The Great Salmon Breakthrough

We headed down to Shell beach for a fish. We headed over to the rocks this time and it didn’t take long. We caught 8 leather Jackets in about 20 minutes and lost a couple of larger ones which darted under the rocks with our rigs in tow. This was the first time we had a run of catching more than one fish at a time.
We moved around to Browns beach which is famous for Salmon fishing. After we set up camp we went for a walk down to inspect our fishing spot. This is a 3km+ return trip up a big hill. We were collecting rubbish on the beach when we found some very interesting stuff. A Balaklava, gloves and then a black bag. We were not sure if we should look for the gun or body but it felt a little strange at first.
Later we headed down for a fish but nothing and I mean nothing. So we decided that Browns had no fish and we would move.

Today we headed over to Corny Point and a night at the caravan park.

Up early off to berry Bay which we were told by several locals was a good spot. We hit the beach early and it didn’t take long and we got some Tommies and Mullet. Once again the Mullet were undersize. Our efforts to catch Salmon were continually interrupted by sand crabs and we were able to drag a couple of quite large ones to shore. Then it finally happened the reel spun and this was no Mullet or Tommie. This was a real fish, now it is all well and good to land a big fish but getting him to shore is another story, and you often read about the one that got away. So I was real careful but also mindful of getting him in before he got off or broke the line. And then there it was on the sure our first Salmon and what a beauty he was 43cm and fat as well. The excitement was great and this is what I’ve been trying to catch for months. I had to get a grip and get that line bag in the water. Bang the big rod is bent over and I run and grab hold, I let it run and then wound it in some then it ran again. Then when winding it in it got off dam. Then the other line is hit and for a moment we were at it again. Then nothing he was gone and so was the rest of the Salmon. We fished for another couple of hours but nothing but it did not matter 16 days of fishing had resulted in 1 Salmon and that was good enough for us.
We packed up and drove across to Port Giles sand then headed up the coast deciding to stay at Ardrossan.

We woke up early and headed down to the jetty for some squiding. This was the first time we had not taken gear to fish and off course with only squid jigs in hand a massive school of fish circled where we were. They were that hungry we nearly convinced them to bite the squid jig. 17 days of sitting on jetties and beaches with hardly a fish to find and then when we cant catch them a bloody school of fish rock up. That really gives you the shits, so no squid they are all hiding. We went back had breakfast and decided it was time to come home.
17 days and and lots of different fish ( just a lot of undersize stuff we couldn't keep)
Trumpeters
Puffer fish (striped Perch) 2 different types
Whiting (Sand, King George & Weedy)
Tommy Ruffs
Mullet
Skate
Blue Swimmer Crabs
Sand Crabs
Leather Jackets ( 2 different types)
Sweep
Gar Fish
Port Jackson Shark
King fish ( got away last seen still swimming with my sinker)
Sea Bird ( lucky we got him off the hook)
1 x 43cm Salmon

Windy, Cold, Dodge tides and undersize fish

Up in the morning to move on to Port Victoria. We had a fish on the jetty 3 undersize King George Whiting and a Port Jackson Shark. We headed off to the camp site we stayed at before. The flies here were worse and we were forced to hide in the car all day until 7.30pm before we could cook tea. Once it was dark it was heaven and we sat around listening to the ABC radio and getting attacked by bugs once we turned the light on.
The battery is getting a little low after 6 days and a shower, and counter meal were ordered. We drove the short drive to Port Rickaby but there was no pub.

We bumped into the Peter & Cheryl who we met at Tiparra Rocks. So we changed plans again and headed to Point Turton and checked into the local Caravan Park a beautiful place with very clean amenities. (and walking distance to the Jetty & Pub).
We have been told that there are no fish here though, to which we thought there aren’t any anywhere else we have been either.
We were up bright and early to try some fishing again. It was nice and calm and there were squid everywhere. But they were extremely hard to catch with even the squid lady having trouble convincing them to get caught. There were lots of other fish and kingfish around so I focused on them. I got a nice Kingy on the line and fought with him for a few minutes before he headed under the jetty and as lost. Then Tina caught a sea bird, which like to attack bait. We had to cut the line to try to save him and later he spat out the hook. We saw that bloody Kingy swimming around dragging my sinker a few times a first in my fishing history. Unfortunately some squid was all we were able to return with.
We went for a walk around town and just like all these coastal towns they all have new subdivisions in progress. These mainly seem to made up of new holiday homes but still the local businesses must be seeing an increase in trade. A new Pub “Tavern on Turton” has been opened for about 12months and Wednesday is all you can eat night. We arrived for happy Hour and enjoyed some nice food.
As we were meeting Arnie & Rob back at Moonta on the weekend we headed back up the coast and stayed at Barker Rocks another free site on the beach. The weather is not getting any better with windy conditions seemingly getting worse each day.
We fished the evening and as usual small Tommies & Bloody Puffer fish were caught. Tonight we added a Skate on our growing list of species caught. We tried to cook him up as the tails are supposed to be nice but fell asleep in front of the camp fire and I burnt it completely.

