Hello all

Went down to the Narrows for an exploratory trip.

Narrows is the 40km channel between the mouth of the Fitzroy and Gladstone harbour. See google earth map. Its a popular high-tide shortcut for east coast yachties drawing 2 metres or less. Channels are pretty well marked but less reliable since the floods of early last year.

At low tide, there is little water around Ramsay's and yachties are advised to only travel through on rising tide.

At the centre is a very rocky area called Ramsay's Crossing serviced by 2 boat ramps.

From Ramsay's crossing south there are mangrove jack and barra as well as the usual estuary critters.

North of Ramsay's there is less rock and more mangroves with fewer jack but more barra and fingermark (golden snapper). From the Curtis Island side there are plenty of creeks running in. One the mainland side to the north,we have the Fitzroy estuary mouth and delta mangrove islands and creeks.

More turtles than u can poke a stick at.

I can understand an increase in reported turtle strikes considering the large numbers and increased traffic particularly at the Gladstone harbour end.

Went to Gladstone last week to pick up a new o/b motor. Gladstone $1000 cheaper than any marine dealers on a 40hp yammie.

The port marine traffic, development and other activity is absolutely unbelievable in Gladstone. U fellas would be well advised to keep an eye on the port development proposed in and around Darwin harbour.

Didn't get much in the way of fish but the exploration was good. Found out that fishing mate is afraid of hammerhead sharks (bl..dy sook!). There are plenty of bigger ones around. (Both sharks and sooks)

Second idea of trip was a "get-to-know" about a new starter from Gladstone for our forthcoming Roper expedition.

There is a mainland creek nearby Ramsay's which is thermal and always has temperature around 30 degrees. Good creek in winter for barra. Fitzroy strain of barra don't seem to mind the lower winter temperatures as much as the northern strain. They slow down but are still around.

Got some threadfin and cod on dead bait. Outlet pipe fell out of livebait tank and all the little buggers escaped. An hour of castnetting wasted. We had plenty too!

Often wondered how good the Narrows area could be, given its location between Gladstone and the Fitzroy mouth/Port Alma labyrinth of creeks.

Had a look around there several years ago but wasn't there long enough to do much damage.

Classic photo of the massive hammer, he should swat it like a fly!

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