Dan Allen made another pilgramige to the Great Barrier Reef, this time bringing his youngest son Will and his US captain Jay to join him on this charter. With Tim not able to be out on the reef this season due to work commitments. Laurie joined Captain Darren (Biggles) Hayden who is now skippering “Calypso”. At a wonderful dinner in Cairns we realised that Dan Allen had been fishing with Laurie for 31 years, with his first trip to Australia with his wife Peggy, which was also Laurie’s first year as a captain on board “The Hooker”
Fishing was very interesting with 25-20 knot SE winds and the current ripping south. The first few days only produced small fish in the 250 – 350 range. Dan had to leave early and could only spend the first 2 days out on the reef, but Will and Jay did not worry as this meant less time waiting to be on strike. The next few days still produced fish but not “Big Jules”. As always day 6, and the last day of the charter, produced the big fish, but only to prove that nothing is guaranteed in fishing and the big girl got away.
I am sure the boys will be back to claim the one that got away.
