FEEDBACK IN 2011
Hi Roger,
I just wanted to provide some feedback to you on the wonderful 4 days I
just had at the lodge. This is my second visit, and the action just gets
better and better. Of my 4 days at the lodge, 3 days were spent out in
blue water and 1 day in the creeks shopping for barra. On each of the
bluewater days, we bagged over 70 fish a day, with species including
spanish mackeral, golden trevalley, coral trout, northern bluefin tuna,
bags of cod and queenfish - over 20 different species in 3 days.
The day spent at Navy yielded over 100 fish, including 80 or so legal size
barra, the biggest being around 80cm. A sprinkling of mangrove jacks, the
odd queenie and salmon species added to the best days fishing I have ever
had - almost every cast got a hit.
Can't thank enough the great guides I had in Sean and Ben - the guys
really know their stuff, and with the sole aim of getting you on the fish,
there was never a quiet time throughout the 4 days.
Marc's cooking again was sensational - love that chilli mudcrab, and it
was a bonus to catch up with Alex Julius and Stuart and the girls for the
next NAFA photo shoot.
All in all, a fantasic time - great food, tonnes of fish, great company.
Can't wait to get back again in the near future.
Cheers,
Grant Beevers March 2011
FEEDBACK IN 2010
Dear AJ and Roger,
"I would like to thank you, the guides, Dave and Chef for the amazing time we all had in November. It had been 18 months since I took some corporate clients to the lodge, and for the chance to get 12 of my friends to the lodge to experience the amazing Barra fishing was terrific. Everyone had a ball and again, the experience, the food, the service and the fishing provided has changed many lives.
Personally, it really reminded me how much I miss and love Barra fishing and the Territory.
Having one of the boys making the metre club was a highlight.
Best wishes and we will be back!
Cheers"...Greg Morianos, Regional Sales Manager, Lion Nathan December 2010
Hi Roger
"Just wanted to say thanks to you and your staff at Maningrida for a magnificent fishing experience that will stay with me forever.
Thankyou for upgrading us to the ensuite accommodation - it was extremely comfortable and convenient.
Despite my having fished the Daly River for at least 25 years, I learned so much from Mick, who guided us for three days and enabled us to catch and release an abundance of excellent Barramundi. He was very patient and tolerant of my shortcomings in casting and snagging.
I also would like to thank Chef Mark who looked after our every need in relation to very good food and cold beverages, including re-stocking our in-room fridge each day. Overall a fantastic experience, and one I would very much like to repeat if the opportunity arises.
Thankyou and kind regards."
Les Jones, October 2010
Roger
"I just thought I would take a few minutes to thank Dave and his team for a wonderfull fishing experience for my father and I. The food presented by chef Marc was fantastic , the rooms and our clothes were always cleaned promptly . Your fishing guides were second to none , their knowledge of the river systems was great and in the face of adversity on several occasions their response and professionalism was pleasing to be a part of . Steve " Grassy " , Chris and Mick are a credit to your organisation and I cannot thank them enough . Although he may be easily forgotten we could not enjoy any of this, without machinery that is functioning and Locky does a fantastic job keeping availability at a premium in such a harsh environment . Last but by no mean least , the guy that fills in the gaps and makes it all happen , Dave . Dave makes all visitors feel welcome and could not do enough to make our stay as smooth run as possible . Once again to all the Lodge Staff , THANKYOU for a wonderfull experience it is certainly one my dad and I will remember for the rest off our lives . Hopefully we can cross paths again some day .Once again, Thanks
Daniel and Neil Beckmann September 2010
Hello Roger
"I would just like to thank you and the staff at the lodge for the four great days of fishing we had. The excitement of catching Longtail Tuna, Queenfish. Spanish Mackerel, Coral Trout, GTs and the forty odd Barra on our last day was fantastic. I did particularly appreciate the mix between Blue Water, Reef and Estuary fishing. Mick our Guide ensured we had full on fishing 100% of the time. Whilst David, Sue and Lochie looked after our well being once back at the lodge.
Nick and I are keen to return once I have improved my Bait Caster, casting technique, at which point Mick (our guide) and I are going to have a ‘cast off’.
Thanks"
Klaus and Nick Stuhlener August 2010
SHIMANO GROUP May 1010:
Shimano’s Colin Tannahill. “The ultimate experience – fish, food, cleansing drinks, awesome location, great service…can’t wait to get back again,” Colin wrote in the Visitor’s Book.
Morning Alex
"Just a note to say thank you & what a great few days we all had at the Lodge & I know it was a memorable trip for the Loomis guys. Please pass on our appreciation to Mick, Chris, Mark, Lachlan, Hayley & Graham for the professional job they did in ensuring everything ran so smoothly. They are a very good team.
Whilst we remained metreless it’s a bloody good reason to return & have another crack.
Thanks again
Regards"
Lindsay Secombe
Dunphy Sports/Fishing Imports P/L
Jim Lebson. Jim heads up G.Loomis in the United States. “The only thing that could compare with the fishing was the service. Both Great!” Jim told us.
DANBY GROUP JUNE 2010
Rob Danby June 2010. Rob said: “This was a fantastic trip with great fishing and a wonderful team looking after you. Everyone in our group said how great it was and an amazing experience. Two of the guys are putting together a book of the trip.”
Sean Crowe-Maxwell – Sydney: “Awesome trip of a lifetime. Good food, good fishing, great company.”
Marcus Peake – Kiama NSW: “Amazing…what a fantastic way to lose my ‘fishing virginity’ – great experience, made all the better by the amazing staff. Well Done!"
Dennis Woodward – Mount Kembla NSW: “A wonderful experience, great people to fish with.”