The morning brought with it more strong winds and this blew in a bad mood and annoyance about this trip which has been plagued by flies, strong winds and the worst tides of the year. I think maybe had we caught a bag of anything we would not be feeling like this. So we packed up and decided to head to Moonta early for some retail and hotel therapy. Today was the windiest so far and a walk on the Moonta Bay jetty was somewhat risky. Tina did some shopping and then we headed for the Pub to drown our sorrows. Some Happy Hour beers and a cheap Parmy was what we needed.
We walked back to Rob’s who decided not to come up because of some lame Water pump breakdown story from Arnie. Lucky a spare set of keys was available and luxurious night was spent in a real house and bed with a TV.
Rob arrived early and we bummed around during the day watching some cricket and catching up. The wind was still quite strong in the afternoon so we decided we would go to the Wallaroo jetty to try our luck. If it got to windy there we could hide in the marina and try there. The wind actually stopped after about an hour and it became quite beautiful. Tina had her first try at gar fishing and we picked up some good pointers from Rob. We caught some good squid, 1 x Whiting & Gar along with some more Tommies. A Dolphin put on quite show for us and shining the torch on him encouraged him to do some more tricks it was great but not good for fishing. We soon noticed an influx of millions of sea lice which attacked our crab net bait and this was a sure sign that the fishing was over.Sun-23-Nov-08
A calmer morning greeted us and after the 30 minutes it took the Aussies to knock off the Kiwi’s we headed to the beach to see if any crabs were around but no luck. We packed up and then were off to Marion Bay for the night prior to heading to Innes National Park. A special thanks to Rob for fattening us up over the weekend and his hospitality is always much appreciated.

We arrived at Marion Bay and set up once again in very windy conditions. As usual we headed off to the Jetty despite there being no tide and landed a Squid in about 30 seconds. We caught another but soon chucked it in as no fish were on the bite.

We packed up early and headed off to the National Park. A nice drive along the coast taking in the views that you can never tire of and seem just as spectacular every time I see them the beaches and cliffs seem to always impress. Pondalowie’s camp ground is closed and Casurina is apparently tick infested. This left us really only with Shell & Browns beach. We set up camp at Shells beach and went for a walk on the beach. The sea life in these reefs and rocks are doing very well and we found lots of large crabs and star fish. There was a big fish playing around the rocks and I was hoping he would hang around till we came down to fish.
We premade tea rigged up and headed down around 6.00pm. We were quite hopeful of catching some Salmon which is what I really want to catch. We rigged up one line with Tommy pieces off a single hook and float and cast into the edge of the weed line. The second a smaller hook and sinker with some squid, and the third with Berley and Gents on smaller hooks. It did not take long to pull in our first Tommie and then some under size mullet. This is a great sign because where there are mullet there are salmon. Then we saw a dark haze in the water and saw the Salmon jumping it was a huge school close to shore. They always say not to cast into the Salmon because it can spook them but this is not always as easy as it sounds. A beautiful cast it was only about 5m off target and straight into the salmon who speedily swum off. Bloody Idiot Andy!!
Anyway we continued to watch all the mullet jump on top of the water as our berley trail disappeared into the ocean. Bloody tides and incoming tide would have seen the berley come closer to shore to draw them and the Salmon in. By this time the rain had started getting worse. Yes believe it, if the Flies, the Wind the shit tides aren't bad enough now it is raining. We sat it out for a while but it got worse and we decided to head back to camp. At least we saw a big school of Salmon now we just have to catch one ( or more)

It rained most of the night all be it very lightly and we spend most of the morning lying in bed. The rain has done nothing to scare off the flies.
We have been treated by two Kangaroos one with Joey who have hung around all morning in our camp being most friendly.

Yorkes

We dropped the kids off at school, dieseled up and did some shopping before heading off through Gawler to pick up our favourite metwurst.
We stopped of for a beer at the Rising Sun hotel and a friendly chat with the barman Andrew had us off to bald Hill just south of Port Wakefield. We found the campsite at a gap in the Mangroves and a small estuary next to it. We headed out for some crabbing but the tide came in very quickly and it was very windy. All were just undersize so back into the water to be collected once they are older. We fished the incoming tide in the estuary but it was full of shities. We caught a puffer fish and a couple of small sand whiting.
We found enough wood for a fire just.

Up early and with breakfast a non event due to an empty gas bottle we headed off to town. Now although this water crossing looks cool it is sea water and I cringe each time I look at it.

Into town to find that gas bottle refills are no longer possible in Port Wakefield so off to Port Clinton we headed. No luck there either so we changed our plans and headed to Kadina and an anticlockwise trip of Yorkes was now the plan. We got gas just and headed to Wallaroo.
Some pics of Carol’s block and down to the marina for some fishing. We drove out to Point Riley and found a camp spot. Nice place bloody windy though.

Up at 4.00am and down to the Wallaroo jetty. We landed a Tommy before the first sinker even hit the sand and thought we might be in for a good morning but once again nothing. No one caught anything not even any squid after the blow the day before.
There were some Yellow Tail Kingfish around but no one could get them to bite on various lures. Quite a few crabs around but mostly under size. We headed off in search of some free campsites on the beach which we found at Tiparra Rocks. Plenty of Flys here but no mozzies.
Sun-16-Nov-08
We didn’t get up early for the high tide but fished during the day on the reef at low tide. Just Puffer fish but at least we are catching something.

Enviro Update

Believe it or not we didn't collect this it is exactly how we found it. So we wonder why there are no camping signs everywhere you go and this is a free site.



Well the story goes that amongst this pile is the Smirnoff bottle that came with the free volleyball. They fed the dog chum it went mad and chewed up the ball. They all got drunk and forgot where the left all their bloody rubbish.

On a serious note it has shamed us totally that nearly everywhere we go there is so much rubbish what a bunch of lazy bastards Aussies have become.

PS we made about $ 2.50 on the bottles, well if we can find anywhere to cash them in.

Holiday update from Willunga

Hi, we have spent the last couple of weeks making minor adjustments to the Tojo and camping set up so not much exciting to report.

We are off to Yorkes for a serious fishing expedition. We have a Natinal Parks pass and can now camp for free in nearly all of the SA national parks. We have been very busy with rennovations at Tina's mums house and that is now nearly finished.

Last weekend we went to Second Valley where we caught an undersize SWEEP my first and Tina caught her first ever squid. Once we head off to Yorkes we will be back to regular updates and hopefully some exciting pics of Fish!!