Aurukun is located on the junction of three pristine river systems making it an ideal location for unique fishing adventures. The Archer, Ward and Watson Rivers are on the doorstep, as are the beaches and reefs outside the mouth of the system, and can now be accessed from the comfort of the Pikkuw.
Anglers can target reef, blue water, river and estuary and freshwater / lagoon species, as desired. Tidal estuaries, white sandy beaches, near-shore reefs, rocky headlands and even fresh water rainforest reaches are accessible on good tides. This variety and diversity will be sure to have your head in a spin - with quality angling on offer for the lure or fly caster.
The remote waters south of Pera Head on the west coast of Cape York have previously been the domain of truly adventurous anglers. A thousand lifetimes worth of reefs, rivers, creeks, flats and lagoons are just waiting for the uninitiated and round here, the fish grow big!
The recent construction of this exciting new sport-fishing platform, MV Pikkuw, solves the access challenges for serious anglers.
The Pikkuw is closely linked to the local community of Aurukun. This allows access to an extraordinary range of angling opportunities and most importantly, gives fisherman the advantage of stepping off the boat, something not allowed to many other fisherman visiting this area.
Fishing Environments
The Pikkuw has direct access to four diverse waterways. The Ward, Watson, Small Archer and main Archer Rivers. Each of these systems having a myriad of smaller creeks which flow into them.
There is a massive wetland area south of Aurukun, based around the Archer, Love, Kirk and Kendell Rivers. This area is of huge ecological significance and is the reason why wildlife is so abundant. The floodplains, lagoons and salt-pan areas dotting the upper reaches of these creeks and rivers provide a nursery for Saratoga, Sootie Grunter, Mangrove Jack, Tarpon and of course, the mighty Barra.
There has been plenty of press given to the quality Barramundi fishing in this area. Cricket score catches of Barra can be had after the wet-season and again in Oct-Nov. There is also amazing diversity of Barra fishing, giving anglers the choice of targeting big, fat, up-stream Barra or their startling-silver, yellow tailed cousins in the downstream reaches.
Angling options around here go well beyond Barra, with a range of the north’s premier sportfish on the list. All types of fish can be caught on a range of tackle using an equally large range of techniques.
Most anything that resembles a popper, or will skitter across the surface, will do for queenfish. Amongst flies, Lefty's Deceivers, Clousers, Pink Things, Bendbacks and Dahlberg Divers and their hybrids are attractive to Queenfish and other tropical fishes.
The run-off of the floodwaters produces some extraordinary, unmatched lure and fly-fishing moments for Barramundi, Mangrove Jacks and Sooty Grunter in the upper systems, whilst 'Queenfish Flats' literally boils.
A well-presented lure or fly will entice Mangrove Jacks, Fingermark, Trevally, Queenfish, Salmon (king & blue) and Cod from the snags and Trevally, Queenfish, Mackerel and Tuna off shore.
While the run-off fishing is first-rate, other options remain varied throughout the year. You will be staggered to see the clarity of water with neap tides in the middle of the year. A small Mackerel caught 15km up the river on a soft plastic lure didn’t even come as a shock!
Fishing pressure is minimal in these parts and everything from popper gulping Sooty Grunter to plastic smashing Fingermark are an option on any given day.
A large system of reefs in close proximity to the coast, combined with rocky headland and long sand flats opens up an amazing array of light tackle sport fishing.
Queenfish, Mackerel, Giant Herring, Tuna and Trevally can be seen cutting tight balls of baitfish to shreds, while Golden Trevally and Permit cruise around in relatively shallow water.
The shallow reef and rock patches provide fishing for Fingermark, Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Nannygai, Stripies, Bluebone, Mangrove Jack and many more.
