Fishy tales enough to have barra enthusiasts drooling

With the Barra Classic in full swing down the Daly, it’s timely to report on a couple of great fish caught last week on the famous river.

Graheme “Spert” Mollet’s massive 126cm barra took a big green Bomber and was caught with Carl Skyring of Darwin Barra and Crabs

With the Barra Classic in full swing down the Daly, it’s timely to report on a couple of great fish caught last week on the famous river.

The first is a 108cm barra caught by Renee Borg who, together with partner Carl Skyring, operates Darwin Barra and Crab.

Renee has a colourful turn of phrase so I asked her to send me a short story about her capture. Over to Renee:

“May is the last month of our run-off season, in and out of the Daly River … so not much fishing for the cook, aka me.

“On this particular trip, I happen to throw in my GL2 and Chronarch; when I’m organised, there’s every chance to wet a line, more so when we have friends fishing here as well!

“So I mentioned to Craig Norton from Wangaratta, owner of Adventure Fishing And Camping, that if he had a spare spot to give me a hoy … and the next morning we departed at first light.

“The river is low and bait is scarce.

“We set lines for the troll, and Craig commented on how tight my drag is.

“I’ve decided to take the gamble and leave it that way; I’m running the risk of not letting a fish run, with the risk of losing the fish and lure in one go! But hey, why not? All I’m hearing of late is big fish being hooked and getting off?

“We troll and troll and we know the fish are there but they won’t bite! Frustrating, and we’re running out of beer! (Scary)

“Carl is also trolling up and down with clients and asking us if we have had luck, as they have boated a few.

Grahame “Spert” Mollet’s massive 126cm barra took a big green Bomber and was caught with Carl Skyring of Darwin Barra and Crab.

“He hurls a handful of Bomber 160s on the deck, and I make my choice and tie it on.

“No less than 40 minutes later and it’s all go with a bloody good fish!

“I can see it’s a definite metre-plus, even though it doesn’t show any more than its bucket mouth with a shake of her head above the water!

“Well out of my mouth come those colourful words of excitement … I’m screaming for the net and it’s not even alongside!

“Mal is on to it and tells me to calm down. Not hardly, I’m sure everyone who was nearby heard me!

“The fish didn’t run too hard at all until I had her alongside, then it’s stressful as she goes under the boat and twice around the outboard but I’m not letting her get away!

“I manage to steer her into the net thanks to Mal’s great netting and she is on board for a measure and a pic.

“Craig and Mal want to high five! Not me, hell no! I think I broke ribs with big hugs as we were ecstatic.

“It measured 108cm and was hooked well with all three trebles set in good – no damage to this beautiful fish upon getting the lure out, and she swam away strong as ever to fight another day!

“A massive thanks to Craig and Mal for having me on board!”

You’d have to agree it’s a great yarn from Renee.

By coincidence, the other big barra caught last week on the Daly was with Darwin Barra and Crab.

The angler was Grahame Mollet (aka Spert) and this fish was a monster at 126cm.

It too took a Bomber 160A, a green one.

This fish caused a bit of controversy when it was posted on the Tales From The Tinny website because part of its gills are clearly evident hanging down below its gill cover.

It never ceases to amaze me just how tough barra can be.

You can tell from the photo that it’s an old injury because there’s no blood and you can see part of its gill cover damaged, possible from an outboard.

In any event, Carl Skyring said the fish was hooked squarely in the mouth and nowhere near the gill cover of that massive head.

Apparently it flew out of the water several times, including three times right at the boat.

It swam away strongly when released.