Speaking of tuna... even though the conventional fishermen give us grief, we sometimes take the opportunity to  follow them out to deeper salt water in the mornings when the wind is slake. This is the perfect time of day to look for the numerous species of tuna who call the Gulf their home. Again, we look to the birds to show us the way to the tuna schools. Generally it takes 5 minutes or less and you are in hot pursuit of the roiling, thrashing school moving at crazy speeds. There is nothing quite like sitting in a boat as a feeding frenzied school moves past you. Silver bullets of tuna shoot through the air chasing bait and violently crash back down. The noise is sometimes so great you would swear you were standing right under a waterfall. As suddenly as it is upon you, it has flowed past and the sound has become instead that of a nearby flowing river. The raw power and speed of tuna will never cease to amaze me, hooking one is always an adrenalin rush as you wait to see if it is of a size that you can manage on a fly rod or if you will be spooled within a minute. Longtail and Mackeral Tuna will keep you busy and, in turn, the tuna usually attract sharks within a very short time. Hammerheads, Tiger and Bronze Whaler Sharks are prolific in these waters. The conventional fishers will also have opportunities at sailfish, mackeral and cobia



We are often treated to other wonderful animals as we explore the salt; dolphin, turtles, many stingrays and manta rays.  Many interesting bird species are native to Cape York, so many in fact that Captain Greg is planning to add bird watching trips to his repertoire. I am always particulary taken with the harlequin pelicans, so much more formal looking than the poor drab cousins here in America, and the shy Jabiru, a stork-like bird often standing over 6 feet tall. You see one striding along the beach at a distance and it is easy to mistake for a person beachcombing. A great morning this trip brought a surprise in the form of a whale. One of the skiffs had left a bit early when suddenly we could hear the guide excitedly calling on the radio - " You have to see this!" With the speed that would have made the muster captain proud, everyone deployed in skiffs and headed out to the Gulf. In 3 minutes we were practically in the spray of the whale's spout. We were lucky enough to follow not one, but two whales for about 20 minutes.



Those six days went in a flash. We covered many miles, anchored up in 3 different places and explored 6 river systems. We fished hard, ate great food and shared the camaraderie bred in those special circumstances of a remote location. Upon the return to Bamaga airport, Greg presents each guest with a commemorative cd from their trip. I feel this is the icing on the cake and a wonderful memory to share with friends and family.

I am happy to say that Carpentaria Seafaris continues to deliver an incredible experience. The operation is smooth, consistent and just plain fun. Thanks Captain Greg, Captain Al and crew - you did it again! I smiled there on the bow, reminded that a permit eluded me on this trip and knowing I would soon return.