Alex's Column 30 May 2025

The dynamics of this year’s weird wet season had a significant impact on the Runoff; namely that it continued so late.

Also impacted was the annual Territory Freshwater Fly Fishing Tournament.

Normally held on Corroboree Billabong, and this year scheduled for 3-4 May, right up until the last moment, the road in was closed and it looked like the competition would have to be moved to Hardies Lagoon.

In fact, some of the competitors fished Hardies the week before to check it out just in case that’s where the fly comp was held.

It was only on the day before the official starting time that the road into Corroboree was opened to the public.

It meant that all competitors missed out on a prefish; it also meant that everyone started on an even footing.

The 11 Teams and 22 anglers competing all stayed at the usual Corroboree Park Tavern venue.

Scoring is based on the length of fish caught and released, with barra and saratoga worth double points.

Individual scores were very tight at the top end with only 133 points between first and fourth, which equates to one 67cm barra or saratoga.

Champion Team this year was Chuck and Duck, comprised of Bob Bekkers and Peter Thiel. They scored 4549 points.

Runner-up Champion Team on 4501 points was Draggin Flies, comprised of Peter Cooke and Richard Carter.

Peter Thiel scored 2341 points to win Champion Angler, with Richard Carter coming second on 2292 points and Peter Cooke placed third on 2209 points.

Species numbers were as follows:  29 barramundi, 38 saratoga, 739 tarpon, 114 catfish, 9 sleepy cod, 5 archer fish and 2 longtom.

Peter Thiel caught the biggest barra at 74cm – a great effort on fly.

Richard Carter and Peter Cooke shared the honours for the biggest saratoga at 63cm.

Damien McDonald’s whopping 43cm tarpon was the biggest.

According to regular competitor, Roger Sinclair, there appeared to be a water-quality issue,most likely due to the late “Wet Season” rainfall.

“Many competitors reported barra swimming around in a distressed state and showing little enthusiasm to bite,” Roger said.

“Saratoga numbers were dramatically low with captures being roughly 30% of what is normally caught and released during this annual competition, with water quality presumed to be the main culprit.

“Water in the northern section of the billabong was inky black with very few fish evident apart from the ever-present tarpon,” Roger explained.

Peter Thiel said that, on day one, his team discovered an area that held a few saratoga among the lily pads.

“When we visited that area on the second morning, the saratoga were absent but luckily there were quite a few barra present just outside the lily line that we were able to capitalise on,” Peter said.

“Our most successful flies were coloured black and red,” the winning angler said.

The tides this weekend are still fairly high at the tail end of the springs.

The mid-afternoon low tides are around 3m both Saturday and Sunday, which is not ideal for harbour barra fishing.

Notwithstanding, there won’t be much wind this weekend, especially on Sunday and especially late in the afternoon.

That makes for ideal sight fishing for barra on the flats up inside any of the harbour’s arms.

You could hit the water around lunchtime and make an easy afternoon of it, getting home before dark.

Fishing across the low tide at different locations in Shoal Bay could also be worthwhile, but you won’t get back into Buffalo Creek until after dark, which could be a nightmare given the vagaries of the channel at the mouth.

Offshore fishing is a great option this weekend.

I hear the mackerel are running and there are tuna schools about.

The Number 6 Buoy fished well last week for Vince Yuen and mates, both for jewies and macks.

Given the predicted calm sea conditions, I wouldn’t be surprised if a few boats go chasing billfish off Dundee.

Peter Thiel was Champion Angler in the recent Territory Freshwater Fly Fishing Tournament held at Corroboree Billabong.

This terrific saratoga helped Peter Cooke to place third in the fly comp.