Plenty of visitors and 150 fish weighed in resulted in a successful Easterfish for the Bingara Anglers’ Club.
The event, which started 30 years ago as Octoberfish, continues to be a popular event on Bingara’s calendar. With entries totalling 205, numbers were down a little from last year, but enthusiasm was high amongst anglers of all ages.
Chris Baldock with his grandsons and winning cod ‘Gwen’, named by the boys. ‘Gwen’ has joined the team of breeders at the Hatchery, which is still looking for one more female for the program.
Committee member, Stan Fletcher welcomed all competitors and made special mention of the Pallamallawa Fishing Club who turn up in force every year, and again ran the weigh-in station at Copeton Dam.
The Pally Fishing Club is also very generous to the Bingara Hatchery.
Stan also thanked Max Glennys and Maggie Dansey for cooking the barbecue.
On behalf of the Gwydir Shire Council, Cr. Peter Pankhurst presented a $400 cheque to the Hatchery.
Anglers Club President, Steve Apthorpe thanked Council for its on-going support of the Hatchery. He also paid tribute to Gary Hardman Marine in Moree for their sponsorship of the event and the continuing hard work done by the committee members and their families to ensure Easterfish continues to be a success for years to come.
The biggest fish weighed in over the weekend was caught by Chris Baldock. Chris donated the cod, weighing in at 17.5 kg or 39 pounds, to the Hatchery for the breeding program.
Results
Men’s section
Cod: Chris Baldock, 17.5 kg
Yellowbelly: Allan South 3.71 kg
Catfish: Troy Hobday 2.305 kg
Ladies section
Cod: Julie Barwick (countback Yellowbelly) 1.652 kg
Yellowbelly: Hayley South 2.985 kg
Catfish: Debbie Grand 1.350 kg.
Junior Girls
Cod: Cassidy Hobday (countback catfish) 0.450 kg
Yellowbelly: Kristy South 2.56 kg
Catfish: Hayley Hancock 1.42 kg.
Junior boys
Cod: Rodney Seage 6.11 kg
Yellowbelly: Lindasy Vandrist 2.415 kg
Catfish: Kane Hancock: 2.88 kg
Biggest carp: Blaire Johnson 4.590 kg
Most carp: Sean Seage.
Secret Weights
1st Lindsay Vandrist ($250)
Equal 2nd: Taygan Heath and Will Johnson ($75 each)
3rd: Mark Craddock.
Raffle results
Boat, motor and trailer: Tony Bilsborough
Electric motor: Mindy McDouall, Armidale.
Barbecue: Craig McNiven, Goulburn.
A second, smaller raffle was also drawn this year with one prize; a basket of Easter eggs. The proceeds from this raffle were kindly donated to the Wespac Helicopter, and the winner of this was Jacob Walton.
