Piscine bushtucker in the outback

[Vagabond]

Certhia wanted to look for some of the inland birds of Northern Australia – Spinifex Pigeon, Bush Stone Curlew, and Flock Bronzewing, so we loaded up the car with stacks of water and away we went into the outback.

We found the birds OK, and then thought we would like a fresh fish supper, so I rashly promised to catch some genuine Aussie bush tucker. Just by chance, you understand, there was a spinning outfit in the boot.

It was very near the end of the dry season, getting hotter and hotter each day. Long red dirt roads, like this one.




Dingo Creek was dry – as were most of them. However, a few creeks still had the odd pool holding water. This is Emu creek.



We tried several creeks and got fish out of most of the pools. The fish were really hungry! A size 0 Mepps worked its magic on the various grunters still hanging in there.

Here is a Barred Grunter, a new species for our world list, but too small to be of any use as tucker.




…and this is a Sooty Grunter - another new species and just about edible, but what you might call a neighbour’s fish – best given away.




This looked an interesting spot – I took the picture, else you might think we are making the place names up!




A likely looking spot - I am standing on what in the wet season would be the top of a waterfall.




…and here is what we were looking for – the Spangled Perch or Spangled Grunter – easily the most tasty of its tribe, as we had found out when we caught them on previous trips.




I caught several, at various pools. One of the pools had spider webs stretched across from side to side.
“No matter” I thought, “I’ll just cast the spoon across and break the webs”. To my astonishment, the spoon just bounced on the webs like on a trampoline. By the time I had broken the webs the fish were spooked.

Busy catching the last fish we needed, I checked where Certhia was (you keep line of sight in the bush for obvious reasons). She was making the “come back – trouble” signal (because I’m deaf, and because we like to keep quiet anyway when bush-walking/bird watching, we communicate by our own hand signals that we have evolved)

Starting back to the car, I saw what she was concerned about. A large scrub bull was advancing towards us, bellowing at intervals. Perhaps it only wanted to drink, but taking no chances I circled away from it back to the car. I’ve heard they can be pretty aggressive and it was a lot bigger than me….

Back at the apartment that evening, the spangled ones were prepared for the barbie.



They were delicious, and followed by fresh mango straight off the tree.

[Twiddler]

Another awesome report......I'm soooo jealous, it looks like you having a whale of a time.

Must admit though...you pretty brave wandering around on your own you never know what dangerous creatures you might come across

[diamond dragon]

wow nice fish

[..::Pike Pirate::..]

i would have felt like rex hunt if i was there!

i must admit im not too good with foreign fish

must have been exciting with that bull bellowing at you!

are you holidaying in australia?

[Portland Pirate]

keep up the reports. I look forward to the next one.

You seem to be talking full advantage of some of the more out of the way spots. I only managed one fishing trip each time I was in Australia. But I was on business, or at least that's my excuse.

[lutra]

Just one plate Dave, was certhia not hungry?

Great report.

[Greenheart]

Another top report & excellent pics Vagabond. Looks as though you both had a great time, & supper looks good too....

[fishypaul]

superb stuff vagabond,next time you go can i be your ghillie ?

[pingu]

another superb report there vagabond
love the place names, and how you identify the fish is tops
keep them comeing


dave

[Norfolkboy]

Lovely stuff, Dave. Interesting how the Sooty Grunter looks very similar to a Wrasse.