Fishing entries flow

Volunteers preparing for the 40th annual Horsham Fishing Competition next month are bracing for a major resurgence in the event with figures showing a significant increase in early entries.

Competition president Adele Rohde said registrations for the long-time charity fund-raiser on the Wimmera River were 17 percent up compared with the same time last year. She added about 10 percent of the rise was from anglers who had either never fished in the competition or been absent for several years.

“A lot of entries are coming from out of town. The feeling is incredibly positive and we feel like we’re under control in terms of organisation. It’s all coming together really well,” she said.

“The predictions are that we’re go- ing to have more people in the region than other years and an even better competition. This means it will be a fantastic outcome for surrounding areas.”

Last year the Labour Day weekend event attracted 2199 entries and Mrs Rohde said organising committee members were keen to see this year’s figure top 2500.

“Reaching 3000 would be absolutely magic,” she said.

Estimates are that family members and friends joining competing anglers during the weekend swell Horsham’s riverbank population to about 5000.

Mrs Rohde agreed a combination of contest development and a major improvement of environmental conditions were prompting the positive response.

“We’re building a reputation of a good, fun competition with plenty of prizes and it is always good when people are having good fishing returns from the river,” she said.

Top conditions

Flows from winter and spring rain last year produced conditions in the river that Wimmera Catchment Management Authority leaders described as ‘the best in years’.

Anglers have since enjoyed regular catches in the waterway, many including trophy-sized yellowbelly.

The Weekly Advertiser has again swung its support behind the contest, which is conservatively offering about $60,000 in prizes with more sponsors still coming on board.

The senior angler who catches the largest eligible fish will choose between a Jayco Dove Camper, Kia Cerato hatch or Savage Jabiru 415 boating package.

Much of the money generated from the weekend is distributed to community and sporting groups that help run the event as stewards. Some groups now use the contest as their primary annual money-raiser.

Mrs Rohde said the committee was constantly exploring ways to develop and enhance the contest and this year, as part of 40th celebrations, had introduced a perpetual trophy.

“The contest started in 1972 and has only failed to run six times since because of drought. It’s important to recognise its history so we’re placing the names of the previous winners on a trophy,” she said.

“We’re also exploring new ways of spreading the prize pool.”

Records show that Ross Mckenzie from Cardross drove away in a $2279 Valiant Galant after winning the inaugural contest.

Winners since have come from places such as Glen Waverley, Bacchus Marsh, Yallourn, Digby, Kingston, East Keilor, Geelong, Ballarat and Belmont as well as various Wimmera and Mallee centres.

Mrs Rohde encouraged people to register online before Sunday to gain advantages of an ‘early-bird’ promotion.

“If you enter before the February 12 date you go into a draw to win a kayak,” she said.

“The more entries we have in early the less pressure we also have on the committee.”