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Jacob Toyota Southern Cross Ten Dartmouth Women’s Fishing Classic
  |  First Published: December 2007



On November 23/24 on Lake Dartmouth, Lake Banimboola and the Mitta Mitta River, 107 lady anglers displayed their skills. Competitors traveled from as far away as Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Mornington and Bundalong to compete in this inaugural event.

Perpetual Trophies were donated by Cobram Trophies and the Dartmouth Alpine Angling Club, and will be displayed at the Dartmouth Pub.

A total of 152 fish were caught and released over the two days, the majority being brown trout. Only 16 rainbows were measured. Each angler could score the best two fish per day, even though many caught a lot more. Mandy Gay caught the Best Brown in the competition, a 52.5cm trout. Cynthia Stuart recorded a 48cm brown trout on the Saturday. The Best Rainbow was 46cm and was caught by Lorraine Graves from Mornington on Saturday, whilst Lola Hole from Thurgoona measured a nice 44cm rainbow on Friday. These anglers won Kookaburra Ice Boxes, donated by O’Connell’s Refrigeration, Daryl and Anne Leary from Beechworth, Colin Leary and Bates Excavation.

The Best Junior Catch on the Friday was won by Dana Lindeman from Altona, and on Saturday by Dartmouth Angler, Chloe Graeber. Their prizes were sponsored by Murray Country News and Dartmouth Alpine Angling Club. The girls received Rod and Reel combos, sunglasses, tackle boxes and Dartmouth Angling Club windcheaters. Runners up each day were Chloe Chase and Natalie Hick.

The Best Catch by a Local Angler was won by Cynthia Stuart of Dartmouth. Cyn caught some beautiful fish over the weekend, and won a meal voucher to the Garden Gallery Café and a gift pack donated by Tallangatta Pharmacy. Her best four fish measured a total of 181.5cm.

The Champion Individual Angler was Mandy Gay, a preschool teacher from Tallangatta. Mandy and her husband Jamie are keen fishers and know the lake and streams well, having lived at Mitta Mitta for many years. The total length of her top four fish measured 190cm. Mandy won a Rod and Reel from Masons the Complete Fisherman, a weekend at Tokemata Resort, Cobram, a rod holder from Profishional, and a year’s subscription to Fresh Water Fishing.

Mandy Gay teamed up with Tallangatta Primary School teacher, Melissa Mansell, to win the team section. Teams of two people could nominate to fish as a team. The Reel Deal Team, as they named themselves, caught over eight fish, measuring 344.5cm. The winning team won rod and reel combos donated by Elks and Capper Pro Tackle, rod holders from Profishional, subscriptions to North East Angler and weekend accommodation at Lake Mulwala Holiday Park. Twenty five teams were registered to compete with all sorts of colourful names such as Barra Babes, Big Trout Hunters, Fish Fingers, Wonder Wobblers, Brunski Fishin, and Stunned Mullets, to name a few. Teams which scored well included Altona 222cm, Toogee 204cm, Crossed Flowers 222cm, Flower Power 171cm. Dartmouth Bags 170cm and Ken’s Oars 179cm.

The Club Section of four anglers was won by The Big Deal. They caught over 16 fish over the two days and won a flyfishing weekend at Dartmouth with Scott McPherson from Indulgence Fly Fishing. All accommodation and meals are included. The girls won subscriptions to Victoria Fishing Monthly, Okuma Femme Fatal Rods and Reels donated by Toogee Tackle and Rapala Freetime.

Club scores were as follows: The Big Deal 467cm, Crossed Flowers 393cm, Wombat Wenches 320cm, Dartmouth Hookers 292cm, WRP 153cm, Gatta Girls 126cm, and the Coland Chicks 114cm.

David Green from Benalla won the Skippers Draw, taking home a Minn Kota trolling motor. Lloyd Mildren from Wahgunyah won a Hook’Em Fish net donated by Jay Broman. The Skipper Draw was designed to encourage those many patient guys out there to give the girls a go. Craig Mc Laggan from Loftys Lures generously donated a Cobra lure to each contestant.

The Dartmouth Womens Fishing Classic was an enormous success, with all entrants looking forward to its continuation next year. The Committee wishes to thank all of our sponsors and people who helped out over the weekend.

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