One would have thought that the big challenge that faced Don and his son Stewart was the foreign invasion of the new-generation gelspun, or braid, lines.

But in what must have been a do-or-die situation for the Australian company, it developed its own Platypus Super-Braid which, like its monofilament varieties, is also made in its Brisbane factory.

Don McPherson had battled the big “C” for many years, and his jovial re-emergence at tackle shows and fishing tournaments after exhaustive and debilitating chemotherapy sessions are the stuff of legend.

Also legendary, it must be said, has been his relentless interest in the fairer sex.

People associated with Don have all shook their heads with amazement as he repeatedly charmed younger women with his cheeky half smile and a gasping, wheezing voice so low that you would often have to lean forward and cock an ear to hear him.

I asked him about it once and he answered: “I may be old and sick but I think women are wonderful and I can’t help but love them.”

In the Australian fishing tackle industry, the “Don” who will always be remembered is Don McPherson, a truly special person and a role model to all who knew him.

 

As the last of the dry season easterlies continue to blow, it’s not surprising that the best fishing reports have come from sheltered waters.

Bynoe Harbour , in particular, has been fishing extremely well for both
barramundi and mangrove jacks.

The best results have come from around the mangrove edges casting shallow-running lures during the first half of the incoming tide.

Good schools of medium-sized queenies are being caught later in the tide trolling bucktail jigs.

Threadfin salmon are also about in Bynoe Harbour , mainly feeding on flats on the rising tide, but they are being cagey and not easily fooled by artificial temptations.
Closer to Darwin , Shoal Bay has been producing good barra in low tide holes.

Soft plastic shads retrieved slowly across the bottom and live-baiting with mullet are both working.

The barra fishing has been tougher in Darwin Harbour , but it will definitely improve as we move into the build-up.

Corroboree Billabong has continued with its consistency with some anglers catching 10 or more a day, including some beautiful freshwater barra exceeding 90 cm in length.

For night-time enthusiasts, Hardies Lagoon on the Mary River system appears to be the best bet, although the barra aren’t as big as nearby Corroboree.

The newly-formed NT Guided Fishing Industry Association (NTGFIA) will hold a general meeting at 7.00 pm Thursday 22 September at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club.

The main topics for discussion will be the introduction/non-introduction of Fishing Tour Operator (FTO) licence fees and the setting of out goals for negotiations with Government on the long-term future of the guided fishing tour industry.

The association now has its own website, www.ntgfia.com.au, which has a newsletter posting on FTO licence arrangements in both Queensland and Western Australia .