Region: Broken River
GPS coordinates: -36.722505, 146.226598 (latitude, longitude)
Description
Loombah Weir is located between Tatong and Myrrhee, about 20 minutes south-east of Benalla.
With three years of funding provided via the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust, the Australian Trout Foundation (ATF) will be working closely with the VFA and the Arthur Rylah Institute on an exciting and innovative new project at the Loombah Weir: establishing a refuge population of the endangered Macquarie perch, whilst simultaneously creating access to a new supply of brown trout.
The Loombah Weir (and the Ryans Creek catchment that feeds it) is a “Closed Catchment”, where access for fishing is not permitted due to it being protected for Benalla’s town water supply. Recent survey has shown that the lake supports a very healthy population of Brown Trout, that are behind a locked gate!
With access granted by the waterway manager (North East Water), the ATF has seized on an opportunity to capture as many trout as possible and translocate them to publicly accessible waterways such as Lake William Hovell, to enhance fishing opportunities. The Loombah will then be stocked annually by the VFA with Macquarie perch fingerlings, to establish a new population of Maccas! This project draws on the proven successes of a similar project managed by NSW Fisheries in the Winburndale Dam near Bathurst (NSW Fisheries: Bring Back the Mack!).
The ATF volunteers will use a combination of rod and line fishing, electro fishing and the deployment of a “trout trap”, to intercept fish on their annual spawning run from the lake into the creek above it. The objective of the project isn’t to eradicate trout, just to reduce their numbers sufficiently to give the Macca’s their best chance to grow rapidly and get established. The Closed Catchment status won’t change so over time this new, protected, Macca refuge will be available for housing fish rescued from natural disasters (such as bushfire), or for translocating to “top-up” existing wild populations.
Volunteering for the Loombah Weir Project
Volunteers for the Loombah Project will be required from May 2nd to June 28th to constantly monitor the fish trap and translocation process. This is a 24/7 requirement with camping available onsite and toilet facilities provided. The small campground is camper trailer/caravan accessible and can hold up to five medium sized vans. There is more room at a nearby campsite. People wishing to attend either induction day can also stay in Benalla. which is an easy half hour commute.
Teams can consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of four people at any one time. Fishing from personal craft (kayak, canoe only) in Loombah and McCall Sey Weirs, which are closed waters, will be permitted for volunteers in residence with some provisos. There is limited bank access. Fishing Ryans Creek will be available for the first fortnight, after which it will be electrofished.
Please Note: No dogs permitted.
Registration will be on a first come first serve basis until the calendar is full. All registrants must be a member of the Australian Trout Foundation.
Induction days
A full induction program will be conducted on Saturday May 2nd from 10.00am until 4.00pm with associated working bee. A second induction day will be held on Satuday April 30 for those that cannot make the May 2 date and wish to participate in the second month of June. All volunteers wishing to participate over the two-month period must be in attendance on either day to receive important information re the responsibilities of risk management, monitoring and collection of fish. A boat license must be held by at least one team member.
Register to volunteer
Register your team of 1-4 people, and select volunteer shifts here
