The Top End

Hi Folks,

The best part of being a fisho is the sense of adventure inherent in the sport. Invariably you get taken to breath-taking locations far away from the mundane reality that is our normal existence. I love the quiet streams and rivers with the only sounds of life are the sweet hummings of native birds and the rhythmic wistle of russtling leaves. It is a blessing some may take for granted. From time to time i often tilt my head back, gaze at the scenery and and take in a deep breath, tasting the environment through all of my senses. It unwinds the soul and invigorates the mind.

These locations might be local, some spots i fish in the Hawkesbury River have this effect, or it might be in some far-flung location. Booked holidays to exoctic destinations are planned sometimes years in advance. The lead up is usually a crescendo of excitement and nervous energy and BAM...the trip you have anxiously awaited for months on end has dissipated into a historical occurence. The week you have booked flies past with little regard for time. Then it's over!

I have been lucky this week to redefine the process. Instead of months of anxiety and patience,I have been blessed with an impromptu opportunity to the top end; the South Alligator River to be precise. My mate Sean called in Wednesday evening and suggested i should pack my bags and head north immediately. The tides have aligned and time is now. The opportunity too good to miss. Airfare tickets booked next day, pack my gear in a flurry of panic and today i fly. No time to contemplate, no time to assess and no time to lament.

Perhaps impromptu is better. If you look at the time pre trip we usually have, say 12 months and the duration of the trip, say 1 week, we have a disproportionately balanced cycle. 52 weeks to salivate and 1 week to devour. No wonder the time away flies past. Here we have 2 days to prepare and 3 days away. Perhaps the time will trickle in comparison. I hope so. It's times like these that we cherish, and adventures like this all too infrequent in modern times.

I will report of the fishing as soon as i'm back!