By my reckoning, the monsoon arrived in Darwin at 5.00am Tuesday.
I can’t remember such a precise monsoonal burst happening; normally, it creeps in and spreads.
Perhaps it’s because we’ve been hanging out for a monsoon that should have been here more than a month ago.
Perhaps it’s because the colossal rainfall north Queensland has been experiencing just surged across the Top End.
Whatever the reason, it sure hasn’t been a minute too late.
As the Top End hopefully continues to soak up the welcome deluge and restricted fishing opportunities, it’s not too late to consider some resolutions pertinent to our fabulous fishing lifestyle up here.
A good one for the Runoff ahead might be to make an effort not to look upon your fellow anglers in other boats as mortal enemies.
At one time or another, we’ve all been guilty of it.
Usually it happens when you’re on a spot catching fish and someone else turns up and begins fishing next to you.
You’re actually allowed to do that, although proper fishing etiquette really ought to be observed when you move in on someone else’s action.
The most important thing is to minimise the intrusion.
For example, if a boat is trolling up and down a particular stretch of river, propping your boat on spot-lock right in its troll path is anything but proper fishing etiquette.
Similarly, if a boat is positioned and casting to a creek mouth during the Runoff, it’s only fair that you should only stop there too if you can do it in such a way that you don’t impede upon the casting area of the anglers in the boat anchored there first.
If it looks like you might impede on their casting range, it’s good manners to ask if you can fish next to them; it’s doubtful anyone would say no.
The bottom line is that we are all into this wonderful pastime of fishing for similar reasons, so we all have something in common and we each should respect that.
It’s funny that, when anglers meet away from the water – in the pub, at a barbecue, or just filling up at the local servo – invariably they get on like a house on fire.
Away from the water, we will happily brag to fellow anglers about how many fish we caught on our last trip, but if you turn up at the spot when we’re actually doing it, we’re usually far more secretive.
Okay, that’s enough on that one; let’s get into some New Year’s resolutions that look after the fish themselves and their habitat.
A good one would be to resolve not to take any more fish than you need.
There are bag limits that cover just about everything catchable in the NT at the moment, and they’re there for a reason.
In the case of barra, why not go through 2025 determined to release every fish over 80cm that you catch?
If you want to brag about the big ones, just take a photo and send it to me; I’ll happily get the word out.
If you are an amateur fisherman, and you have been subsidising your income by catching and selling fish on the black market, why not resolve to give it away, stick to the law and become popular with your fellow anglers again?
If you are a commercial fisherman, and you never knock back the opportunity to poach – for example, by setting a barra net right across a creek mouth or up above the legal limit – why not resolve to make your living honestly for a change?
Do you realise what damage it does to the reputation of your industry and to those within it who abide by the rules when you get caught poaching?
What about the stocks themselves?
If you move along the coast from one creek to the next, setting your nets illegally and literally hoovering out the barra until it’s not worth you being there anymore, then you are not only hurting the resource but you are stealing from your commercial colleagues and from the rest of us in general.
Of course, you don’t even have to like fishing to damage the resource and the aquatic habitat and food chain.
If you’re a farmer or a cattleman, for example, you know when you are engaging in practices that might contaminate the water, or impede its flow, or simply kill fish unnaturally and so unnecessarily.
Barra mean so much to so many people up here, both socially and economically, bringing both joy and widespread employment, so why not resolve to safeguard its habitat wherever it exists on your property?
Finally, if you are a paid servant of the public, an elected official, or an influential person on issues piscatorial, a solemn resolution to look after the barramundi for Territorians, for our visiting interstate friends and for the future would be a damn good one in my book.
Ian Jones nursed his magnificent Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge big metrey before releasing it unharmed.
Steve Harris is not unaccustomed to catching quality barra… this one went 88cm.
