Oyster farming to be revisited later in the year, along with LNP and some KGW.
My brother Neil did some last minute repairs to a bent chine bar, which finally failed after being dragged thru bog holes, creek beds and over sand ridges.
The TIG welder sure makes it easier then stick welding, only need to shield the welding site from the wind, hence the sheet of corrugated iron.
We got to have a small snack of FRESH OYSTER before we headed north to warmer climes - KING ASH BAY here we come!!
It's warmer already!
In case you can not read the 'CAUTION' sign, a couple of handcyclist in front of the vehicle. Melbourne to Darwin 5,000k's for charity.
Great effort!
Brunette Downs rest area our last stop before KAB
April 20th, 6 days and 2,875k's later we arrived at KAB, a good drive, but will be great to kick back for the next 6 weeks.
Our resident snake killer!
Soon into our fly fishing mode.
The bain of all Barra fisherpersons, the Archer Fish, they stalk the same snags and rocks the Barra like.
Gave the cast net a try, with an every watchfull eye on any floating log's, as they can turn into CROC'S in a hurry!
My cast net effort, some fresh bait if needed when the wind get's up or we come across a big hole with big fish echo's on the bottom = Mullaway
The view from our fly and mozzie free zone. Almost private river access, to our tinnie out front.
Sun set facing east!
Good storm brewing, but this one slid around us.
On the prowl
Not so lucky with the next storm, flooded our BBQ area and____
Tinnie got a few inches of water onboard!
Just got back to camp and another storm brewing!
How good is this, fly casting to likely Barra haunt's in the mangroves, and end up with a mangled grab trap, still with bait in it. Later straighten out and good as new.
Cat fish dinner!
Picture post card sunsets!
Sunset cruise and trolling along the river bank. Looks like we have something hooked!
Wow! Our 1st Barra this trip @ 780mm, how ever not caught on fly, but we kept it all the same!
Evening and early morning cruisin'
Crabbers shack's at Davies Channel
Some of the more tame wild life
The only Barra we caught on bait!
It's hot out here!
Our neighbour's - Nick & Kylie
and Kylie's parents - Helen and Neville from the Gladstone region in Queensland
My 1st 'LEGAL' Barra on fly = 68 cm. Sue did a great job gaffing it!
More action!
Info Fish had a Barra tagging program in operation for any one interested. Thus we got all the gear and this is our 1st TAGGED Barra!
Sue's 1st Barra on fly, alas not legal, but tagged!
An alien had landed whilst we were out fishing.
This was a good day's fishing! 7 fish landed, 4 legal, > 55cm kept, with two being given away to friends Jack & Robin who live full time at KAB, and John & Liz our camping neighbours of two years ago.
Yes, I get to clean all the FISH!
John and Liz pet loves fresh Barra!
Magic morning for fishing!
The Barra was a keeper, and the Queenie released!
Another Tagged Barra!
Bill & Luba off for an early morning / all day fishing trip, they can hardly get in the tinnie with so much gear!
Sue's false Barra! Bugger another Archer Fish!
Our neighbours Don & Chris were having dismal luck landing any fish, until today that is which was a ripper!
Classic Barra run off creek, how ever more Queenies here than Barra!
Fly fishing has it's other rewards!
A mighty effort, the wasp dragged his lunch over ten metre's to his nest
The smallest Barra tagged = 27.5cm Tag # 0679
Another Barra haunt!
Sue's almost legal Barra on FLY! It came in at 54cm.
66cm on FLY, you beauty!
Exploring the creek run off's
A perfect cast near a snag, and zing! The line's dropped, 'FINGER BURN' a small line tangle sorted out and the fish is _________
On!!
Sue 1st legal Barra on FLY @ 71cm - a beauty!
Who's the happy camper!
As our freezer was near it's limit's and Alan our neighbour was departing in the AM, he received a Barra fillet from Sue.
We had fresh fish for TEA!
Three light weights in a TUB!
Starting to see a few of these guy's as the water was starting to cool down
Smoked Blue Nose Salmon on the menu at last!
Local wild life in ACTION!
Dennis & Monica off for an all day fishing trip
An early morning start & Alan was soon on the road
High and dry!
New type of tomato bush it seems? Some one lost them overboard as we picked up 6 from the river
Lots of action on the water. Alas they were Milk Fish as identified after jagging this one!
Spooky morning
Mirror conditions
GT on fly good fun to land!
Our last Barra and Archer Fish this trip.
We landed 31 Barra with 19 of these being TAGGED!!
John & Liz
King Ash Bay Service Station 'BRAG' board
Happy hour of two at Bill & Luba's camp.
Now you have got to be good to put the kettle on here! Take a close look at how it's balanced. Due to the heat it was just dropped on. A very lucky drop!!
No point is washing the van before we departed!
Next stop Burrnette Downs and Mt Isa to re-stock and check road conditions further south via Birdsville.
