Second Pemberton Troutfest draws a crowd and brings hope for trout fishing and tourism

About 400 people attended Pemberton’s annual Troutfest on Sunday morning to help release hundreds of trout into local waterways and enjoy a hot day out near Big Brook Dam. Locals and visitors enjoyed a sausage sizzle, along with the offerings of a food truck from local winery Hidden River Estate. The trout released in the dam were grown at the Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre using money from freshwater fishing licences, with trout stocking events playing a vital part in integrating the stocking program within the WA fishing community. Pemberton Visitor Centre manager Petula Holland said the attendance exceeded her expectations and the attendance from last year’s Troutfest. “It’s been quite busy and there have been a lot more kids than last year, so I think we averaged about 500 people this year,” she said. “It definitely exceeded our expectations, there are a lot more families and kids than we expected, and I hope it gets bigger and better next year.” RecFishWest CEO Andrew Rowland agreed with Ms Holland and said the community got an opportunity to see the trout up close and also contribute to the fish population in the local waterways. “It’s been an amazing turn-out, seeing the locals get up close with the trout coming out of the Pemberton Trout Hatchery,” he said. “It’s a real opportunity for the community to . . . see the trout put in the waterways every year.” Ms Holland said the festival was for the benefit of the community and tourism in the area and she hopes fishing becomes more popular with the emphasis on trout in the area. “We do it for the community, there’s no real benefit for us, and it’s just to bring everyone together and to show how good trout fishing in Pemberton is, as it’s been around for many years, and get them to reconnect,” she said. “It’s a free family-oriented event, so it brings everyone together.” Mr Rowland highlighted the impact the releasing on the trout had on tourism and river fishing in the region, noting that trout fishers in the area helped contribute approximately $37 million each year to the South West economy. “It’s all about getting the community into the great South West, because fishing is really important for the economy of the Southern region.” “People chasing trout contribute $37 million to the South West, and it’s a great part of the culture and lifestyle of the region.” “This also allows the community to be in touch with the people at the hatchery, and learn more about the fish production and see the larger trout.” The trout festival was initiated by local fishing clubs including the Australian Trout Foundation, the Southern Forests Freshwater Angling Club and the Western Australian Trout and Freshwater Angling Association. The event was run in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development,the Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre, Daiwa, Healthway, the Pemberton Visitors Centre and the Shire of Manjimup.