Clarrie Hall 12th & 13th June

[Pumba]

Hi Guys,
Well with Hinze Dam fishing a bit average, and not wanting to risk skiers at Moogerah or Maroon, I have been hitting Clarrie a bit of late.

Fished there last week and got onto a school of 28-32cm guys that would only hit fly from everything I tried in my tackle box. All up for 2 hours was 17 Legals (All 30-33cm) and about the same amount of undersize fish. Most of the fish came from 2 schools on points on opposite side of the dam.

In search of some bigger fish, got on the water on Saturday about 11am and starting working up the dam. Had a nice 34cm Bass in the boat off the first point, then nothing till I cracked a bit of a pattern 1/3rd up the dam. Found schools of fish in shallow bays that had secondary drop offs. Ended up with 8 legal bass and 6 undersize, with the biggest going 42cm. All fish came on fly or Mask Vibs. Having a spare on Sunday as well, I decided to come back for seconds.

Got on the water the same time on Sunday, and headed 2/3rds up the dam an fished my way back. Ended up with 8 fish, 38-46cm and a couple of smaller models. Got the big fella first up, again hopping a vibe, this time in front of the lillies and back to the boat, in 6-9m of water. Most of the fish were hitting it half way back to the boat or when slow rolling the lure up from under the boat.

Then got 3 fish in 5 casts in some weedy bays 1/2 way up the dam just on the way home. These guys came on the new gold colored g-vibes. Also got a few fish on silent jackals and spinnerbaits, working around the bays.

A couple of great days on the water topped off with some nice fish, and some of the better sessions I have had at Clarrie. Also set a Clarrie PB with 46cm of chunky she-fish.

Water temps were from 15 - 17 degrees depending on where in the dam and time of day. Fished gentlemans hours from 11am - 4pm each day.

All fish were released. Will try and dig out a couple of decent photos tonite- it's not easy taking photos by yourself!

Cheers,
Matt

[Nog]

Hi Matt

What flies and fly techniques did you use. I'm hoping to get there this weekend for a swoof. Also can you have a petrol motor on your boat and just use electric?
Norm

[Roo]

Good work Matt. Sounds like they are starting to school up now, a few weeks back the only fish we could tempt were right up in the weed and lilies. A 46cm fish is pretty solid in Clarrie Hall.

Norm, No mate, petrol motors must be removed.

Cheers Roo.

[themissus]

Sounds like a great couple of days Matt. Water temps seem to be about the same as when we were out there. Keen to get back out there soon but the next 3 weekends are already booked and fishing is not included any of them
Love to see some pics esp. of the 46cm baby.
Cheers Kim.

[Pumba]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Nog, I was using zonker/ bass bunny style flies and purple or green vampires. Both kinky fibre and krystal flash wings worked equally well. Fished off the SA Striper IV. I only threw the fly when there were visible fish on the sounder, found after working the vibe around. Are you going down for the SEQFF's day? As Roo said, petrol motors have to be removed.

Roo,
The fish still seem scattered but they are actively feeding. Where I had caught fish they were visibly arching up on the sounder and moving up out of the deeper water to feed on the ledge. Only had a couple half hearted touches right on the lillies. Stoked about the 46cm fish, Especially for Clarrie. They fight well above their weight too. Would have stood no chance if she was around structure. Chunky as homemade potato salad too.

Kim,
I cant wait to get out there again either. Such a beautiful place. Gonna try and swing a day off work to give it another go. Beauty of being your own boss.

Cheers,
Matt

[themissus]

Luck bugger