A different sort fishing competition was held down the Daly River recently.
Called “The Old School Barra Catch Up”, its purpose was to get back to the good old days of fishing barra comps on the Daly, when fishing was far more relaxed and you didn’t need a degree in computer science to catch fish.
The emphasis was on the social side and was basically convened for anglers who you used to fish the big Daly River competitions but stopped doing so since they became much more technologically complicated and a real endurance test.
This competition was organised by Darren Bromley and Gary Rawlins, both well-credentialed as old-school competitors dating back decades.
Darren explained it this way: “It’s a simple social get-together of like-minded people for three days on the Daly River, having a relaxing time trying to catch a fish or two.
“No fancy-pants high-tech gadgets (live, 360 etc), just basic sounders only, and you don’t need an electric motor if you don’t have one – it’s the old school way.
“We planned it for when the big comps were over, so the river would be quieter for us.
“It’s Invitational with limited spots and is a casual affair – no super-early starts, back at reasonable times for safety, and everyone gather round at night for a nightly round-up and possible storytelling,” Darren said.
There were 11 crews and 35 crew members in the Old School event.
In the preamble, I loved the comment: “It’s fine if you moor on the bank or tie up to a tree etc but, if at a creek mouth, we ask that you not stay there all day so others can have a crack at it also.”
Paul Zorn caught the biggest barra in the event at 94cm, a great fish from No Fish Creek that took an Akame Guppy 120 in Karen’s Pearl colour.
Zorny fished with Colin Burdon and Micky Quaiser, and they both cast and trolled, using the new Schneider Green braid and 55lb Schneider leaders.
“We caught our casting barra on Akame Guppies and also trolled up barra in the snags with Reidy’s The Judge lure,” Col told me.
“The water was beautiful, and we managed to catch 44 barra over the three days, although there was a lot of small stuff.
“The nights were great down at the Banyan Farm, although Micky got a bit frisky on the microphone,” Colin joked.
There were no big prizes or winning teams in this event; the only thing recognised was the biggest barra,
The Old School Barra Catch Up raised $3489 which was donated to the St Francis Xavier Catholic School at Daly River Mission.
Peter Baldry, the school Principal, said the money would be used to set up a school-wide positive behavior initiative.
“We will create a shop that will be used to reward the students who are excelling in the school,” Peter explained in a “Thank You” email to the Old School’s Facebook page.
This novel event will be held again next year on 24-28 May.
The biggest barra of the Old School Barra Catch Up was Peter Zorn’s 94cm barra which was caught on a Akame Guppy 120, new Schneider Green braid and 55lb Schneider leader.
Colin Burdon and Micky Quaiser with Col’s “Old School” Daly River barra, caught snag-bashing with Reidy’s The Judge lure.
The Akame Guppy 120 worked well when a weedless lure was required.
