WHEN IS IT TOO HOT?

Conversations with Graeme Williams from Insight over the last few weeks and then fishing with him over the last few days has only confirmed to us that the barra 'dont like the hot water'.   Graeme has always said that once its over 32 C they can close down, click on the links see The Game Plan and West Arnhemland .  It appears to be only the barra that slow, because the salmon and pelagics were still active.

What we have found is that the water is often the coolest and below the dreaded 32 C on the first tides after the start of the neaps, when the water hasn't gone too shallow over the flats to let the sun warm it up too much.   Alternatively we found the barra on the incoming tide as cooler water flooded over parts of the flats.  But you have to find that flat.

A 57cm being released in the shade and deeper (cooler??) water

On this tide below we found the fish early in the morning just before the low and they were still up on the flats under the mangroves. What we did notice too is that there were a lot of small sharks up in that shade and cooler water too.

Not much flow on this tide, but the fish were in the mangroves, lower tide next day, they left the flats for places unknown as the water went up 2 C.

Of course when they are in the mangroves, you have to get in under the branches, then run the gauntlet of a million mangrove roots, weed guards are essential and I would think that this type of fishing is almost fly only, except for maybe those small rubber weedless lures if you fish the darkside.

Tight loops required and you need your fly into these spots, shady and a bit cooler?

Of course you also need a guru to keep a lookout for the fish too....

Just looking!!

The water looks clear in these photos but in fact it was quiet cloudy from the wind, it's hard to believe, but if we moved out from this protected flat it was blowing a mini gale.

This will give you an idea of the cloudy water on the initial take of this barra..you can just make out some of the mangrove roots underneath.

We were using intermediate sink tip lines with floating running line, different manufacturers, but both with the shorter 30 foot or so head.  Graeme had one with welded loops, something neither of us trust, and it began to peel off the main line after a couple of good runs.   So he tied a good nail not over it and no worries.   Luckily it was the front loop, but in the past we have had the back loop peel off the main line and open, after a few good runs on the backing.  Lost the whole line.   Apparently loops are better made now, but you need to keep and eye on them to see if they come apart.

The heat not only affects the barra apparently, yes it was hot out there, but after 10.30am the two old boys were complaining that they were melting and would end up being a greasy spot on the floor of the boat,  so we heading back in so they could have a 'Nanna Nap' in the airconditioning.   I could have stayed out there,  but the G and T's on the verandah were very very nice.

Great view sipping a cool G and T with a slice of lime...Life is hard!!