Cape York bound.
Submitted: Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 19:32
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Troopster
I am planning a trip to
Cape York in Early June next year. I am hoping to spend a lot of time on the west coast fishing the Skardon and Pennefarther rivers. However we will have a few kids with us. My dilema is "CROCS" are we likely to come
home without our kids, if so, I can replace them with the mother inlaw. No, really is there heaps of crocs, is the fishing any good, and how is the track to get to these
places. Will be going in a 75 series Diesel Troopy, petrol patrol and Turbo Diesel Hilux.
Any assistance would be good.
Geoff
Reply By: miker - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 20:22
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 20:22
Geoff,
Was there last year. The fishing was very good around the mouth of the river. Didn't have a tinnie then (since rectified) but those who did made a killing. Crocs...
well what can you say...they're there and you need to be careful and respectful. We didn't see any during the day but torch light picked up the eye reflections at night as they do. We travelled with our two
young daughters and made sure they were continually kept aware of being "street smart" with the big lizards eg. ALWAYS keep your eyes on the water when near it, don't turn your back etc. etc. Basically common sense. Be careful but don't be excessively intimidated.
Mike.
AnswerID:
36109
Follow Up By: Troopster - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 22:12
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 22:12
Miker
What time were you there, how deep were the creeks, were abouts did you go. I guess I'm a bit interested in every thing about
Cape York. What ever you can tell me or
Ross would be great. What sort of fish did you catch what sort gear where you using, how many people were camping in the area (we are kind of trying to get away from the crowds.
Thanks heaps for your previous reply.
Geoff.
FollowupID:
26039
Follow Up By: miker - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2003 at 18:22
Wednesday, Nov 05, 2003 at 18:22
Geoff,
Sorry about not coming back but I don't get at regular intervals due to work. Hey, do yourself a fovour and get Ron and Viv Moons book on
cape York if you don't already have it. Very informative. We spent six weeks up there and and it was a great adventure. My other half who doesn't share my passion for the bush was totally taken with the whole trip as were the kids. Time over again I'd spend more time up around the "Tip"
Bamaga, Muttee Heads (mouth of the
Jardine River) and Sommerset. You'll have a ball. Don't drown your 4B as I did.
Mike.
FollowupID:
26216
Reply By: Meggs - Tuesday, Nov 04, 2003 at 13:33
Tuesday, Nov 04, 2003 at 13:33
Geoff don't get too paranoid about the croc's. I had my first trip to the gulf area this year and I was concerned about croc's so I read all the
information I could about them. One thing you will have to be very careful about is the kids as they look small to a croc and you look big so they will pick the easy meal first.
As far as the local go I was fishing from the bank in the Gilbert River and I was told there were only freshies there but I found a 3m saltie very interested in my fishing. At
Walker creek there is a
well used swimming rope in a tree no more than 10m from a croc
warning sign, I also saw the same at the Glenore weir. There is an old saying "if you can catch Barramundi there will be croc's there". If you have a boat you will see heaps on them on the mudbanks at low tide but they will be very spooky and will be in the water long before you can get anywhere near them.
One of the best
places to go to see croc's is the the Kawana Crocodille
farm in
Rockhampton. They have some very large unsociable crocs there in individual pools. Have the kids try and spot the crocs there and wait until they are fed and see the size of them and how far a large croc can come out of the water for a feed and keep at least that far back from the banks.
Billabong sanctury is good but for big croc's you can't beat Kawana.
My fishing was more in the southern area Norman,
Walker Creek, Bynoe, Gilbert and at
Cape Melville Muck creek.
Don't fish of a night time as they can see a lot better than you.
AnswerID:
36181