fishing was to be the only legal means of catching trout.
- There was intense piscatorial activity on the opening day, with many locals and numbers of visitors thought to bring the total number of fishers to almost 100. The rods were an odd assortment that ranged from the very expensive greenheart to locally made karri and sticks cut from the bush. The reports of their quarry being apprehended were varied. Numbers of smaller fish under 10 inches were hooked and returned to the water.
- At the end of the first open season of six weeks, 140 trout had been grassed and recorded. They averaged 3.75 lbs and were all rainbows. Only one brown was caught, a magnificent fish of 6lb, thought to be one of the progenies of the original 1931 introduction of brown trout.
- Despite the lack of organization in this the first open trout season, and although there was a failure to record all the trout caught, the dream of trout acclimatisation in the waters around Pemberton had at last been realized. Eight years after Mr. Glew’s “ Experiment” began at the back of the schoolhouse in Brockman Street, there was good evidence that acclimatised trout could provide significant sport to Pemberton.
March 1939
First Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
140 trout
March 1940
- The season opened March 1st. to April 30th. inclusive.
- 139 trout were officially recorded and for a total weight of 264.5lbs.
- Best fish was 6.5lb Rainbow (Mr. J. Simpson Club President) not officially weighed.
- Best Fish: Mr. J. Littlefair a Rainbow of 4lb 4oz.
- Mr. F. Anderson caught the most fish with 20 trout.
- Mr. Kelly stated that as not all fishermen advised the club of their catches, the number of fish taken could have been up to 250.
- The trout fishing season did not open for Xmas 1940, due to low seasonal rainfall and the brooks being extremely low.
March 1940
Second Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
139 trout
March 1941
- The Season opened 1stMarch to April 30th inclusive.
- 1st March also saw a joint meeting of the Pemberton Trout Angling Club and the Pemberton branch of the Fish and Game Acclimatisation Society of W.A Inc.
- This joint meeting resolved to disband the two societies and create a new single entity: The Pemberton-Warren Trout Acclimatisation Society.
- The Chief Inspector of Fisheries Mr. A. J. Fraser addressed the meeting and gave details of the new Fisheries Act, where the newly created society would assume autonomous control of the Pemberton and Warren District Trout Fishery. Their objectives were the control of (1). Hatching, (2). Rearing, (3). Distribution, and (4). Protection of Trout. The season opening and closure were also at their discretion.
- At the close of the 1941 season on April 30th, 142 trout had been officially recorded by the secretary, from the information given by fisherman. It was generally thought that at least 200 fish had been grassed during the two months of the open season. They were all Rainbows, with an average weight of 2.75lbs, and the largest individual fish being one Rainbow of 5.5lbs.
- Although these numbers may seem low, it should also be remembered that the practices of using set lines and nighttime bait fishing were very common and would have accounted for many fish that went to the table and were unrecorded.
- In addition to fishing activity, the Pemberton Warren Society organised the building and servicing of the trout traps and the creation of the MacCallum Smith Memorial Trout Ponds.
March 1941
Third Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
Official record: 142 trout
1941-42
- Among the committee members of the newly formed society, were Mr. J.S. Simpson, Chairman, Mr. A.R. Kelly, Mr. J. Morgan, and Mr. J. Limmer Vice Presidents, and Mr. L.D. Mickle, Secretary-Treasurer.
- Because of the low seasonal rainfall, the open season for angling was changed to be from December 1st. 1941 to February 28th. 1942.
- The legal size of the trout for the season was increased to 12 inches, so that there was a greater chance of these larger fish reaching breeding maturity before capture.
- This was the first report by the new society and for properly prepared angler’s licenses.
- 162 trout that were taken were recorded by the secretary. But because of under reporting by anglers, it was considered that the actual number was closer to 300.
- 99% of the fish taken were rainbows, having an average weight of 2.5lbs.
- The best fish was 7lb. 1 oz., a rainbow caught by Mr. J. Goodlad.
- The most trout caught by a single angler was a bag of 49 fish, by Mr. F.A. Anderson.
- The Blue Dunn was the most successful fly for the fly fishers.
