Bongs, Barras, Blokes, Bynoe and a Burglary or two!

“There’s no fish there Tulls”

The October 2025 trip to Darwin was a logistics triumph only matched in modern times by operations undertaken by highly trained military special forces. A double barrelled Darwin based adventure with back to back trips with two different groups led by the fishing savant Ash Winks.

A running spreadsheet with flight times, monies spent, expenditure estimates, arrival details, departure dates, hotel bookings, car and boat reservations was used to give Tulls and I the impression that all the heavy lifting was indeed in hand and no need for either our attention or involvement. This famed spreadsheet hides all the tireless work, sleepless nights and worry that Ash somehow manages expertly when he puts a trip together.

Visits to Fishing and Outdoor World, Nightcliff Woolies and bottle shops to get supplies were quickly ticked off the list. A leased 4WD was picked up, a hire boat hitched and accomodation were all seamlessly sorted and by early afternoon we were on the Corroboree Billabong fishing.

Earlier that day we parked the enormous 5 metre boat and 4wd at Humpty Doo where we shopped at the local Woolies and while using their counter intuitive grocery item scanning gizmo, we stalled somewhat briefly, maybe 2 or 3 seconds on the vegetables items attempting to enter a punnet of truss tomatoes.

A voice from behind instructed “Tomatoes, T, O, M ….”

After our spelling lesson we were packing gear into the 4WD when a local bloke asked us where and what we were fishing for. “Barra”we said. Now carpark conversations with fishos are most enjoyed when we share a dodgy location or maybe embellish a tad how good the fishing was yesterday, but not with this bloke.

Interjecting his unasked for, half baked opinions was not only poor form more like ‘un-Territorian’ or even ‘un-Humpty Doo-an’. We busied ourselves around the 4WD with him saying Barra fishing was boring, and generally deriding our fishing plans. Be warned fishos of this first prize wanker next time you stop at the ‘Doo’.

Our first fishing session was highlighted by seeing a 4 metre plus crocodile and some pesky Tarpon and Saratoga being caught from under Lilly pads and at the base of Pandanus trees. A few Barra kept the interest up as we watched a spectacular evening lightening storm roll past. 

A kind offer from Ash to Tulls to provide a photo ‘upgrade’ Barra for Tulls was not accepted but the comment was reused as the fishing continued to improve both in quantity and quality.

Leaving the billabong late that night meant dinner options at the Tavern were at a ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ stage and a $5 offer for what’s left in the Bain Marie was accepted. The mystery box contained fossilised and unidentifiable meaty morsels that were consumed and thankfully washed down with numerous chilled schooners!

Back on the water in the morning and again a day fishing Lilly pads, Pandanus with good fish caught during the day. A wiser decision to leave earlier meant a decent steak sandwich was ordered for dinner before the kitchen closed, again washed down with some chilled schooners!

Fishing the Mary River ‘Bongs’ also meant a trip to the famed ‘Shady Camp (Fresh)’ where many suspicious crocodiles were sighted on our arrival. 

Fishing these fish holding spots relied on Ash’s infallible GPS like memory, knot retying and lure de-snagging skills that kept all three anglers catching fish. 3 in boat casting is sometime fraught with crossed lines or worse casting burglaries where one casts over and into another angler’s spot to hookup.

Tulls demonstrating the skill of a modern day macrame knitter placed a lure no more than an inch over Ash’s earlier cast. Ash had been hitting that spot, millimetre perfect for 5 -10 minutes. 

Ash commented somewhat informatively “There’s no fish there Tulls” just as sizeable Barra smashed Tulls’s lure. A much repeated phase for the trip was coined, but none with the immediate timing of Tulls’s first Barra burglary.

Moving to Crab Claw saw us try a quick run at the Finnis River (Fresh) before making our way to the resort where our cabin was conveniently positioned next the the boat ramp, over the white beach sand with a view east over Bynoe towards Darwin. A storm literally swept us off the deck, with tables, stools and umbrellas dangerously threatening our beers and conversation. A much anticipated day at Bynoe Harbour meant an early night. Modern mobile phones have many features and functions that bewilder most folks, but a permanent nightlight feature of many hundreds of lumens kept Ash and I awake until a pair of discarded undies were deftly tossed over the mobile phone to dim the ambient light.

We fish Bynoe Harbour with a fisherman’s eternal quandary “Will it fish as good as last time?”. Almost immediately, as our lures hit the water, the question was answered in the affirmative with big splashes of both Barra and the elusive Threadfin Salmon. Soon they were boated and dispatched to the esky for dinner.

A return to that spot the following morning was met with an anchored boat close by our favourite spot. We positioned out of range of their long fly casts and again almost immediately boated Barras and Threadies - much to the increasing consternation of the less successful fly fishers. 

Tulls again cast within in an inch of a flycaster’s lure and yes another burglary from right under their lure!

Mid day sessions in draining creeks were remarkable in the size and variety of fish. Photo upgrades were offered for Barras, Golden Snapper, Blue Fin Salmon, Mangrove Jack, Sooty Gunter, Rock Cods and other fish species were caught in a creek only a few metres wide or deep! 

Fishing some rock bars on afternoon falling tide is often very rewarding, but after the earlier sessions we fished somewhat less enthusiastically with a keenness to get back to Crab Claw. 

Some fishos count the fish caught as a competition, some silently admire the skill of their companions, others are content with their fishing adventure together will be happily recounted and recalled in days distant. In those days ahead Ash, Tulls and I will fondly reminisce this day at Bynoe as the diamond day of the trip. No photo upgrades needed with many fish caught, snapped and released as the esky was full. 

Filleting fish on board a boat in the harbour is dangerous work. Sharp knives, spiked fins, beers and a rocking boat demands tight coordination between filleter, fillet washer and fillet bagger. Anchored in the lee of an island while filleting, the fish skins and frames cast overboard soon attracted a large crocodile. Perched at water level on the stern I was washing fillets wondering the wisdom of choosing ‘Crocodile Island’ of all places to anchor! 

For fisho’s one of life’s most delicious pleasures is to eat the fish you caught earlier that day. Ash prepared the fish, ignited the BBQ and in a jiffy slabs of freshly caught fish fillets were grilled to perfection. Cooked, plated and served with hot chips from the bar is another enduring memory of this trip. Tulls also on catering duties, ensured our hardened arteries and delicate palates were not assaulted by possibility of chicken salt but had the chips expertly dusted with plain white kitchen salt. 

We returned to Darwin, as Tulls and I prepared to return down south as the second angling team of Brother Russell and Cousin Brad flew in. Tulls and I were mutually content with our fishing adventure, relaxed and comfortable with plenty of photos and most pleased with the results of Barra, Threadies, Goldies Jacks, Grunters and other fish caught. Ash seemed to be refreshed and ready for another bash at Barras at the Bongs and Bynoe with Brad and Brother Russ. 

As they silently left the apartment in the early morning, I somehow knew that Ash would no doubt repeat the fun and quality fishing for Brad and Russ. Regardless if those blokes needed any photo upgrades, spelling instructions, chicken salt or be asked to wash Barra fillets in front of a waiting crocodile an unforgettable adventure awaited them. 

Ever thankful to Ash for another AWesome fishing adventure and the memories, and maybe we have some more sayings to be added to Ash’s fishing shirt in time for the next adventure! 

Let’s open another tab on that spreadsheet Ash.

Mitch and Tulls 

October 2025

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