Episode 11 - Mark ”Bargy” Bargenquast from Fish’s Fly & Sportfishing in Weipa

The Australian Fly Fishing Podcast

Growing up in Hervey Bay, I had the pleasure of meeting Bargy close to 20 years ago now and have been lucky to call him a friend over these years. Initially it was Bargy's stories of giant threadfin salmon and barramundi captures in the Mary River that had me enthralled but as the years rolled on it was his passion for fly fishing and some of the incredible species he targeted that really peaked my interest.

Bargy came from humble beginnings, growing up on the Fraser Coast spending a lot of time hunting and fishing with his grandparents on the river. Bargy's involvement with the ANSA club throughout the 80's gave him a solid understanding of fishing techniques and how certain species hunted and where they could be found.

It wasn't until the early 2000's that Bargy decided to start guiding on the Fraser Coast and hit the ground running. From big golden trevally and queenfish on the flats, cruising threadfin salmon in the drains and longtail tuna and juvenile black marlin in Platypus Bay and beyond, Bargy had it dialled!

His involvement with John Haenke's "Fishing Downunder" DVD series really opened the eyes of many a fisho and showcased some incredible fisheries both locally and further afield. He was also a part of "Black Torpedoes" a local production by Taz Jefferies which showcased some of the incredible flats fishing and the diverse range of species available in our region at the time.

On a fishing trip to Hervey Bay, Peter Morse introduced Bargy to Alan "Fish" Philliskirk, a saltwater fly fishing pioneer in Australia and the then owner of Fish's Fly & Sportfishing in Weipa. Needless to say, the two hit it off. Winter was typically Bargy's quiet season in the bay so he started heading up to Weipa to help guide during the peak of their season. Eventually the call was made to pack up the family and head for Cape York, where Alan "Fish" Philliskirk would eventually hand the reins over to Bargy, around 2020.

We delve into the outstanding fishery that is Weipa and the vast beaches, flats and creeks that surround it and the plethora of species on offer.

The crew at Fish's Fly & Sportfishing offer a complete package from airport collection, to a top notch fly fishing lodge and even a private chef to cook for the guests. They can even arrange multi-day fishing/camping trips to remote beaches for the die-hard fly fisher interested in chasing big Anak permit.

Bargy, "Fish" Philliskirk, Jacko Bargenquast (Bargy's son), Kurt Rowlands and Drew Bolton really have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to fishing in Weipa and all live within the community. I can highly recommend booking a trip with Bargy and the team from Fish's Fly & Sportfishing.

You can follow them on Instagram at @fishsflyandsportfishing , visit their website www.weipaflyfish.com.au or alternatively send Bargy an email to make an enquiry at [e-mail]