The Book
Trout in Western Australia
Western Australia’s 9,500 licensed freshwater anglers will rejoice at knowing that the first book written on their sport in over 40 years - Trout in Western Australia by local fly-fisherman Dr Glen Power – is now available.
This enormous publication, produced with Fremantle Press as publishing consultants, explores the 150-year history of trout acclimatisation and freshwater angling in this State. Richly illustrated with 254 photographs across 480 pages, the book also reviews the state of the south-west freshwater fishery and outlines contemporary fisheries management in our rivers, streams and lakes.
Trout in Western Australia is arranged into 14 regionally-focused chapters covering each district of the south-west of the State, from Gingin to Albany. Among the chapters are interspersed ‘Fish Tales’ which highlight some of the people and events that have marked the development of the inland fishery. Aspects of trout biology and aquatic ecology are also covered.
The research and drafting of the book involved thousands of hours of work over the past five and a half years. Over 3,000 sources are cited, with extensive endnotes. Images have been drawn from both public archives and private collections.
Reviews of Trout in Western Australia have featured in Perth’s Sunday Times and West Australian newspapers, The Northam Advertiser, Southerly Magazine, Western Angler and FlyLife magazines during 2025.
The book is available from good independent bookstores in Perth and regionally in WA, as well as at Compleat Angler Nedlands, Flyfishing Outfitters Midvale and Pemberton Visitors Centre.
Images from the book
Trout Videos
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Book Reviews
“As Minister for Fisheries, I am delighted to contribute to Glen Power’s informative and entertaining account of trout and freshwater fishing in Western Australia. Freshwater fishing has a long tradition in the South-West region and holds an important place in our state’s history dating back to early settlement. Today freshwater fishing is enjoyed as a popular recreational activity by thousands of anglers, and also acts as a tourism drawcard and an economic boost for the region. Trout in Western Australia is a must-read for Western Australia’s freshwater fishing enthusiasts. Congratulations, Glen, on this compelling historical narrative."
Hon Don Punch MLA, former Minister for Fisheries
“I have known Glen for several years now, and each time we get together I feel in awe of his passion for trout fishing and his extensive historical knowledge of the freshwater fishery associated with Perth and the South-West region of Western Australia. In Trout in Western Australia, Glen reminds us that non-native freshwater fishes were initially placed in our waterways as a source of food for early British settlers, as well as for angling. Glen has really put in the hard yards, finding historical and interesting facts, highlighting the highs and lows of those early fish-stocking initiatives, including which areas were stocked with the various fishes and by whom. Glen also highlights how trout fishing in Western Australia became a very popular recreation, with many thousands of participants today. He has explored many of the areas previously stocked to see if fish are still present, and has observed several interesting facts along the way. I found this book very informative and, being the current President of the Western Australian Trout & Freshwater Angling Association, I was enthralled by how plainly it can be seen that our association and its membership since the early 1960s—including the numerous trout acclimatisation societies that we absorbed at our formation—has played a very important role in developing the wonderful fishery we have today."
Stewart King, President, Western Australian Trout & Freshwater Angling Association (inc. 1967)
“There are two striking observations to be made about the trout fishery in Western Australia. The first is just how good the fishery is, and the second is that so few people know about it. Even fewer have a grasp of how it came to be. Finding any information on the fishery is difficult. The only broad treatment of the history of the fishery was compiled by Neil Coy in 1979, in a book which is now rare and highly sought after (Freshwater Fishing in South-West Australia). Glen has now produced an impressive, meticulous and complete account of the establishment and maintenance of trout in our rivers, streams and impoundments. Reading of the trials and tribulations of the first attempts at stocking trout in our waterways, you have to marvel at the sheer tenacity of those early pioneers, who faced numerous obstacles yet persevered. Today we enjoy the fruits of their labours—but, as Glen points out, there have been many setbacks along the way, and the future of our fishery is not certain. Continued effort on the part of dedicated anglers is required to ensure that the work of those who came before us was not in vain. I highly recommend this book to all anglers."
Dr Russell Hanley, President, Western Australian Branch, Australian Trout Foundation
“I congratulate Glen on writing the most interesting and informative reference book I have ever read on the establishment of rainbow and brown trout into the fresh waters of Western Australia. This book is a mine of information and, as a trout fisherman of some sixty-five years (and still learning!), I cannot go past recommending Trout in Western Australia to any serious trout fisher in his or her pursuit of these clever and challenging fishes."
Monty Moy, Honorary Life Member, Western Australian Trout & Freshwater Angling Association
“It is with much pleasure that I contribute a foreword to Glen Power’s brilliant exposition of all the enthralling times in the history of trout and freshwater fish acclimatisation and angling in Western Australia. There are few passive pastimes that cause an adrenalin rush like the strike and run of a big rainbow or brown trout. The leap of a healthy fish is something to experience and behold.
Glen has been able to capture the rich history of developments in the trout fishery throughout the state. The recollections and photographic memories of characters, places, historic events and fish provide a kaleidoscope of dams, streams and forest scenes that engage the reader.
In particular Glen has been able to recall stories of the characters, including Fisheries officers and farmers, involved with the Pemberton hatchery, breeding and restocking streams and rivers and dams. Among the many I recall are Ralph Kelly, Sticky Glew, Frank Shoobridge, Bill Tracey, George Cassells, Noel Morrissy, Tony Church, Terry Cabassi and Chris Church.
Glen Power’s Trout in Western Australia is a ‘must read’ for all ages—an exciting rendition of times gone by and one of our greatest pastimes."
Hon Paul Omodei, President Shire of Manjimup
“I am delighted to contribute some thoughts on this wonderful new tome written by my good mate, Dr Glen Power. I first met Glen when he was fourteen years old and a steadfast attendee at the various events of the Western Australian Trout & Freshwater Angling Association, of which I served as president during the 1980s and 1990s.
Glen eventually succeeded me in that role, and was by that time a young fish biologist with an impressive grasp of freshwater ecosystems. We see much of that background in what is written here: a unique perspective on trout acclimatisation and angling history in Western Australia, interspersed with plenty of detail on the aquatic sciences.
During the 1990s I served as the inaugural chair of Fly Fish Australia, which was established to formalise Australia’s involvement in the World Flyfishing Championships arranged by the Fédération Internationale de Peche Sportive Mouche. At one point we had Glen picked to compete for the Australian team in Italy in 1992, but he managed to throw our hook at the net by landing a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University. We forgave him that transgression!
I have journeyed through life with Glen, on the water and off. Along the way, we have stumbled up and tumbled down mountains in Cumbria, netted lampreys on the Donnelly, dropped dry flies on the Test, and dodged tiger snakes in Tasmania.
Glen’s love of Western Australia, its history, its exciting places and the people who make up our sport shines out of the many hundreds of pages of this important book. Trout in Western Australia is a scholarly and entertaining read, covering all the eccentric and wonderful people who have given Western Australia a freshwater fishery across nearly 150 years. I am sure you will enjoy it."
Andrew Fink, Former Chair Fly Fish Australia