Magical time on McArthur River delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mick Clutterbuck

Our members are not only deep-sea anglers but are keen anglers across a board spectrum of species and types of fishing.

You’ve read of our intrepid commodore Rob Schomberg and his trout exploits in Tasmania, so from the other end of the country, here is a report by member Steve Watson on a recently completed trip to the Northern Territory.

Destination King Ash Bay Northern Territory

It's a trip we've enjoyed since 2007, when we were involved in a McArthur Mines funded barramundi tagging project in the McArthur River delta.

Since the completion of the project in 2012 – with over 4000 barra tagged and released – we've put together a team of keen anglers who count the days between trips.

Due to border restrictions, the usual Iluka crew were unable to make it this year which left a few vacancies that proved easy to fill.

Fellow Power Boat Anglers member Jeff Sorrell, his brother Ray, two friends and two crews from Adelaide made up our complement of five boats.

I've made the return trip of around 5700km 17 times now and spent 39 weeks enjoying the fruits of the McArthur River and nearby creeks, and every trip offers more information.

There are approximately 1000km of waterways in the McArthur system and all are laced with barramundi, mangrove jack, fingermark, threadfin, cod and such… all for the taking.

There's a huge choice of fishing, with flats, rivers, creeks and islands with rock bars being my personal preference.

Upon arrival we were immediately able to provide a meal of barra for Jeff and company, who arrived the day after us.

Then it was on... full on!

In various locations it was a fish a cast and we averaged 30-55 barra a day, bringing our trip total to around 450.

Other sundries such as jack, fingermark and such would have brought our boat total to around 600.

Coupled with Jeff's crew catch, the number came up to around 800 barra in 14 days between us.

Our totals included one barra-free day, when the two boats ventured around 70km from home to fish the reef for the morning.

This provided fingermark, trout, sweetlip emperor, nannygai, mackerel, queenfish and more.

One of the fishers from Adelaide estimated the catch at well over 1000 barra – simply fantastic fishing.

Our gear consisted of a combination of baitcasters and threadline reels on appropriate rods, depending on the lures being delivered.

Years ago, we abandoned larger lures and our catches multiplied.

These days 90 percent of our lure casting is on 1/8 and 1/6oz 4/0 jig heads and 3” or 4" paddle tail soft plastics.

For more information, have a search of the King Ash Bay Fishing Club – who built the village – and our accommodation, the King Ash Bay Lodge.

The club have a perpetual lease over 400 acres along the McArthur.

In many respects a small self-sufficient town, the facilities include a service station, mini-mart, workshop, golf course, the Groper’s Bar and Grill, powered and unpowered sites, reticulated treated potable water, a generation plant for power and a double concrete ramp.

It’s incredible what the club has built.

I've attended a couple of their annual general meetings and noted camp fee income pushing close to $1 million a year.

Another amazing trip and so keen to visit again – bring on 2022.

Steve Watson was happy with his barramundi, one of the many from King Ash Bay.