TERRITORY fishing guide Warren Smith has come across plenty of crocodiles during his 22-year career, but one sizeable saltie got a little bit too close for comfort last month.

The Top End fisho was about to launch his boat on the Johnson River to take five tourists out for a fish, when he noticed a large 3.5m croc sunning itself next to the boat ramp.

“I got out of the car and walked towards him, thinking it would scare him off, but the thing didn’t move,” Mr Smith said.

His guests – a father and four sons from Queensland – remained in the vehicle, too scared to get out until the rogue reptile slipped back into the water.