The Donald Angling club headed up to Ned’s Corner at Lock 9 for their annual Australia Day Long weekend competition. Glorious weather, great company and one or two good fishing yarns made for an enjoyable weekend for all in attendance.
The competition started at 7 a.m. on Saturday and concluded at 7 p.m. Sunday, where 25 seniors and 4 juniors registered to compete for the bragging rights for the heaviest fish.
Who said “Ladies can’t fish?” Well, Megan Jardine proved this wrong landing her first ever catch of Murray Cod with a 56cm, and then to outshine the men, she landed her prize winning cod of 75cm 10 minutes later! This gave Megan the bragging rights and winner of the competition for the longest cod caught. Gary “Narra” Dunstan came in a close second with a 73cm cod.
Not to be out fished by the “missus”, Jeremy Jardine, in the last hour of the competition, took home first prize for the longest Golden Perch at 58cm. Carl Jeffery finished second with his Golden Perch measuring in at 52cm.
Longest bag of native fish was won by Leigh Nunn, hooking seven Golden Perch and one 60cm Murray Cod, totalling 341cm. Next in second place was Adam “Bud” Campbell with five Golden Perch and one cod at 57cm and a total of 252cm.
It was great to see a few juniors enjoying themselves and trying out their fishing skills, with some even “outcatching” the older and more experienced “fisherman” over the weekend.
Junior winners
Zaiden Mitchell won the longest Golden Perch with a 45cm and not far behind him with a 41cm Golden Perch was Chase Campbell.
Chase also took out the prize for the longest bag of native fish with four Golden Perch and two cods at 57 and 59cm respectively. A total of 266cm, just out-fishing his old man! Looks like there will be plenty of fish to eat in the Campbell household – no cooking for you, Kath!
During the weekend three oversized Murray Cod were caught and released by Barry “Cocky” Cockfield with an 86cm and Chris Wood with two at 84 and 82 centimetres.
In total fifty-two Golden Perch and nine Murray Cod were registered during the weekend’s competition.
A great weekend was had by all with the usual shenanigans, laughter, fellowship and good fishing.
Anyone who would like to come along to our next competition on the Labour Day long weekend in March will be most welcome. Venue TBA.
For further details, come along and join the Angling Club on Wednesday nights at the club rooms, at 5.30 p.m., you will be made most welcome.
Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for the whole day. Teach a man to fish, and you’ll get rid of him for the whole weekend!
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 31 January 2025.
