pretend Barra - don't we wish

[zimeric]

was looking for pics of Vundu - an african catfish when i came across this article

http://www.african-angler.co.uk/news4.html

gives me goosebumps looking at the mouth of that fish!!!

For what it's worth for you Perth Guys,

There is a fella down here in the southwest farming barra.

During the summer months (now) while the waters warm enough, he puts the big boys (5 pound plus) out into his farm dam which is i guess an acre or two in size, so they can feed on the yabbiies etc in the dam, and have a decent swim around.

For a small fee - he will allow keen anglers to stop in for a few hours and toss lures to his barra as a strictly catch and release excercise.

Having done it a few times now to entertain my kids, i have to say that, if you've never experienced the thril of having a barra boof a lure at your feet, and explode on the surface and go ballistic - then - you don't know what your missing frankly.

Sure it aint the Kimberlety but for a half days fun for a few dollars - its near as bloody hell to the real thing as your going to get within 2 hours drive of Perth.

I have made the mistake of taking one of these Barra home to fillet and grill on the BBQ once - and from that experience I can definitely tell you- that - you DON'T want to eat them outta the freshwater with the pellet feed they are on - hell even the feral cats round here turned their nose up at it!

Thing is- they guy will sell you a couple fillets if you wish - but what they do with them is first put them into sea cages at Fremantle and feed them on muleys etc for a few weekss before filleting them so they get the saltwater barra taste and get rid of the pellet taste - if you want barra fillets to take home after your fishing fun - buy a couple of those salty variety is my suggestion.

Havin some fun with little 5 or so pound Barra's on some bream gear in a dam is surprisingly a LOT more fun than it sounds -- you just hafta do it to find out how much fun - if you think it's easey - your kidding yaself - it aint.

The fact he might have a big murray cod or two lurking in there as well only adds the the excitement - my young fella hooked a Murray on fly and just couldnt stop it...(inexperience).

Anyone wants to do it - just PM me and I'll put you in touch...

Theres plenty worse ways to spend a Sunday!!

Cheers!

[zimeric]

hehe would love to do that sometime - Im thinking about taking my old man up to the Ord river to a fishing camp there.
Talking about Barra in Perth though

anyone have visions of a rampaging barra on breamgear when they go to the zoo and see the Barra in Mr Salti Crocs pen.

I don't even bother taking pics of the croc whenever we go, im too busy watching the Barra hehe

Hmm a 4 piece fly rod smuggled in down the leg of ones pants maybe?

Letting it go again could be a bit risky!!!!

Them Nile Perch are a right piece a work aint they?

I read somewhere that a LOT of the Barramundi we buy in Perth restaurants is apparently imported nile Perch fillets.

I think I'll stick to catching and filleting my own - at least you know what your getting!

Cheers!

[chaser]

Woooh those perch are huge..
The biggest barri ive got is 75cm and it was awesome . Imagine a 2mt barra on spin gear ..(or game gear for that matter)
Awesome looking fish
Mako

[zimeric]

yeah some those fish in NAsser are massive
- 100Lb catfish
- 150Lb Tigerfish (teeth the length of your finger)
- 300Lb Nile Perch

and those are just the ones that are targeted by game fishermen
hmmm whose gonna sponsor a trip up - trouty maybe??
you rich tour operators can afford to send a couple of yobbos there can't you?