Chris Ford – Thirroul NSW: “A TRIP TO BARRAMUNDI DREAMTIME…AMAZING!”
“This has got to be the best fishing trip I’ve ever had. The Lodge is just fantastic”.
John Penley March 2010.
Good morning Alex,
"Thought I would drop you a line, just to thank you on the awesome trip and adventure we had! All the boys loved it and we were very impressed with the lodge, a big thanks to Mick, Andrew, Mark, Graham, Shaun and yourself for making us feel very welcome and relaxed and looking after us. The guides were fabulous and were very patient, at sometimes I’m sure they wondering if we were fishing for barra or monkeys in the trees haha!
The whole experience was a 10 out of 10, food- accommodation- guides, equipment, boats everything was fantastic!"
Trent Wallin March 2010
Brad Godden. Former Newcastle Knights 1st Grade NRL player and member of the Australian World Cup Squad in 1992, fished with brother Wayne and Ted Profic in March 2010
“We caught lots of barra in the 80s and I caught a 91cm yesterday on the Rockbar. The first day we got off the plane and straight onto the Bluewater, and must have caught 80-90 great Bluewater fish. We easily caught over 100 barra between the 3 of us. I’ve been doing these trips since 1997 and I’ve fished Shady Camp, the South Alligator River, Croker Island and more, and this trip we caught the most fish than we’ve ever caught before. The Lodge is a great set-up, probably the best we’ve stayed at.”
2009 Testimonials
"Unbelievable fishing in a remote and exciting location. 5 days of fishing at Arnhemland Barra Lodge with superb guides, best buddies and pristine environment. No other boats were seen during the trip amplifying the remoteness and untouched waters. The variety of locations was outstanding. The adventure endless. The fish, nothing short of amazing!!! First class trip with first class guides. We will definitely return.".......
Melissa & Les King October 2009
"Both my guides Ben and Mic where fantastic fishing with Ben was like spending a day on the water with a mate... (who knew more about fishing than me and was happy to teach you a trick or two). Both guides went out of there way to make the day as good as possible. I work within the industry and i would be proud to have a team like that working for me. I do a lot of 4wd / outdoor lifestyle trade shows with my job and would be happy to recommend you lodge. I must also mention the crew back at the lodge also did a great job of making me fell welcome and looked after my every need."........
Noah Moseley October 2009
"Alex, I cannot speak highly enough of your team`s efforts to make us comfortable , and ensure our visit to the lodge was a success........... I know that I speak for Trev as well and I`m glad that I have had this opportunity to thank you personally. You can be assured that we will be back to get the big one some time (hopefully in the not too distant future)"......
Greg Trezise August 2009
“We fished at the Lodge Oct 2008, and had a great time. This return trip was the best experience we’ve ever had. The first day we boated about 130 barra, 70 jacks & salmon etc. Second day – over 20 huge barra from the Rockbar, plus many others casting the Honeypot…then many tens of great fish every day. We are planning on returning at least twice a year.” …
Mal McCully, March 2009
“A trip of a life time. We were treated like royalty in every way. The guides all offered their own unique tips and tricks, were professional, friendly, informative, patient and flexible. The food was sensational, fishing equipment and boats were first class. The Lodge location is absolutely divine, offering breathtaking views and comfortable accommodation. Best of all, we caught a **** load of fish! Thank you.” …
Kerry Gregory, May 2009
“I’ve been to the Lodge at the beginning of the Wet (October) and at the end (March) several times, and the fishing’s never failed me. This year in July was a treat…a terrific Dry Season adventure for a definitely-amateur fisherman…a better than one metre barra and 80 or so other fish in a two-day weekend! Well done to the crew at the Lodge – especially Ben and Mick as guides, Mark in the kitchen. Even Manager Dave and the world’s oldest backpacker Graham contributed with crabs and snapper.” …
Andy Bruyn, July 2009
“We landed 50 barra first day with two over a metre (101cm and my PB 107cm), 12 of them over 90cm, 20 or so over 80cm and the rest bar five over 70cm!
Over 4 days, our boat bagged 161 barra. The whole experience was fantastic. We’ve already booked for next year.” …
Chris Beuth, Sept 2008
We were looked after very well and the staff were so good to get along with. It was like being with your mates from home. Their knowledge of the area and rivers was good and we learnt some good fishing tips".
Trevor Hinck
“The barra fishing is undoubtly the best in oz that I have experienced. The lodge set up is great, the boats and location is excellent."
Kyle Page
21 barras the first day - 14 the next - 6 mud crabs day 3. I was with my 2 sons and we had a most enjoyable time both on the water and at the lodge. We all caught fish and had never done that type of fishing before."
Philip Dyer
"Great guides and staff, all the necessary luxuries and great fishing." Johnny Tripodi "What a wonderful experience. Staff were friendly and experienced. Interesting fishing with different guides as each had his own gear, style and preferences. Learn't more about the barra this way - learn't more about the guides. Magnificent country seen as it has been for eons - the wonder would catch you as you turned to cast and saw a sea eagle take a fish from the water at full stretch, the light you get nowhere else in the world enfolding everything and making it seem more real. I tell you, just thinking about the place makes me smile."
Craig Glenister
"The whole trip was a fantastic experience - From the flight in and seeing an aerial view of the rivers and surrounding landscape. To the natural bush setting and tents on the escarpment and brilliant sunsets. To the vast and plentiful array of fish. The trip was full of firsts, from catching my first Barra (and having it beautifully prepared by the chef that night) and then catching numerous ocean species to finally landing a reef shark. The Lodge catered for our every need, I have since recommended it to all my friends" Nick Fazekas
