20200606 - Hardies lagoon - too cold!

So another early start - that in hindsight didn't really need one

So wind up again on harbour and offshore - so DFR club outing to Corroboree Park Tavern for the long weekend and the range of billabongs and lagoons as fly fishing options

We didn't stay/camp at the Tavern as my place in only 30 minutes away

As we drive past the tavern the outside temp was 13° - my place at Humptydoo was 18°

So cold morning without a doubt

We launch just after dawn. the ramp at little shallow on the end - and have since been told a bad dropoff at the very end- lucky we didn't go that far

I must say what an awesome location - first time I have fished it. So many fishy spots to cast to, endless even. seems on a different planet to corroboree billabong. Lilies different, banksides different, so tactics will need to be different

We started casting to bankside spots only a 100 or so meters from ramp

We frothed the water with our efforts for nothing for the next hour or so

Then at a spot in between other really good spots - peter lays out a cast, Fly lands on the edge of some crappy slimy weed , as usual let it sink and then when near bottom start stripping 

And then a nibble and a take - WE ARE on! (well I tied the fly at least!)

But Peter was on for sure!

But Peter is very worried as he last used this rod (10foot 6weight),  reel and set up on lake trout in Canada and he remembered he only has the lightest of tippets on - 8lb and the leader is over 18feet long when he used it for chironomid applications

So everything is slowed down and luckily the fish heads to middle of water - no snags no weed - awesome

After circling the boat a few times in its struggles to dislodge the small hook in the corner of its jaw - the fish comes meekly to the waiting net

Peter is stoked! – so am I 

His PB freshwater barra on fly!

So nothing seen for next several hours but archer fish

And of course a plethora of other wildlife

such as a Buffalo – this guy came of out thick scrub, attacked a small tree – bashing it. It was the only tree on the bank and the young bull had some serious issues to resolve it seems by the way he ripped apart the tree. He eyed us off and like the local fish saw no harm in us - so ignored us - and starting sauntering up to edge of water for a drink and to lick his nostrils several times - that last bit looked disgusting!

We also kept an eye out for crocs. We saw a couple of narrow jawed freshwater crocs, saw a couple of smaller saltwater crocs but up o nthe bank absorbing the sun's heat were two big crocs they were at least 4m plus versions 

I was so bored at times I snoozed a few times but Peter kept on casting and casting

Eventually all the good spots to cast was too much for me and I cast a few more times

As usually drop the fly off edge of weeds, pause and then staccato retrieve

Touch, touch – hook up!

Ended up one of the largest archer fish I have caught – a PB even - it looked bigger then the picture, I remember it bigger than the picture as it was the only fish I caught for the day

 So despite the cold start and despite the lack of fish

We had a great day – as any day fly fishing is better than sitting at home!

so where next - thinking tuna in harbour next weekend or if better wind conditions maybe off Dundee

must tie more flies too!

here is Peters final stages of his barra flight