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Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:17 am
by jpb15
After catching my first Barra on the Mary River, ( only about 30 cm ), and my first Keeper a couple of Days later down the Daly, in May 95.
Flying up from Adelaide, once or twice a Year, for 10 - 14 Days at a time, for 15 Years, then moving up here permanently 5 Years ago, I finally caught my First Metrey.

We went down the Daly, prior to Christmas, for 10 Days of fishing.

Up until the 1st of January, we had caught about 11 Keepers, ranging from 56 - 76 cm, with most of them in the 56 - 65 size.

Lunchtime on the 1st of January, we were fishing at Bamboo Creek, when my Rod bent over, straight away the fish came out of the water, and we could see it was a big one.

I got her to the Boat 3 or 4 times, and she would take off, back into the current, for another run. She Jumped about 5 times, and I was praying my knots would hold, that my line would not break, I was constantly looking up stream for the Trees and debris, that was coming down, that could spoil my day, but thankfully, none of that occurred.

I was lucky in the fact, the fish never went for the snags, and so it was just a me versus fish fight.

Finally after about 20 mins, I had it in the Boat. :catch: :clap: :clap:

Measured 104 cm, a quick check, and there is no Camera on board. :bricks:

I was lucky enough to have an audience, and Mousey from 4 XXXX Charters, was near by, and he took the photo, and sent it too me.
Thanks Mousey.

I swam the fish for about 5 mins, and she took off happily to fight another day. :fishy:

We ended up with 14 Keepers, and plenty of fish, in the 45 - 55 cm range.

To anybody going down the Daly, be warned there is a large aggressive Crocodile hanging around the mouth of Elizabeth Creek Down there.
He has been there all year, and is getting too close for comfort.

We were just sitting there, and I heard a grunt near the boat, and look over the side, and his head was on the surface, 2 feet from the boat.
He then disappeared, only to come out of the water, with what I assume was his head hitting the side of the Boat, just below the Hand Rails on the boat.
I had my back to the crocodile, at the time, and just heard the bang, as he hit the side. I turned around, just in time to see him disappear, back into the water.
My Brother, who seen it happen, reckons it looked like the crocodile was jumping up to grab me. :croc:
That put the s...ts up me, and I didn't feel comfortable fishing there after that.

104 cm Daly River.jpg

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:34 am
by NT Wombat
Nice work on the fish, might pay to report the croc incident to parks and wildlife...

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:08 pm
by jpb15
Yes, I just did. :hunting:

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:51 pm
by NBN
20 years well spent, well done, congrats!

Yes he's a nasty piece of work if it's that big black headed bugger at Elizabeth.

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:53 pm
by fff1964
Good one.....................worth waiting for

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:58 pm
by Skippadman
Well done mate.

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:01 pm
by bigphil16
Good story, well done mate

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:10 pm
by nomad
Good on you,

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:14 pm
by Basstad
Great fish mate Bamboo certainly can deliver.........makes me wonder why I go so far down river sometimes..........Cheers.

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:10 pm
by Quinntreximon
Congrats on the metery. Makes it more rewarding when you work for it. Bet it won't be 20 year till your next one.

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:38 am
by Finatic2
Congrats on joining the metrey club, the wait is worthwhile.

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:08 pm
by jpb15
Thanks for the replies fellas

NBN, when I reported the incident to Tom Nichols, he didn't sound very convinced. Maybe he needs a couple more reports, to remove the crocodile.

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:10 am
by STIKAPIG
Well done! Hope I don't have to wait 20years! As for the croc fark that!

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 8:04 am
by Matt Flynn
Congrats! Good that you reported the croc on here, hopefully others will be cautious when fishing Lizzy.

Re: Only Took 20 Years

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:40 am
by Brodie896
Congratulations man nice fish!