Catch a big barra at Callide QLD
Wayne Kampe
Spring’s sprung! And about time, too, after a serious winter that started around the end of April and just seemed to keep us on
supply water for the nearby Callide power station, which is located some distance from the lake’s northwest corner. The huge chimney stacks of the power plant are very conspicuous, which means there’s not quite the pristine fishing experience of our
in the adjoining Lake Callide Retreat’s Office shows without doubt there are some mighty large barra in this lake. Fish over the magic metre mark seem to dominate the wall space, and are surpassed only by the grins of the anglers gripping the fish.
FISH THE CLOSE WATER FIRST As is the case with every other barra impoundment, you don’t have to travel to the furthest corner of the dam to look for fish. Although any barra snoozing there as you launch at daylight or late afternoon will gently move away, they usually won’t go far so it’s always worth a good look along the nearby banks before you turn the ignition key. Stealthy assessment of any fishery is, after all, one of the key bonuses of electric motor ownership. And here’s another clue: one of the main boat ramps at Lake Callide is located at the
Big fat barra, like this fly-caught fish taken by Denise Kampe, are stocked in Lake Callide.
Reckon there might be a barra skulking behind that bit of timber? Well, there was. edge with endless westerly winds and weekends of wild weather. And what better way to welcome the change of season than to make plans to catch a big, strong impoundment barra? A combination of warming weather and lengthening daylight hours certainly seems to kick start their metabolism into a feeding frame of mind, so dust off the tackle and start thinking barra! ONE MORE DAM OFF THE LIST! As a freely admitted barramundi addict, I’ve fished a lot of our recognized barra impoundments over the last two decades, with two notable exceptions: Callide and Tinaroo. I live on the south side of Brisbane, which is a 20-hour drive from Tinaroo, but Lake Callide, being only a short distance west of Calliope (near Gladstone) would see far less time behind the wheel – so that’s the dam I chose. The drive to Calliope takes around six hours, and the dam is about an hour’s drive west from there. A SOMEWHAT FISHING EXPERIENCE This is an interesting impoundment. It’s an old timer, having been built in 1965 to
other barra impoundments! However, it’s pretty easy to overlook this fact when your boat is approaching some of the lake’s standing timber and your sounder is showing lovely images of fat fish on side scan imaging. WELL STOCKED IMPOUNDMENT Besides barra, the dam is
OCTOBER 2021
The well-kept Council park is a bonus attraction for those visiting the dam. to the job and selection of a likely area where fish should be passing as they move about are certain stepping stones to barra success. If, like the Kampe team, you choose to have a crack at the fish with a fly there are ample areas close enough to timber, points, and other features that have that fishy look about them, yet have
Lake Callide, as seen from Lake Callide Retreat. also stocked with sleepy cod, golden perch and saratoga. And while these great natives are certainly possibilities, I really think that the main drawcard will be good old barra. A glance at the imposing images
Comfortable cabins are on hand for those not wanting to camp at Lake Callide Retreat. 18
NO INLAND SEA Lake Callide is by no means a massive impoundment when compared with the likes of Awoonga, Monduran, or Peter Faust dams. Its capacity is much less than any of these which, in theory, should make the fish easier to find and catch. As I found out, they are indeed easier to find,
after the other commencing to shake or move as the fish further entangles itself at the end of a fly line is pretty deflating. From experience, even the 10wt fly outfits we use in impoundments just don’t stop fish the way 50lb braid and 80lb leaders can. WHERE TO STAY Lake Callide is located around 15km east of the town of Biloela. This town, which is a significant centre for the adjacent mining area, has virtually the lot as far as infrastructure goes. While accommodation in town is available, including motels and a caravan park, those of us who like to stay close to the fishing action will find Lake Callide Retreat is perfect for those early starts and late nights we barra anglers enjoy. The Retreat is next to the lake and has a quite large camping area serviced by excellent facilities with both powered and unpowered sites available. There’s also a small store attached to the Office. The Retreat also
but catch? Remember, this is barra we are talking about and these critters have a mind of their own when it comes to bite times and cooperation with anglers! On the positive side, the impoundment’s level has been reduced for some time, which has allowed excellent weed beds to form, and structure in the form of rocky banks, timbered flats and the like to emerge and become excellent habitat for the barra and other fish to prowl when it’s time to hunt down a feed. So while there are few lily pads these days, the ample structure, especially the timbered areas in the back of many bays, is where you should concentrate your efforts with a lure, or (as we do) a fly tied on a 4/0 hook.
western end of the waterway (not far from the dam wall), and prominent features include handy bays with small scatterings of standing timber close by along the southern bank. On the first morning we launched at Callide we saw fish on the side scan in the closest bay we sneaked into, and were rewarded with a solid hit on a fly which unfortunately failed to retain a hold on the fish. Now, that’s what I call a welcome to new waters – a hit on virtually the first cast. AN OVERVIEW Lake Callide has terrific potential in that the fish are certainly present and are quite accessible, and the change of seasons should see barra addicts rewarded with great fishing. Careful assessment of terrain, a very quiet approach
Evening barra habitat at Lake Callide: a lightly timbered point to explore with lure or fly. sufficient clear area nearby for the angler to control a big, strong fish without it powering into timber and causing some teeth gnashing. Allowing a big barra to head into timber when fly fishing is road to ruin; offering slack line to slow a fish might work with strong braid but seeing one tree
features 2-bedroom fully self-contained cabins that can cater for up to five people in considerable comfort for those not wishing to camp. A Council park adjoining Lake Callide Retreat has plenty of great facilities to keep youngsters occupied plus shelter sheds and BBQs for other family members.