- Two convictions for illegal activities were recorded and the offenders were fined 5 pounds each.
- A society request to the Forestry Department to preserve some of the streamside vegetation on the angling waters, was granted by the foresters.
- The taking of eggs and milt from the limited numbers of mature spawners during June, July and August was again successful despite low numbers of adult fish.
- This was then taken one step further when some of the fertilized ova were placed in special hatching boxes in the stream bed. This innovation proved to be a highly successful one when compared to traditional hatchery methods of the day. Evidence suggests that the hatching boxes were placed in One Mile Brook above the Pemberton Swimming pool.
- Amongst the mature fish captured, was a brown trout of 7.5lb, no doubt the progeny of the original brown fingerlings released by C. A. Glew in September 1931. This fish was retained in the newly completed MacCallum Smith Trout Ponds as a tourist attraction and not for breeding.
- July 19th. 1942, was the official Opening of the MacCallum Smith Memorial Trout Ponds. This was a major achievement in the quest toward self-sufficiency.
- There was also an expectation that some of the anglers would spend some time acquiring live fish to assist in stocking the holding ponds.
- In addition, with the completion of the holding ponds attention and resources of manpower, turned to the completion of the more rigorous design of the Trout Traps, located on the Four Mile Brook, Lefroy Brook, East Brook and Treen Brook.
- The level of understanding and sophistication of fly-fishing methods had increased to the degree where it was considered on par if not better than bait fishing (set lines and night fishing excluded).
1941-42
Fourth Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
Official record: 162 trout
1942-43
- The Season opened December 1st. 1942 and Closed 28thFebruary 1943.
- Properly prepared licenses were issued, and it was an offense to fish without one.
- License Cost 5 shillings, but also included club membership.
- 212 licenses had been issued.
- 412 trout had been taken with still a week to go in the season.
- The recorded tally at season end was 455 fish, 98% of which were rainbows.
- They had an average weight of 1lb. 14oz.
- Allowing for unrecorded catches, over 500 fish might have been grassed, to a weight of over 1000lbs.
- Mr. Boaden an angler from Southern Cross, took 12 trout in a fortnight stay, but released many more.
- Mr. Adlard of Perth Modern School, took 6 trout in a week, including a 3lb brown.
- Mr. H. Green landed the heaviest trout of the season, a rainbow of 5lb. 8oz. and won the society trophy.
1942-43
Fifth Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
Official record: 455 trout
1943-44
- The Season opened on 1stDecember 1943 and closed 28th February 1944.
- The December tally was 210 fish, with a total weight of 377lbs.
- There were 432 trout caught and recorded for the season.
- The best fish was 6lb. 2oz. brown caught by Mr. Neville Percival, and which won the society’s trophy.
- Simpson Trophy: Mr. S. Young Best trout in December, 4lb 6oz. brown.
- Rendell Trophy: Mr. M. Love, Best trout in January, 3lb. 9oz. brown.
- Young Trophy: Best trout in January: Squad-Leader Wilmott 3lb. 9oz. brown.
- Kelly Trophy: Best trout in February a 4lbs. rainbow.
- Fish settling down to smaller size following the initial stockings in earlier years.
- Good fish were still being caught at the Treen Brook and Thomson’s Flat. Both offered good locations for fly fishing.
- Visitors have been teaching locals a lot about the technique of fly fishing.
- Spinners were now permitted to be used as an acknowledgement of the difficulties of the existing streamside conditions that were often not conducive to fly fishing.
- Proven killer fly patterns were: Blue Dunn; White Moth; Yellow Matuka; Light Spinner.
- The new trout hatchery on Golf Links Road situated above the existing MacCallum Smith Trout Ponds on ONE Mile Brook was constructed and brought into use.
1943-44
Sixth Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
Official record: 432 trout
1944-45
- The 1944/45 season opened on December 1st, 1944, and closed in March 1945.
- Estimated catch of 453 trout.
- Average weight 1.75lbs.
- Society’s Trophy for Heaviest trout: of season: Mr. F. Rendell: 4lb. 8oz.
- Simpson Trophy: Heaviest trout in December: Mr. A. Sigler: 4lb.
