Fishers from Pallamallawa and long time supporters of Bingara’s Easterfish competition who, until this year, have manned the weigh in station at Copeton Dam during the Easter weekend, enjoyed their freedom to fish in the first Easterfish Catch and Release competition.
Pally fishers, Merv Ford, Jeremy McNamara, Luke Hobday and in front, Greg Macey, with support crew await the presentations at the Bingara Hatchery on Sunday.
The changed format was deemed a success by the Easterfish Committee, with an increase in entries from 117 last year to over 185 this year. According to Anglers Club President, Stuart Lanagan, anglers came “from all over the place”.
“Most are regulars who come every year, but there has been an influx of people we have not seen before, purely because it was a catch and release competition.”
Stuart said it was a lot simpler to put the fish on a special “brag mat”, which is turned up at one end. The mat is placed on the ground, with the fish’s head against the end, and, a little ID card with a number is put on the fish, and the photo of the fish is sent by phone or facebook to the organisers.
The only problem that arises is the notoriously mobile coverage in the Gwydir River and Copeton Dam areas, but the anglers managed to get their photos in.
A total of 136 legal length fish were weighed in, plus 20 carp. Most of the competitors remarked that there were many under sized fish caught that were returned without being measured.
“I told my fish to stay right there, and grow,” Richie Lyons joked. Richie was part of what turned out to be a Walton family reunion which stretched for about 100 metres along the river. Only three cousins were missing from the reunion which saw 19 children and almost 50 adults gathering by the river.
The crew from Pallamallawa brought 19 adults and 12 children, most of whom went home with prizes.
Regular competitor, Greg Macey said the fishing was all right. “It could have been a bit better, we had to work for the fish,” he said.
Jeremy McNamara said the only problem he encountered was mobile service. “When Copeton gets a mobile tower, it will be much better,” he said. “But wherever you go, there will always be black spots. “The committee showed a bit of lenience, as long as we had the photo in by the second day, that was OK.”
Results
Mens Biggest Cod Mark Cutmore 92cm
Ladies Biggest Cod Arden Ardee Burling 58cm
Mens Biggest Yellowbelly Merv Ford 55cm
Ladies Biggest Yellowbelly Liz Hobday 53.5cm
Mens Biggest Catfish Greg Macey 62cm
Ladies Biggest Catfish Debbie Jo Macey 60cm
Boys Biggest Cod Anikan Dyke 71cm
Girls Biggest Cod Anna Bostock 63cm
Boys Biggest Yellowbelly Benjamin Hobday 54cm
Girls Biggest Yellowbelly Rebecca Macey 50cm
Boys Biggest Catfish Liam Colbran 58.5cm
Girls Biggest Catfish Cassidy Hobday 64cm
Combined Length Cod and Yellowbelly
Senior Jack Walton 192.5cm
Junior Benjamin Hobday 199cm
Most Carp Abbie Reddan
Longest Carp Leroy Evans
Secret Length Nicole Bostock
Kayak was won by Cody McGarrity
Raffle
1st prize Fridge freezer Nicole Wilson
2nd prize Weber barbecue Andrew Kennedy
3rd prize Double Swag Sharnah Tomlinson
4th prize Solar Panel Samantha Evans
5th prize carton of beer John Pankhurst
6th prize carton of beer Mick Walton
Easter Eggs were won by Dale Baldock
Proceeds from this, $100, will be donated to Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle.
Anglers President, Stuart Lanagan, said the competition was made possible by the generosity of several sponsors, including the Gwydir Shire Council.
He also praised the work done by the committee members who have worked hard all weekend to make the competition a success.
The success of the first catch and release competition for Easterfish which has been running for many years, and before that, Octoberfish, will ensure a strong competition in the future.
