adventure

Fishing for adventure.

Imagine spending your days in the warm sunshine, peeringinto crystal clear water, and casting a fly line out to acruising fish, only to see it turn and eat the fly. That’swhen all peace and tranquillity is shattered by the scream of thereel and the fly line whizzing through the water. At this precisemoment, all logical reasoning is lost and matters concerning adomestic nature are left to float insignificantly through theair.

Fly-fishing offers a certain element of magic and mystiquethat is very calming to simply watch, let alone participate in. Ican remember seeing it on the telly and being mesmerised by theline sailing through the air. (The guy was chasing trout in thefresh water so I thought nothing more of it).

There’s something special, and mysterious about thisparticular aspect of fishing that makes it so enticing. Whetherit is the actual act of casting and stalking fish, then deceivingthem to eat an artificial creation that you have made, or it isthe camaraderie that is all too often involved between flyfishers remains a mystery. Maybe it’s a collection of allthese things or maybe………

Salt-water fly-fishing has received an enormous increase inpopularity in the last few years, but what makes this type offishing so different and why is it so popular with both young andold, and the women too may I add?

When compared to conventional fishing, most of the rules aregathered up in a bundle and thrown out the window. Conventionalforms of fishing (be they bait fishing or lure fishing), use thesinker, bait or lure to pull line off the reel when casting. Withfly-fishing, it is the line that is the ‘sinker’ andthe fly in most cases is almost weightless.

The rods are vastly different and resemble lightweightspaghetti sticks. The fly reel is also different to conventionalreels and for most of the time it is used solely to store the flyline and sufficient backing.

Flies used are not the natural kind you see flying aroundannoying you when you’re trying to have that special picnicin the park. Instead, they are a construction of either naturalor synthetic materials tied onto a bare hook to imitate the baitthe fish are chasing. These can be anything from a smallbait-fish, crab, shrimp or something a little larger if it isrequired.

With all the different aspects of fly fishing, it is easy tounderstand why most people get involved as they are chasing thechallenge and variety that fly fishing can offer over other formsof fishing. Add to that the sheer pleasure that you get fromspending a day on the water casting a fly line, constantly movingand stalking fish, and then the excitement you get when you catchthat fish, and it’s easy to understand why it is becoming sopopular. Then there’s the pleasure of fishing in some of themost pristine waters and beautiful natural scenery. A work-outfor the body, mind and soul all in one.

Still not convinced? The myths and stigma that are incorrectlyattached to fly-fishing unfortunately turn many people away. Thingslike dressing in daggy clothes and hanging out in dimly lit roomstalking about flies and drinking port are no longer present, allexcept for the port, that is. Lets’ have a look at threeof the most common myths that surround fly-fishing in the saltwater.

1. Fly-fishing is too expensive and is only for the elite.For starters, you only need to spend as little as $200.00.That’s for the rod, reel, and line! All that’s left foryou to do is to catch the fish.

2. You can only catch baitfish on a fly. You’vegot to laugh at this one. Just have a look in some of the latestfishing magazines, or the telly, and you will see that you cancatch anything from whiting to marlin. Put simply, if you cancatch it on bait or lure, then you sure as hell can catch it on afly. Can you see yourself hooking into a marlin on fly?

3. Fly-fishing is only for surface fish. We’ve gotthe fresh water trout boys to thank for this one. You want totarget bottom fish? No problem, in fact flathead would have to beone of the easiest fish to catch on fly.

Why not take the challenge (if you haven’t already) andgive it a go. If you are new to the sport, it doesn’t takelong to get a handle on it, and by initiating the services of aqualified fishing guide on your holidays, you can be catchingfish in no time at all.

The advantages are that you will be guaranteed an adventurenot to forget and all fishing equipment can be supplied alongwith tuition for all levels of experience. The best part is thatyou’ll be amongst some of the most beautiful scenicbackdrops that our country has to offer.

For those looking at travelling away to really appreciate thewhole experience, there are a few definite hot spots to visitthat are excellent for fishing and the scenery, and my advice isto head north and fish with a guide

Weipa would have to arguably be one of the hottestspots for sport fishing, and has the enviable reputation of beingone of Australia’s premier fly fishing destinations. Weipais also the site of the worlds largest bauxite mine (tours areavailable), and its 2000 residents enjoy modern facilitiesincluding a shopping centre, an 18hole golf club, bowling club,well maintained camping grounds, a hotel/motel and motel, anddaily jet flights to Cairns. The township is situated between twomajor river systems, the Embley and Mission, on the shores of theGulf of Carpentaria, which provide a variety of fish species andhabitats. By seeking the assistance and skills of local guide Dave(Barra) Donald you are guaranteed of a great time.

Details: Dave Donald Sportfishing, (07) 40699064,

5 Allowgu Walk

Weipa, QLD, 4874

E-mail: DDSPORTFISH@bigpond.com

When thinking barramundi and the wet season, the NorthernTerritory automatically springs to mind. The NorthernTerritory covers a huge area and offers a variety of fishing fromland locked freshwater billabongs to estuaries and the openocean. It also has the reputation of being the‘untamed’ part of Australia where beer is the staplediet of the local residents. There are many dangers when fishinghere and the most prevalent would be the crocodile (which is aprotected species). If travelling there, be sure to look up HotSpot Fishing Tours as they will safely put you on the actionin amongst scenery you would swear has never seen another set ofeyes before.

Details: Hot Spot Fishing Tours, 1800 809035.

Townsville is a great destination for accessing allaspects of fishing from estuaries to blue-water and is especiallypopular around the months of August to September when the blackmarlin and sailfish can be caught from close proximity to theshore. It also has a large estuary system with species likebarramundi, mangrove jack, and fingermark readily available.Townsville is also right next door to the famous HinchinbrookChannel, which is a must for anyone keen to cast a fly linein surroundings that are carefully monitored by marine andnational park authorities. When looking at this area, give SteveJeston from Hyperspace Sportfishing Tours a call.

Details: Hyperspace Fishing Tours, (07) 4774 8200/ 0418779668.

Steve also has packages to fish Cape York during Marchto December and this area is absolutely awesome for both theadventure and the fishing.

To make your trip worthwhile make sure you take the camerawith plenty of film, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses and appropriateclothing for fishing and the outdoors.