Last week-end the fathers and sons from our circle of friends got together for a fishing trip. Being of the wrong gender I was not invited, but Marty did the right thing and took lots of photographs. The weather was beautiful and all of his photos were fantastic. Here are some of my favourites.
Well known for it’s Metre+ Barramundi Peter Faust Dam 265km south of Townsville, was the spot chosen by the boys. Three families, three boats and three Dongas. For the uninitiated, Dongas are portable buildings used as construction site offices or as temporary living quarters. The Lions Club were handed the Dongas used by the dam construction crew, when the dam was completed in 1990 and promptly turned them into Camp Kanga, situated a couple of kilometres from the dam on Crystal Brook Road. As well as school groups (bunk beds for 230 people) there are basic triple bed Dongas available with ceiling fans and a bar fridge. Caravans are welcome, with a dump point, large Camp Kitchen and an Amenities Block with hot showers.
What impressed my men most, apart from the fishing of course, was the variety of (feathered) bird life on the Dam. Thousands of cormorants, and large numbers of pelicans, swans and ducks have made the dam their home. Faust Dam, also known as Lake Proserpine, is located 25 km west of Proserpine. On week-ends it is a popular boating area, but there is plenty of room for both the water-skiers and fishermen on the water.
The guys had perfect weather, pleasantly cool at night and hot during the day. They wouldn’t have minded a little breeze I guess, but the lack of it made for great photographs.
For Tackle Talk from the week-end visit adriftnq.com.
All photos by Martin Robinson, Budget Travel Talk, except where noted.
Things to Know
The dam is well stocked each year with Barra and Sooty Grunter fingerlings and is home to a large number of metre+ Barramundi.
Barra in freshwater impoundments (Peter Faust Dam) can grow to 50 kg.
Most fish landed were caught trolling with an electric motor in the open areas.
A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish in the dam. One permit per person or One per couple. Also available from the Proserpine BP Service Station and Proserpine Bait and Tackle.
Bring your own bed linen if staying in the Dongas.
Red Claw Crayfish can be caught in the dam. BYO pots and Raw Potatoes, cooked chicken bones, pilchards or your own secret bait.
Fantastic Friday Street Art in Montreal Canada
Great write up! Thanks for the link. Would recommend this trip to anybody who is looking for quality over quantity, and who accepts the fact that they might walk away from the trip empty handed.
Looks like a great place. I can’t wait to see it myself. Thanks for commenting.
I grew up fishing but no longer do. IF I ever get invited I just like to be on the boat for the solitude and no talking. I had to look up Barra…Barramundi. I had no clue they got that big! Wowee. Great photos by Marty 🙂
We agree Mike, the quiet is so wonderful. Electric motors are great for that too 🙂
Wow these are such beautiful shots. It looks like the work of a professional photographer. What a beautiful place. I love fishing 🙂
Marty does take some great photos, thanks for commenting Angel. I can’t wait to see it for myself 🙂
Great nature shots. I would have been impressed with the birdlife too.
I actually have been there briefly before but not in the boat. Those birds were fantastic. There were so many cormorants it is a wonder any of those fingerlings survive!
WOW!! He took fantastic photos! 🙂 I’m seriously impressed. 🙂 I love the names of Aussie fish – they crack me up. 🙂
Barramundi is an aboriginal word so would seem very strange to you. I think Grunter is an odd name for a fish but they do make a grunting noise so I guess that is where that one comes from. The names of places in NZ totally weird me out and I suppose they are Maori names. 🙂 Marty really outdid himself with these photos I agree 🙂
This is so much of fun. I really like fishing. And look they caught big fish. That’s so good. Thanks
This looks absolutely sublime, and so tranquil Jan! Pity you weren’t invited along, but glad you had some stunning photos brought back for you by Marty 😉 What a tranquil spot, and the pic with all the cormorants is impressive.
What a great fishing weekend! Bummer you couldn’t go Jan, but how good are those photos 🙂
A boys weekend is vital, great for them to get together and bond! So could see Kyle loving the dam with all the fishing available 😉
I was happy for the boys to have the week-end to bond. I bet it is not the same to have your wife/mother along. 🙂