dirvin21 Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Just returned from a week in Far North Queensland, based at Lucinda at the southern end of Hinchinbrook channel. The saltwater fishing was tough we spent a day fishing the reef and the creeks for barra with very little to show for it. The other 2 fishing days I had planned involved hitting some freshwater systems in the area, all the spots we fished I found using goolge. Our first proper freshwater session was freshwater creek in Cairns. Only a small system but full of jungle perch, near the top of my bucket list. A beautiful system, full of JP's but as I had read very wary, these fish are the flightiest fish I've ever casted at and after 2 hours of fruitless strikes and a couple of dropped fish it finally happened it's been nearly 30 years since I first saw JP's in a book and have dreamed of catching one ever since, they're a truly stunning fish. Only managed 1 JP for the session but still absolutely pumped. On the way bac from Cairns we hit the Tully river, starting at the upper section in the Tully Gorge natonal park. The hits came thic and fast and after awhile finally came up tight on a fish. A khaki grunter similar to a sooty but endemic to the Tullythese things fight like demons. Continued casting for a couple more fish not a lot of size but a lot of fun. Heading away from Tully gorge we decided to fish an easily accessible piece of river for a last ditch effort to get a few fish for the arvo. The next half hour was insane with both me and Amy cracking some solid sooty and khaki grunter These things pull like trains I'd heard they were tough but I had no idea. With fading light the one last call was made and whilst running a zman grub and jigspinner down a rapid run the rod was nearly pulled from my hands, the fight was nothing short of brutal had to run downstream to bring the fish into a small beach all the while watching for crocs. in the end out came a 42cm sooty build like a tank. With that the day was ended on a fist pumping high. Our final day of fishing I planned a trip out to Herbert gorge accessing it from the bottom end in the Yamani section of Girrigun NP. This place is well known for big crocs and a chat with a local at the gate confirmed the rumours. A nice smoking hot half km walk in and we hit water This place was huge rugged and isolated and amazing there was also some very sinister looking croc water there were some very big slides on the bank in this section Amy didn't waste anytime getting some casts in we caught quite a few sooties fishing the deeper pools with most fish coming from the base of rapids similar to trout the Herbert fish weren't as big but beautifully coloured and just as hard fighting if not more. I did manage to hook a barra of about 65cm he took a couple of awesome jumps before my leader slipped through a gap in the jighead (a squidgy pro range very disapointed in the quality). We tried hard with bigger plastics for a barra but only eneded up with more sooties although Amy got smashed by what I assume was a big freshwater Jack. The heat ended up getting the better of us even after having a dip in a couple of safe sections. I intend to got back to FNQ and just focus on the freshwater options it was awesome we worked hard but cracked plenty of fish. Couple of suggestions if anyone gets inspired by this report pack light when trekking a couple of packets of plastics is all you need don't underestimate how much water you'll need we almost did luckily we had just enough to reach the car crocs are there we saw lots of croc evidence a long long way from the salt it's easy to forget they're there because if they're doing it right you won't see them (we did see a small one) cheers for reading Dave 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Wow! Looks like quite the adventure! JPs always fascinated me, back when I used to read Vic McCristal. I don’t think I’ll ever get to chase one. I’m envious! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfish Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Great read there Dave. Awesome stuff ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfisho7 Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Great report looks like you had a top time love the photos 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickmarlin62 Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Sensational report dave sounds like an awesome coupla days 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Now THAT is a report! Fantastic shots there - Amy is a great photographer too by the looks of things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Awesome report. Always a satisfying moment when you can tick off a new species from the bucket list Looks like you had a blast ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 What a fantastic report of your trip Dave! I cant say I’d be as keen as you knowing there are crocs around though ? But, you and Amy obviously had great time and you nailed a few species including the JP you wanted! Well done to you both! Cheers scratchie!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Also, check the Fishraider records lure section! I’m sure you could add a few there for your efforts! ? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonD Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Love the shark shirt with fish held out in front and those gaping jaws. Looks like a fun adventure. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rah Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 Top report mate. and looks like an awesome couple of days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 Great report. With the pictures probably the best report I've ever read on FR. richard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big Neil Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 What an amazing description of your adventure. You certainly don't mind working hard for your fish you guys. The rewards are more than justified when you put in that much effort. Many thanks for sharing it with us all Dave (and Amy). As always wonderfully complimenting photos to help describe the trip. Cheers, bn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regan Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 great report mate looks like you are having a great adventure up there 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizardboy Posted May 7, 2019 Share Posted May 7, 2019 (edited) Awesome report Dave, I saw it you had posted it a while back, and was looking forward to it but only just sat down to enjoy the read! Interesting re Khaki grunter, never new that, and your right about crocs. Reminds we a lot of a trip I did more than 10 years ago! Although we never got to the Herbert Gorge which looks awesome! Cheers, Gus Edited May 7, 2019 by Lizardboy Formatting 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirvin21 Posted May 7, 2019 Author Share Posted May 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Lizardboy said: Awesome report Dave, I saw it you had posted it a while back, and was looking forward to it but only just sat down to enjoy the read! Interesting re Khaki grunter, never new that, and your right about crocs. Reminds we a lot of a trip I did more than 10 years ago! Although we never got to the Herbert Gorge which looks awesome! Cheers, Gus Thanks mate.... and cheers for the link to your report it was an awesome read, I'm heading up there again in July to go barra fishing and again in September to target jp and sooties with my young fella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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