Darwin report...13 - 21 July
Hi all
Headed up to Darwin on Friday 13th (no, I'm not superstitious...I think) arriving at 1.30pm and we spent the afternoon hanging out in 30'C heat....a far cry from the 6'C when we arrived at Perth airport. We had great weather all week, mins of 16C and max around 30C every day.
You can see the new wharf from the family's balcony and it gave me a chance to try out my new 150 - 500mm telephoto lens.....also made for a great night time photo.
On Saturday we headed out early from Buffalo Creek to the Vernon Islands with my brother-in-law, his nephew and his mate. It was a magic sunrise and the water was a glass off. All reports suggested the tides were right for some fishing action and I got on the board early with a couple of nice golden snapper....the others chimed in, too.
Then the brother-in-law's nephew's rod screamed in agony and hopes were high for the prized black jewfish...but alas, ecstasy turned to anguish when a 4m lemon shark emerged from the depths, so it was cut free. We moved a few times as the tide turned and managed a few more assorted fish before heading home. There was a queue of boats waiting to retreive, when we got back to the ramp in the creek.
Bummed around on Sunday and did some sightseeing around the marina at Bayview...watched the lock in action, too.
Visited Crocosaurus Cove on Monday and checked out the crocs, the barra and other fish in the aquarium and took a leisurely stroll thru the reptile house...well worth a visit, and so handy as it's in the centre of town. In the afternoon, I got 9 holes in at Garden Park with my sister.
Woke up early Tuesday morning with a serious stomach bug...don't know where it came from because we all ate the same thing on Monday night, but whatever it was, it flattened me for a couple of days. Missed out on a crabbing & fishing trip on Tuesday....the boys caught some nice bream and mud crabs. Also missed out on our planned day trip to Litchfield National Park on Wednesday...too scared to venture too far from the bathroom....IMODIUM is the answer! Mrs gates reacted badly to the midgies and came out with blistered welts on her legs and arms, so that put a dampener on things, too.
Was feeling better by Thursday so I stepped up to go out fishing again. Learnt a valuable lesson about not launching the boat with your phone in your pocket....yep, slipped on the ramp and went head first into the water...also had my compact digital camera in there, too. Got a new phone from the local phone shop and I'm looking into buying another camera.
The fishing was a bit slow up the East Arm....caught a few small jewies (mulloway) and a nice schoolie about 70cms....also had fun catching a few catfish and feeding them to the sea eagles that were camped in the nearby trees....sorry, no pics.
Took it easy on Friday and checked out my brother-in-law's favourite fishing tackle shop....you could do some serious damage to your credit card in there....or any tackle shop for that matter.
The US and Australian Air Force were playing with their toys and we had a pretty good view as they flew close to us in Bayview.
A quick 9 holes on Saturday morning, a bite to eat for lunch and then it was off to the airport...arriving back in Perth at 4.45pm.
Already planning another trip up that way as we didn't get to try our hand at barra fishing.
regards
rusty...
If life is boring, you must be doing it wrong!
Wes F
Posts: 1067
Date Joined: 07/01/12
Balmy days in NT
A bit of this and a bit of that, Holidays are great aren't they. Looks like a rather relaxing time. The croc park is pretty good. Good report and pics
Old fishermen never die they just smell that way.
sea-kem
Posts: 14960
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Good report there Rusty.
Good report there Rusty. Spewing I missed out on the fighter jets I could see them gearing up all week we were there with the C130's and inflight tankers rolling in. Only fished once the rest of the time relaxing and swimming and ogling all the scantily clad girlies up there ;)
Love the West!
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18023
Date Joined: 11/03/08
mongrel lol. looks like you
mongrel lol. looks like you had a great time apart from the bug you picked up.mind you if you had been at work you wouldnt have caught it , serves you right
. nice feed of muddies there.now get back to work like the rest of us. great report and pics
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
SABRE
Posts: 404
Date Joined: 17/05/12
Awesome holiday fishing and
Awesome holiday fishing and fighter jets doesn't get much better than that
If fishing is a sport I,m an elite athlete
sunshine
Posts: 2600
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Get a Lumix waterproof
Even allows below waterline shots up to 10 metres and ensures no issues if you fall in - my guide in Alaska had a fit when I put it underwater to photograph a large dolly varden, the look on his wface was classic
topperQ
Posts: 45
Date Joined: 07/05/12
Very nice photos shoot
Very nice photos shoot there.
Live to fish
r.gates
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 15/11/10
New camera on the way
Just bought a new Canon IXUS 115HS to replace the one that couldn't swim. Stayed with the same make and model as I've still got the underwater housing that suits this camera. Roll on summer so we can take the new one for a proper swim!
Hey Russ, I use my time at work to dream about and plan new fishing trips.....isn't that what we're supposed to do at work!!
regards
rusty...
If life is boring, you must be doing it wrong!