Daly River NT - April 2005:

The opportunity to fish the Daly River at the end of the run off can never be turned down. I had planned to join my good friend Preston Higgins of Preston's Inland Charter at the end of the 2005 Barra Nationals and fish the 3 days over the Anzac long weekend.

Preston is a very experienced Daly River Guide and a well respected angler in his own right having caught several magical 100cm+ Barra over the years. He has seen the river in nearly all its conditions over the years. I however had only seen the river in spectacular flood condition and it was very evident upon arrival at the Daly River (in April 2005) the lack of a good wet had significantly reduced the water on the previous 12 months. This would be a totally different trip to that encountered last year. The normal flood conditions were non existent with the Daly River Crossing open and the water level down some 5 metres on the same time last year.

I stayed at the Daly River Pub in one of the comfortable motel units for the 3 nights. But as usual I was too excited to sleep and pottered around waiting for the 6am pick up each morning.

Preston as usual was upbeat and confident we could find fish and find fish we did. I joined and fished with 3 different pairs of anglers over the 3 days. Not withstanding we caught Barra on all 3 days.

The 1st day we fished down stream of Elizabeth Creek. We trolled over numerous snags and found several under sized rats of 40 - 54cm. Not withstanding my adrenaline hit maximum when I hooked what felt like and acted like a big Barra. After 15 minutes of manoeuvring the fish away from snags my heart hit my mouth when a 27lb Golden Catfish surfaced next to the boat. A less than memorable moment!

The next 2 days were a lot more productive. We travelled some 2 hours down stream to Clear Water Creek. The water change was very evident with the tannin water meeting the muddy changing tide. It was here we found the fish we had been hoping for. I trolled my 3 metre Classic lure in Nitro pattern  on my trusty Poseidon Castpro with Poseidon BC3000 reel with 20lb Bionic Braid (given to me by Rod Harrison). The results were spectacular. The first fish I took that morning was a lively 84cm Barra weighing in at 16lbs.

With the bigger tides the fish were more active than the week of the Nationals. Whether trolling or flicking plastics in the narrow Clear Water Creek resulted in many hook ups. In total I hooked and landed a total of 27 Barra over the 3 days. Most were rats of between 40 - 54cm. But I still managed a credible 8 legally sized fish the biggest the magnificent 84cm Barra above. Maybe not the biggest Barra I've caught but under the conditions the most satisfying and all thanks to Preston for taking the time to find the fish.

Preston runs 3 boats out of the Mango Farm and offers a full 10-11 hour guided days fishing on the Daly River. Packages are available with pick up and return to Darwin Airport and accommodation at the Mango Farm or Daly River Pub. If you want to catch a Barra don't go past Preston's Inland Fishing Charters. For more details visit www.icfish.com.au.

Tight lines.

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