Dawson River fishing by Ray Johnston

The Dawson River is located in the small but close knit town of Theodore in Central Queensland.

It is 565km northwest of Brisbane and 222km south of Rockhampton with a population of approximately 460 residents. Its winding and bending waterway starts from Mulberry Tree Island and heads down towards the Theodore Weir.

This marvellous river system will reveal islands, inner branches and holes, undiscovered by even the locals. During the 2010 floods the river system changed for, what I think, the better in regards to fishing. Its variety of different fish, such as the prized fighting saratoga and acrobatic barramundi, seem to of flourished in the aftermath.

SARATOGA

Casting lures from Baby Bullies to poppers of white, silver, yellow or light blue, work a treat on the saratoga when the water is clear on top. You can see them swimming up and down guarding and waiting for any pray to land in their territory. They can be located anywhere up the river even right up close to a bank. With a quick flick of the lure, the saratoga can sense a struggle and attacks it immediately and the fight begins. Once hooked firmly in his mouth he starts his dance to defuse the lure.

Toga can also be caught the 'lazy way' by simply throwing out a cork or float with either a yabby or a chunk of meat and waiting for the fish to strike. But if the river is running over or is really dirty due to rain, it makes it hard to catch this species.

YELLOWBELLY

Another species targeted in Dawson River is the yellowbelly or golden perch. Whether the river is flowing or not, and no matter what time of the year, there's always a guarantee of catching a bag limit of these beautiful-eating fish. They can be caught on baits by simply bobbing with a yabby; after a quick strike and a bit of a fight they are effortlessly captured. Likewise, they are just as easily taken on lures by using spinnerbaits throughout the weeds and old snags, letting it drop, then reeling over the snags.

SLEEPY COD

One of the easiest fish to catch, and another great fish for the table, is the sleepy cod. I have never seen a more docile fish. Simply spot them 'sleeping' beside logs or other structures within the water and simply dangle the bait in front of them. With the water clear on top, you can actually put it straight into their mouths and with a quick jerk of the line, he's yours. They are sensational tasting, with most of the meat being around the top of his neck.

And of course, another prevalent species in Dawson River is the fork-tailed catfish, which can grow up to 1m in length. They are plentiful in the river and whatever