Fresh Water...Just for something Different!

[twoutes]

Hi Guys and Gals.

With it being so cold down here in Melbourne at the moment, l find myself doing more and more fishing up North in sunny Qld.

Just recently l was invited to fish the 'World Sooty Comp' at Eungella Dam just West of Mackay in Qld. This is a 'Man Made Dam' which was built purely to hold water to accommodate the mine close by. They use  the water it holds for cooling purposes, for their heavy digging equipment.

In turn a dedicated local group of fishermen stock this dam and many around the area with fish native to the area. They go by the name of 'Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association' They hold the 'world Sooty comp' every year in order to raise money to purchase fingerlings, allowing future generations to enjoy some fresh water fishing in the future. This year saw over 84 competitors taking part, resulting in over $5000 raised from the weekend. This means that they can purchase 5000 barramundi fingerlings and raise them for release into dams in the area.

Yours truly has not got a competitive nature, but a first time sooty fisherman managing to rank 40th for the comp. WOOHOO!!!! all l can say it was lots of fun fishing with my good friend Talina from Townsville.

Here are some photos from the weekend.


The Eungella Ranges high up in the hills sits the Dam.. View from our Camp


A Sooty Grunter caught on Spinner Baits....Great Barra And Sooty  Territory
Only Sooties counted in this comp though

[twoutes]

Above.......My friend Talina and l with Sooties. These fish were held in a holding tank live to be taken back to base camp for measurement, then release back into the dam that evening



this was our rig for the weekend...there were 30 or more of this style boat on the dam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wJJy1KL2WE&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wJJy1KL2WE&feature=channel_page