Pottering Around Proserpine

Just on two weeks ago we made the big trek from O'Connell's River (just south of Proserpine) to Camp Kanga - very close to Lake Proserpine and about 30klms west of Proserpine itself.  About 50 klms and we were exhausted by the time we got here!!

It had been an absolute brilliant morning weather wise but by the time we had set up camp and fortified ourselves, the clouds had started to roll in and the wind had picked up a bit.  By mid afternoon, the weather had settled down so we headed the 2klms up the road and put Tuf Tinnie in for a swim.

This lake was just so different to the other dams and lakes that we have been fishing on - it wasn't full of sediment and in places we could actually see the bottom!  We set the redclaw traps and had a bit of a troll on the way back to the boat ramp.  Unfortunately, the weather had worsened on the way back so we called it a day and headed for the warmth of The Turtle.

And that was what the weather was going to be like for the rest of the week - fine one minute and very wet and windy the next.  It didn't really matter as the park where we are staying is very nice (with green grass underneath) and we have been able to spread ourselves out as the aren't too many people yet.

We did manage to retrieve our traps in between squalls the next day hoping for a fresh feed of redclaw but that was not to be either.  In the meantime, we had been chatting to the managers and they offered us some reimbursement on our rent in exchange for doing a bit of cleaning up around the place.  What a good idea!  Something to do to fill our days in whilst we waited for some fine weather.

Down the bottom of the park is the Proserpine River - well just sort of creek really since the dam was built - but there had been some fish spotted in some of the deep holes.  So off we trekked one afternoon with fishing rods and refreshments in hand to try and capture at least one of those elusive fish.

Within a short time The Captain showed why he is The Captain and caught a very nice Sooty Grunter - about 35cm.  Normally, we would have tossed him back (the fish, not The Captain) but we decided that it would make a very nice meal.

The next day dawned clear and bright (for a change) so we headed back to the creek to try and see if the fish were still biting.  Instead of the fishing the same spot we head up above the nearby weir, well that was a bit of a mistake.  The Deckie fist cast started off well but then a slight breeze lifted he lure and flung it into the trees on the other side of the creek.  Not happy at all and neither was The Captain.  So, instead of catching fish, The Captain sent himself to retrieve the wayward lure.  He clambered over rocks, waded through knee deep water and climbed through scraggy bottlebrush trees, but he manged to find and retrieve that lure!

Clambering Through Scraggy Trees

That was the end of that little expedition.  All of that clambering and wading frightened the fish of completely so headed back for morning tea.

Boating on the lake the next day.  No fish, although we tried very hard indeed.  However, the eagle eyes of The Deckie did manage to spot a very nice lure stuck up in a tree - didn't help with the fishing once we had removed it from its prison but it was worth a try.

A couple of days later we headed back to the lake and finally we had some success - well The Captain did!  Another very nice Sooty Grunter and this time we did throw him back just so we would appease the fishing gods!

Another Nice Fish

Trying to appease the fishing gods didn't work either as after The Captain's great catch, there was nothing.  Oh well, a nice day on the water!

Next day, it was back to the river for another go.  There was a little bit of action but the fish were not really that interested.  Though this time it wasn't just The Deckie who threw her lure into the bushes - The Captain managed to do it as well.  The Deckie, just to be different, lost a brand new lure on a log in the water.  Oh, it was a sorry pair that traipsed home that day.

Over a soothing cup of coffee, The Captain decided that we should go back to the fishing hole, make it a swimming hole and retrieve those lures.  So, after lunch we dragged out the snorkelling gear and swimming noodles and went for a swim.

And a very successful swim it was.  Not only did the brave Captain risk life and limb he also found two extra lures that had been abandoned - well The Deckie did spot one of them, The Captain just brought them back!

Holding Them Carefully!

Except for The Deckie finding another lure stuck in a tree, we had another disappointing day on the water the next day.  The water temperature has dropped a couple of degrees in the last week or so and that makes the fish very lethargic.  Team Turtle wants to know what has happened to global warming because it certainly is not happening here in northern Queensland.

Time to take a break from fishing - so we did the touristy thing to Airlie Beach.  A very nice place and it was lovely to see the sparkling blue ocean.  The beach didn't look very nice as the tide was out and the mud and rock was uncovered but there is a beautiful "lagoon" that has been built to encourage the backpackers and tourists to stay at the place and looked nice than the beach.

The Lagoon at Airlie Beach

Back to the fishing - well trying anyway.  The Deckie was back to her usual form and managed to throw her lure into the trees on the other side of the creek - again.  At least this time it wasn't the first cast!

And The Deckie's knight in shining armour shook his head in disbelief and then risked being washed over the weir to retrieve it.

Yes, I do have to come back!

On the plus side, there was also another lure that someone else had lost in the bushes.  So, at this stage, The Captain has caught two fish, lost two lures (one is still stuck in the mouth of a fish that broke The Captain's line, the other one came loose and sank) and we have found five lures - better than nothing!!

At this stage, Team Turtle is considering our options.  The most favourable option being that we depart here later in the week and head further north and hope that the fish are biting up there.

Will let you know!