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"Depart on your ultimate adventure"
Northern Exposure
North Australian Fishing Tour and Adventure
Imagine your own light
aircraft to fly into all the fishing spots that you
have read and dreamed about for years!
Well it's my job to live
this dream. I work as a Commercial pilot and adventure
tour operator. Adventure is something close to my
heart, and
undertaking
fishing adventures
such as this tour still send shivers of excitement
down my spine. This is what I live for!
After months of careful
preparation our North Australian fishing tour/
Adventure was planned.
We would depart Victoria's
Moorabbin airport and track straight to broken Hill for
lunch. After Broken Hill we would fly to Birdsville so
the passengers could have a few beers in the famous
Hotel. Then we are off to Alice Springs. After a few
days in Alice we would depart for Darwin with a
refuelling stop at Tennant Creek.
In Darwin we would have a
day sortie out on the charter boat Equinox and another
out on the Mary River. Also while in Darwin I had a
scenic flight to undertake over Melville and Bathurst
Islands as well as an Aviation Safety conference to
attend. From Darwin it was off to Gove (Nhulumbuy) for
a days fishing.
From Gove it was a flight
across the Gulf into Sweers Island where we will stay
two nights. Then from Sweers it was off to Normanton
for two nights. After Normanton, It was home via
Longreach and Bourke.
The day for departure
greeted us with typical winter showers and gusty winds.
With gear loaded and
engines started we taxied out of the parking bay and
toward the runway. We were finally under way! The
engines purred as we coasted down the strip and within
no time the surly bounds of the earth were cast and our
North Australian fishing tour/
Adventure was underway.
We broke through the last
layer of cloud at 6000 feet as we past over the
Victoria’s Great Dividing Range, this cloud was the
last cloud we would see for two weeks.
Within what seemed like
minutes we touched down at Broken Hill. A taxi was
called as the plane was refuelled. We headed straight
into the Imperial Hotel for a counter lunch. Before we
really knew it we were back in the Aircraft and headed
for Birdsville. Birdsville is literally located in the
middle of no where. It is known for it annual race
meeting and as the town at the end of the famous
Birdsville track. It’s really an adventures town. The
passengers loved the fact that you can pull the plane
right up next to the Hotel; they also informed me that
the beer was cold, and I commented that the water was
also refreshing! We were fined a gold coin donation to
the Royal Flying Doctors Service after taking a picture
inside the hotel at the Bar. Just as the Boys were
starting to get settled I marshalled them back into the
aircraft for our final leg for the day into Alice
Springs.
As the plane glided into
the sun set the passengers slept. The night was pitch
black and the stars vivid as the harsh desert slipped
into the black abyss below. The Lights of Alice Springs
were visible from eighty miles out; the town glowed in
the vast desert.
At Alice Springs we were
picked up by long time friend Chris Neck. It had been a
big day and after a few reacquainting ales, we were off
to the land of Nod for a well earned rest.
The following day we played
tourists Visiting Anzac Hill and having lunch at
Bogangles.
It was an early night as
the following day we would fly 730 nautical miles to
Darwin.
On the way to Darwin we
refuelled at Tennant Creek. At Tennant Creek we walked
from the airport into town to get a bite for lunch. To
our surprise the salad rolls ordered were very good.
After lunch the miles and
miles of arid desert were finally broken by the lush
vegetation of the Katherine River. We had finally reached the
tropics. It would only be an hour or so till we touched
down in Australia’s most multicultural city, Darwin.
On arrival at Darwin we
hailed a cab and we were settled into our Rooms at
Rydges Plaza just in time for fivezies!
As dawn broke over Darwin
we were in the Loch at Cullum bay aboard the
fishing boat Equinox. Today was a day that we would
sample the reef fishing out of Darwin in the Timor Sea.
On board the fishing boat
Equinox our Skipper Sean told us that all GPS's and
bananas were to be thrown over board. It was news to me
that bananas were bad luck.