- Rendel Trophy: Heaviest trout in January: Mr. M. Love: 4lb. 6oz.
- Kelly Trophy: Heaviest trout in February: Mr. R. Laird: 2lbs. 7oz.
- In the annual report it was not stated if the fish caught were rainbows or browns, however most stocking in the preceding years had been rainbows.
- There was some disappointment that so few fish were caught, but it had been a record dry winter and summer.
1944-45
Seventh Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
453 trout
1945-46
- The season opened December 1st.1945 and Closed 30th April 1946.
- 197 licenses were issued, but only 30 returned their catch records.
- 934 trout were recorded, but there were large numbers of trout unrecorded.
- Conservative estimate was 1200 taken for season.
- Best Brown: 5lb.
- Best Rainbow: 4lb. Most usually 1-2lb range.
1945-46
Eighth Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
Official record: 934 trout
1946-47
- 200 licenses were issued, but only 57 catch returns.
- 867 trout captures were recorded, but there was an estimated catch of 1200 fish.
- Catch about the same as the previous year.
- Mr. F.E. Anderson Best Brown: 7.25lb.
- Mr. G.A. Loud: 5lb. 3oz. Rainbow and 5lb 11oz. Brown
- Mrs. Emery: 5lb 11oz. Brown.
- Mr. J. Adlard from Perth Modern School: Took 100 fish taken in 100 hours of fishing.
1946-47
Nineth Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
Official record: 867 trout
1947-48
- Season opened 1st. December 1947, closed 28th February 1948.
- 175 Licenses taken out, with an additional 63 juniors.
- 1,157 takeable fish recorded despite low catch returns to the secretary.
- Best catch in one day, 5 fish to a total of 17lbs. from Warren River.
- Largest fish: 5lb Brown.
- Rainbows of 2-3lb were numerous and several up to 4lbs. Average: 1lb. 3oz.
- Only moderate rainfall during winter months.
- The condition factor of the fish taken was calculated as being good.
1947-48
Tenth Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
Official record: 1,157 trout
1948-49
- Difficult seasonal conditions with only 217 points (55mm) of rain between December 1st and 1st.May 1949.
- This interrupted the flow of Lefroy Brook from December to May and created appalling conditions below the weir.
- 111 Licenses were issued for seniors and 32 for juniors.
- 893 fish were recorded as taken, but the catch may have been up to 1,000 fish.
- Of these fish nearly all were rainbows of average weight 1lb. 5oz.
- Mr. J. Grosser: caught 42 trout, 40 were rainbows mean weight 2lb. 9oz.and two large browns.
1948-49
Eleventh Pemberton Trout Fishing Season
Official record: 893 trout
Newspaper article: Pemberton Angler Lands Record Trout
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
MONDAY, 17 APRIL 1950
When Mr. H. Love, of Pemberton, landed a brown trout over two feet long after a thrilling struggle in a small boat he established a trout angling record for Western Australia.
Few fish were being caught when Mr. Love, and Mr. J. Shoebridge were trying their luck from a small dinghy in the Donnelly River. Mr. Shoebridge suddenly hooked what was apparently a large one, but the fish made off with the light tackle which he was using as it would not stand the strain. It parted. A few minutes later Mr. Love had a strike and after over 30 minutes of play, he brought the large brown trout to the hand-net. The trout was brought into the office of the Pemberton Trout Acclimatisation Society where full details were recorded.
It was a female brown trout aged 5.5 years, weighing 10lb 13oz. and with a length of 27.5 inches and a girth of 16.75 inches. The fish was caught on a No. 9 Italian nylon line with a 16.5lb breaking strain and Mr. Love was using a rod won by him as a trophy in the previous year for his effort in making a record catch. The largest trout found in W.A. weighed 11.25lb but the fish was netted by members of the Pemberton Trout Society for breeding purposes and therefore could not be stated an angling record. The fish caught by Mr. Love was in excellent condition, but unfortunately its stomach was completely empty, which reduced its possible weight. The catch made a fitting climax to the trout season, and once again demonstrated the success of introducing trout to the waters of the lower South-West.
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