Wamjam ... Its been on my mind since I bought my boat!Originally Posted by wamjam
4000ks Syd-Darwin ....... You'd need a month ( getting parole for my crew is the biggest issue)
Always plan these things pretty well ...... However timing the end of the wet is difficult!
But hey .... I feel Darwin is less risky than Weipa ( alternative)
Nagg
Before discovering the benefits of dam fishing which in my eye is the accessibility to these great fish I hd to wait two years in between my barra trips. Now with the dams 5 to 6 hours away we make the effort to go at least every four or five weeks. I don't think you can really compare the dams with the Territory. The constantly changing surrounds, the magnificent wildlife, the adventure of finding that next perfect snag or rockbar and those crocs all add to the adventure. The one thing you can not seperate is the fantastic people you meet while fishing whether it is in the NT or at the dams. Fisherman are the best story tellers, the craftiest bastards, the best keepers of secrets and the best thing of all you can always count on them in a bind.
Hi Gordon, its great thread topic you have going here.
We are so lucky here in Australia to be able to debate on where we want to catch our Barra! Should we go to Central Qld or North Qld then again maybe the Northern Territory or WA, Wow how good do we have it?
Solution: Fish both whenever you can!!!! Dan5, JW, Wheezer, Nagg, Brian, Wamjam & Dirkpittau thanks for your input guys this is a good thread. The N.T. is awesome & Qld’s Barra lakes are awesome so if you can fish both.
Adventure: The Territory wow if you have never been there in your lifetime make sure it’s on
You list of Must Do’s. Have a look at some of the Tourist Rivers but if you can get off the beaten track and make your own adventure on some of the less known systems. Try and travel with a few mates/cars so you have a backup plan if something breaks down. Maybe even get out to a million plus acre cattle station and have an awesome adventure with the family. Dodging 5 m Gecko’s, 1000kg Buffalos, 2 metre snakes & sharks is all part of the experience – you learn to watch out for all this stuff as 4 year old kids so adults with some common sense should be fine. Note: Take 2 cameras as the wildlife is truly amazing – maybe get a photo of brolgas dancing at sunset over a floodplain! Or capture a Jabiru as the first rays of light hit their distinctly coloured body with a billabong in the background with mist rising over it etc.
Tip: Some stations allow camping so check it all out on a net search etc. Look for camping logos on maps etc. If you are going to a station try and take out some goods they don’t have or are running short on as it’s the Aussie way. Even things like fresh fruit & vegies etc is a nice gesture. Take away all rubbish & if you see rubbish pick it up because it only takes a few to spoil it for everyone. If you can don’t take freezers and put a hundred barra from one system in to the esky as this will soon get everyone kicked off permanently.
Foxie: Foxie is right get out to Kakadu it’s a special place. Maybe call in and have a chat to Foxie about a few areas you need on your Kakadu checklist the next time you are going to Gin Gin. Spend plenty of time looking at the 20 000 year old paintings and then have a seat up on Ubir Rock Escarpment and gaze over the plains/wetlands on sunrise or sunset - you will never forget it. Try and explore other areas of Arnhem Land if you can as there are many special areas – I was lucky enough to grow up in southern Arnhem Land, then on 3.5million acres a couple of rivers over from the Daly, only 100m from Barra Billabongs/Rivers-spoilt for choice! I can’t recommend experiencing the N.T. highly enough. It’s a must do for any Aussie! Don’t think about it just do it & don’t let anyone talk you out of it.
Locals: If you get a chance get to know some of the local aboriginals on your travels. I’m sure they have a trick or thousand up their sleeve when it comes to catching barra as they have been doing it longer than anyone - for thousands of years.
I bet they think we are crazy down here when Casters have a go at trollers!!! Especially when they site spear barra for fun or overhead helicopter throw Nilsmasters on handlines for hand to hand combat with Barra & Sharks! This certainly puts a few southern based arguments in perspective.
Have Fun: Do some net searches well before you go to check if you need permits for any areas you wish to see as all the info is pretty much on the net these days.
Kids: Maybe even take a couple of footies to give as presents to communities/station kids that might not get to enjoy the best sporting equipment many big schools have down here etc. You will be giving a gift that will give kids hundreds of hours of fun.
Plan B: If you can’t make it up to the N.T. this year you have the option to enjoy fishing Qld’s great Barra Impoundments – how good is that? Not a bad plan B, we have it pretty good don’t we?
Hope this helps someone out. Cheers Kel & Lyndon.
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