FORTESCUE RIVER MOUTH
Submitted by field on Mon, 2011-05-16 22:31
Hi all
does anybody know how far up the river you can go from the mouth? Ill be coming down alone ocean-side from dampier in an 8m ally and looking to camp up for a few days before meeting another boat to go over the montes. Not too fussed about fishing (yet) but just need a nice riverbank wth some water for a tranquil camp-site with a good few books! Anybody been up a few kms into the river? cheers for any advice
Pics from our trip a couple weeks ago in the Dampier Arch.
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Dave Hancock
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Oracle
Posts: 355
Date Joined: 22/11/10
off topic
Photo 1 and photo 3 = mint!
TonyT
Posts: 501
Date Joined: 09/07/10
Agreed, awesome pics.
Agreed, awesome pics.
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Wow
Cant help you mate, But nice pic's. Any Fish caught ?
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
truth be known we spent quite
truth be known we spent quite a few nites stuck on one island after assuming the next days high water would be equal to the one we beached one.... And hence the improvised slipway we are building under the boat in the picture (fail)
thus we missed our deep water fishing opportunities. But I did have 5 nites to work out how best to take Pic No1, as nothing moved or changed in that frame for all that time lol
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
championruby
Posts: 459
Date Joined: 20/01/11
awesome pics mate!!How much
awesome pics mate!!
How much did the tide move by there?
Sorry I can't help, never been there
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
i think it was only bout a 4m
i think it was only bout a 4m range, but the high the day after we beached was 350mm lower than the day before, so we were F$#@^&
just half asleep after a long day and wasnt thinking.... cost us 5 days stranded on the same slice of beach catchin whiting!
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Wait a while
As Malcom said "wait a while country "
My Friend worked up ther for some time drilling. They were land based tho .
He did catch a lot of sharks, catfish , threadfin, and mud crabs.
He did say that the tides were huge, and some days the water did not come up the river to wear they fished.
mrwinta
Posts: 457
Date Joined: 14/01/10
I can think of worse places
I can think of worse places to be stuck for 5 days!!! I have never been to the Fortescue river mouth but just looked at it on Google Earth and there is a few boats in the river so it must be doable... there are a few buildings or caravans down there too... I did go to the one down from devils creek and it looks very reefy/ rocky and shallow so if the fortescue is anything like that then be very carefull.... And take more photos for us to see as they are fantastic pics....
NEVER PUSH YOUR GRANNY WHEN SHE'S SHAVING
fords_rule85
Posts: 116
Date Joined: 05/03/09
Nice pics
All I can say is WOW! those pics are awesome. My fav would hav to be pic 4, how often can you watch the sunset with a sky full of stars. What a great part of our country.
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
thats actually the moonrise
thats actually the moonrise mate - nigh on impossible to get stars and a sun in the same frame unless your up to no good with ND filters!
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
so your the lucky bugger who
so your the lucky bugger who brought Kimberley Salt, i almost changed from the cruisecraft to that boat whne it was for sale but it wouldn't fit in my driveway.
There is a big hole right near the boat ramp you can park in which is very sheltered, how further up the creek fares on low tide i don't know but if you sit in that hole at least the fishing is good, some deeper spots/channels on the far side/south side of the river.
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
dodgy
Posts: 4576
Date Joined: 01/02/10
There are a few little
There are a few little islands just off the mouth. I would prefer to camp there for a couple of days diving for a few crays instead of fighting off the insects in the creek. South east side of Sholl island is a good spot.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
thanks boys good tips for
thanks boys good tips for spots and yep will deffo be gettn some more shots, we are off to do the kimberley straight after the montes, montes just a shake down for the big trip up to Kuri bay!
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
tailor marc
Posts: 2979
Date Joined: 27/09/06
Great shots!!
Great shots!!
My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
you to mate - loved your set
you to mate - loved your set on the swanbourne asylum
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
can do it easy mate, you will
can do it easy mate, you will see on the south just before the natuaral ramp (you cant miss it) side there is a sandy section to set up camp, plenty of fire wood around etc and good all round protection from the elements. the ramp is on the north side of the river, one word of warning. when the wind drops that place is one of the worst for midgies i have ever experienced.
Daisy
Posts: 789
Date Joined: 24/01/08
Terrific photos and jealous
Terrific photos and jealous as, Montes then a Kimberly haul, couldn't think of anything better
Yep if I had the choice (and an 8 meter boat) I'd be overnighting at Steamboat or Stewart islands. Whichever way the winds coming from (EAST) just park on the Leeside. Also have you considered just staying onboard, much better peace of mind (and sleep) with the anchor alarm on.
The view expressed in this post is that of a self opinionated bullshitter and does not reflect that of this website, it's owners, mediators, other members or anyone else for that matter :-P
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
yeah know what your saying
yeah know what your saying but enjoy doin the tom hanks survivor thing! Nowadays i rig up a side line to the tent from the stern anchor rope, if the boat goes anywhere so do i...:)
ill check out stewart and steamboat, thanks for the info
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
i found steamboat 20kms due
i found steamboat 20kms due north of the rivermouth - on GEarth it looks to have a rocky western side, is that not so?
i cant find stewart but can you give me more info please ta!
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
dodgy
Posts: 4576
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Stewart is the little one
Stewart is the little one directly in the path of Fortescue to Monties. Around 20 52 635, 115 56 433 will get you close. Has afairly protected bay on the northern side (depending on wind direction) but looks like getting onto the beach would be tricky. Itrs 20km run from Fortescue Mouth.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Daisy
Posts: 789
Date Joined: 24/01/08
Yep the western side is
Yep the western side is mainly rocky apart from the southern tip which is a sandbar. Usually moor either side of the sandbar depending on conditions and camp on it, as Dodgy says it's a bit tricky at Stewart if staying ashore.
The view expressed in this post is that of a self opinionated bullshitter and does not reflect that of this website, it's owners, mediators, other members or anyone else for that matter :-P
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
cool shot, when you heading
cool shot, when you heading up to Kuri. We are off to Cone, Strickland Bays then Yampi Sound launching this Saturday from Derby!
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
i may meet you over there
i may meet you over there mate
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
brad are you going to the
brad are you going to the montes? dates? cheers dave
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
field
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 06/02/11
sweet - we've never done it
sweet - we've never done it before half filled with trepidation and half with excitement. were leaving not till june 6
can you make some advice?
how many spare props?
how handy is a small tender, assuming we dont want to waste time sittin out low water?
is it safe to sleep on the backs of boats in estuaries! like up at gunwhale level cos thats where our improvised bunks sit at!
are you refuelling, from mr kemp?
where do you leave your vehicles in derby?
sorry for qustions!
Dave Hancock
dave@fieldtouring.com
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
first time for me
first time for me up that way so the excitement is clouded with stress of the unknown.............
I've just changed my Stainless prop for an aluminium one today, should I hit something I should get one life with the Ally then put the stainless on.
Im getting fuel From mr kemp for $600 a drum(200L). Not taking a tender so I'll see how that goes.
I'm back before you leave so should be able to share some more info I my return.
Cheers
CCC
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
i think you'll find
i think you'll find PilbaraBrad is doing a Monties trip not the Kimberleys Field.
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
was going to go to cone bay
was going to go to cone bay area and meet up with ccc (chris V) decided due to easterlies i am still going to go to the montes some time in the next two and a half weeks if the weather lets me. i am on leave the whole time so if there is a good weather window i am there!
Glenn Higgins
Posts: 45
Date Joined: 10/05/07
Should have left this arvo
Should have left this arvo Brad awesome day down here
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
been really good all week
been really good all week mate, bloody work! hopefully get a break after this next high