SWEETWATER NATIVES
Exploring a perfect little stream is a fantastic way to experience the great Aussie outdoors. It’s even better when you discover the stream is home to big, hungry bass! ANDRE TAYLOR reports.
CASTING surface lures to feisty Australian bass can provide world class fishing. Especially if it involves spectacular scenery, the challenge of accurately casting into small shady pockets of water and thundering surface strikes from big, healthy fish. I’ve recently discovered that these elements, and more, can be found in surprisingly small streams.
Last summer, the La Niña cycle brought plenty of rain to the east coast, leaving my favourite bass fishing rivers swollen and turbid. For a while I cursed the La Niña until I realised that my local creeks were still fishable. I learnt that whilst the big rivers could take two to three weeks to drop, clear and warm-up after a deluge, many of the creeks could be fished within a few days. As a result, I ventured into many small waterways for the first time, paddling and dragging my kayak in search of the “holy grail” of bass fishing: shady, log-strewn pools full of cicada-munching native sportfish.
I soon discovered that this holy grail does indeed exist and can produce white-knuckle, heart-stopping sportfishing. I vividly recall the steamy summer’s day that I first learnt this lesson. I set out to fish one of my usual spots on a big NSW river. Conditions were terrible. The river was flowing fast, making even the pools difficult to fish. Even though it had not rained for weeks, the water was still brown and cool, making it hard work to find a co-operative bass. After several hours and only one fish, I started the long, strenuous paddle back up to the car. On the way I noticed a small creek trickling into the river – its clear blue-green water was creating a plume in the rushing brown water. After reaching the car and checking the map, I decided to investigate the creek. I was soon standing at a ford, where the road crossed the creek high in the forested hills above the main river valley.
The creek looked fantastic. It had warm, green-blue water, sub-tropical rainforest lining its steep banks, pool and rapid sequences, plenty of shade and the air was reverberating thanks to an army of enthusiastic cicadas. Within minutes, I was on the water once again, heading upstream to explore.
The creek was shallow and at times narrow. The water bubbling across the rocky rapids was only ankle deep, and even the deepest pool was only waist deep. I soon came to a promising looking pool. I started flicking a black cicada fizzer into the small alcoves of dark water beneath the lush vegetation that was buzzing with all kinds of insects in the heat of the afternoon. Nothing. Ten more casts. Nothing. I was starting to think that this creek was barren. Perhaps it was too small for bass. Perhaps I was spooking them in the clear shallow water. Perhaps there was not enough structure for them to hide. Perhaps … then all hell broke loose!
The branches overhanging the pool were showered with water from an explosive strike. In an instant my rod was fully loaded and braid was being stripped from my reel’s spool despite plenty of drag. The irate inhabitant of this peaceful pool was covering plenty of water looking for a sunken log and freedom. My kayak was being dragged across the pool towards the deeper side where there was an abundance of timber. Some frantic one-handed backwards paddling ensued and the beefy bass was soon steered into open water. As she slid into shallower water, she did something I have rarely seen a bass do – she went airborne like a salmon. I suppose she just ran out of water in which to vent her fury. Normality soon returned and she calmed down. She measured 45cm to the fork, and was in perfect condition. After reluctantly posing for some photos she silently swam away into the deepest part of the pool. Two or three casts later, I was hooked up again to a 43cm fish – but that’s another story.
The style of fishing
Heading off to explore remote creeks is not for everyone. Exploring new areas requires a reasonable level of fitness to paddle, carry or drag a kayak (or canoe) several kilometres upstream. I say “upstream”, as I usually explore new creeks by working my way upstream. That way I always know how hard it will be and how long it will take to get back to the car. Impenetrable obstacles, such as massive logjams, are common.
I often do this sort of fishing alone. There are pros and cons of this approach. Small creeks are often more suited to a kayak that a two person canoe. It’s also easier to be stealthy in small, shallow pools if I’m on my own. Also, when exploring new creeks I usually don’t invite a friend in case it turns into a Man vs Wild epic consisting of numerous portages, rapids, fences and no fish. I value my friendships! There are also days when I enjoy the solitude of fishing a small, scenic stream alone. The downside is safety. As discussed later, there are significant risks that need to be managed.
Tactics
Skinny water bass fishing is best done in the warmer months when insects are active and the water is warm (November to March). High and rising atmospheric pressure also helps. Bass are also more likely to take lures early and late in the day when the light intensity is low. At this time, casting accuracy is not critical as feeding bass will move several metres to take a lure. One of the best features of small creeks is that there is usually plenty of shade, so when conditions are favourable they will take surface lures all day.
Careful planning is another key to success. Depending on location, the Bureau of Meteorology’s web site (bom.gov.au) can be used to check that water levels are low and steady. The aerial photos on Google Earth (http://earth.google.com) are also a fantastic tool to identify promising water. I look for creeks that have large pools, plenty of bank-side vegetation and a place to safely access the water. Based on experience, I tend to avoid creeks where the water frequently disappears under the tree canopy on aerial photos, as these waterways tend to have a lot of logjams.
