OLD
Weighing up the options TOWNSVILLE
Dave Hodge
There have been some mixed results for the end of barra season. There was some disappointment,
but also some victories. At one stage, a system that we frequent was just getting going again after an onslaught of nets. It had been decimated over a few weeks to absolutely bugger all barra of legal size.
Species that fitted through the nets like grunter, jacks, smaller fingermark etc were there, just not legalsized barra. BARRA ON FLY Towards the end of the season the young bloke and
During October the odd storm got the fish biting well. The fresh runoff can focus the fish around drain run-offs, which makes them easier to find.
Tannhym Hodge was over the moon with this nice fish that he pulled from very tough timber on a 7” Halco Paddle Prawn rigged weedless on a EWG 7/0 Atomic Seeker 1/4oz jighead.
I decided that we might go and have a look in some of the freshwater lagoons and billabongs that are relatively common throughout North Queensland, though most are on private properties and need permission to access. If you’re lucky enough to know someone
who will allow access, the fish are pretty much sporting targets only anyway, not really meant for the table. The end of the season is when the water is at its warmest for the year, and they can really fire up, and this helps, particularly with the fly fishing.
I had some flies made up for me by a great fella named Ben Chambers, and they’re proving to be an absolute winner in the barra environments, with slow and fast sinking, as well as surface stuff proving a hit. The flies he sent were tied on Gamakatsu SL12s
We’re Australia’s oldest boat builder. Since 1898 we’ve learnt one or two things about boat design. Like – simple and practical are best – reliability is paramount – and every model must have all the essentials you need for a safe, fun day with your family or mates. So whether you’re buying a Savage dinghy or a Savage Cabin we’ve got what you need at an incredible, value price. Without any of the expensive extras. Everything we’ve learnt in 123 years, we’ve put into our boats. You can feel it the moment you hop onboard. 36
DECEMBER 2022
Find your closet savage dealer at savageboats.com.au SAVFMTRDH 001
