{inspired by Pilgrim’s story of Hunting with Aboriginals}
We were camping at Doolena Gorge, a place somewhere in the North of Western Australia. If ever you are thinking of travelling Outback Australia, do it! Don’t wait to be a ‘Grey Haired Nomad’ as it is such an adventure for all of us regardless of age.
A family of aboriginal people arrived where we were and momentarily made me feel like a trespasser, but they set about their business, which was fishing, and I learnt a really valuable lesson. The children were curious about us and I showed them our camper trailer and gave them oranges to eat which they loved. Our way of life was varied, yet we shared the important basics.
The man of the family sat down and talked to my man about life and cars and world affairs whilst the women of the family began fishing for their supper, with older children minding the young.
I watched the matriarch of the family at the edge of the water digging for bait. She was unearthing mud-eyes, larvae of dragonflies, and pulling their heads off. If you don’t have a container to put your bait in, it is a very quick and humane way to immobilize them by this method of dissection, plus you have two pieces of bait for the price of one. After putting a piece on the hook, she threw in a handful of tiny pebbles, immediately followed by the baited line. The splash attracted the fish and the bait did the rest. Lots of fish were caught that day.
I tried this method the next day and can guarantee its success.
Elaine van Dyk
What a fantastic experience! And what useful advice – must pass that on to my son.
Pilgrim
It is a powerful experience, similar to my own here
wonderboy
yeh well…as response to your comment…i guess i didnt think that matered much, as long as the story comes through.
but i dont meen to sound rough, i really like your story and soe of your photos are mad!
botanicfanatic
Totally absorbed by this story and am sorry it’s ended! Thanks, mawaho
BTW if you’d like to meet, as we live in the same town, I’m keen! Not sure how to contact you privately though… hmmm… you could email me. The address is in my profile. :)
Ozcloggie
You’re quite right about not waiting to go and do these things. Have been here more than 50 year and only really seen the east cost. With a daughter, 25 and son, 23, you never know when I’ll be an Opa. Meanwhile, I already thoroughly qualify as a grey (white-haired-)nomad. Now I just need the freedom to go. (For now, another opa needs looking after.)
Basil
Yep, it’s about time I travelled in the outback of this wonderful country. But I can’t wait to be a grey-haired nomad, for I have little of that thatch to display! :-)
Graeme Pettit ...
A similar technique is used in match fishing – groundbait and hookbaits regularly thrown in, followed immediately by the hookbait. The groundbait usually feeds off the smaller fish, whilst the bigger ones look for larger particles. Once you condition the fish, you can catch on almost any bait – cigarette ends, polystyrene balls, berries and even pink chewing gum have all been successful for me at times! A lazy days fishing is a wonderful way to become one with nature!
mawaho
I love all your wonderful replies and quips. GraemeDesigns your method is so very interesting too.
ManaMoon
A lot of things have been taken from the aborigines both spiritually and territorially .thats why they approach newcomers with aloofness at first. have you heard the “Sorry Day” speech by the new prime minister?
mawaho replied
I did hear the PM’s speach, ManaMoon and was very moved that day.
Damian
A wonderful memory, sounds like an interesting experience :)