298nm through the real wild.
Been a bit slow on the fishing in the past 12 months, spending a lot of my free time shooting vermin, but teamed up with my old Onslow crewy James to visit the Berkeley River over the Easter/Anzac break.
Departed Wyndham at 11.00am on Saturday and travelled the 50nm to the top of Cambridge Gulf, spent a bit of time in the late arvo trolling the rockbar at the mouth of the Helby River. Three good queenies, no barra. Moored up in the Helby for the night.
Woke up at dawn and started heading west 35nm to the Berkeley. The 10 knot easterly tail wind becoming 15-20 by the time we reached the mouth at 8.45am. Navigated across the sand bars at the mouth on the high tide and entered the sanctuary of the Berkeley. We decided to explore the system by first travelling to the upper reaches. Looked like we had the place to ourselves until we turned the final corner and came across the True North cruise boat and a couple of yachties anchored up at the top.
We joined the True Norths tender boats up at the rock bar to have a crack at some barra. First pass on the troll saw James hook up and get busted off by an unseen fish. Second pass saw my 20lb braid outfit buckle as I passed over a submerged snag, 40lb + of chrome barra exploded out of the water, power dived into the snag and we were down two lures in 5 minutes. Farkkkkkkk! Unfortunately they shut down after that and the only barra we could entice was a 94cm fish on a live mullet the following evening.
Strong easterlies kept us confined to the river itself for the Sunday and the Monday. We scratched around for a few fish, explored the waterfalls and had a good time. Unfortunately the huge wet season we have had up this way meant the river was almost 100 per cent fresh water, that combined with a lack of bait meant the system fished poorly IMO.
Tuesday morning we crossed the mouth in 15 knot easterlies and sheltered up behind a small island for a while. No action saw us brave the windward side of the island where we encountered a good patch of queenies which kept us entertained. James also caught a good fingermark on the troll. The easterly finally backed off a bit and we took the opportunity to head the 35nm back to the top of Cambridge Gulf.
Tuesday evening we fished around Fathom Rock for a couple of good fingermark and a small 75cm black jew. After catching two seven foot sharks we called it a night and travelled into the Helby to moor up.
Wednesday morning saw us return to Wyndham early to beat the easterly, final tally on the trip meter was 298nm with 373 litres of fuel used.
Good trip, good company and great scenery. Negatives being the quietish fishing, incessant wind and the rockbar I hit with the skeg (thankfully trolling slowly), 6.1m boats aren't really designed for trolling shallow rockbars! LOL
Be back up that way again no doubt, but hopefully the wind will play the game next time.
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allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
One of the trips i hope to do before i move on
two of the skippers from the true north are family members so all i need is the boat to do the full trip and them to have the time off to skipper me and show me where the fish are.Looks like you had great weather for it as well.
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
Simo_
Posts: 1843
Date Joined: 13/11/06
Great pics, those waterfalls
Great pics, those waterfalls look awesome.
Bring on April
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
Amazing, well done mate.
Amazing, well done mate. That looks like a very special area with some truly spectacular landscapes, throw a few fish in and its a recipe for a great trip and one that would make most people very jelous.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
These are the trips I intend
Wonderfull pics, makes me want to leave right now!
Thanks for the info, if you have any more to share, please!
mullows
Posts: 738
Date Joined: 25/12/08
Awesome trip fellas. I reckon
Awesome trip fellas. I reckon those big goldens would go like a bastard, only managed some little ones around here. Was only wondering the other day if you still had the big boat John or if you let her go after Onslow. Will definately have a to tee up a day out there somewhere, sometime.
Cheers
Mullows
The Older I get the better I was :-)
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
For sure
I'll be back down the Montes way one day Mullows!
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mullows
Posts: 738
Date Joined: 25/12/08
You're on !!!
You're on
!!!
The Older I get the better I was :-)
Reefmonkey
Posts: 711
Date Joined: 22/09/08
Amazing!!
Amazing country, last time(and only time) i've seen that river was in a malcom douglas film. Always sworn that one day I'll get my shit together to be able to do some trips like that in the kimberly rivers, truely envyous.
Dave J.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Absolutely amazing stuff,
Absolutely amazing stuff and ripper goldies. Did you have enough fuel in the on board tank or did you have to carry extra?
Cheers
Dale
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Jerries
200L in the book and 275L in jerries. Got home with 102L to spare.
Took 40L of water but didn't end up needing it because the waterfalls where running.
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Jigs available online in my web store!
uncle
Posts: 9474
Date Joined: 10/02/07
further north
must have been a bit sluggish with all that fuel on board
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Not bad
Not to bad, helped doing it with only one crew. 3rd person + gear + drinks would have changed the dynamic.
Needed a bit of extra throttle to get on the plane but extra weight helped in the crap waters we travelled in on Sunday morning (20knot tailwind combined with the tide).
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
Pete D
Posts: 1681
Date Joined: 07/06/07
A fish or two, is definitely
A fish or two, is definitely a bonus in country like that.
Top report BJ.
Cheers Pete
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Great report and some awsome
Great report and some awsome pics John.It doesn't get much better .
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
Lucky Tim
Posts: 2536
Date Joined: 28/11/07
awesome John, what a place. I
awesome John, what a place. I know what you mean about thinking you have the place to yourself then bumping into yachties and cruise boats. We had the same thing up the Prince Regent River a few years ago.
I would say shame about the barra but with scenery and goldens like that you guys still scored.
