Was in Towsville last week for some field work and it happenend to co-incide with teh last days o fteh barra season - fortunately I had brought along a couple of rods (as I tend to do) so got some mates and work collegues organised to put in dawn and dusk efforts up until the final day of season (its funny how the close of season can increased expended efforts).
Got a few fish on most days but Wednessday morning was a pearler - went to a local coastal freshwater lagoon and they were biting their heads off - caught about 18 barra plus a jack - most were small first year class fish (great nursery habitat) but got one keeper at 76cm and dropped another between 90 and a 100 - which is a big fish in small water. The lagoon was crystal clear (groundwater window) so much of the fishing was sight casting with barra swimming up to our feet and having several swipes at the lure before connecting - majic place - unlike many adjoining coastal streams the system we were fishinh has no fish passage barriers preventing recruitment from the estuary so hence the large number of barra there plus all manner of other migratory species including - jungle perch, silver biddies, giant herring, jacks, mullet, batfish, snakehed gudgeons, tarpon, milkfish... plus plus - the sad news is the State Government is in the process of devloping a major industrial areas all around the site...alas poor Yorrick -0 at least I'll hav ethe pictures to tell my kids what used to be where the lead smelter now stands- tight lines - Jim
'Stick to fishing instead of fighting' - JC
Nice phot's Jim, I think I have picked the lagoon you were in. There is a bit of commercial happening but more residential. I think the developer will keep the lagoon but it is a bit of a trek for a fish passage. Presuming I know where you were. I'll PM you
Nope mate you've got the wrong lagoon - unfortunately heavy industry is definiately planned around this one - Jim
'Stick to fishing instead of fighting' - JC
My mistake Jim. I think your right with the industrial. But it is early days and they won't give up without a fight.
Lovely looking place, nice report also.
Well done, Jim.
Not a bad way to break up a working visit to town. Looks like a lovely spot down there, too. Were you using soft plastics or hard bodied lures?
Brian.
Awesome post, it is great to see an unrestricted coastal estuary system working back into the fresh and the variety of species available. I used to get similar things down here on the Brissy River around Colledges Crossing, however the Barra were Bass and nothing near 100cm.
Great work, I hope they keep the lake and adjoining creek systems.
Cheers,
Bruce
Brian,
I almost universally use soft plastics in these lagoons due to the weed proof benefits of SP's single hooks - but as soon as it gets dark I switch to rapala skitter pops (also pretty weed proof - and one of the best surface mullet imitations I know) and have had some increadible surface fishing where barra herd mullet up into the shallows (<50cm deep) at night.
Bruce,
the industrial area planners are aware of the values of these lagoon and the adjoining creek systems so hopefully we'll get a decent corridor set back from the creek and have fish passage to upper catchment areas maintained - I would like to be able to take my kids fishing there one day as it has always been like a bit of time machine country to me reminding me of creeks from my youth.
Regards - Jim
Last edited by Jim_Tait; 09-11-2007 at 09:07 AM.
'Stick to fishing instead of fighting' - JC
Hey Jimbo,
I hope the setbacks are generous. Ya never know there are some in TCC that hold the wetlands dear to their heart...
Remember to pm me when you're in town - I'm sure the 'flats could do with another SP session.
Great report BTW.
Mozza
Sounds like you had some good fun....
Love the colour of the tannum stained barra, i think i'm going to have to explore some of the freshwater stretches a little more...
Well done.
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