Daily Blog
ACUSCEN is a top quality portable adaptive electro-stimulator with bio-feedback, used for pain relief and to stimulate healing and well-being. www.scenars.com.au
January – April With the warmer waters pushing south, from January Marlin should be increasing in number and it is a good time to be searching for that big Blue Marlin. Bermagui is renowned for its abundance of Striped and Black Marlin through these months which can be awesome on lighter tackle. Smaller Yellowfin and Albacore can be found on the shelf with the odd one 30kg+ not uncommon. April - September April can produce good quantities of Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna but it is about May when you traditionally start to see the larger Yellowfin Tuna arrive and show what Bermagui is famous for. Yellowfin 60kg+ is the target from May onwards with Albacore & Bluefin Tuna also present during this time. November - December Smaller Yellowfin and Albacore can turn up in big numbers around this time depending on the season. For information regarding game fishing on the 41' Steber, Head Hunter, or accomodation call Grahame on 0413 462 256.
One of the best sport and fly-fishing opportunities Down Under is in Weipa, in Far North Queensland.
In a country where aquatic sports rule, Weipa takes the cake because charters offer the best active and laid-back tours around.
One choice is to wade waist-deep in the clear blue water and hope for a nibble from a barramundi or blue salmon while swigging an Australian brew.
The other, more adventurous choice, is to venture along creeks, rivers and coastal reefs and fight the notoriously testy red emperor, queenfish and coral trout.
Whichever one you settle on, make sure you bring your best equipment, as this location is one of the most challenging you'll ever find. Contact: Fly Fishing Adventures - +61 (0) 8 89811015 email: paul@flyfishingadventures.com.au
The Northern Territory has some of the best Estuary fishing in the world. Fresh and salt water collide along its vast coastline as many tidal rivers meet the ocean, providing the perfect environment for a fishing challenge.
The Daly, Victoria, Adelaide, Finniss and Mary Rivers are some examples of the Northern Territory's famous estuaries. They stretch from the Timor Sea and wind their way far inland, remaining tidal for many kilometres.
Kakadu National Park is also famous for its excellent Estuary fishing. The South and East Alligator Rivers that flow into the Park and on through Arnhem Land from the Timor Sea are favourites for many anglers.
Most Estuary fishing will require either trolling over the many hidden rockbars or casting into the smaller creeks that run from the floodplains. These creek mouths are a prime spot to hook a big one, as the fish congregate under the flow of fresh water running into the salt.
Access to the big rivers is easy. There are plenty of public boat ramps at different locations and most are connected via good roads. Join a local guide on a tour - they know the best spots and techniques, and their local knowledge can add an extra element of enjoyment to the experience.
Fish varieties caught in the Northern Territory's estuaries include threadfin and blue salmon, cod, queenfish.
Names
Chinook Salmon: Also known as King, Quinnat, Spring Sockeye Salmon: Also known as Red, Blueback Chum Salmon: Also known as Dog Coho Salmon: Also known as Silver Habitat
The Chinook, Sockeye,Chum and Coho salmon are amongst the most popular sports fish on the Alaskan coast. They can be found in all coastal waters from the artic down to the US Mainland and in most associated freshwater systems.
Size - The Chinook salmon is the largest of all Pacific Salmon having been found weighting up to 57kg. It is common to catch the Chinook today weighting up to13kg. The Chum is generally the next biggest averaging around 5 to6kg with the Coho Salmon following with average weights around 4 to 5kg. The Sockeye is the smallest of the four species averaging around 3kg. The averages above can vary in different areas and between males and females of different species.
Feeding - All Pacific Salmon feed on insects, small fish such as herring, Salmon eggs and plankton.
Seasons - Fly Fishermen in Alaska generally target Salmon during the spawning runs in spring, summer and autumn. At this time millions of Pacific Salmon return to the freshwater lakes and streams of their birth to fertilize and lay their eggs. It is quite a sight to see many broad rivers literally clogged with Salmon trying to migrate up stream. Chinook generally run in June and July, Chum in July and August, Coho in August and September and Sockeye Salmon migrate in July. This can vary slightly in different areas of the Alaskan coast.
Description - It is often very difficult to distinguish one species of Pacific Salmon from another as they can be similar in color and size and their colours can change according to habitat and breeding cycles. Chinook are generally the largest species and are normally blue/green in color. Chum are metallic green/blue developing vertical bars of green and purple during spawning. Coho are generally bright silver with black spots over the back and develop maroon to reddish sides during spawning whilst the Sockeye Salmon is normally metallic blue/black. All tend to have silvery sides with a white belly.
How to catch them - Most Pacific Salmon can be caught on fly tackle in streams and lakes from June to September.
Chinook or King Salmon are the smallest in numbers but the largest fish in size. They are generally found in deeper waters and best fished by drift boating.
The Chum is the least flavorful of the salmon but it is a great fighting fish. It is very aggressive when it first enters its native streams returning to spawning beds. These fish aggressively attack a bright colored fly that is presented in an erratic stripping motion.
The Coho Salmon could be billed as the most exciting and acrobatic Pacific Salmon to catch. The aggressiveness of this fish is amazing. While sight casting to pools of these fish in crystal clear streams you will see two, three, and even four fish move towards your fly. Once hooked, these brutes of the Pacific will make run after run trying to loose the hook.
Sockeye Salmon use river and lake banks for navigation so they will generally be swimming just a few meters from the bank. They migrate in massive numbers and are a great tasting fish.
Hot Spots - Alaska Equipment This is a general list covering Rainbow Trout and the four types of Salmon mentioned above. A more specific list of equipment and flies can be emailed on request.
9 foot, 6 to 10 weight rods Large Arbor, heavy drag reel, 200 m backing Floating line, some with sink tips 9 -12 foot leader, 3-5 ft for King Salmon Tippet 4 to 10kg
Popular Flies Again this will very depending on application. Some possibilities may include. - Elk hair - Caddis - Royal wolf - Stimulator - Calf hair - stonefly - Pink - deer hair - Pollywog - Foam pollywogs - Crystal Buggers - Egg patterns - Wooly bugger - streamers - Green headed leech - JW Enticer - Salmon - Bunny Bug - King Kong