SHizz
Posts: 1556
Date Joined: 07/08/05
Place looks amazing.
Place looks amazing. Definately have something like that on my to-do list at one time or another!
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Great trip lads
once in a lifetime stuff for sure
Cammos
Posts: 606
Date Joined: 30/06/09
Magnificent trip. Is that a
Magnificent trip. Is that a 200hp Yammie 4 stroke?
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Close
The smaller brother Cammos, 150hp.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
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Alan James
Posts: 2223
Date Joined: 30/06/09
Great report there Big John
and some top pics. Reminds me of the 12 months I spent on Koolan Island and the surrounding waters many years ago.
uncle
Posts: 9474
Date Joined: 10/02/07
great trip
the usual envy, looks like a spectacular adventure,with some great shots,like the hat in the first pic
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
tailor marc
Posts: 2979
Date Joined: 27/09/06
No thats my dream right
No thats my dream right there!! Well done, wish i were there with yaz!
My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15641
Date Joined: 29/11/05
yep
The fish are certainly a bonus, spectacular country. Very envious mate.
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DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
great trip BJ. Lovely part of
great trip BJ. Lovely part of the country & lovely photos. A place that must go on the to do list.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Top trip BF, condolences over
Top trip BF, condolences over the skeg though!
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Touch up
Bit of a file and some original yamaha paint and she'll be as good as new.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
damo6230
Posts: 2029
Date Joined: 07/06/08
Out and about
Good to see you get out mate
Those ferals were on easy street for the Easter Break
Unfortunately a mob of locals were heading that way and furhter west and buy all accounts the wind was crapola.........
A few mates went this weekend and it was glass..........
When I get my new boat in two weeks I'll be heading that way (sold the old girl a while back so itchy).
Plenty of Barra in close to Wyndham and a mate killed the pig yesterday at the Keep but copped a treble in the finger for his effort and a seat at hospital........
Oh and the Pies just keep winning
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
New rig
What are you getting damo?
I know the other guy your mate went with, horror track conditions and some vehicle damage to go with the hot session and treble!
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
damo6230
Posts: 2029
Date Joined: 07/06/08
new boat
5.1 Side console Noble SuperV with a 115 suzuki 4 stroke and a few accessories.
Been siting in QLD for months waiting for the xl motor as none on the east coast.
Why QLD? Cuase the price was $10k less than Perth.
As for my mate I don't know the secret spot they hit.... ha ha
Mate, Sellers Cr has been firing and pulled some nice chromies at nulla a few weeks back.
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Nice
I've actually sold the smaller boat and I'm waiting for a Yamaha 700 Grizzly to arrive at the wharf at Freo. Should be here early June.
Here piggy, piggy, piggy!
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
damo6230
Posts: 2029
Date Joined: 07/06/08
be careful
thats some gear coming and any new gun to grace its handle bars?
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Shottie
Keen to get a shottie some time this year to round out the safe.
Currently building a trailer for it, once it arrives I'll setup some gun racks etc, on it.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
Alan James
Posts: 2223
Date Joined: 30/06/09
What are you shooting BJ
and what with?
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Various
Various ferals Alan. Pigs, donkeys, dogs and camels.
Looking to get a shottie for the NT waterfowl season.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
Alan James
Posts: 2223
Date Joined: 30/06/09
Waterfowl season has long gone in WA
thanks to the treehuggers. Enjoy it while you can.
damo6230
Posts: 2029
Date Joined: 07/06/08
should be good
quads are a real versitile machine and very capable.
this big wet has spread the buggers no doubt
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18019
Date Joined: 11/03/08
some great scenery to fish
some great scenery to fish around John. who realy needs to catch fish to make a trip like that one.thats ste sort of place i could easily get lost in and spend some time just soaking up the atmosphere
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
tolch10
Posts: 30
Date Joined: 28/10/10
what a trip
What a trip . Us poor city kids have only got a trip to Rotto. 20 NM
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Top trip there BJ, great
Top trip there BJ, great pics!
Seaquest
Posts: 1131
Date Joined: 22/10/09
Great pics John. Any fish
Great pics John. Any fish would just be a bonus on a trip like that.
Andy Mac
Posts: 4778
Date Joined: 03/02/06
In the words of Bruce Macaveny
"That's SPECIAL"
Very envious BJ!!!!
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
slugger
Posts: 160
Date Joined: 17/02/11
awesome mate
looks like you had a cracker hey.
hope you passed my message onto james
you two look like the perfect couple snuggled up on the deck.
what was your economy loaded up, then travelling back lighter ?
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Sandy's
Lucky there was no sandflies or we may have had to spoon in the single dome slugger! LOL
Sent you a PM re the burn rate before I saw this post.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
I dont know how i ever missed
I dont know how i ever missed this post, Awesome john very very jealous mate well done on a fantastic trip!
mattgreen
Posts: 40
Date Joined: 14/02/11
damo
i know a damo who wanted a noble
thought you would be on this site mate. PM sent
great trip Big John, would love to get out into the real wild on a trip like that. Those yachties would be living the dream, till a cyclone comes through anyway.
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Well all I can say is Green
with envy BJ, I honestly don't think I could fish with all that beautiful gods country scenery hahahah just to get up where you guys have been would be enough for me, one power ball and its the True North II fantastic photos
Ginger Tablets Rock
cuthbad
Posts: 1266
Date Joined: 22/04/09
Wow..... one day!Cheers mate
Wow..... one day!
Cheers mate