Sampan Sunday – that’s what they are calling it, the day that at least 30 meterys were landed at the mouth of the flooded Mary River in the NT. This Barra bonanza happened on the neap tides when the clearer waters allow barra to see lures. From then on Shady Camp became a frenzy of boat traffic on a scale…
Tag: Northern territory
Hitting the ‘bong
It’s the dry season. The tidal rivers have shut down due to low water temps and the blue water is subject to the relentless south easterlies that blow hard enough to wash mud crabs up the beach. The billabongs are one of the only options left and luckily we have plenty to choose from. Hitting the ‘bongs is a seasonal…
Cleaning up on the NT bluewater scene
It’s been a long time between post for me, partly due to the dry season ‘cold snap’ where the barra shut down when the water gets below a chilly 26 degrees, and a hectic work schedule. Last weekend made up for my lack of fishing action though. I don’t know if it was the mega full moon, big tides or the remoteness of…
Runoff report – floods and failure
It happens every year. It rains and I can’t help myself. The rivers are still rising, the clouds are angry and the roads are submerged. Most fishos stay at home to avoid the tempest. I just pack a bigger tarp, upsize my bilge pump and accept the inevitable drenching. This year has been no different. I’m up to my third runoff…
An encounter with sawfish
As this one slid over my head I couldn’t help but think there is something especially intriguing about Sawfish. What is the go with the saw? Do they need it in case they encounter an underwater forest or was it a simply a hiccup in evolution that resulted in them having to carry around this cumbersome appendage? When you look…
Video – Daly River Runoff Metery
Video – Daly River Runoff Metery A runoff reunion is on the cards for the authors of this here blog. Last trip was an ideal adventure and the stories that came out of it are here. The fish turned it on, we had a good crew and the landscape produced an impressive backdrop for an extended time on the water.…
Popping my metery cherry
Today we’ve got a guest article from Danny ‘Deepdiver’ Saunders on how he managed to snare a trophy barra in the hardest fished patch of water near Darwin. Top effort mate! Fishing in Darwin, or indeed anywhere can be an expensive hobby. If we worked out a per kilo rate of the fillets we fishos keep, factoring boats, tackle, booze and the rest of…
Swamp sessions
Living in the Kimberley for a short stint took me to some damn scenic fishing spots. I wasn’t expecting to add another one to the list when good mates Snav and Omar suggested we hit ‘the swamp’. Jumping in the back of Snav’s troopy I found a spot wedged between eskys and live bait tanks. We settled in for what…
Crocs! High fives and hisses
Its been a croc filled fortnight. Here’s a selection of pics, stories and science from my recent enounters with these modern dinosaurs. First to Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River in Kakadu where we discovered a new call sign, mullet were mauled and we made a quick exit when we were hissed at by a techno croc. The next encounter occurred on a section of the…
Some of the more ‘exciting’ moments during the recent NT adventure
When fishing, you really need to keep your wits about you. Even in a populated place and with all the safety gear, there are numerous things that can go wrong. In an isolated place and in difficult conditions, you need to be adaptable and learn how to think fast. The boys at fishinginsoutheastaustralia are all pretty switched on. Nonetheless, the…
Mother Teresa and the spirit of fishing
I’m in the mood to ponder a side of fishing that doesn’t really rate a mention in a lot of media. This philosophical rant will look at what makes fishing so special. A lot of you will recall when you first picked up a rod and landed that first fish. Chances are it was tiny (and very unlucky) but at…
Chemical bromance
A great spot during the day can turn into nightmare stuff when the hordes of blood sucking insects search out potential victims with little regard to the toxic cocktail of ‘repellents’ we apply. I have a theory that the biteys get a buzz from licking toxic, plastic melting insect repellent off your body (kinda like an entrée) before they tuck into the main…