Awoonga Report since Recent Flood Waters

[A_DIFF_PERSPECTIVE]

A Quick Awoonga Report Since the Recent Floodings.
Here is an up to date local report as there seems to be little local information at present. Trev must be chasing bass or hiding on the lake well and Jas W has been away for nearly a month so here is something up to date to work with.
The lake level has risen about 5.2metres.
Awoonga is currently sitting at 34.29 m and approx 58% capacity.
The floodwaters turned large portions of the lake into dirty water with almost zero visibility. Some areas remained crystal clean. Debris floated down from upstream early in the floods, but dispersed quickly as the lake rose in conjunction with a heavy South East wind blow.
Trollers and casters have been rewarded. About 10 days ago, many anglers were reporting great fishing and many first timers were landing quality fish. We landed 14 fish on the best charter since the rain. Local, Trevor Burgess managed 17 barra alone in his boat one day in the past fortnight. The fishing has been awesome until the last few days. Yesterday we scored zero barra on charter for one angler, tough conditions to tempt a strike. Like wise for many others fishing the lake, it was hard going. The colder and continually dropping water temp has slowed the fish down. The wind is set to continue for more days as per the forecast. Deep, shallow and surface lures have been producing fish since the rain. There has been no standout lures for any length of time, many types producing fish. The No Blokes Barra Bash fished in worsening conditions, the ladies working extra hard but landing fish in challenging circumstances. Well done for their efforts.
Fish Distribution- vast as per the norm. Boyne, Futter, Iveragh, Basin etc. Anglers are scoring good fish in a new lake with vast new opportunities. A new leaf once again for Awoonga.
The weed banks lay 15-30ft below, but have strived to reach the sunlight once again, many strands breaking free and free floating around the lake washing up on shores. I’d imagine some will survive and start rooting near shallower water very soon. Vegetation flooded and submerged is breaking down quickly but subsurface currents are mixing the lake considerably with not much water showing ill signs for suitability. I took many samples of water away for analysis outside the lake in recent weeks, with little in the way of obvious negative discoveries. To watch the lake flood and fill, and the waters slowly clean once again was very interesting, something that doesn’t happen every day. I’ve visited the lake one and two times a day since the flooding to keep a close eye on the transformation and how the whole system worked as one and how the fish altered in the quick change. Great stuff to be a part of. Flooded flats and submerged bushes and plant material have added another dimension to the fishing. Awoonga has been higher, about 1.8 metres higher, but it has become a large open expanse once again. Waves are bigger again now. Swells roll through with the strong winds making conditions require extra boating precaution. The driving force currents are more visible and far easier to read. You only have to travel 2 kilometres on water to see the many different flow directions in place. The ramp is an easy option once again. The long up hill walk is now not so long.
Enjoy the new lake. I’m away for a week or so.
Regards,
Johnny Mitchell

[black_sheep]

Thanks for the informative update Johnny,

I bet it's good to see the dam with plenty of water back in it - a whole new dimension and even more space for everyone to spread out. Can't wait to get back up there for another week trying to dong a few although will have to find new spots again - better make it 2 weeks .

[Awoonga]

When Johnny goes on Holiday in the middle of the season....Does that tell you something ????? The next two weeks at Awooongeee are going to be ...Lets say.....no lets just wait and see.....

[Brad Clark]

Has anyone got any photos of the boat ramp since the recent rise. Would be interested to see how it looks now.

[Plastic_Magic]

Thanks Johhny. Yeah the dam has dot a whole different dimension sice the rain and is great to see. The fish were goinig off bout a week ago but have slowed down now for sure. Awoonga i am heading out there Sunday for a fish and will let you now how i go. Lately on the days many people have struggled i have come up with the goods with at least getting the one barra. Hope there good times ahead.

Cheers Plastic_Magic

[Awoonga]

hope l didnt take too long... best l could do at such short notice

[udlman]

We just got back after 7 days up there. 7 Barra between 3 boats. Fishing was quite difficult, with no time of day being better or worse. All but one fish cam from one section of bank no longer than 400m. It was the only workable windward bank, that I thought safe enough for me, my gf and boat. Wind was blowing a constant 20 - 30kn for the 7 days straight, with only a couple of hours each day where it was a bit quieter.

Brad