Grey nomads who like to ‘throw in a line’ as they travel will be delighted to hear that a bumper Australian salmon season is forecast along the south and south-west coastlines.
Each autumn millions of the fish arrive in the annual ‘salmon run’, and the ABC is reporting that this year’s run is looking like one of the best in recent years.
Recfishwest operations manager Matt Gillett said big numbers were expected along the west coast this season.
“Some of the factors that drive a good salmon season are really strong capes current, a northward-flowing current that comes from the Southern Ocean and pushes up the west coast,” he told the ABC. “And what we’re seeing this year has us predicting quite a good season up the west coast … but I’m expecting some good numbers up as far as Perth this year.
It's expected to be a good year for Australian salmon fishers. PIC: Cizza
The lure of salmon fishing was that the fish are fun to catch, according to Mr Gillett.
“I’ve had the pleasure of fishing throughout the world and I can tell you that salmon are right up there for me as one of the best sport fish that I can target reasonably. They’re very accessible,” he told the ABC. “You don’t have to have specialist gear. You don’t have to own a boat. You can literally buy a cheap rod and reel from your local tackle shop, get a lure or a bag of bait and head down and be in with a great chance.”
With several people having died over the past decade on the state’s south coast while rock fishing, authorities are urging salmon fishers to fish from the beach rather than rocks.
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I’ve been a keen fisherman all of my life. One decent sized Australian Salmon caught in WA would fill a caravan refrigerator. Yes I carry fishing rods in my caravan at all times but I wouldn’t say that the fish that I regularly catch saves me much money on my food budget.