NAFA
Jul 2, 20131 min
Catch up on additional NAFA Magazine Editions in Back Issues
ON THE COVER:
Front Cover: Melanie Jade Ottaway with her golden snapper in Arnhemland, Northern Territory. (Photo by Alex Julius)
Back Cover: Fire-blackened country and dust, part of the Cape’s driving fun. (Photo supplied by Dick Eussen)
$19.95(Inc GST) + $15.00 Postage & Handling
12 AJ’S TAKE
14 HERVEY BAY BILLFISH BONANZA PT 1
In 2012, a huge recruitment of juvenile black marlin surged down the east coast of Australia. The quality of fishing for these feisty little billfish was outstanding at many locations, including Hervey Bay. Peter Morse reports.
26 HERVEY BAY BILLFISH BONANZA PT 2
Sight casting to black marlin over gin-clear sand flats, leading them to the shallows and getting out of your boat to land them on a beach… how good is that? Scott Mitchell completes the story.
32 MORNING GLORY
Offshore jigging is as much about time and tide as lure choice. When you’re in the right place at the right time, nothing else matters. Lee Brake explains.
41 FISHING THE TERRITORY
42 ADELAIDE RIVER BARRA GUIDE
The Adelaide River, just 60km east of Darwin is heavily fished by the local angling fraternity and, as Chris Errity reports, the river often produces outstanding run-off fishing.
50 WHO LET THE BULLDOG'S OUT
There seems to be a strong correlation between elite sportsmen and a love of fishing. Darwin local Peter Zeroni recalls a recent trip when a couple of AFL Western Bulldogs players, Ryan Griffen and Clay Smith, came to town and hopped aboard Barraddiction for some non-stop jigging action.
58 AURORA KAKADU KLASH 2013
In truth, a more apt name for the 2013 Aurora Kakadu Klash would have been Kakadu Klashless…the fishing was just that tough! A report by Alex Julius.
68 BULLO RIVER BULLETS
Bullo River Station, on the edge of the mighty Victoria River system, is a homestead oasis. The homestead has exclusive access to the Bullo River, and the barra receive little fishing pressure, as Linclon Kirby found out to his delight.
78 NAFA in association with Shimano is giving readers a chance to win one of 10 Shimano rod and reel combos worth more than $600 each.
79 A MURRAY COD TRILOGY
When three angling writers with shared passions get together for a few days fishing, what do you reckon the upshot is? They each tell their story of course. Steve Cooper, Rod Mackenzie and Alex Julius share their tales of fishing for big Murray cod on the beautiful Murray River itself.
80 THE JINX
Scoop reckons cod fishers are one-eyed and regard all other finned creatures as being less than cod.
84 NOTHING BUT THE KEG
Thanks to deep pools laden with thick old snags, the Murray River is home to some mighty big cod. Rod Mackenzie explains.
88 FISHING WITH CODMAC
If you want a crash course on how to catch big Murray cod, you go spend a few days in a boat with Rod Mackenzie. That, as AJ discovered to his great delight, is the simple plain truth of it.
96 BALINESE BRUISERS
John Cahill explains how the giant GTs add to the allure of one of Australia’s favourite tourist destinations
102 WET, WILD & RAW
Al McGlashan has turned his passion for the ocean into an enviable career as a photographer who has now taken the plunge resulting in some truly spectacular images. NAFA is pleased to publish some of Al’s best photos.
116 VICAR OF JIGLEY
Dorian Mode meets a fishing vicar, and learns all about the art of baptising squid jigs.
122 NEW ZEALAND ON A BUDGET
According to Starlo, a self-guided trout fishing trip to New Zealand is one of the easiest and most affordable holidays you’re ever likely to shout yourself.
134 A STITCH IN TIME
According to Rod Harrison, there’s a cool saying about picking up snakes to hit sticks. Some of it applies to fishing, in particular casting and fighting.
140 NAFA in association with JM GILLIES is offering readers a chance to win a magnificent tackle box full of barra fishing pleasure worth more than $1700.
142 IN EUSSEN'S FOOTSTEPS
Warren Steptoe visits the Gregory River to follows a fishing trail pioneered by Dick Eussen.
148 TOP END ALLURE
Prior to Easter this year, the NT’s Top End was experiencing one of its driest wet seasons on record. Finally the rains came pouring down, filling parched floodplains and raising the big rivers to overflow. In their wake was a rejuvenated North Australia, and this NAFA’s stunning Good Gear Model, Melanie Jade Ottaway – a talented angler in her own right – was there to experience it. Pictorial by Alex Julius.
162 TECHNIQUES FOR CATCHING BIG FROGS
Jarrod Day opens his box of tricks to tell readers how to catch dusky flathead on lures in East Gippsland.
166 BONDI STYLE
There is more to Bondi Beach than bikinis and surfboards. Phil Atkinson reports it is worth the effort to wet a line on this iconic Aussie beach.
174 WELLESLEY ISLANDS - NORTH QUEENSLAND’S BEST KEPT SECRET
Andrew Boughton takes on a long-range seafaring adventure in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and finds a fishing paradise.
180 GOOD GEAR
BOATING
182 NAFA ON BOATS
182 AVOIDING TRAILER PANIC STOPS
NAFA’s Boating Editor Warren Steptoe says new fish in new places is one of fishing’s great pleasures, and brings you face to face with the reality of fishing travel.
190 NEW SAVAGE FIBREGLASS BOATS
The famous Savage brand has launched into a new boating era thanks to an exciting range of value-plus fibreglass boats. By Alex Julius.
196 STACER NOMAD
199 BOATING NEWS
PRODUCT AWARENESS
38 Lowrance software boost; win the ultimate barra trip
56 Darwin Barra Fishing Tours
67 Fishing and Outdoor World
73 NT Fisheries: barotrauma
76 Mustad: One Man’s Hooks
121Sage ONE Series fly rods
160 Tackle World: Hook up with a local
189 Yamaha Game Changer
194 Simrad upgrade
6 WILD PLACES
DICK EUSSEN looks to the stars and seeks the meaning of life.
8 HEADING HOME
Starlo left Darwin to drive to a new home on the NSW South Coast. Here are his tips for the long distance road traveller.
18 SILVER GYPSY
Steve Cooper is living the Great Australian Dream: living and working from a caravan as he makes his way around Australia.
24 SLIDE-ON CAMPERS
Dave Donald wanted to tow his boat, but didn’t fancy tent-style accommodation, so he went for a slide on camper.
32 CAPE ESCAPE
Outdoors editor DICK EUSSEN escapes to the wilds of Cape York.
39 MOUNTAIN BIKE TOURING
In Part 1 of a Mountain Bike Touring series, IRA gives sound advice for anyone wanting to pedal to remote areas.
44 ZALINGA
Editor Alex Julius tastes the fruits of a famous Hunter Valley winery.
50 HONEY & BEE
Dorian Mode gives us a not so subtle lesson of life.
52 GOATS
Goats are one of the most useful animals to hunt, as Rod Harrison explains.
59 FRIDGE GUIDE
NAFA’s guide to portable fridges and ice-boxes is a page turner, letting readers go shopping for details without leaving home.
67 OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS
There’s plenty of gadgetry to suit most tastes.