WHEN it comes to a weekend of fishing on one of Kakadu’s spectacular billabongs, not many would pass up the opportunity. Except for that one weekend in September when the Top End’s hard core lady anglers converge on Corroboree Billabong to compete in the SWB Barra Challenge.
With partners firmly left in control of the children and the home, these ladies mean serious fishing business sporting brightly coloured bikinis, shirts and brightly wrapped boats. The backdrop of a waterlily lined billabong teeming with crocodiles and wildlife set a pretty scene for 148 ladies vying for a chance to land a barra or for half the score a saratoga.
Day one of competition proved tough with only 8 barra landed out of 22 scoring fish.
Hot, humid days, cheeky crocodiles and evenings filled with celebrations are no deterrence for these ladies who after fairly slow fishing were up early and more determined to give the “bong” another shot on day 2.
Ella Patterson with a saratoga.
Some teams trolling the early morning bite were rewarded with the very few 70+cm caught throughout the 2 day event.
One of those fortunate teams Scoop It landed two barra in the 70cm range to win by a narrow margin from SWB podium regulars the Barra Babes.
Barra Babes boosted their score with more but low scoring fish. Champion angler and biggest fish went to Scoop It’s Jemma Brieffies with a 75cm.
Barra Babes and barra.
Overall, 55 fish caught of which 27 were barra. Only four barra measured over 60cm.
Organisers Kris Noble and Chrissie Hurren exceeded their efforts of last year and with the fabulous support of the Palmerston Game Fishing Club, this competition would have to be the premier women’s fishing tournament in Australia.
