26/09/2011
Today a regular kayaking visitor to our river had a bit of a scare. He decided to paddle out to nearby Jarman Island for a spot of fishing. Nothing wrong with that. The problem was that the wind was calm and the tide was coming into the river. This meant that he had a reasonably easy paddle out to the Island, but would have the tide to contend with when he came back in later. Worse still was that the wind was forecast to blow up later in the day.
Well, it happened. The wind did come up and the tide was coming out of the river. Our intrepid kayaker tried, but to no avail, and was unable to guide his 'yak back to the mouth of the river. So strong was the combination of currents and wind that he was washed several kilometres from the river mouth. His wife spotted him and realised he was in trouble, but was unable to raise him on his phone.
Luckily, she spotted some people who had come to Cossack for a visit and just happened to have a dinghy on the roof of their vehicle. These good Samaritans went to the assistance of our paddler and towed him back to safety. I reckon they should get a couple of cartons for their efforts.
The lesson is there for us all.....take heed of the forecast. The strong winds (which can whip up a boiling sea when combined with big tides) were forecast and the forecast is rarely wrong these days. As well as that, try to plan your trip so that you do as much paddling "with" the tide as you can. During Spring Tides the water in the river can be flowing at several knots and it is difficult to make sustained headway against that sort of current.
Monday 26 September 2011
Tuesday 20 September 2011
Quiet Times are Coming....
20/09/2011
Most of you will know that the activity at Cossack is very seasonal. We have very mild winters and that is when the Tourists come here. It is also when the locals come here (with the exception of the diehard fishermen and women, who will pursue fish in any weather.) Our summers are just too hot for many people to handle, with daily maximum temperatures regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and the ever present threat of cyclones.
So, it is because of the harsh summers that we see a dwindling number of visitors at our town. Events and functions, with the possible exception of Christmas parties, also drop away to nothing. As mentioned, the most likely visits will be by people intending to go fishing. For this reason, the kiosk closes at the end of October. We also close on Tuesdays and Saturdays as of the start of October.
The Port to Port Tour, operated by the Roebourne Visitor Centre also ceases at the end of October, giving us even less reason to keep the kiosk open. As of the end of December, even the Budget Accommodation and all of the historic buildings are closed to the Public until the beginning of March. This enables we caretakers to take our annual break and catch up on some of the deferred time off that we accrue during the "season".
There you have it folks. If you are planning to come to Cossack and have a cuppa, do so within the next five weeks. If you're coming to stay you have a little bit longer, but remember that only one of our rooms is air conditioned and it's first-in, best dressed!
Most of you will know that the activity at Cossack is very seasonal. We have very mild winters and that is when the Tourists come here. It is also when the locals come here (with the exception of the diehard fishermen and women, who will pursue fish in any weather.) Our summers are just too hot for many people to handle, with daily maximum temperatures regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and the ever present threat of cyclones.
So, it is because of the harsh summers that we see a dwindling number of visitors at our town. Events and functions, with the possible exception of Christmas parties, also drop away to nothing. As mentioned, the most likely visits will be by people intending to go fishing. For this reason, the kiosk closes at the end of October. We also close on Tuesdays and Saturdays as of the start of October.
The Port to Port Tour, operated by the Roebourne Visitor Centre also ceases at the end of October, giving us even less reason to keep the kiosk open. As of the end of December, even the Budget Accommodation and all of the historic buildings are closed to the Public until the beginning of March. This enables we caretakers to take our annual break and catch up on some of the deferred time off that we accrue during the "season".
There you have it folks. If you are planning to come to Cossack and have a cuppa, do so within the next five weeks. If you're coming to stay you have a little bit longer, but remember that only one of our rooms is air conditioned and it's first-in, best dressed!
Sunday 18 September 2011
Fishing Report 18/09/2011
Well, I went out on the river yesterday, along with my mate Daryl. Never caught a thing ......BUT...... did we get smashed up by something big!!! I took out my "don't argue, come here" gear and Daryl had a similar outfit. The object was to get a Barra or two.
It didn't seem to matter whether we were using live bait or dead bait, the result was the same. On every occasion the beastie just made a long, hard run to the point where we were going to get spooled and had no option but to crank on some more drag. This, in turn, put more pressure on everything and hooks, or swivels or knots gave way. On two occasions I could feel my line chaffing on something under the water and eventually the braid rubbed through and broke.
Now, I am fishing with 50lb braid and 60lb leader wound onto an Abu overhead reel which is mounted on a rod as thick as a broom stick - and I still couldn't slow this thing down. It had to be either a big trevally (I've seen some 1.2 Metre monsters in the river) or a shark or a very big stingray. I'm pretty convinced that it wasn't a ray because on one occasion I felt the hook dislodge from one that I was pulling in and the "thing" went straight back and hit the bait again, before going on another screaming run. A ray wouldn't go back on the bait like that. No aerobatics were observed, so we are convinced that it wasn't Barramundi.
So, we went home empty handed, having been smashed four times each. Can't complain though, it is way better to be smashed up like that than to not get a bite all day!
