Monday, June 7, 2010

Cowley Beach

Hi guys,

Well on Saturday Debbie & I headed south to the little known  Creek, approx. 30 minutes south of Innisfail (which is 85 ks south of Cairns).

With a low tide at approx. 11.30am we decided to try a few different things (fishing wise I mean) so stop thinking like that!

We headed downstream to the mouth where I landed a nice 53 cm barra.
Time to move on before we were trapped for the day I suggested so a decision was made to travel as far upstream as we dared. The "wet" season is long gone so tidal considerations are paramount for venturing upstream in our tropical rivers at this time of the year.

We broke up the journey with infrequent stops, using the electric to push against the falling tide in the shallower parts and cast to fallen timber and overhanging cotton wood trees. We caught a few small barra and continued.

On a large deep water bend Debbie had the fright of her angling life (to date that is).........a monster barra about a metre long flashed from a snag and engulfed her 3 inch jack lure. Her scream said it all, I just turned my head in time to see this beauty bust off and swim quietly away. She was just pricked in the lip so was free to fight another day. Better luck next time girl!
We had an early morning tea, an early lunch and an early exit from the rapidly shallowing river.

And out of the barra, none were legal (again) but four of them were in the size range from 53 - 55 cm (legal size is 58)..........the story continues in this regard and we are pressing on with Fisheries and local MP's to get a better deal. Funny that most legal fish are caught in nets!

Catch you later, Les