An early Wednesday morning flight was unable to dampen spirits, and in no time at all we were arriving in Darwin, some sooner than others given their location on the plane. Fines were appropriately handed out on landing. Soon we were all on our way to Crab Claw Island, everyone surviving the bumpy trip except a bottle of red wine that ended up in the Bin 386, with a certain lawyer ironically being caught red handed….or not.
Settling into Crab Claw Island, Glen Tomlinson and Toby McHenry selflessly tested the water temperature before everyone found their rooms and got to know one another over dinner.
DAY 1: The group was split into deep sea and estuary fishing, each setting off with much anticipation. It was the deep sea boat that had greatest success, bringing in eight jewfish, all at least a metre in length. Rod Grinter - the hard man of the Demons - was one of the first to pull in a fish, and then one of the first to sit down. Max Maynard, Sarah Moroney, Fred Fuster, Arty Palechoritis, Daniel Buckley, Alan Griffin, and a combined effort of Frank and Jo, all landed a jewfish that would go proudly on any Christmas card this season. The estuary boats also had a good day out, with four x 55 cm-plus barramundi, golden snapper, golden trevally and queenfish proving the best of the rest.
That night, one jewfish was used to feed over twenty people as the adventures of the day were related, with the addition of some mayo where required, or - more aptly - tartare sauce. The perfect folly for a long day in the sun is a quiz night, so we then gave the teams the chance to use their big brains, which had slipped into neutral over the past 48 hours. Congratulations to the team of Daniel ‘Strawny’ Buckley, Tim Mason and David Martin, who placed just ahead of the fast finishing Alan Griffin, Richard Edmonds and aforementioned lawyer, Glen Bartlett.
DAY 2: After a good night’s rest, the fishing groups swapped over, and again the deep sea boat crew ran into some big jewfish. David ’Great’ Britten pulled in the biggest catch of the trip, with a jewfish measuring 123 cm. This was closely followed by Richard Edmonds, and the ‘Cap of Success’ wearing Chris Connolly who, on the back of catching ONE fish, now likens himself to some of the truly great salty, seasoned fishermen from the Top End.
That evening, thanks to the estuary boats pulling in a huge catch of mud crabs, everyone sat back as the awards were given out over a few cheeky red wines and a seafood dinner befitting the Northern Territory. Congratulations to Richard Edmonds who took out the overall award, handed over by 2011 champion Tim Mason. Like the Demons of the early 2000s, Tim plans on rebounding in 2013, as it will be an odd year.
Thanks to everyone who took part in this memorable expedition. As in 2011, it was another fantastic trip away with some great supporters of the Club. We look forward to doing it all again next year.
Awards
Day 1:
Biggest barramundi: Richard Edmonds - 62 cm
Biggest deep sea fish: Arty Palechoritis - 118 cm
Worst miss, estuary: Chris Connolly (asleep half the day)
Worst miss, deep sea: Tim Mason - 2 x jewfish
Day 2:
Biggest barramundi: Francois ‘Frank’ Auffray - 55 cm
Biggest deep sea fish: David ‘Great’ Britten - 123 cm
Worst miss, estuary: Jo Young (lots of fish)
Worst miss, deep sea: Glen Tomlinson - 1 x MASSIVE Jewfish
Overall:
2012 Fishing and Football in the Top End CHAMPION: Richard Edmonds
2012 Fishing and Football in the Top End R/U: Arty Palechoritis
Most Determined: Chris Sleigh
Honorable Mentions: Gregg Wagg, Francois ‘Frank’ Auffray
Most Consistent: David ‘Great’ Britten
Honorable Mentions: Bartlett and Rahilly combination, Strawny, Sarah
Talk the Talk: Arty Palechoritis
Honorable Mentions: Tim Mason, Chris Connolly, Torsten Kasper
NAFA: Tim Mason
Honorable Mentions: Jo Young, John Trotter