It didn't seem to matter whether we were using live bait or dead bait, the result was the same. On every occasion the beastie just made a long, hard run to the point where we were going to get spooled and had no option but to crank on some more drag. This, in turn, put more pressure on everything and hooks, or swivels or knots gave way. On two occasions I could feel my line chaffing on something under the water and eventually the braid rubbed through and broke.
Now, I am fishing with 50lb braid and 60lb leader wound onto an Abu overhead reel which is mounted on a rod as thick as a broom stick - and I still couldn't slow this thing down. It had to be either a big trevally (I've seen some 1.2 Metre monsters in the river) or a shark or a very big stingray. I'm pretty convinced that it wasn't a ray because on one occasion I felt the hook dislodge from one that I was pulling in and the "thing" went straight back and hit the bait again, before going on another screaming run. A ray wouldn't go back on the bait like that. No aerobatics were observed, so we are convinced that it wasn't Barramundi.
So, we went home empty handed, having been smashed four times each. Can't complain though, it is way better to be smashed up like that than to not get a bite all day!
Monday 12 September 2011
Next Sunday - Twilight Tunes
12/09/2011
On Sunday the 18th Sept. the Shire of Roebourne is hosting Twilight Tunes at Cossack. The event will be taking place between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. For more information you can contact the Shire of Roebourne on (08)9186 8555.
On Sunday the 18th Sept. the Shire of Roebourne is hosting Twilight Tunes at Cossack. The event will be taking place between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. For more information you can contact the Shire of Roebourne on (08)9186 8555.
Thursday 8 September 2011
Fishing Report 08/09/2011
After the dismal results during the Spring Tides it was a relief to get a couple of good sized Black Bream last Tuesday evening. Though not thick and fast as they have been recently, they are still there in enough quantity to keep the fishing interesting.
I also caught many Striped Butterfish. These fish have a very oval shaped body and when turned side on to the direction of pull, can put up a very worthy fight. As an eating fish they rate two stars out of five according to my fish identification book and the local indigenous people won't eat them at all - claiming that the fish give you a headache if you eat them! This means that they all go back after being caught.
Some of you reading this Blog might be a bit miffed that I actually eat some of my catch. I know that their are purists out there whom always return all that they catch, but my way of thinking is that fishing can be both a sport and a way of putting food in the larder. I never take more than I can eat fresh. We never freeze fish.
Happy fishing, and remember, always fish for the future.
I also caught many Striped Butterfish. These fish have a very oval shaped body and when turned side on to the direction of pull, can put up a very worthy fight. As an eating fish they rate two stars out of five according to my fish identification book and the local indigenous people won't eat them at all - claiming that the fish give you a headache if you eat them! This means that they all go back after being caught.
Some of you reading this Blog might be a bit miffed that I actually eat some of my catch. I know that their are purists out there whom always return all that they catch, but my way of thinking is that fishing can be both a sport and a way of putting food in the larder. I never take more than I can eat fresh. We never freeze fish.
Happy fishing, and remember, always fish for the future.
Last Chance to View Staircase to the Moon this Year
08/09/2011
The staircase to the Moon is a phenomena whereby the full Moon or near Full Moon rises and its reflections shine in the pools of water trapped in the receding tide. It gives an effect like the rungs of a ladder or a stairway to the Moon.
This spectacle can only be viewed during the middle months of the year as the effect cannot be seen if the Sun has not set, which is the case when the days are longer from October through to May. Additionally, the best effect is when the low tide corresponds with the rising of the Moon. As the year progresses this timing is not quite right.
So, if you want to view or photograph this effect, come to Cossack on Tuesday 13th or Wednesday 14th of September. Bring a picnic dinner or portable BBQ. Sorry, no fires allowed!
The staircase to the Moon is a phenomena whereby the full Moon or near Full Moon rises and its reflections shine in the pools of water trapped in the receding tide. It gives an effect like the rungs of a ladder or a stairway to the Moon.
This spectacle can only be viewed during the middle months of the year as the effect cannot be seen if the Sun has not set, which is the case when the days are longer from October through to May. Additionally, the best effect is when the low tide corresponds with the rising of the Moon. As the year progresses this timing is not quite right.
So, if you want to view or photograph this effect, come to Cossack on Tuesday 13th or Wednesday 14th of September. Bring a picnic dinner or portable BBQ. Sorry, no fires allowed!
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Fishing Report 06/09/2011
Well! The fishing report is that there is nothing to report. Nothing, nil, nada. Two expeditions and not so much as a follow. The Spring Tides have been with us for the past few days and I have noticed that this can turn the fishing off. Additionally, the easterly winds have pushed a lot of very turbid water up the river, making the water look like choc milk.
Now that the Spring Tides are abating for a couple of days, the next report will hopefully be a bit more positive. I will go out this afternoon and give it a go.
Now that the Spring Tides are abating for a couple of days, the next report will hopefully be a bit more positive. I will go out this afternoon and give it a go.
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