COLLIE RIVER

TThe Collie River is stocked below Wellington Dam. The river flows through national park for 12km, tumbling down a steep gorge before entering a reservoir at Burekup. Rainbow (yearlings and fry) and brown trout (yearlings) are stocked each year. Redfin perch are present and if caught must not be returned to the river. The gorge between the Dam and the popular national park campsite at Honeymoon Pool is easily accessible by 2WD along Lennard Drive on the south side of the river and there is a walking /bike trail on the northern bank. Below Honeymoon Pool a rough and steep 4WD track follows the river downstream to near Burekup. There is 2WD access to several small campgrounds downstream from Honeymoon Pool on the northern bank and from there you can walk all the way down to Burekup using a firebreak road and an informal walking trail along the river. Large volumes of water are released from the dam during the summer months for irrigation. The gorge then becomes a tailrace fishery that is unique in the SouthWest. There are rapids and falls interspersed with long and sometimes deep pools. The water is typically cold and crystal clear which makes spotting fish relatively easy. The trout are fit and fight strongly in the currents. Trout of 40cm plus are not uncommon. The most popular method of fishing is spinning using small hard body lures, and most spin fishers target the longer runs and deep pools. Fish often sit deep and it can be difficult getting lures to the right depth in the fast flowing current. The use of soft plastics is popular for redfin. To avoid snags remove the middle treble, and use only a single hook at the tail of the lure. This will also help prevent damage to undersized fish. The use of soft plastics for redfin is popular, especially among snags. The use of soft plastics for redfin is popular, especially among snags. Fly fishers often target faster runs and the base of falls and rapids. Popular flies include various minnow patterns swung across and downstream in fast water and prospecting pocket water with a variety of nymphs such as gold bead flashbacks. During summer dry fly fishing can be productive using hopper and caddis patterns. A word of caution. During irrigation flows the current can be strong, levels can rise rapidly and the rocks on the riverbed are very slippery. Wading is best done during the period May to October when water flows and levels are reduced.