Darwin is certainly a magnificent fishing destination and those of us that live hear are truly blessed. The locations are so numerous and the fishing so diverse, one of the hardest decision one has to make is which "hot spot" will I fish today.

One of the great enjoyments that I have received from being an angler over the years is the excitement of kids when they catch their first fish. I have been fortunate to have been there for my own kids and the experience was just as much fun for me as it was for them.

When my granddaughter was just over two I assisted her land her first fish and unwittingly created an "angling monster". That first fish was over twelve months ago now and almost everyday since I have endured "When are we goin' bishin' again Poppy? "Can we go in your boat poppy?' The more I took her the more she wanted, but despite her young age she was becoming a competent little angler, who was having no problems landing a reasonable fish all on her own. I continue to take Taylor to Leader Creek - where she caught her first fish - its only about seventy k's from Darwin. This is an incredible estuary that is alive with juvenile Black Jewfish during the dry season and one that the Defence Sportfishing Club is conducting a Northern Territory Tagging project in. Although the estuary is only about five nautical miles in length, from the ramp to the mouth, it contains an incredible number of Barramundi, Fingermark, Threadfin and of course Black Jewfish. It would have to be, without a doubt, one of my favourite fishing destinations. Another reason that enhances this great spot is the facilities at the ramp, where for $16.50 you can have your boat launched and retrieved, plus while you are out fishing your car and trailer are secured within a compound, thanks to Graham from Leaders Creek Fishing Base.

The obsession that Taylor had developed was made worse, when thanks to Harold Bligh, Fish & Boat and Alvey Reels; Taylor won the junior angler of the month and as a result received an Alvey rod and reel combination, along with a bait bucket and Alvey hat. The bait bucket soon ended up in the sand pit and managed to keep her entertained for a while, but the rod and reel just had to be placed with Poppy's in preparation for the next fishing trip.

That next trip wasn't too far away and before long we were on our way to Leaders Creek to catch and tag a few Black Jewfish. Taylor was so excited, kids - boy can they talk. We were soon at the ramp and Taylor waved goodbye to Graham as he secured our car, while keeping a watchful eye out for one of the many saltwater crocodiles that have made their home in Leaders Creek. It was a quite day on the creek with only a few boats taking advantage of the beautiful dry season weather. We dropped in a couple of crab pots and started fishing. It wasn't long before we had over thirty small Black Jewfish tagged and released, Taylor was having a ball with her new outfit, which was ideally suited to the small fish we were tagging, She was still talking her head off in between captures and laughing as she released the fish back into the water.

The tide soon changed and with the change the Black Jewfish went off the bite, probably because of the schools of Blue Threadfin that had moved into the creek with the change. At around the kilo these fish are fantastic on light gear and I was soon rigged and pitting my skill against one as it cart wheeled from the water. In the excitement Taylor yelled, as I looked over her rode was bent to the point of breaking and she was in all sorts of trouble as a Blue, just under the kilo leapt from the water. I was happy that the six kilo line would hold but that bend in the rod was giving me some concern. The fish continued its aerial display as Taylor employed her own version of pump and wind, finally gaining enough control to allow me to secure it in the net. The photo says it all from there - a smile you couldn't jump over and nice Blue ready for the barby.

As our primary target had gone off the bit, I decided to check the crab pots and head back to ramp. Taylor was happy with this as her mind was now occupied with taking peeks at her fish in the esky. Things soon changed after I had successfully placed seven crabs in the esky.

At home that evening we all enjoyed mud crab and Threadfin whilst listening to Taylor recount the days events, over and over and over again. And she went to bed; she could be heard saying, " When are we goin' bishin' again Poppy?"