Finally a member of the Metery Club

[twoutes]

Hi guys.
2013 is prooving to be a very hectic year but in a very nice way, with fishing trips every month since January. I've been very fortunate to do a trip to Townsville, and also a couple to Mackey where l've been trying to find one of those metre long barra. I just returned on Monday, with some success, finally, and l'd just like to share a report, some photos, and also a short video clip of the trip.
I'm off to Cape York in a few weeks, then the big one to Panama...Looking forward to sharing some more reports with you all real soon.



Apart from the lure to explore new grounds in North Queensland, the great friends l have made along the way, and the spectacular fishing, I've secretly held an obsession to snag me a metery barra. As you all may know these don't always come too easy, and definetly not to order, but for me my fourth trip to Kinchant Dam near Mackay, finally saw me hit the mark. Now l've been lucky enough to catch barra in King Ash Bay in the Northern Territory, Lakefield National Park, and a few rivers, and 'secret spots' around Townsville, but until now my PB was stagnant at 84cm.

l was picked up by Talina and Suzie from Mackay airport, and a quick detour to the local bottle shop to stock up with vital supplies saw us heading to Kinchant Dam where camp had already been set. Upon arrival l was greeted by Paul, Jodie, Brooke, Katie, and a nice cold beer, and re aquinted ourselves with prevoiuse encounters there at Kinchant. I was seated comfortably at camp keeping hydrated until Talina suggested we take Runamuc out to find a barra. We followed Brooke and Katie out in thier Stratos as best as we could to one of many very weedy locations. We were not successful in finding any barra on that short trip, and headed back to camp for some lunch and refreshments.

Compared to Melbournethe weather was hot, and it wasn't too long before we found ourselves having a dip.When Chewy returned from his short creek sooty session, he thought we were all crazy, and even Brooke though it was a bit cold when he entered the water to take a few snaps. I'm suprised this photo isn't blurry from the excessive camera shake  . We went out again that afternoon without success, and was happy to hit the sack at 'Hotel Grand Chancellor Kinchant' meters from the dam's edge.

The next morning, Talina was the first to get us on the board after she noticed some surface bait activity, and took Runamuc in that direction. This beautiful Gold barra came into the boat from his home among the weeds.

Later that afternoon we decided to do some trolling along the wall, where Suzie scored her first Kinchant Dam Barra, and another 'two handed' fish at that.

Now l had been there before, where l've watched others land barra, and left wondering if my turn would come, especially after Talina announced that we should probably start heading back to camp. Suzie suggested we do one more pass, and another opportunity for me to score. I was asked to give Jeff, the sooty comp tournament director a call to confirm that we would catch up at Eungella Dam the next morning, when all of a sudden my rod jurked forward with that famiiar and very welcoming barra strike. To say l was very excited is an understatement, but when l saw the head and shoulders of my barra l was sure this fish was going to beat my PB, but first l had to get it on the boat. A few more jumps closer to the boat made me wonder if l had finally caught a Metery barra. Talina scooped it up with the net and soon after confirmed its length. Right on 1 metre. I believe l was heard Yahooing from the other side of the dam and many photo shots later headed back to camp to celebrate.

Husband and wife, Paul and Jodie also did well that afternoon, and l believe Jodie is inching closer and closer to her target. We watched Paul catch another nice barra, and some more opportunites to capture these special moments on film.

I went to bed feeling very satisfied that night but also contemplated how lucky l have been to be given the opportunites that l have.

I was awoken very early the next morning from the barra boofing close to camp, and opened my eyes to see Suzie trying to annoy one off the back of Runamuc......Now if that's not an awesome view l don't know what is.

I'd like to thank everybody, and there is many, who have helped me along this journey so far, and i look forward to many more great adventures to come.

Here's a short clip l've put together of the trip.

[shanook]

looks like your having fun Matey........well done. Fantastic as usual.

[twoutes]

looks like your having fun Matey........well done. Fantastic as usual.

thanks shanook...l'm trying my best .......we're here for a good time...not a long time