Our last day drive north with Josh and Aussie Fly Fishers was lively. We had a wallaby barely clear the front of the truck. Later in the ride we saw two dashing kangaroos cross. We spotted more animals from afar that we weren’t sure of. Perhaps a feral pig and a dingo. The aggressive controlled burns seem to have the animals on the move.
After the hour long drive we launched the boat. The wind. Oh boy was it blowing. But we expected it. We laughed and thought about a positive. The low tide wasn’t until midday. The flat where Josh saw an immense number of permit with Kevin three days ago should finally have some water even with the offshore gale. As we hugged the beach heading north we continued to enjoy more wildlife. (Photo by Josh)
When we arrived there was water. It was indeed a windstorm but under the surface the Anak permit should be there. In the distance fire was pushing our way. Josh dropped the trolling motor and we headed towards what Josh referred to as the permit hole.
It was hard for Josh to control the boat even with the trolling motor at full power. There were times when it was as if we were on anchor lock. Then a gust would thrust our way the opposite direction and we’d lose ground. It was hectic but then we caught a glimpse of Anak permit mooning.
I haven’t mentioned “mooning” but Anak’s flash their shiny sides when feeding on bottom. It’s the equivalent of an Atlantic permit tailing. They’re usually happy and if you can get your fly there you have a good chance. It was a struggle but after three casts that were either short or offline, I got one off. Once I calculated the crab was on bottom I started my slow strip. Basically for permit you’re best to simply keep tension on the fly. I went tight!
Yes! It appeared last day magic may be on my side. But a few strips and a deeply bent 9-weight in, just before takeoff, we saw the fish. My crab had been seized by a chunky golden trevally. Its such a shame to be annoyed with such a fantastic fish – but we were.
Of course this hook up spooked the entire permit school. Naturally this particular golden had to be a bear to land. He ripped line speeding every direction. Once we caught and released him, our only option for more permit was a move. Luckily Josh had another spot.
We had to move closer to fire but it was worth it. There were more Anak’s. Just like the land critters were active earlier this morning, it seemed our finned friends were hunting. Josh spotted more mooning downwind of us. We decided to let the wind push us to them. Unfortunately the mooning didn’t last and we lost sight of them. At the same time a gust sent us at mock speed. With the whitecapped surface, smoky haze reflecting as well, we didn’t re-spot them in time and spooked the entire school by running them over without even a cast. Brutal!
We haven’t let mishaps discourage us all week and we weren’t starting now. We let that wind continue to push us down the flat and lo and behold, more mooning. These fish were shallower too so even when there were no flashes we saw the permit. This time Josh engaged the motor to slow us down and I made a long cast. The fly landed right in front of the entire school.
Its hard to stay tight on your fly and gage where the heck it is when drifting towards it anytime let alone in a gale. I stripped faster than usual. Then I went tight again. I made a quick jab and as I lifted my rod I yelled, “On!”
Only “on” didn’t last. Who knows why, I think I lifted my rod too soon and needed another jab. Regardless, Mr. Anak was gone. As was the entire school. Yeah, this time all three of us were discouraged.
For the first time all week I got that gut feeling. I was going home without my Anak. It’s a rare day for me to lose confidence in anything, let alone fishing, but I won’t lie, catching my fourth species of permit was going on hold.
There were no more chances all morning. The wind and smoke got worse and worse. Every difficulty was magnified – Josh maneuvering the boat, me controlling my line, casting, seeing and eventually breathing due to choking smoke. By afternoon it was so bad all we could do was laugh.
I’m sounding like by afternoon we gave up. But really we didn’t. While the trolling motor could no longer handle the ferocious wind, Josh anchored us at a location where at least every thirty or so minutes a permit or two came by. Most of the time they were too far out of range and I couldn’t make the cast. But there were two very close calls. I landed my fly where it needed to be and each fish took a hard look. One of them may have eaten the fly but I never felt him. Finally our chances came to a halt.
Josh kept us out till the bitter end. We probably didn’t stop searching until 4:30. When we were close to the boat ramp and out of the smoke, we made one last stop. There was a school of goldens wallowing for crabs. I couldn’t resist.
The Anak permit of the west side of Cape York Australia has become my latest menace fish. If you’ve followed this blog over the years, you know there’s been a few. The Africanus. The milkfish. And probably the worst was the striped marlin. But they all added to the story and in the end they made my species list. I’m certain this crafty Australian flats dweller will do the same.
It’s been an amazing trip. A very special thanks goes out to Joshua Hutchins and his outstanding outfit, Aussie Fly Fishers, for hosting Granny and I. We loved seeing the fishing of Cape York and look forward to experiencing some of AFF’s other destinations. In fact – good news for me – I’ll be near here in December of 2025. I’m hosting a trip for Yellow Dog to AFF’s Wessel Islands.
While my Wessel Islands trip is full, keep a watch for me to book another. Chances are that Australia will be for me like the Seychelles and I’ll host a trip here every year. I truly fell in love with this place. Stay tuned for a 2026 offering.
Granny and I begin the journey home tomorrow but only as far as Sydney. There we have on more Australia trip highlight. We are visiting one of our longtime friends. It will be special. Stay tuned.
Damn, sorry you didn’t but congrats on all the new species! You’ll knock the Anak off next year for sure.
I want to say “bummer” on the Anak but wow, what a trip. Cool fish! Definitwly a destination to hit
Like I say, it adds to the storyline of my life. Its good to have a reminder that things that are challenging, really are a challenge. Mr. Anak is just that. And yes Brian, he will be on the list in the near future!