Koombooloomba Christmas

[vinny78]

Packed up the boat and took the family upto Koombooloomba Dam for a few days.

Arrived to a pretty packed camp area which was a bit dissapointing since we were trying to avoid the crowds. I thought that because the dam is a bit off the beaten track things would be quiet up there but not so!

Had a pretty good time on the water however with mum and the eldest daughter getting onto some sooties. Our youngest got a rod for xmas and was dead keen to catch a fish but try as I might I couldn't put her onto one. She'd tell me where she wanted it cast, I'd cast it and she'd retrieve the lure. The look on her face each time was priceless- she looked so confident and her expression said "yeah, this is the sh*t!" It would've been gold to see her hook-up.

Got an action shot of her older sister catching her PB Sooty which went 32cm @ the fork, caught on a cheap vibe lure.

There's also a shot there following the old riverbed back towards the "boatramp" as the rain was coming in.

No Barra for us but the missus got nailed there once, losing the lure and thought it may have been a barra.

All in all a good family trip but wouldn't mind going back there one day without the girls to give it a serious fish.

Cheers, Andrew

[Alchemy]

Hi Andrew,

Shame about the crowds and lack of fish. It is a great spot though and I'll definitely be going back.

Regards,
Dave.

[bdowdy]

great stuff cuz..the kids are growing up so fast...talk soon mate..brett

[TinarooTriumph]

Great stuff! Havn't been to Koomba' in a little while now... think it may be worth a trip soon! yep... it gets busy there during any school Holidays - not much fun! Seen/heard a lot of gear get knicked up there too, not to mention dozens of fish frames left lying around the place, not what you want to see!

cheers
Theo

p.s. theres a nice deep channel/timber line like that one in the photo up just before where the Tully runs in to the Dam. Leads up to a massive rock formation & then dog-legs up to the Tully, but that deep channel is well worth a cast for the barra!

[vinny78]

Yeh Dave, I'd like to get back there and fish it seriously. It's a bit to difficult with the girls- if they're not catching fish they get bored quick. Plus it gets too hot for them.

Brett, when are you gonna make a trip up here?

Theo, didn't travel as far up the dam as you mentioned, probably only went about halfway or a little further. The spot you described sounds worthwhile.

Cheers, Andrew

[bdowdy]

mate id be there 2 morro if i could...soon mate..ill have to organize it with ya..brett

[TinarooTriumph]

Hi again Andrew,

Forgot to ask... what was the condition of the road in like? Thinking of going for a run out there in the next few days to see whats going on out there. FWIW the council are still toying with the idea of re-opening Culpa Road which is an old bush track which runs down the western side of the Dam & down to where the Tully runs in. It's always been talk, but with the new mega-council it looks like going ahead.

Cheers mate

Theo

[vinny78]

Theo,

The road in was pretty good, a few potholes every once in a while but otherwise in excellent condition. It rained while we were up there but the road held up well.

[Alchemy]

Hi again Andrew,

Forgot to ask... what was the condition of the road in like? Thinking of going for a run out there in the next few days to see whats going on out there. FWIW the council are still toying with the idea of re-opening Culpa Road which is an old bush track which runs down the western side of the Dam & down to where the Tully runs in. It's always been talk, but with the new mega-council it looks like going ahead.

Cheers mate

Theo

Hi Theo,

I hope you're right as that would make the trip up from TVL much better.

Thanks,
Dave.

[TinarooTriumph]

Thanks again Andrew for the heads up on the road... it sure is in fantastic condition at the moment - probably the best I've seen it in a long time. Came through the other morning relatively early & passed 3 good size boars running beside the road - where's the 308 when ya need it! Had a quick fish off the Dam wall & managed a few small tackers from the rocks. On the way out I passed a large male Dingo in much the same spot from where I saw the pigs so it was definitely worth the drive!

Dave - it's always been talk, but they seem undecided about it all. The problem with opening it would be the fact that is runs past/through World Heritage area & also become popular with piggers that want to hunt the back of the Stations on the Herbert etc. so I think this is the sole reason as to why it isn't open. If your coming into Koomba', you pass a bit of a dirt road that seems pretty fresh on the right and then Culpa Road is on the right another 2/3km further. That dirt road before Culpa does join onto Culpa somewhere along the lines, but I'm not 100% sure how far along - most likely right at the end!

Cheers
Theo