I fished this spot a couple of weeks ago, with minor success, but seeing all the free swimming barra around, and the amount of timber in the water, I knew this spot had a lot more to offer. I couldn't wait to get back out there.

I worked 12 days straight , itching to get out for a fish. Dropped my girlfriend off at the airport Saturday morning with the boat in tow . Got there early with no one else around. The water was clear, and some parts of the river were covered in red & yellow blossoms from the flowering trees. It was like a carpet. Looked beautiful, but I made a mess of it when I screamed through flat chat! (Only went fast because no one else was there). I made a beeline for a spot Dingo recommended a couple of weeks ago, killed the motor & snuck up with the electric. I couldn't believe my eyes .

There were schools of barra in all directions, and more hiding in the timber. One school must have been 50-100 strong . Never seen anything like it! They were mostly smaller fish- 35-50cm. First 10 casts the fish were fighting each other to hit the lure, nine landed. That was a laugh!

I got the fly rod out, and even though I'm miserable at casting and only have 3 flies, the barra were boofing the fly, mostly not hooking up. A lot got hooked but they'd jump & spit the fly. All the jumping just got them more excited.

After catching a few, I then tried a tiny popper, which they were also boofing, but not hooking up on. Then came soft plastics, they preferred the ones with the curly tails & bit the tails off a dozen of them.

I left them biting, on the prowl for bigger ones. The banks are littered with trees that have fallen in. In some places, the drop off is steep, in others, it descends gradually. In lots of places, the trees overhang the water. I cruised around flicking lures by sight to fish, or into likely spots. The fish were bigger, but hard to control in the tiger country. I pulled the hooks on some solid fish, and lost one around 80 while I was reaching around behind me for the net .

It got hot, so I pulled in under some branches for a while for a feed & a nap . Finished my book & was ready to attack again!

Back to Dingo's spot, where amongst the smaller fish, a few bigger ones were lurking. Had the hooks straighten on a nice one, and cursed out loud! The biggest fish so far was 60cm, and I seemed to be losing all the bigger ones!

I tried a bunch of different lures, they all seemed to work for a few casts then the fish would lose interest. I pulled out some pink prawn imitations I bought for the harbour, and this seemed to interest the bigger fish. Second cast & I hooked up on a nice fish, around 70, which jumped a couple of times before heading for the timber, where he got stuck & eventually wore through the leader. Bugger.

After catching a few smaller fish, I finally stayed connected to a nicer fish, with my second prawn. After an awkward 1 hand net shot, it was in the boat. Measured 67cm, and was to be the best fish of the day. In the fight, the prawn copped some damage & was retired hurt.

Third prawn (and last) was called to duty, and out of nowhere silver flashes were climbing all over it. Tarpon! Big ones too. One finally hooked up & doubled the species count. At this stage it was 30 barra, 1 tarpon.

I hung aound another hour or so for a few more fish & decided to call it a day. I had packed for an overnight trip, but the unthinkable had happened- I had caught enough fish ! 36 barra to 67cm, about 15 over 50cm & 1 mutant tarpon.

Cheers to Dingo for his spot must have got 20 odd fish there. Lure of the day was a green/rainbow SP, followed byan orange x-rap. I reckon a sinking fly would be the ducks nuts. I packed up & drove home, watching a huge electrical storm in the distance.

Got home, had a beer & slept in the air con- better sleep than worrying about son of sweetheart !

Jack

Good stuff mate, Ripper of a post. Great spot, might have to head out for a look soon.

Great post Jack. I haven't fished Finnes fresh before, but you have inspired me. Might have to give Hardies a break and give it crack.

Cheers

Ando.

nice dirty swampy mate

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nice one jack, it's hard to believe ay, catching enough fish not a bad problem to have

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Ya can't count under size fish.......how many over 55cm?

Hi there,

That sounds like a great day on the water.
Congratulation.
This spot must be made of gold...

Have a good day,
Pecheur

Good post mate sounds like a cracker day, plenty to keep you busy and not having to work that hard for them.
Sounds like you increased the degree of difficulty by pulling out the fly rod.

Billy

Well done, it is fun there, got an 80 there a couple of days ago.

Only 5 or 6 were keepers, Brent. Have I won the helifishing trip yet?

Not yet, it gets drawin mid-end of November.

Shut up about the finnis too.

top day! Good report!

Sorry Brent, I meant to say its all silted up

Good report. Sounds like a top session.

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Great post, sounds like a great trip. haven't fished the fresh side myself but
have been to the salt side a fair few times (if there's any major difference).