Clairview

[Apollo]

Got a mate with a shack at Clairview that I have stayed in a few times travelling through. This time the boat and fishing gear went up for a six day trip with a mate. Weather forecast wasnt too good with a bit of wind coinciding with the higher tides to be able to launch. Trip was predominately aimed at getting a look at the area and determining timing of tides, launching/retrieving options and the different estuaries. The area does get some good tides with 5-7 metre differences so pots placement, access and ramps all need to be considered carefully. With really only four days (allowing for the 8-9hour drive plus the extra 2 for my mate), we looked at the Clairview, Cattle, Waverley and St Lawrence creeks. Clairview and Cattle were crakers with clear water, rock and sand bars and deep holes. You can only access them from the ocean so need decent weather for the run. We did 1.5 days there from Clairview ramp and got caught a little went the fan got turned to high and had to do a punch back to the ramp (exposed to the sea) in 1-1.5m in the dark. Retrieving my tinnie wasnt fun but we got it done with some timing and frantic winding between sets. My phone took one for the team unfortunately taking all photos with it. Crabbing was a bust there but the word was it has been for everyone. Fishing was a decent mix of cod, finger mark, flatties, grunter, pike bream and steelies. Apparently good barra and blues there but not for us. The Clairview ramp is really only usable in the top third of the tide. It does get some protection in SEers from Flock Pigeon Island. There is another ramp on the north side of clairview in a little creek but the entrance has nearly silted up and needs a decent rain event to clean it out again. It would have been ideal for launching and retrieving in the onshore breezes if open. St Lawrence creek was very tidal and pretty much dry when we looked at it with only very shallow holes. Not alot of structure. Waverley was the longest drive from Clairview but had all weather ramp to one of the side creeks. The downside of this ramp is that the ramp is not maintained any more by council and so is pretty muddy (slippery) with the bottom 1/4 all mud. We launched and retrieved there but need to be mindful of the big tides and really factor in the tides. The current hammers there and is typical of alot of the northern creeks I have seen with mud/mangroves, steep sides, dirtier water with big colour changes and good tides. We did a bit of searching and were able to find some decent holes and ledges that would hold good water in a decent low, so very keen to go back there now we have some info. A few of the creeks have weirs in them upstream and so would be worth a look for a bit of fresh action, but we didnt have time to flick there. One thing to be mindful of is there is no fuel in Clairview. Marlborough to the south (115km) or Carmila to the north (30km) are the options. We nearly got caught coming home with the nearest service station south out of diesel. Clairview is stunning little town with pretty views and caravan park that does a beer and a feed.