West coast Cape York.

[Alra]

Hi all,

Looking at doing a land based fishing trip that starts in the gulf and up the west coast of Cape York. I did a search of the forum for some general info but didn't come up wit anything. Anyone on here ever done it?

Cheers,

Danial.

[rar110]

We went up to Marpoon years ago. The wife caught a nice Grunter near the mouth of the Pennyfather river.

[Alra]

Mapoon is definitely on our radar as well. What route did you take to get there?

Cheers,

Danial.

[rar110]

We were in Weipa and just went up for a day trip. It was in 2001 so my memory is a bit sketchy, but I think we just followed the signs. Or I might have got info from Ron & Viv Moon's book. We didn't go into the Mapoon township.

[Alra]

Thanks, it's the journey north from Karumba to Kowanyama/Pompurraaw that has me a little concerned.

Cheers,

Danial.

[rar110]

Thanks, it's the journey north from Karumba to Kowanyama/Pompurraaw that has me a little concerned. Cheers, Danial.

We thought seriously about doing that once. We decided it was quicker to go around the long way on better roads and much less risk seeing we were traveling on our own. Ultimately we never got to Kowanyama or Edward River.

[Ean Austral]

Thanks, it's the journey north from Karumba to Kowanyama/Pompurraaw that has me a little concerned.

Cheers,

Danial.

I have a good mate who runs roadtrains from normanton to Weipa up thru kowanyama. I can get some info from him if you want to know about the roads etc if you like.

Cheers Ean

[Alra]

Thanks Ean but we are only just staring to plan the trip now for an end of dry season trip next year. I might hit you up this time next year. We are taking two cars and four blokes so any sticky situations we come across we should be able to work our way out of. I've heard the roads up that way are shocking and we plan on taking it pretty slow. We don't want to miss out on fishy looking spots by hurrying along.

Cheers,

Danial.

[Bundalene]

We have been through the area on a number of times several years ago, when we had friends living in Weipa.

The track from Karumba to Dunbar was always very good. There are several spots on the way to the coast in this area, some were free, while others charged a daily entry fee. On one occasion we gave an Aboriginal chap a lift from Normanton to Kowanyama and as such were were invited to fish most of their homeland. The Mitchell from the mouth to the settlement was however taboo.

We spent a full week at Topsey Creek with excellent fishing, mainly threadfin, barra and muddies (lots of queenies, GTs and blue salmon amongst these). We travelled up the beach, almost to the Mitchell. We returned to this area several times and were always given permission to fish here. Kowanyama has the usual community facilities - fuel, store, ....

There are 2 other spots on the way from Kowanyama to Pormpuraaw (Ex Edward River) which we have also fished. There are the 2 Mitchell River crossings Bullo Crossing and especially a spot called Shelfo. We spent quite a few days on the river bank with heaps of barra. My brother-in-law caught a huge saw fish here. We used to put our tinny in here and troll and flick lures. Permission to fish here must also be obtained.

The track to Pormpuraaw was always bull dusty with very high sharp cattle grid crossings. We have also taken the Dixie track on 2 occasions, but I believe this is now closed.

You used to be able to buy a permit to travel up and behind the beach and dunes to the Holroyd River. There were a few pros working this river at the time.

Weipa is surrounded by good fishing sports, namely the Hay, Mission River under the bridge at midnight - huge barra, the Embley also out the front at the Pines, with heaps of others also.

North of Wiepa there is the Pennefather and further North again is Janie Creek which is accessed through Mapoon. Also inland a bit you used to be able to fish the Wenlock at Stones Crossing. Access across the River at this point is now closed.

Vrilya Point as another spot on the coast but we didn't have much luck here.


As in all Northern Australia Rivers be croc aware and don't fish without local permission if required.


Erich

[Alra]

Thank you Erich that's great info.

Cheers,

Danial.