As we headed out into
Darwin harbour our deckie Troy was busy setting up the
lines and getting the boat" ship shape"
On the way out I was
talking to Sean and he told me that the tides that we
would be fishing were neaps, his comment was along the
lines of "No run, no fun"
The fist stop for the day
saw us eagerly dropped our fishing lines into the
water. Within no time rods loaded up us fish peeled
line off the groaning reels, we thought this was the
perfect start. We were all wrong. After lengthy
battles, these bruisers turned out to be nothing more
than slippery Catfish. These were the biggest Catties
I've ever seen; the average weight of these slimy
monsters was around five and a half kilos! Well it was
not a surprise when Sean called up anchor. For the next
couple of hours we struggled to catch anything of any
substance, comments were even made about returning to
the slimy Catties! Spanish Flag seamed to be the order
of the day, with a few small tricky Snapper thrown into
the bag. No run, no fun seamed to be right. Then
literally out of the blue a true battle was on in
earnest up the front of the boat. The angler smiled as
the fish relented against any effort to bring it of the
bottom. Line was taken from the reel and the angler
regained and maintained the upper hand. The closer the
fish got to the surface the harder it pulled; we all
took guesses to what it was. We were all amazed to see
a large Shovel Nosed Shark beside the boat. We all
laughed as we commented on who was more exhausted the
Shark or the angler. The shark was promptly returned as
the angler returned to the esky to retrieve a vitamin
VB to aid his re-hydration.
 
As noon rapidly approached
we headed out to the Mackerel reefs to sample the
fishing out there. Before arriving at the Mackerel
reefs we decided to have lunch. Lunch was fantastic.
Cold meats, salads and rolls were perfect tucker for
the situation and the climate. After a hearty lunch we
anchored at the Mackerel reefs. Mackerel were
everywhere! We could see them cruising over the top of
the reef. It was a fantastic sight! Yet the dam things
would not take a bait for quid’s. Even live Gar was
refused outright. Then as they do, a Cobia turned up
totally out of the blue. Attached to a fifteen kilo
outfit and a very keen angler this little Cobia had no
chance.
I cast a few lures at the
many Mackerel, numerous fish followed many well over
forty pounds but not one struck. After ample
frustration from these speedsters we returned to bottom
fishing.
The sun was high in the sky
and the fish seamed like they were not going to show,
both skipper and deckie were showing the stress of the
mounting pressure to produce fish. Then on one of the
most unlikely spots we found a hot bite. Within no time
I had five quality Snapper in the box. Rods all round
the boat were relenting to the pressure of some very
large fish. Many of the fish found their freedom, yet a
number of larger specimens were boated. The fish were
mainly Golden Snapper (Fingermark) and Tricky Snapper.
All top shelf table fair. Finally we had found some
quality fishing. The entire boat was relieved,
especially Sean and Troy. Unfortunately the bite went
off just as quick as it came on. This was due to a
couple of Whaler sharks in the six foot range. In a
last ditch effort to land a Black Jewfish we headed
into the shallower water.
When we looked like that we
had finally blown our chance I felt the distinct bite
of a Jewie, I gave it some line then struck, the line
snapped to attention and the battle was on. In no time
I had a little Jewie of around three kilograms boat
side. It was not a fair match up, the Penn 320 reels
loaded with fifty pound braid were over kill for such a
fish. Yet all the same it was a Jewfish and it was in
the boat.
Not long after this it was
time to call it a day. The sun was getting very low in
the sky and we had all had a big day. As we cruised
back to the Lock at Cullum Bay we all talked about what
we had just experienced.
It was a credit to our
Skipper and Deckie that we found fish in these trying
conditions. The crew worked extremely hard to find the
fish. We would have travelled over one hundred miles in
search of fish. A massive exercise in itself.
The next day was spent on
the Mary River. On the Mary we were mainly in search of
Crocodiles, yet the possibility of a Barramundi was
always on the cards. We were planning to fish the salt
water in the morning and the fresh water in the
afternoon. As things happen, we arrived late and the
tide was far too low to launch the boat in the tidal
salt water. So with out further a due it was into the
fresh water. The fresh water side of the barrage on the
Mary River is known as Corroberee Billabong.
Corroberee Billabong is home to a vast array of flora
and fauna, yet it is the salt water crocodile that
reigns supreme. These prehistoric predators are in
abundance. They are not shy; in fact their lack of
caution is a bit of a concern. Crocodiles to sixteen
feet are abundant. It’s fantastic to be able to observe
these giants in there own environment, yet caution must
be taken at all times, its easy to forget these are
wild predators. In years gone by we may have changed
our views about them, but their views on us still put
us lower on the food chain than them.
