Long Weekend in Kakadu

Another long weekend means more fishing. With wind warnings in place the inland waterways were the order of the day with the East Alligator (upstream) in Kakadu the location of choice.

Arrived at Merl campsite very late to find only one section open and chock-a-block!! Kaka-don’t, wonder if anyone told them it was a long weekend!! Found a spot for my swag and was up before daybreak at the upstream ramp. Great ramp and launched just on light and third cast produced a small archer fish from the snags near the upstream rock bar. Only a few casts later along came the first Barra of the day, then another and another.

First fish of the day

First Barra of the day

Barra #10 of the day!

Up until 10.30am it was constant action with Barra until the wind came up and made things a tad tough with the wind being funneled along its course making it difficult to find relief.

Despite this the score card for the East reads;

·       Archer Fish  – 2

·       Catfish         – 1

·       Barra           –  31    (most 45-55, largest 65cms)

Didn't count the Bull Sharks that only let me have the head of a couple of fish!

If it's not Bull Sharks it's these!

All the fish were caught on one fly, not one type, one fly, a “Roggie Dodgie Yellow Mullet Fly”. Even with its eyes rotating more than my prop, its dress resembling something on Mitchell Street at 4.00am it continued to catch fish until the wind came up.

Only 31 Barra! I want a refund or more flies!!!!

Moving from the East to get away from the wind I went to Muirella Park. No problems of space here and once again I was the only boat on the water. While I could not find any Barra it was not stop fish action with all sorts of species. Toga were all over the place and found a patch of small ones midstream just under the surface that would be fighting each other to get at the fly. Found this once before in Home Billabong using a popper when I got 12 in 12 casts. 

Lots of these.

We all are aware of the sad news of the croc attack not far from where I was but just as a word of warning of how quick things happen. Having caught a number of Toga I had another on the line coming to the boat when a croc appeared from under my boat and latched onto the Toga I was just about to lift into the boat. 

Beware!

Mid stream just below surface.

Great fighters for their size.

Lots of teeth!

Took a drive to Sandy Billabong and had a flick from the bank without any results but could not get over how much life is in this waterway in the way of bait fish, teeming with it and the biggest Mullet I have ever seen. If there is anyone out there that has a car topper that would loan out for a weekend give me a call. This waterway looks so fishy, got to find a way to get on it!

Remember, “If you never never go, you’ll never never know.” Get out there and fish!

Tight lines

Jim Churchley