MEMORIES OF MONICA - FISH BY THE BOAT LOAD

 

Lately we have seen a lot about poor fishing at Corroboree. So I hope this may cheer you up a bit.   Back in 2006 it was a bit gloomy too, but on the 24th of April, cyclone 'Monica'came through and put heaps of water out there.   This little story from Wayne Hinton give you a bit of a picture of the fishing after that in May.

N.T Runoff firing

Wayne May 19, 2006.

"Fellas, went out to Corroboree Billabong today which is only accessable from the Rock Hole side due to the large amount of water still present after the cyclone.  We had one of those days that you only come across every blue moon.   We were in the right place at the right time and found a gutter that had barra stacked up on it as this as the mossies were at the boat ramp.

An incredible 185 barra came over the side of the boat, and around the 230 fish mark, including tarpon, and toga.   

The barra ranged from 30cm up the the 75cm  mark.  I have to thank Roger Bassett the deckie, who stayed back so I could break the magic 100 mark.  Thanks mate!"

Waynoe with a 75 barra 

Bit blurry but one of the great togas.

So lets hope that the fishing Gods send us a cyclone or two before the  'Çup'

Spot Z & Bynoe Harbour

Spot Z

A few weeks ago we did a trip to a billabong we shall call spot Z.  Spot Z is accessed by boat & involves fishing off the bank..........Please remember to be crocwise!
Total for the day 1 Toga on fly, 1 Toga & 4 Barra on soft plastics.

Croc slide (only a baby)

Jack with a small Barra

Hayden with another Barra

Old fart with Barra

Bynoe Harbour

The second outing was to Bynoe, this involved a mixed bag of fish in varying wet season conditions!

Jack's Barra caught in some of the lighter rain

We fished our usual spots with not a lot of action until the tide turned.  There was a bit of action in a creek with 2 Jacks landed & a Barra within 30 minutes.  Apologies but no photo's of the Jacks as the rain was too heavy........

Jack's new PB 64cm

After moving to one of the Bassett's secret spots, Jack hooked & landed his new PB on fly a 64cm Barra.  It has to be said this was a very unlucky fish, the fly had not been stripped when it was nailed.  I am not sure who was more surprised!

On the fly 2 x Barra, 2 x Jacks.  On a micro jig (new rod had to break it in) 1 x Javelin fish, 1 x Goldy & 1 Spanish Flag.

On the way home we headed to the Finiss fresh to dunk the trailer in some fresh water.

The Finiss culvert is the lowest I have seen for this time of year.  A reflection of the poor wet season.  In other years we have not been able to access the Hardcastle road ramp due to the culvert being around 1.1m.  Note the level marker is missing, however the post is still there.

Finiss culvert, note the level marker missing

A new recipe was tried "Almond encrusted Barra".  I can report it was an outstanding success!  A very easy & healthy meal.

Get out there & fish!

Jon

Corroboree this morning!

Took a quick trip out to Corroboree Billabong this morning and had a blast. As “Roggie Dodgie” would call it “a fish a cast”. A bit of an exaggeration but not far off, best was 7 fish boated from 7 casts then dropped the 8^th at the boat, BUGGER.

Yes most fish were Tarpon but it was great fun and by using a larger fly this eliminated the smaller one with most in the 40-50 cms range. 

Typical fish!

This is the time that any newbie’s to the “graceful art” of fly fishing should get out there to gain that experience of hooking up on a fish. In my opinion any Tarpon will pull far harder than any Barra of the same size!! Remember, while the fly is in the water a Barra or Toga could be a by-catch of chasing Tarpon!

Toga by-catch!

Finding the Tarpon was not difficult as they were showing themselves everywhere but mainly along the edges of the lilies. There were conga lines of Rainbow Fish (I think that’s what they were) along the edges and schools of baby Archer Fish. Tarpon were attacking with a vengeance on the edges and under the trees.

Drain coming off the plain fished well

Lines of Rainbow Fish being harassed. 

A great way to spend a morning and even if the fishing is not on there is always an abundance of things going on around you at Corroboree if your keep your eyes open.

File Snake enjoying a Catfish breakfast - Always things happening!

Oh yes the final tally was 53 fish boated, 6 species.

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

Tight lines

Jim Churchley