Townsville anglers chase barramundi in streets, drains and waterways

Anglers throughout Townsville are chasing barramundi in streets, drains and waterways that did not exist a week ago.

ANGLERS throughout Townsville are chasing barramundi in streets, drains and waterways that did not exist a week ago.

People have been fishing from balconies at their houses and along roads. The barramundi season reopened last Friday and it is one of the most interesting starts to a season in Townsville ever.

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Fishing Warehouse has been open throughout Townsville’s chaos.

Dave Hodge from Fishing Warehouse says people are still visiting the shop to throw a line in to take the stress off. Photo: Chris Lees

Dave Hodge, who works there, said they had been busy, and said many people were using fishing as a form of stress relief.

“You can’t keep a barra fisherman down,” he said.

“(Sunday) was actually quite busy in the store and we had a few through (yesterday). There’s not a lot some people can do to help others, so you might as well go fishing, and everyone is pretty high strung at the moment.”

Mr Hodge said there were little pockets of water people could fish, although the good spots might not be in the usual places.

The keen fisherman hooked two barramundi in a drain down his street in Mount Louisa.

“It was just somewhere to take the young fella, he’s getting a bit of cabin fever,” he said.

“That’s the thing, even if you don’t catch anything it’s just nice to go for a walk.”

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Originally published as Townsville anglers chase barramundi in streets, drains and waterways