Cape York

CAPE YORK Tim O’Reilly

wildrivercompany@gmail.com There is not a time I like more up the Cape then April to May. This late autumn period is usually a great climate for locals, with clear creeks flowing opportunities as April.

Plenty of southerners will be hitting the road for Easter holidays. So long as there is no late sting in the tail of the wet season, which is VERY possible, the roads will open or begin opening. Some more remote destinations start coming into play for the so much opportunity for those with a single-minded focus on fishing. There is so many species and ecosystems in a relatively small geographic area, including wetlands, lagoons and billabongs, springs, creeks and rivers. Plus a multitude of shallow and medium depth reef

How casting off a remote sand cay should be done.

A colourful set of flats critters.

into clearing rivers past green grass. Sunrises and sunsets are exotic shows between a variety of grey clouds. Remember you still get showers amidst moisture pushing against the coast from freshening trade winds.

This is a time of plenty for fish and fishers alike. Most species will be putting on weight this time of year, with food webs supercharged following the wet season. A healthy barramundi should be firing on all cylinders about now, super eager to chase down a feed. Which is what we anglers need! Aggressive fish ready to pounce on a lure would be fantastic year-round. Alas some months don’t quite hold the same many stationed around various parts of Cape York. Accessible spots on either side of the Cape’s coast will start to see a few people again.

A few of the locals over on the East coast will be lamenting the return of dry season trade winds. Reality is, you are better off planning offshore trips in Cyclone season up in these parts! However, the west coast of the Cape will become picture postcard perfect for the next six months. Notwithstanding the chance of a cold strong southerly breeze sneaking in here and there. This is why charter operators work these waters with fervour during stable periods.

Fishing down the Cape’s west coast offers This lovely fish came from brackish water on a plastic frog.

systems, littered right up and down the coast. Nothing compares in grandeur to the Great Barrier Reef pockets of good weather will be rewarded with excellent fishing. The flats and shallower shoals heading into and back out of neap tides will be most rewarding. The right mix of current and clean water

A tasty feed over the coals.

on the opposite side, yet productive all the same.

Consistent fishing might be harder to find over on the east coast, yet should begin to fire up as cooler water again begins to pump life and nutrients up into the shallows. Fishing tides either can combine for sharp bite periods, especially around tide changes.

Nothing beats a tough morning on the flats, followed by a sudden fire up in activity where the fish just seem to turn on and come from everywhere. You wonder what they were doing the rest of the time. I remember a recent bite turning from a donut into multiple species including coral trout, Chinaman fish, red bass, long nose emperor, Maori wrasse and various cod. You need to fish hard when it’s happening because things can quieten off again just as quickly.

April will be a month of cautious optimism.

The fishing is usually first class up in Cape York, yet the weather can play a big part. Light wind and rain are two things, which need to combine to get the most out of fishing this month.