A Fishing Tale to Remember
Now, most people know that in the first weekend of August, cowboys and spectators alike flock to the town for the famous rodeo. However, what most people don’t know, and it’s certainly time they did, is that every year on the last weekend in October, there comes another type of migration to Mount Isa. They are hunters, each with their won supposedly secret spot, secret weapon of choice and each with their own tale of the one that got away. I am talking of course of “The Great Barra Hunter”. For weeks before they prepare for the hunt. While their boats are in for servicing, the barra hunter spends long days in the shed. Gathering the tools required for the hunt The rods are checked, Reels are oiled and some even get new line, then, under the cover of darkness, the secret weapon in unveiled…..The Lure!!! To the barra hunter, this is the greatest secret of all time. For they all have their favourite and all believe his is the best. The lures are checked thoroughly, to be sure there are no splits or cracks, and the hooks must be strong, sharp and secure, for no barra must get off THIS lure, although it would be a good story.
Finally the weekend arrives, the car is packed, as well as the boat, the kids are loaded and the wife is faking joy. (The barra hunters’ wife is very good at this) and they are off to The Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic!
During the long drive, the barra hunter explains in exact detail, that this is no ordinary barra he is hunting, it is non other than the elusive $25000 tagged barra, and that whilst in the shed he had a vision that this year he would be the one to catch it, after all, he does have his secret lure.
When the barra hunter and his family arrive at the lake, the grounds have been transformed, by a small but dedicated bunch called The Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group. All year they have toiled with fundraising, prize gathering to make the fishing classic “one to remember” Everywhere you look there are marquise and tents. Selling everything from food to fishing gear. Then somewhere from the middle of it all comes that famous cry… ‘YABBIE YABBIE YABBIE”. Yes, it’s George Fortune and his yabby races. Suddenly kids appear from every direction, hoping they will pick the winning yabby, though we are quite sure who enjoys it more…George or the kids!
While people scramble for a campsite and he kids are off racing yabbies, the barra hunter finds his site (the best site of course). As he unloads the car and the boat, something in the distance catches his eye, ‘could it be?” He asks. Yes…it’s the Bar! and with quick “You’ll be right, wont ya darl” he heads off to join others of his kind.
The next morning, there is a buzz in the air, for the official start is almost upon us. The waters edge is now a hive of activity, as boats are put into the water and engines are checked once more, the barra hunter’s wife, still faking excitement, is busy packing snacks and drink into the esky. The smell of sun cream hangs thick in the air as kids are lathered, hats are placed on their head, and their life jackets are secured. Finally the time has come. The kids are seated in the boat, great barra hunters are at the helm with engines humming, while the wives, pretending to smile, hold the boat, hoping dearly that a shrimp doesn’t want to nibble on their toes. Its time!! The fleet is blessed and with a 1 2 3 they push off and head for those “secret” spots. Long into the night they cast and retrieve that very special lure, the only one that can catch the elusive $25000 tagged barra.
Was the barra ever caught you ask? Well you’ll just have to come out to Mount Isa on that last weekend in October. For we don’t want to give away too many secrets. However, we can guarantee, that The Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic is certainly a weekend to remember….
Pam Lee
2008