The Barramundi fishing was
slow, but for the time of year that was to be expected.
Lures were changed frequently and many a mile travelled
all for very little to show. After a careful study of
my tackle box I selected a Bronze Barra Classic. The
result was almost instant, the rod twitched to the
pressure of possibly the smallest Barramundi to inhabit
water way. This Barra was fantastic; it showed an
eco-system in fantastic condition. This Barramundi was
in the size range where it should have been more
worried about being carried away by a rouge mozzie than
a sea eagle! After a quick happy snap, just to prove
its size, it was promptly returned to the water to
fight another day.
We had packed a fantastic
lunch for the days adventures. We grazed on fresh rolls
with salad, cold meats and cheese, all washed down with
copious quantities of water, Chardonnay and beer. We
were in God's own Country living it up.
After lunch we headed down
to the salt water. The tide was racing in and the poddy
mullet were looking very nervous. Everything was
looking very promising. Our only problem was that the
day is only so long. We tried had to find a quick fish
yet generally these things take time and time for us
was fast running out. We had boats and cars to return
as well as prior engagements to attend. Our half day
fishing on the Mary river was fantastic, we would of
loved the ability to spend a couple of days trawling
this legendary water way but time restricted us.
Tomorrow we were off to Gove
as we enter the next leg on our North Australian
fishing tour/ Adventure.
The flight into Gove was
fantastic. We flew over Kakadu and Arnham Land. We saw
the Mary, South, West and East Alligator rivers as well
as the Arnham escarpments. The scenery was totally mind
blowing. Just the flight made this leg of our trip
worth while.
On arrival at Gove we
hailed a Taxi and settled into our accommodation. The
rest of the day was spent relaxing by the pool and
preparing for the following day on the water.
As planned, at six am Glen
from Arnham boat hire picked us up from our
accommodation. We were on the water before the sun
broke over the horizon to herald the arrival of a
typically beautiful tropical north Australian day.
While motoring through the harbour we spotted a large
school of Northern Blue fin Tuna ripping into schools
of baitfish. Promptly fishing rods were deployed. We
had barely trawled one hundred meters when the ratchet
on my Pen 220ld screamed. Line was simply melting off
the reel as a Northern Blue was Timor bound. After a
powerful display and a few nervous moments boat side
the fish was landed. While we were taking the first
happy snaps for the day the sun broke over the harbour.
The action continued through the morning as we caught
more Tuna, Queenfish, Trevally and Coral Trout. As the
sun got higher the action slowed to a complete stop. It
was time for lunch and where better than the
Territory’s top yacht club (Nhulumbuy). We moored the
boat on the beach and wandered to the bar for a few
quite and replenishing drinks and a couple of the
highly recommended hamburgers. What a fantastic place!
The setting was simply brilliant, the food good, the
drinks cold and the service very friendly. As we all
know time and tide wait for nobody so we literally had
to force ourselves to leave this oasis as the fish were
calling. We did however grab a few coldies for the
afternoon session.
The afternoons’ fishing was
very frustrating. Not only was it slower than the
morning session, but the fish just seamed to have our
measure. We hooked a big Spanish mackerel that after
trying to empty an Abu ten thousand of fifteen kilo
line found that if it shook its head violently it could
open spilt rings. Fish one, us nil. Then I hooked a
large Northern blue fin Tuna only to have the swivel
fail after a good ten minutes of battle. Fish two, us
nil. Then to just add insult to injury I hooked a
monster Coral Trout out the back of the boat only for
it to find refuge back in the rocks leaving me not just
with dented pride but also line burnt thumbs. Fish
three, us nil. Now we were really regretting releasing
the Coral Trout we had managed to pry from their rocky
lairs in the morning’s fishing session. We had tried
everything and by hook or crook we had failed dismally.
The end result was that the fish may have won on the
day but the time we spent was priceless. Gove is a
fantastic fishing destination. We could have and should
have spent a lot more time exploring this part of
Arnham Land but our time restricted us. I know that if
we did spend more time there the fish would have been
in more trouble than the early settlers. Our BBQ that
night wasn’t the Coral Trout that we planned on but all
in all it wasn’t that bad.
