Juniors a key for contest growth
Junior participation looms as a primary growth area for Horsham’s annual Labour Day weekend fishing competition.
Contest chairperson Adele Rohde said a strong sense of involvement from young people and families at last weekend’s event generated a clear reason why the contest should continue into the future.
“Looking at our registrations and what we offer in junior categories, the competition is very much establishing a niche as a family-friendly fishing event,” she said.
Mrs Rohde said the observation was crucial in understanding ways of promoting and growing the contest that injected more than an estimated $400,000 into the district economy.
But she was quick to add it was also important a strong seniors section continued to anchor the iconic eco-tourism booster and charity fundraiser.
“The committee many years ago added juniors and tiddlers sections and this is the area where we’re getting good feedback – juniors are getting out and going fishing, which is great,” she said.
Clifton Hill angler John Whaley, with the first fish he had caught in five attempts in the competition, won overall and took home a car for his efforts.
His 2.567-kilogram yellowbelly landed at the back of Horsham Showground reflected a catch of high-quality and healthy native target fish.
He won from Allan Beer, 1.909-kg yellowbelly, Peter Szitas, 1.569kg silver perch, Alan Clyne, 1.459kg yellowbelly, Paul Reynolds, 1.444kg yellowbelly and Mark Walker, 1.438kg yellowbelly.
The lead changed several times throughout the competition as anglers sporadically weighed in prize-winning fish.
A junior section went to Cianna Beer, 1.579kg yellowbelly, from Fletcher Moore, 1.135kg yellowbelly. Tully Garth won a tiddler section with a 1.449kg yellowbelly.
The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition, running since 1972, attracted 1348 registered competitors. Sunday’s figure included 942 seniors, 319 juniors and 87 tiddlers.
Mrs Rohde said fishing conditions were fantastic with anglers catching 127 carp, which were all removed from the river, and 123 native fish, 120 of which were returned to the river at the contest end.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was the best we’ve had for a competition in years,” she said.
“Interestingly, all the carp that came in were huge, the majority weighing in at more than a kilogram. There were no juveniles.
“The silver perch that came third was also probably the biggest we’ve seen in a competition; there were also several catfish, an occasional redfin, various forms of carp and a goldfish.”
Mrs Rohde said entry numbers were overall down by about 80 but considering events such as summer bushfires and concerns surrounding coronavirus the committee was pleased.
“All things considered we well,” she said.
“What we have to consider is that if we’re going to see a decline we have to look at increasing registration fees to maintain the services and the prize list we provide – not something we want to do.
“We haven’t changed it for four to five years and of course this won’t be necessary if more people enter.”
Volunteers from a variety of clubs and organisations as well as individuals ensured the event ran smoothly.
As part of the event’s core community fundraising program, about $15,000 overall went to clubs and groups that provided did quite volunteers. “It’s a massive weekend for Horsham and the Wimmera,” Mrs Rohde said.
“There are many events over the three days and we’re happy to provide an anchor for everything that happens. And of course we would be glad to hear from anyone keen to be involved next year.”
• More pictures, pages 22 and 23.