Alex's Column 12 June 2025

The second “Old School Barra Catch Up” was held last month along the iconic Daly River, bringing together a group of seasoned anglers keen to celebrate barra fishing the way it used to be: simple, social and low-tech.

The idea behind the three-day event was to revive the spirit of earlier days on the Daly, before fishing became a high-stakes, high-tech pursuit requiring complex electronics and gruelling schedules.

This laid-back gathering focused more on camaraderie than competition, appealing especially to anglers who once regularly fished the major Daly River tournaments but have since stepped away due to the rise of sophisticated sonar systems and the increasingly demanding nature of the events.

Organised by long-time mates Darren Bromley and Gary Rawlins – both respected veterans of the barra tournament scene dating back decades – the event was designed to offer a low-pressure alternative.

It gave like-minded anglers the chance to reconnect and enjoy the river without the bells and whistles of modern tech.

Darren made it clear that fancy gear was off the table: only basic sounders were allowed, stripping things back to a more traditional approach where fish-finding relied on instinct and watercraft rather than digital wizardry.

“We picked a time after the big comps so the river would be quieter and more enjoyable for everyone,” Darren said.

The event was strictly invitational and intentionally small-scale, with only 16 boats and 36 anglers taking part.

There were no dawn stampedes to the ramp, no long days under pressure, and no stress about rankings or leader boards. Instead, participants eased into each day with casual launches, were encouraged to return safely in the afternoon, and spent their evenings gathered around sharing stories, laughs and the day’s highlights.

“It’s fine if you moor up on the bank or tie to a tree, but if you’re fishing a creek mouth, we just ask that you don’t park there all day so others get a fair go,” Darren explained.

Unlike conventional tournaments, there were no categories or podium finishes – the only fish officially recognised was the biggest barra landed over the three days; this year, an 80cm beauty caught by Dylan Murphy.

As Darren pointed out, the focus wasn’t on trophies but on leaving something behind: all funds raised were donated locally for the benefit of the Daly River community.

This year, more than $8000 was raised. Of that, $3500 was donated to St Xavier Catholic School at Daly River Mission, $500 went to Charles Darwin University for sawfish research, $1000 in fishing gear and recycling bins was provided to Banyan Farm and Woolianna Public School, $500 supported AFANT’s barra-tagging program, and eight solar lights were installed at Banyan Farm to improve safety and amenities.

The “Old School Barra Catch Up” may not make headlines for big fish counts or flashy gear, but it certainly struck a chord with those who remember when fishing was more about fun, friendship and a feed—values that still run deep on the Daly.

Alek Gangur gives the thumbs up to Lachlan Sohn who caught this 75cm barra in front of the Banyan Farm during the Old School Barra Catch Up.

Dylan Murphey, Kirrah Codrington and Ray Murphey with their triple hook-up during the Old School Barra Catch Up.

Territory fishing legend, Wayne “Buffalo” Ross, fronted up to the Old School event and came away trumps.