25 September 2000 - Volume 4 Issue 8

Have you been watching the Olympics! Fantastic stuff, wonderful sport and its great to see the competitive edge coming out in the real champions - and what about all those world records in the pool. For a relatively small nation (approx. 19 million people) the Aussie's are doing very well...... And what's this all about you might ask?

Well from the inquiries we are receiving and the charter / holiday packages we are putting together, the post Olympic period is shaping up as one of the busiest times ever seen up this way. Some hotels have waiting list as long as your arm, and game skippers are like hen's teeth - very difficult to find. Calm water guides are wondering when they can take a day off.

So please don't delay - if you want a fishing experience second to none during the very best time of the year - get your order in pretty quickly.

The Rivers

The warmer conditions are seeing a subtle change in the river environment; the target species too are in change over mode as the summer month's approach. Queenfish numbers are tapering off slightly, big G.T.'s are patrolling the tidal flats and the barra are starting to stir into greater activity in preparation for spawning. A recent report of over a dozen legal size fish coming from the mangrove reaches of the mighty Daintree testament to this fact.

Sightings of these fish amongst the wed beds and a substantial increase in the number of mangrove jacks from the snags heralds the start of the best fishing months of the year.

From Hinchinbrook in the south to the Tip of Cape York - its prime time fishing for barra, jacks, fingermark, G.T.'s, grunter, tarpon, black jew and salmon.

Trinity Inlet

This waterway is proving very unpredictable of late - the seasonal change obviously confusing the fish and the anglers. One day a few barras are caught, the next monster black jew from the deep holes, and then the occasional salmon and flathead - but there is no consistency at present. There are still plenty of good size prawns however and some time spent chasing these with the cast net is not a waste I can assure you.

Blue Water / Reef Fishing

The return of the south-east winds during the past week after over a month or near perfect conditions was a rude shock and a strong wind warning has even kept the fleet in the marina on a few occasion. The mackerel run is all but over although big loners can be caught all year round. It is prime time however for that delicacy of the sea, the magnificent coral trout and good numbers have been caught along with the usual reef brigade.

Game Fishing

Its that time of year when all the attention turns to the anticipated arrival of the big blacks - and the game boat skippers have not be disappointed. Trolling dead baits and lures for small game, and having the offering monstered by a 700 lb black marlin is a rude awakening I can assure you. If you think staying connected to a fish of that size using only 12lb string is easy - think again! The number of sightings of big fish has pleasantly surprised many skippers this past few weeks, they weren't prepared initially but they certainly are now. Reports of several shots a day on blacks ranging in size from 300 to 700 lb are common with most skippers working along the reef reporting opportunities. The real danger though is in missing out on that fish of a lifetime - many vessels are already booked out for the season.

The Cape

Its all been said before - if you want fishing as wild and as exciting as it can get, in a remote, pristine environment. A little fished location. Where the water is as clean and clear and as blue as you have ever seen, where white sandy beached stretch for miles and the fishing options are only limited by your imagination. Australia's Cape York Peninsula is the place for you.

October and November are the very best months of the whole year to fish these waters and being the start of summer, the hordes of general tourist have gone and the keener angler arrives. Sure its starting to get hot and a little humid; but that's what the fish love.

Targets include big barramundi, mangrove jacks, fingermark, black jew, trevally, bigger trevally, XOS trevally, golden trevally, queenfish, spanish mackerel, king salmon, blue salmon, longtail tuna, yellowfin tuna, barracuda, sailfish ..........

Catching a hundred fish a day, retreating to your air-conditioned resort and sucking on a few coldies in the evening, chatting with new friends and fishing buddies about the ones that didn't get away, its a small price to pay.

So come on all you anglers, now is the time!

Hook Wine & Sinker Seafood and Wine Fare 2000

Saturday October 14 2000, 3pm-11pm at Fogarty Fountain Park on Cairns Esplanade. Sample exquisite local seafood dishes prepared by Cairns top hotels and restaurants whilst sipping on some of the finest wines Australia has to offer.The Hook Wine & Sinker also features top local musicians playing jazz and R & B, plus mud crab racing, street theatre, face painting for the kids and much, much more.

Adults: $12.00 (includes commemorative wineglass)
Children $ 6.00 (under 14)
Family $30.00 (2 adults and 2 children)

For further information visit www.hookwineandsinker.com.au

See you on the water,
Les Marsh