The Xstrata Mount Isa Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic, the most prestigious and exciting freshwater fishing event in northwest Queensland, wrapped up recently and this year’s event was the largest and most successful in history.

The weekend event was held on 29-31 October 2010 at Black Rock, Lake Moondarra, which is 15km north of Mount Isa and was hosted by the Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group.

A total of 873 men, women and children entered this year’s Classic smashing the previous record from 2005 of 794 entrants. Over the weekend there were many different species of fish caught including four sooty grunter, 10 yabbies, 10 perch, 11 barramundi, 12 archerfish, 58 sleepy cod, 73 longtoms and 110 catfish.

The Mount Isa Water Board tagged barra that was worth $45,000 was not caught over the weekend, but a $1000 bounty has been placed on the elusive fish until the next Classic. But many lucky anglers took home prizes from the extensive prize pool over the weekend.

Champion angler for the event went to Chris Kirikos, who accrued 900 points over the weekend and Nicholas Thinee took out the champion junior angler award. The Xstrata heaviest barra category was taken out by Bob Dover with his 12.04kg monster and Leah Eussen won the CUB mystery weight barra with her 3.34kg fish.

Off the water, Andrew "ET" Ettingshausen from the hit fishing show Escape with ET made a special guest appearance. Competitors and their families were also entertained by the Huddy’s Mining Services fireworks spectacular, the A.R.T Yamaha Supertank display, yabbie races, casting competitions, live entertainment, activities for the kids, the Buffs Club beach volleyball competition, Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce DIY dragon boat races, trade exhibits, food, drinks.

The Mt Isa Fish Stocking Group would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters and participants for making this year’s Xstrata Mount Isa Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic the largest most successful even ever staged at Lake Moondarra. –FMG