Yellabelly out west

[Barraboy7]

I am planning a trip out to Windorah, Coopers Creek, and will probably try the Barcoo area up or down from Isisford as well. Anybody fished those areas who could give advice re where to fish, access to good water, baits, best time of year, camping etc. i grew up fishing the Condamine downstream of Chinchilla, so yeallas arent new to me...just wanting info re the different context.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Oh by the way, bring on the warm water! for Awoonga!
Barraboy8-)

[Little grey men]

G'day Barraboy, I grew up fishing the Condamine as well. I come from Chinchilla.
I was born in Charleville but havn't fished out on the Coopers for ages.
It sure is nice to head out that way from time to time hey ?
I'll be heading out on the Condamine middle of next month...can't wait.
Can't shed much light on the Yellowbelly that far west but they're still biting just up from the Chinchilla weir. My father and brothers went out a few weeks back and pulled in eighteen fish from the bank. It's slowly slowly rising again.
I go out about every two months and I've been checking the water level....getting there mate.

[Barraboy7]

Hi Grey men
Sadly the Condamine isnt a patch on what it used to be. 30 years ago Cod and yellowbelly were easy to catch downstream, but Cod are very rare there now. 3 big issues, the drought, cotton farming sucking all the water and hence limiting freshes in the river and of course carp. The river always used to clear up and cod and yellas were great. A lot of this before the Chinchilla Weir too. The river is still very low below Condamine and milky. My dad was out there last week. Seems it just hardly gets a good flow from headwaters these days. So some freshes come thru from the creeks west and east of Chinchilla but this water is often milky and rarely clears up to that lovely green!
Lets hope and pray the good old days will return, with rain and good management.
Barraboy

[Little grey men]

Your right about that mate, the cotton farming has really stuffed things up.
I was told that a few cod have been taken from behind the water treatment plant ??? might be worth a look I think.

[TIMMY 666]

Hey mate,

The last time (and only time I might add) I fished out that way was in 2004, so I'm afraid I can't tell you how the fishing is at the moment. If you'd like to fish the Barcoo river I'd suggest you go to Welford national park and fish from one of the campsites. I can't remember the name of the campsite we were at but I can remember it was the one without atoilet (and therefore far fewer people) :) I went with my family and everyone did very well - we caught plenty of yellowbelly plus a few Barcoo grunter and catfish. Initially we were using live shrimp for bait but within a few days we'd discovered fresh steak works just as well. Are you planning to take a boat? Will you be taking a camera so you can report all the monster fish you catch?? ;)

sounds like a good trip!

Welford NP link:
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=129

Included are a few pics of welford NP.

Tim.

[Barraboy7]

Hi Tim
Thanks for the good info and pics! I had looked at Welford on that site and actually thought of that as an option, just was abit wary whether being in Nat. Park my be restrictive with Rangers looking over your shoulder. Wow thas a nice piece of water, yes we would be taking a small punt and prob my Electric Minnkota. Interesting re the steak, had heard a similar story from an old mate as well.
Much appreciated
Barry

[TIMMY 666]

Barry,

The water hole would probably be great for a small electric powered boat. My only concern would be launching it - the bank is steep next to the campsite. There could well be some possible launching sites but I don't know. I'd suggest calling the Welford NP ranger, he/she'd be able to fill you in on current water levels, etc.

cheers,

Tim.

[Barraboy7]

Thanks Tim