Black Bass Mecca

TRIP REPORT

AUGUST 8 – 22, 2019

Fly River

My journey to Papua New Guinea begun when I responded to a Face Book feed by Sport Fishing PNG advertising a position vacant for a Pro Sport Fishing Guide. I new immediately that there was going to be a huge response but I felt confident after spending 5 years in the Solomon Islands that I had a good chance as any at landing this dream position. Fast forward 6 months and here I am at the Royal Papuan Yacht Club in Port Moresby standing on the deck of the magnificent MV K20 mother ship about to embark on my first trip up the spectacular Fly River. I feel Iʼm in good hands with the all MV K20 crew consisting of Thomas the Captain, Fikia first mate / pro guide, Ivan engineer, Billy deckhand / pro guide, Mea deckhand / pro guide, Zeke deckhand / pro guide, Alex chef, Kenny and Charles deckhands guides. Most of the crew had done this journey many times before which left me feeling very much the rookie tour coordinator/trainee pro guide I was.

The logistics behind a tour like this is a brain draining, physical marathon where nothing can be left to a “sheʼll be right” attitude. The whole management of SFPNG and the MV K20 has been a trail blazer in these types of high level sport fishing adventures for many years in PNG. We know more than anyone how important proper preparation is paramount when taking clients with big expectations to a river as remote and wild as the Fly.

The Fly River is one of the largest river systems in Australasia and the second largest in PNG. It starts from its source way up in the central highlands of Star Mountain and flows and incredible 1200 river km to the Gulf of Papua. The catchment area of the Fly River encompasses a mind boggling 76000 square km, mostly made up of Savannah Forrest, swamps, flooding grass lands and lakes. These areas provide a perfect ecosystem for a huge variety of fish life and is home to the most powerful freshwater sport fish on the planet, the Papuan Black Bass.

Having completed the somewhat bumpy Papuan Gulf sea crossing from Port Moresby to the mouth of the Fly River in roughly 40 hours. MV K20 now transforms into a silky smooth cat as she slices her way up the turbulent, caramel coloured water way weaving past huge logs and other debris to our first rendezvous point, the local village and its grass airfield. All the crew are up well before day break and immediately started preparing K20 for the arrival of our first group of 9 sport fishing fanatics, who at this stage are still in Port Moresby with the other half of the SFPNG team making final aviation checks as they prepare the clients for the charter flight to the airfield. On the K20, final checks are also taking place all the sport fishing tenders have been unloaded into the river and had engines and sounders fitted, fuelled up and washed down. Communication and timing now take over to guarantee the 9 clients are in fact on their way and do not experience any delays. At the same time, the boys at K20 prepares the tenders armed with a 60hp Yamaha which is still an hour boat trip away for us.

A PNG sing sing welcomed the guests with its vibrant and colourful display of cultural dancing and singing to welcome new people to their area. Scores of villagers take part to promote peace, happiness and to bring good fortune to the trip. With the 9 clients now on the K20 and enjoying the cold beverage or two, with formal introductions and the safety and trip itinerary briefing completed, a small 2.5 hour window has emerged to let the clients fish the area.

The late afternoon sun was blasting it rays straight down the river lighting up the K20 like the true rockstar she is. All the tenders and the clients began staggering back giving the thumbs up to a fantastic first afternoon of lure tossing, catching and releasing a fine mixed bag of Barramundi and Papuan Black Bass.

This group of sport fishers all made this epic journey from various parts of Australia, with some having experienced the Fly River in the past. Andrew and Raylene, Scotty and Kate are from the Toowoomba region in QLD. Otto and Glen hail from Brisbane, Craig the lone Victorian and Al and Arnie who originally called the Gold Coast home. They all have one thing in common, to test their angling skills against a beast of a fish called the Papuan Black Bass.

Travelling through the night and further up the Fly River we reach our next fishing destination. Day break reveals a magnificent waterway surrounded by thick reeds and fallen timber with numerous barramundi boofing and free jumping in the early morning mist. The guests finish off their hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs, hash browns, toast and fresh local fruit then board the waiting tenders with the pro sport fishing guides and all their supplies, then disappeared for the day. Our work on the MV K20 is just beginning as all the remaining crew get busy cleaning up and turning over the cabins, scrubbing the decks, double checking everything as Ivan our engineer inspects the engine rooms.

Around midday a dug out canoe with two local fisherman appears at the stern of the ship. Alex the chef speaks in their language to reveal their intentions, to sell us fish, not just any fish but 2 solid looking Black Bass, gulp. These are the first Black Bass I have seen in the flesh, I handled the fish and admire their nasty canine teeth and the huge tail. With my sport fishing back ground I have to decline their offerings, but still I give them a hand shake and a coke and sent them on their way. All the sport fishing tenders begin returning late in the afternoon with epic tales of fish caught and lost with lure design and colour dominating the conversations. Fluro green /Black, Gold / Orange, with the deeper diving lures with a reach of at least 4 meters combined with a violent rod twitching action scoring most of the Black Bass and Barramundi caught.

The good fishing continues with Al and Arnie connecting and landing a heap of solid Barramundi and some absolute beasts of Black Bass.

In the mid day, Alex and I had a chance to check the spots within eye shot of the K20 in the remaining tender on our down time so I could gain valuable experience towards gaining my stripes as a pro guide in this area. I managed to catch my PB Barramundi at 92 cm plus half a dozen small Black Bass and a weird looking type of rare Jewfish all caught trolling with a deep diving Nomad lure in a green pattern.

After yet another sensational meal of roast pork by Alex, MV K20 departs for its next destination, which is around 8 hours further up stream and is the main river that flows out of a big Lake. Captain Thomas encountered numerous shallow sand banks throughout the night but his years of experience in this area got the MV K20 safely anchored well before day light. With the smell of bacon and