There’s only one way to celebrate: Go fishing.
Over the last couple of years I have become quite the fisherwoman, if I do say so myself. My stronger, taller and for the most part more capable half has taken it upon himself to teach me the ways of the water. We’ve wet a line from river banks, from the beach into barrels of surf, on glassy lakes and way out in the deep ocean. I’ve learned how to use frozen bait, live bait, lures and by far the worst, beachworms (that texture!) Somehow, sometimes from skill I’ll argue, sometimes completely by chance, my line has managed to pull in a variety of fish, too. I’ve snagged decent sized Kingfish and Dolphin fish, Australian Salmon, Flathead, Whiting, Bream and all the way down to a damn Toadfish. That man of mine ought to be proud of his student I’d say.
Sunrise, sunset and all day fishing! (Image: Getty)
For all of this success (and a lot of failures too, mind you), there is one place we haven’t yet conquered, the Top End. The NT. Our appetite for heading north was suddenly wet this week when a friend of ours drove halfway across the country – from the NT back to the East Coast, with two fresh fish in tow. He literally sped across two states as fast as he could so we could smoke these two fish he’d caught and eat them at 7am on a Sunday in Brisbane. That is dedication to the sport (and flavour and probably our friendship too).
The NT, A Whole New Sea Of Fish
I tell you what, it’s opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Barramundi, Jewfish, Mangrove Jack, Tarpon, Sooty Grunter, my word, the fish up there are something else. Not to mention the locations. From Darwin alone you can head along the coastline, into the mangrove lined estuaries, out into Darwin Harbour, or offshore. Jump in the car and the possibilities stretch to Kakadu, Katherine, the Daly River, Finns River and Arnhem Land. The NT really is an Anglers dreamland.
Joining a charter with a local will be your best bet for catching something. (Image: Getty)
So I think it’s time we start planning a trip to the NT; one that involves fishing from a boat – no crocs for me thank you – and the chance to catch one of the NT’s most iconic fish, the mighty Barra. We could do a self-driving holiday, an organised tour to take in the sights at the same time, or a mix of both. Do we want to splurge on plush accommodation or save our money for a longer fishing charter? The options for the NT seem endless.
Planning a trip to the Top End doesn’t need to be difficult though. In fact, I think I’ve got the perfect solution: a wet line to mull it all over on National Gone Fishing Day.
So what are we doing this Sunday? Going fishing of course.
If National Gone Fishing Day, Sunday 16th October also inspires you to wet a line, in touch with your Flight Centre Travel Expert to book a trip to the Northern Territory. Call 131 600 or visit your local store.