A breaking dawn saw us once
again loading the plane.
Offshore in the Gulf there
are 2 tourist developments offering remarkable fishing
even by the Gulf’s standards. Sweers Island and
Mornington Island are only accessible to visiting
anglers by aircraft and, in both cases, only guests
using facilities offered by the respective operators
are allowed on the Islands.
Apart from prawning, there
is no commercial fishing nearby, so both reef and light
tackle fishing are productive. Red emperor, coral
trout, sweetlips and cod are available in abundance
from the reefs surrounding the Islands.
Light tackle sport
fishing will see you encounter a host of species from
Queenfish, threadfin, mangrove jacks, Trevally and even
a few barramundi, to Pelagic Spanish Mackerel and
Northern Blue Fin Tuna
Today we were off to Sweers
Island. This flight would take us from the top of the
Gulf of Carpentaria to the bottom.
Sweers Island is a
fisherman's paradise. Located in the Wessley group of
Islands, Sweers has miles of pristine coast surrounded
by extensive reef systems creating an aquatic and
piscatorial paradise.
On arrival we were picked
up by Rex in the Resort's trusty Land Cruiser. We
settled into our accommodation just in time for lunch.
Lunch at Sweers is
fantastic, fresh fish; cold meats, salads and fresh
bread are all typical fare.
Amply fed and watered we
were ready to take to the water.
After a though briefing on
the boat's operation and local navigational hazards we
were under way.
We cruised up to Locast
Rock as we travelled to the North West corner of Sweers
Island. We were in search of Spanish mackerel and
Tricky Snapper.
The action was slow but the
current was not. Fishing was difficult but when ever we
did manage to get bait to the bottom we found fish.
The fishing remained slow
throughout the afternoon. Fish were hard to come by but
the beautiful pristine environment made catching a
brace secondary.
With the sun setting over
Bentinck Island we motored back to the harbour. Aromas
of freshly cooked fish and BBQ meat wafted through the
balmy atmosphere.
On arrival back at the
cleaning tables we found that we were not the only ones
to struggle to find fish.
Alas, with minimal fish
cleaning duties in no time we were showered and in the
bar watching the last of the sun set over Bentinck.
Such a hard life, a cold beer in one hand and finger
food in the other looking over Inscription Point as the
sun disappeared into the horizon.
Over dinner we discussed
our options. We decided that the local shark population
needed to be harassed.
We anchored off Red Cliffs,
burley flowed and the wind howled as the action started
to hot up.
Our first hook up was over
in seconds. Line parted with an almighty crack and
water went everywhere as a whaler shark danced all over
the surface on his way to Weipa.
The blood was now racing.
Quickly we re-rigged. It wasn't long before our next
opponent stood up to the plate. This shark was a little
bigger than the first at around seven to eight feet
long it was quite a large Noah.
After several passes the
shark finally inhaled the bait. When the hook was set
the shark took off stripping over one hundred meters of
line from the reel. The battle was long and tough. The
shark stuck in the current and used its powerful mass
to great effect. Over one hour had passed before we got
the shark near the boat. It was another hour or so
before we finally got the shark closes enough to
release it. The epic battle was of such proportion that
we nearly missed lunch because of it.
The next few days at Sweers
followed suite. We caught many fish of varying sizes
and species. The fishing was not electric but when
you’re in paradise does it really matter? Especially
when you’re fed meals of Chilli Mud Crabs, Roasts and
fresh fish. Yep just catching a few fish is a bonus.
Normanton was our final
fishing destination. On arrival at Normanton we were
picked up by long time friend Andrew Sherwin the
publican of the Albion Hotel.
He promptly drove us into
town and settled us down in his bar with a few cold
ales. After talking to a few of the locals and getting
the low down on the current fishing situation it was
time to drive up to Karumba. Karumba is world famous
for its sun sets and tonight was not going to
disappoint. What a fantastic evening. Tonight was
Andrew’s birthday. What a way to celebrate. The sun set
was brilliant the company friendly, the meal high
quality and all toped off with a few quality bottles of
South Australian wine.
