While many of our charter anglers throughout the year are travelling to the Whitsundays for pleasure and will fit in a trip on the dam while they are here, at this time of year, we start to see the regulars who are travelling to the region for the specific purpose of barra fishing. These are the true barra addicts who book months in advance and fish multiple days for that bucket list fish, specifically the ‘meteries’ (fish over 1 metre in length).
It’s hard to find a more iconic Australian fish than the mighty barramundi and while there is often an ongoing debate as to whether the saltwater or freshwater/impoundment fish rule (personally I love targeting both equally!) as we inch closer to the saltwater barra closure on October 31st, it is time for the impoundments to shine. And Peter Faust Dam is definitely one of the best options in the country, bringing its fair share of visitors to the region.
Already the campsite on the dam is a buzzing community most days right now (if you haven’t been for a drive up lately, it’s worth a look and check out the new dam-side glamping tents while you are there). Studying number plates at the ramp you’ll be hard pressed to even find one from QLD!
Damian is one such angler who travelled from NSW to fish with his mate Paul with me over three days this week, a trip he booked way back in April. The anticipation has been very high for him since.
And boy did Faust deliver with Paul notching up one our catches of the year, and certainly fish of a lifetime for Paul with this whopper measuring 117 centrimetre on the second day, one of two meteries for Paul for the trip (the other being 106!).
Next year, Damien has his work cut out for him to best this one. He might not invite Paul back again though!
Contributed with thanks to
Luke Fallon | Luke Fallon Sport & Game Fishing | www.fishingfaust.com.au
Paul caught a whopping 117 centimetre barra at Peter Faust Dam last week