Stealth tactics are also needed. Carelessly dragging a kayak up a rocky rapid into a small pool above is likely to spook the fish. When approaching such a pool, I will often cast to likely looking spots before getting in my kayak and quietly moving upstream to fish the pool’s headwaters. In these pools long casts tend to produce more fish. Bigger fish are often found at the head of the pool or near the pool’s dominant snag. My ideal casting target is a big, old log near the head of the pool, in the shade, with some eddies for fish to rest in and some moving water to bring food to them. It’s the bass equivalent of a five-star hotel.
Tackle
My motto for this style of fishing is to “keep it simple”, especially when exploring new creeks which may involve low hanging branches and portages. There is a real risk of snapping a rod on a branch. This risk can be minimised by taking only one rod (per person) and using one that can be safely stored along the boat during portages so the tip does not stick out over the side. I use a Loomis Bronzeback SMR751S (8-10lb) spinning rod which is only 6’ 3’’ (191 cm) long. This short and stiff rod also allows me to easily flick lures under overhanging trees with a flat trajectory.
I also use a Daiwa 2500 Sol spinning reel, 6lb braid, and a 50-70cm of 14lb fluorocarbon leader. Being able to cast accurately, say, to within 30cm of a log from 20m away, is often a key to success, particularly during the middle of the day when fish are holding close to structure. Smooth, small diameter braid and a slim leader knot (e.g. a Kaneit or Slim Beauty) helps with long, accurate casts. I am currently using Daiwa TD Sensor braid which is a substantial improvement on the “rope” I used to use.
When it comes to lures, it’s tempting to take your whole tackle box but then regret the extra weight as you drag your kayak up the 10th rapid in 30oC heat and 80 per cent humidity. I’ve never used more than five different bass lures in a single day, so I recommend taking a small selection. If I only took five, they would be: A Heddon gold Tiny Torpedo (with chemically sharpened trebles); a black 45mm Koolabung cicada fizzer; a large Megabass Pagani Siglett (aburazemi colour); Atomic Ripperz 2’’ Fat Grubs (green gord colour) on a Secret Creek 1/8 oz pony head jig; and a 50mm Squidgy Pro Critter (bloodworm colour), again with the pony head jig. If a wild Australian bass doesn’t nail one of these lures, it’s time to admit defeat.
Safety
There are some inherent risks to this sort of fishing, especially if done solo and in remote locations. Ones that occupy my mind include snakebite, slipping on slippery stones and breaking a leg, and returning to my car late in the day to discover the entire cast of Deliverance waiting for me. Speaking from experience, there is also a real possibility of getting a barbed treble hook stuck deeply into some part of your body as well as losing a battle with an electric fence.
Risk management strategies include leaving a detailed trip plan with a responsible person, having a substantial safety kit in a waterproof bag (e.g. first aid kit, warm clothing, food, waterproof matches, torch, etc.), wearing sensible footwear, and having a map and a GPS. An EPIRB is also worth considering if the area is outside of mobile phone range. With respect to snakes, I always try to walk up shallow rapids, rather than along the bank. When fishing alone, I usually take extra care and fish dawn to midday so if I get into trouble I have half the afternoon to sort things out. It also means I don’t get back to the car in the dark. Finally, don’t forget to crush the barbs on all your treble hooks and steer clear of all electric fences!
Conclusions
My recent exploratory trips into narrow creeks in search of wild bass have produced many surprises. I’ve found that modest creeks with a trickle of water moving through them can have fantastic pools with big, healthy bass. It’s not an easy form of fishing but when a thumping Australian bass smashes your surface lure in a postcard setting it is a world-class fishing experience.
FACT BOX:
The Approach
– Very small creeks can hold big wild bass, especially if they contain a few deep, log-strewn pools.
– Unlike bigger rivers, these creeks can recover quickly after rain.
– Carefully plan your trip using aerial photos and information on water levels.
– Fish new creeks by working your way upstream (e.g. in a kayak or canoe), in case you encounter some impenetrable barriers.
– Stealth tactics are required as it easy to spook bass in skinny water.
– Focus on fishing pools with lots of shade, structure (e.g. logs) and overhanging vegetation.
– Carefully consider and manage risks to your safety, especially if going solo.
Tackle
– Keep it simple. This type of fishing often involves portaging, so travel light.
– Use a short rod (e.g. around 6’ 3’’) to minimise the risk of the tip snapping on branches during portages.
– Use high quality, low diameter braid and a slim leader knot to help with accurate casting.
– Take a modest selection of surface lures (e.g. cicada imitations) and small subsurface lures (e.g. 2’’ soft plastic grubs on 1/8 oz pony head jigs).
