Fishos take full advantage of biggest tide in living memory

While the highest tide in living memory caused headaches for motorists, the inundation of Cairns streets offered a rare opportunity for mad keen fishos. See the hilarious video.

While the highest tide in living memory caused headaches for motorists, the inundation of Cairns streets has offered a rare opportunity for mad keen fishos.

King tides peaked in Cairns at 3.55m on Sunday morning and surpassed the 3m mark again at 9.49am on Monday.

Traffic controllers were busy erecting saltwater flood warning signs and traffic cones throughout affected streets in Portsmith, Cairns North and in the CBD.

Chloe Fitzgerald, Rachael Bates and Pat Burke get their feet wet crossing through king tide water on Aumuller St on Monday. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Mad keen fisho Brian Strike, who was born in Bungalow seven decades ago, took full advantage and went fishing for mullet outside his old mate’s Hartley St workshop at the weekend.

“I used to catch fish there 70 years ago and I knew it was going to be high and water across the road,” he said.

Parts of the neighbouring workshop Ultimate Cleaning Products NQ was flooded by the massive tide, and workers on Aumuller St removed shoes to cross the road as during the peak of tide that hit 3.42m on Monday morning.

Graham Reid from Reid Motors on Hartley St stands in king tide water outside the workshop. Picture: Peter Carruthers

The recent flooding in the area has had a significant impact on local businesses including Reid Motors founded by Graham Reid almost fifty years ago.

The Cairns resident believed heavy rain throughout the weekend caused the water to be higher than he has ever seen.

“They’re saying that we’ve had how (ever) many inches of rain in the last week and that must affect it,” he said.

Shane Walford rides through king tide water outside the Harbour Lights complex on Marlin Parade in the Cairns CBD. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“In 1974 and 79 we had big floods but the biggest king tide I ever saw was a bit lower than what it is now.”

He said nothing could ever be done by Cairns Regional Council and king tides impacting the area was just a part of life.

There are predictions of further king tides of 3.16m on Tuesday and 2.8m at 10.55am on Wednesday.

Big winter tides are expected again in August and September at a height of 3.28m.

Traffic controller Graham Harris puts out traffic cones on Aumuller St, Bungalow after the area was inundated by king tides. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Council advised motorists to drive carefully and slowly through flood waters for the safety of road users and pedestrians and to lessen the impact of bow waves, which can push water into nearby properties.

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Originally published as Fishos take full advantage of biggest tide in living memory