Phone
Dave : 0427699064 from within Australia email: dave@barradave.com
ADVENTUROUS
START TO 2009 SEASON
Building
a new boat and getting it to Weipa might seem a simple task
but those who are familiar with the vagaries of the Peninsula
Development Road know
otherwise.
The
story starts with my purchase of a slide-on camper that
is set up to be my travelling office for the immediate future.
The well equipped unit sits on the tray of my Landcruiser
ute while on the road then quickly lifts off using its own
legs once a favoured location is reached. The
flexibility of this unit should allow me to offer clients
a range of destinations (in Qld) and tailor trips to suit
their requirements.
My new
boat just had to be another Hooker, this time a 5 metre
version based on the layouts that proved so functional in
my previous 2 vessels.
Their client friendly ride is a real bonus when conditions
get on the
choppy side. The slightly smaller 5m Hooker has proven to
tow very well behind the 4WD loaded with the camper.
The plan upon heading north from Cairns was to spend the
Easter break with my good friends at the delightful Lotus
Bird Lodge just east of Musgrave. A blown tyre on the gravel
stretch made things interesting but once at Lotus Bird it
was on the quad bikes and off fishing. The barra
fishing proved excellent with my best fish going close to
the metre mark.
It was
landed, along with a couple of other good fish, on a horny
toad frog lure! Refreshed and back on the dirt, the road
conditions were as bad as I’ve ever seen them. With
camper and boat, travel was very slow, then another blown
tyre meant more ‘adventure’. Storms along the
road, lots
of washouts and knee deep water over the Archer River crossing
kept things interesting so I was relieved to arrive in Weipa
after nearly 3 days on the road. Just to keep things interesting,
a storm accompanied by lots of lightening decided to dump
a couple of inches of rain just as I was about to set up
camp!
Welcome
back to Weipa!!
The Fishing!
Reports indicate that the rivers are fishing very well but
the offshore has yet to really fire up. Mid May is when
the place will go ballistic. The big wet season looks like
producing a superb season on the western Cape this year.
Vacancies!
I have 1 angler looking for a partner to fish the Mapoon
Turtle Camp from 16 to 22 May 2009. The tides that week
are some of the best for the whole year so contact me urgently
if you are interested. Note that I’m away on extended
trips from 27/4 to 2/5 then from 6/5 to 12/5 and
not contactable during those periods.
There
are still plenty of spaces available right through June,
either based at Mapoon or Weipa. The river fishing is still
great and the offshore can be as good as it gets, so don’t
miss out.
Princess
Charlotte Bay
Lotus Bird Lodge is a luxurious haven close to Lakefield
National Park and the waters of Princess Charlotte Bay.
Operated by my good mates, Gary and Sue, who ran Punsand
Bay Resort for many years, the Lodge is situated on a beautiful
billabong and teems with wildlife. It’s a haven for
birdwatchers and features solid timber cabins that cater
for couples or 2 singles. Their hospitality is legendary
and while the safari tours are heading
up and down the Cape, it’s very difficult to get a
room there.
I’m
looking for clients interested in prospecting this area
in late October and November. The itinerary would be flexible
and could involve both fishing and birdwatching. If your
wife doesn’t like fishing too much but wants to combine
wildlife appreciation with relaxing and a day or two on
the water this could be for you. The spa is guaranteed crocodile
free!
Or if
there who want to a bit of a explore a interesting spot.
By the way, salmon fishing are 2 fishing mad blokes bring
their wives along for relax and a pamper and most diverse
and location, this is a superb the barra, jack and can be
superb!
The
Dams
As I’m mobile, I’ll probably be making my way
south just as the dams start to really fire up with the
arrival of summer storms. If you are interested in experiencing
the likes of Koombaloomba, Peter Faust, Kinchant, Awoonga
or Monduran, I’m interested in guiding you. Likely
times would be December and January with the full and new
moons being the optimal periods. If you have any special
requests, I’m ready to assist.
Regular
Reports.
Look out for my regular fishing reports from now on. I’ll
endeavour to keep you up with all the latest from Weipa
and Mapoon as the season gets into top gear.
