Category: Projects

The MacCallum Smith Memorial Ponds 1941

January 9, 2025 (updated June 2, 2025) Published by

Project Insight

The old trout ponds are situated a 5-minute walk upstream from the Pemberton Pool. Here they have remained buried and forgotten under thick vegetation for decades. SFFAC’s mission is to recover the ponds, promote the history and tourism values.

Our good friend and now club committee member Bruce Williamson brought to our attention the existence of the old ponds and their historical importance in early 2021. Bruce is a passionate fly fisherman and history buff, and his enthusiasm soon rubbed off on club members. The club began restoration work on May the 9th, 2021. This work was pivotal in galvanising our freshly formed club and providing direction and purpose. Our members, through many working bees since, and three successful community grants, have uncovered 90% of the old ponds and provided informative signage and a safe walking trail from Pemberton Pool. Our work continues today with many more tasks ahead. Busy bees normally run on the last Sunday morning of every month.

BRIEF HISTORY

These ponds represent a leap forward in the history of trout acclimatisation in Western Australia. Funded by the late John MacCallum Smith and built by the Pemberton-Warren Trout Acclimatisation Society with help from local community volunteers and mill workers, these two parallel sets of ponds and connecting races were gravity fed from a dam at the head. They founded the beginning of trout propagation independence for WA and removed the need of trapping wild fish or obtaining trout from Victoria, with the broodstock easily contained and controlled within these holding ponds.

As a result, angling tourism blossomed for Pemberton and the ponds were a popular attraction with regular hatchery tours for visitors. By the 1950s, problematic stream flows and the emergence of modern recirculation systems saw the need for a new hatchery facility being built at the site of the current Freshwater Research Station.

Follow the below link for more history by Bruce Williamson
https://troutinthekarri.com

Works Begin May 9th 2021

Extract from Works Diary  🐝

Club Busy Bee 13th February 2022

Work begins on clearing the old dam wall

Club Busy Bee 25th February 2022

Club members expose the shallow channel between left hand race 1 & 2.  Amazing the timbers buried in the mud have  preserved so well.

Club Busy bee 13th March 2022

Sand bagging the 2 entry points in the dam wall to prevent races flooding from coming winter rains.  The old brass plug was found in the first left hand pond.  This was one of four which allowed each pond to be drained individually for cleaning purposes

Club Busy Bee 22nd April 2022

Concrete entrance to the old hut uncovered. 

The original gate from the dam wall found buried in the mud. The gate still had the original lock and staple attached

Shire of Manjimup Community Grant funding 

The club was successful with a community grant from the Shire of Manjimup and works commenced on 28th Oct 22.  Tree loppers removed problematic trees from dam wall.  Funding was also used for trail construction commencing on 2nd May 2023, connecting Pemberton Pool to the ponds.

Pemberton Trout Festival 6th Nov 2022

Poster courtesy of Recfishwest

Club Busy Bee 29th Jan 2023

A successful day with members pushing on, removing mud from the races. A few artifacts found and the drainage point to where our plug fits.

Club Busy Bee 4th Feb 2024

Club members removed fallen tree over the ponds.

Shire of Manjimup Community Grant Funding 27th April 2024

Funding enabled signage containing information and trail map to be installed at the Pemberton Pool. 

Trail markers where also installed guiding visitors to the ponds

Recfishwest Community Grant 15 June 2024

This successful funding allowed us to install an informative sign at the ponds.  Funds also used to complete trail and pedestrian markers.

Club Busy Bee 29 September 2024

With left hand races now clear we set our sights on the 2 remaining right hand races.

Pemberton Trout Trails

January 10, 2025 (updated June 16, 2025) Published by

The Pemberton Trout Trail is a dynamic initiative brought to life through the collaboration of Freshwater Anglers Western Australia (FAWA) and the Southern Forests Freshwater Angling Club Inc (SFFAC). We’re thrilled to share the progress and milestones achieved on this exciting project!

A Successful Start: Securing the Grant

The journey began with a successful joint application for the Native Forest Transition Grant funding. This grant, supported by the ATF WA Branch, aims to bring the vision of the Pemberton Trout Trail to reality. The trail will connect the Thomson Flats stiles along the Pemberton, enhancing accessibility and promoting sustainable angling opportunities.

We were honoured to have Minister Jackie Jarvis MLC announce the grant at the Nannup Men’s Shed. A huge congratulations to Russell Hanley and his team for their dedication and hard work in securing this crucial funding.

Phase 1: Clearing the Way

Phase 1 involved meticulous groundwork to prepare the trail. Contractors began clearing access along sections of the Pemberton, tackling overgrown areas with chainsaws and removing low branches and logs. Challenges such as drainage channels requiring culverts were identified and are being addressed to ensure the trail’s usability and longevity.

Phase 2: Trail Construction

The construction of the trail itself has progressed steadily, with efforts focused on creating a clear, safe, and accessible pathway. Work extended to areas behind Watercorp and even near the local marron farm, laying the foundation for a trail that showcases the natural beauty of Pemberton.

Phase 3: Blackberry Management

Currently, we are in Phase 3 of the project, focusing on the spraying and management of blackberry infestations along the trail. This crucial step ensures the preservation of the native environment while maintaining an enjoyable trail experience for all.

Looking Ahead

The Pemberton Trout Trail is a testament to the power of collaboration and community-driven initiatives. As boots hit the ground and progress continues, we’re excited to see this project come to fruition. Stay tuned for more updates as we work to make the Pemberton Trout Trail a cornerstone of recreational angling in the Southern Forests region.

Angler Access Stiles

January 11, 2025 (updated July 12, 2025) Published by

Angler access stiles Thomson Flats Pemberton

We proudly support The Australian Trout Foundation – WA Branch in their endeavours to increase public angler access throughout the southwest. These ATF stiles were achieved through a Recfishwest community grant and funded through the RFIF. The stiles allow passage over fence and through private land to reach the Lefroy Brook. Signage reminds anglers of their obligations whilst traversing private land.

The Thomson Flats stiles in Pemberton were installed by SFFAC members on the 18th of September 2022.

These stiles represent stage one of the Pemberton Trout Trail, a joint venture between  SFFAC and the ATF (WA).

On the 2nd of October 2022, SFFAC members ventured to Harvey Dam to help with stile installation at the rear of the dam.

These stiles where made possible by funding from ALCOA.

On the 14th of October 2024 members installed a stile on the fence line at the Warren bridge with the owner’s permission. This allows easy access to the Treen Brook and the confluence with the Warren River. Recently this stile has been removed due to the paddocks being leased and fence up grades. We hope we can renegotiate this installation and have public access back again to this excellent fishery.

Congratulations to Russell and his ATF team for a very successful initiative and many thanks to the efforts of SFFAC members involved with installation works. We look forward working with the ATF (WA) in future installations. I encourage all to check out the ATF WA Branch Facebook page and become involved with a project near you.   https://www.facebook.com/Forelle52/