FOR INSPIRATIONAL speaker John Coutis, there's nothing like fishing in your own backyard.

Mr Coutis was born with a severe disability that rendered his legs useless and he later had them amputated.

Mr Coutis, a motivational speaker who has visited 120 different countries and spoken at more than 4000 educational institutions around the world in the past 12 years, dropped by the Whitsundays last week to catch up on his favourite pastime with his son Clayton.

"I love my fishing," he said.

The Whitsundays didn't disappoint; the father and son spent two days with local fishing charter Barra2Billfish, nabbing some barramundi and mangrove jack in the Proserpine River on Thursday and some nannygai, red emperor, sweet lip and coral trout around the islands on Friday.

Although Mr Coutis and his son grabbed a good mixed bag of fish over their two days, he reserved his highest praise for Melissa Johnson and Ritchie Draper from Barra2Billfish.

"When I go fishing I need alterations made to the boat so that I can fish," Mr Coutis said.

"I can't emphasise enough how much Mel and Ritchie (the owners) went out of their way to make me comfortable. I cannot recommend them enough for what they've done." After his weekend fishing in the Whitsundays, John is heading back to China, where he will continue his speaking rounds.

"I know that with every talk I give, my goal is to inspire one person. If I can help one person, it's worth it," he said.

"Life's good."