Aussie fisherman's 'epic' catch caught on camera after floods
Onlookers praised the angler for his efforts in the challenging, fast-flowing river.
An Aussie fisherman has become a national hero after putting on an impressive display in front of stunned onlookers who watched as he successfully lured in a mammoth barramundi.
The unidentified man rose to "legendary" status in the eyes of witnesses who stood by and eagerly waited as the determined angler pulled out all the stops to land his "epic" catch at Tinaroo Falls Dam, located on the Barron River in Far North Queensland this week.
The dam, about 100 km inland from Cairns, is a popular fishing spot among locals and is well known for its oversized barramundi and sooty grunter. Recent storms have ravaged the area and caused waterways to flood, including the Barron River where the dam was built in 1958.
Although the storms have eased and the rivers have returned to normal, the fisherman was still faced with a mighty challenge. The 45-metre drop from the dam into the rapids below means that fast-flowing water can be rough and dangerous — but that didn't stand in his way.
Fisherman's wild stunt caught on camera
A video shared on social media filmed by an onlooker shows the blonde-haired fisherman standing on the edge of the riverbank, firming gripping his fishing rod stretched out in front of him, appearing to have already hooked his barramundi. The clip then cuts to the shirtless man neck-deep in the water as he crosses the river, still latching on to his rod in a desperate attempt not to lose his catch.
The heavy-flowing water appears to take the fish downstream with the tip of the rod bending with the force. Eventually, the angler finds an island where he can safely stand and continue in his efforts to reel in his catch.
And when he does, he proudly holds it in the air to show the crowd that he'd unwittingly attracted. Loud cheers from the audience can be heard as they celebrate the catch before he swims back to land with his barramundi in tow.
It is legal to fish in Lake Tinaroo however a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required to do so. It's unclear if fishing is permitted so close to the dam wall where hazards may be present. Yahoo News Australia has contacted Queensland's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for confirmation.
Social media in awe of 'awesome' catch
Convinced it's an "epic tale" to tell after watching it all unfold, one woman shared the video on Facebook. It was later reshared in a Cape York community group.
"I doubted the barra would be on the bite after surviving the dam fall but dayum did this legend prove me wrong," the impressed woman wrote alongside the clip which she'd backed with the 'Eye of the Tiger' soundtrack.
"Hoping someone knows and tags him so he can have his friends actually believe his epic new year tale". And she wasn't alone in her praise of his efforts.
"Awesome catch mate," said one. "That's brilliant, great catch," another shared. Meanwhile, others praised the "dedication" shown by the "bloody awesome" fisherman. "Ripper, great stuff," wrote another.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.