The morning broke and once
again I was in the aircraft. A few friends had wanted
to fly over the Norman River. As the sun rose to the
east we cast the shackles of gravity and flew the
contours of the river all the way to the mouth at
Karumba.
After such a flight there
was only one way the day could get better and that
would be to catch a few of Normanton's resident
Barramundi.
As I arrived back at the
motel the boys had the boat ready. Equipped with enough
tackle to last a life time and enough provisions to
last a desert tribe a month we were ready to launch.
The Norman River is a large
tidal river that extends well into the Gulf Savannah.
The river’s many rock bars and deep holes give refuge
to a large population of Barramundi and Threadfin
Salmon.
With lines set and lures in
motion we trawled over the numerous rock bars and
through the deep holes.
As with any river that you
have fished in the past you have your favourite spots.
Three years ago I had caught and released a sixty pound
Barramundi from the Norman River. Oddly enough on the
second pass of this exact spot my rod bowed in protest
as a fish zipped across the surface. It was no sixty
pound Barra but a very nice Threadfin Salmon. After a
entertaining aerobatic display that included loops,
barrel rolls and aileron rolls the fish was boated and
quickly put on ice for our final evening’s dinner. What
a way to start the day! Next it was Charles’ turn to
get in on the action. The little Barra tried
desperately but was no match for the gear and the very
keen angler on the other end. This was Charles’ very
first Barra and he was wrapped. Nearly every Victorian
angler dreams of catching a Barramundi and Charles was
no exception to the rule. At sixty centimetres it was
not a big fish yet it was still a Barramundi and that
is all that mattered. After a couple of happy snaps
the fish was returned to fight another day.
 
Next in line for some action was my father. Barramundi
are a fish that he really loves to catch. Seeing every
body else get in on the action was making him just a
little jealous. As we passed over one of the rock bars
his lure was inhaled and a hook-up confirmed by line
taken off his little Abu reel. The gin on his face said
it all. The harder the fish pulled the bigger the
smile. Then when it jumped he roared with excitement to
see if we all saw that. After a few minutes the fish
was safely netted. At just under eighty centimetres it
was a very good fish. It was time for hand shakes all
around. We had travelled north and we had all caught a
Barramundi. A fair effort considering that we had only
spent one and a half days chasing them. This warranted
a celebratory drink. With the completion of our drink
and a few sandwiches we continued to fish. A few more
small Barra were boated through out the afternoon. On
sunset while making our final pass over the river my
father’s reel screamed to life. A massive Barramundi
had engulfed his lure and was now dancing all over the
surface. This fish was every bit of one meter long.
Then with out any warning the line snapped. The fish
continued jumping for the next few minutes as it tried
to rid its self of the foreign object lodged in its
mouth.
We would leave Northern
Australia with images printed into our memories that
were once only dreams. Abounding with stories of our
epic adventures, once again we would go home full of
tales about the ones that go away.
Conclusion
The single hardest part
about undertaking such a trip is planning the entire
journey so it runs smoothly.
In the past we would have
taken a couple of months to experience what we did in
just a matter of days. In today’s current climate time
is of utmost importance. It is a great advantage to be
able to get to your destinations in just a matter of
hours. Light aircraft are not just a great way to
travel over our vast land but they are also a great way
to view our vast country. It may seem expensive to
charter an aircraft but when you think about time off
work, wear and tear on car, boat and trailer all on top
of your normal travel costs. Aircraft charter becomes
extremely viable. A great advantage about chartering
your own aircraft is the fact that if you don’t like a
location or the fish just aren’t biting you can just up
and go to a new location without the hassle of driving
for another couple of days. With many quality boat hire
and charter operations located all over this vast land
this style of fishing adventure is the way of the
future.
Fact File:
TrackAir
9 Tangari Crt
Greensborough
Victoria 3088.
PH: 0417 551 373
Call: Paul Pingiaro and he
will be able to organize your
North Australian fishing tour/
Adventure of a life time.
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Trackair Adventures
9 Tangari Court
Greensborough, Victoria, AUST. 3088
Phone: 0417-551-373
Fax: +61-3-9432-7829
Email:
ppingiaro@hotmail.com |
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