THE Kyalite Fishing Classic has wrapped up its annual competition for another year.
The event saw 400 attendees taking to the waters on the Wakool River for a weekend of competitive fishing, great food, and lively entertainment.
Despite rough conditions on Saturday February 22, with hot and windy weather challenging the competitors, spirits remained high as anglers competed for top prizes.
The competition saw some impressive catches across both open and junior categories:
Participants and spectators were treated to a variety of food and entertainment across the event with a roast being served on Saturday night and a barbeque lunch served on Sunday.
The entertainment lineup included Yarrawonga-based singer Daniel Barrett performing on Friday night and Code 5 bringing the energy on Saturday night.
Adding to the event were 100 spectators who attended the entertainment festivities.
Competitors traveled interstate for the fishing weekend with people coming from Port Augusta, Albury, Bairnsdale, Geelong, Ballarat, Stawell, Warrnambool, and Wagga Wagga.
The Kyalite Fishing and Sporting Club (KFSC) made an announcement at the event that marked a milestone.
The club received approval to launch a fish tag competition, offering a $10,000 prize for one specially tagged fish in the Kyalite region.
Four other fish will carry $500 prizes, with the official rules and fish release date to be announced soon.
This initiative is aimed to bring more attention to the region and boost tourism in Kyalite.
KFSC president Brenten Hogan said the event wouldn’t have been possible without support from volunteers and sponsors.
“We would love to thank the 42 sponsors, acknowledge the Pearson Group and Louis Dreyfus Company as our diamond sponsors,” he said.
“We would like to thank the Kyalite Community Hotel for their support and commitment to the Kyalite Fishing Classic.
“Everyone enjoyed cold beers and great pub meals.
“The accommodation park area is fantastic and plenty of campers appreciated the facilities.
“It is certainly a great spot to be.
“Thank you to the Kyalite Fishing & Sporting Club committee who put in countless hours to make the event a success.
“Thanks to all the volunteers who helped the hotel and fishing club, their work certainly didn’t go unnoticed.
“It was a great successful weekend.
“Going forward our aim is to again put in more than $32,000 of fingerlings into the river for the next season like we did last year.”
Major prize winners
First prize – 430 Mako Craft Boat with a 50 HP Mercury motor and trailer (valued at $37,000) was won by Lachlan Jew.
Second prize – 3.7m tinny boat and trailer went to Shaun Campbell.
Third prize – Honda package (valued at $3000) was won by Jordan Hageman.
Fourth prize – Engel portable fridge/freezer was won by Ernie Snowball.
Fifth prize – Drill set kit was won by Shane Eade.
The Just Doon It $1000 fishing charter voucher was won by Marty Stap.
Open Category
Longest Murray cod was caught by Hayden Bladier measuring 89cm.
Second longest Murray cod was caught by Brendan Smith measuring 73cm.
Third longest Murray cod was caught by Scott Adams measuring 72cm.
The longest golden perch was caught by Terry Higgenbottom measuring 54cm.
Second longest golden perch was caught by Daniel Mase measuring 50cm.
Third longest golden perch was caught by Lachlan Ford measuring 49cm.
Longest carp was caught by John Desborough measuring 77cm.
Junior Category
Longest Murray cod was caught by Hudson Berrigan measuring 66cm.
Second longest Murray cod was caught by Austin Howley
Longest golden perch was caught by Grayson Gammond measuring 52cm.
Second longest golden perch was caught by Aaron Jew measuring 42cm.
Longest carp was caught by Isla Standen measuring 77cm.
