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Saltwater fly fishing around Hervey Bay By Paul Dolan

Hervey Bay is easily accessed being only 300 kilometers north of Brisbane on the east coast of Australia and a short flight from other big cities in Australia. Hervey Bay has just had it's airport upgraded to take bigger jets so now it's easier than ever before to get here with connecting flights from Sydney and Melbourne from as little as $69.00 one way.

The Bay is well known around the world for the magnificent Fraser Island that borders the bay along with the mainland and vast Mary and Burrum River estuary systems, creating a wonderful marine life habitat, relatively sheltered from the biggest seas and winds.
We are lucky enough to witness the mighty Humpback Whales come to rest and feed their calves in the warm waters before they take their migration journey further south.
Visitors arrive at Hervey Bay each year between July and October just to see these magnificent creatures at play in the shallow waters here.
The accommodation options here in the Bay range from Backpacker style to 5 star with places like Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island or The Outrigger Resort at the marina on the mainland. The township is big enough to ensure an interesting stay, plenty of family activities, good food, joy rides, and much more. However, the Bay is so enormous that you will always be able to find pristine space away from crowds if you want to.
The waters on the western side of Fraser Island are home to many great Sportfish species like Golden Trevally, Giant Trevally along with many others of the trevally family. Another prize to get the adrenalin really pumping is the Northern Bluefin aka Longtail - this species is right up there with the greatest fly fishing targets on the planet - ever attached your fly or lure to a passing missile? There are also plenty Mackerel Tuna, Spanish, Broad Bar, Spotted and School Mackerel. The fantastic aerobatic Queenfish is another trophy species widely available in the Bay.

A great Golden Trevally

Without doubt the most popular species that fly anglers travel here to target is the magnificent Golden Trevally up to 15 kilo's or 30lb. These fish are a sight casting proposition when they're cruising the shallows or tailing on clear flats. A guide will get you multiple shots at these fish from the Bay side of Fraser Island, but areas near to town have wad able flats that can also produce these fish for the stealthy angler.
The term "tailing" is used when the Golden's are in very shallow water pumping food like crabs, yabbies and other small crustations from the sand flats with their tails waving in the air. They have very large rubbery lips that extend out from there mouth to make the perfect pumping tool for their feeding habits. When tailing these fish are approachable if you are able to be stealthy, and definitely catchable with a good presentation. Is there a more perfect challenge in flyfishing?