There was a great turnout for the 21st Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly Fishing Competition held 4-5 June 2011. A total of 359 competitors, including 62 juniors, weighed in 147 fish.

A 99% water level in the lake and good weather conditions set the scene for a great weekend of camping, fishing and family activities. The best session was on Saturday afternoon with 56 fish weighed in.

The results were a mixed bag with plenty of happy anglers taking home a swag of prizes. The following anglers took out the top prizes and titles:

Hanwood Fish Hatchery Champion Junior angler was Dylan Banks of Toowoomba who weighed-in a 0.9kg yellowbelly. No junior angler weighed in an Australian Bass.

Adult angler Cheryl Russell of Gayndah took out the Barney’s Marine Heaviest Yellowbelly at 1.475kg. Cheryl won a Lowrance Fish Finder that was sponsored by Barney’s Marine of Pialba.

Adult angler Tony Russell of Gayndah took out the Wondai Accounting and Tax Services Heaviest Australian Bass at 1.34kg. Tony won a trophy and $250 prize money that was sponsored by Neil and Elizabeth Smith of Wondai Accounting and Tax Services.

Major prize winning draws for yellowbelly, Australian bass, silver perch, jew and spangled perch were won by Helen Wanka of Dalby; Jessica McHugh of Bell; Phil Wittman of Wondai, Donna Kennedy of Wondai, and Carla Maskell of Kingaroy.

Major sponsors of the competition included: South Burnett Regional Council, Wondai Accounting and Tax Services, Barney’s Marine, Allround Angler, Huston Motors, Ransen Timber Company, Kingaroy Plumbing Works, Wondai IGA, All Covers and Tarps, Stihl Shop of Kingaroy, Kingaroy Camping, EvaKool Ice Boxes, Goodyear Tyre Service of Kingaroy, John Provan Building Pty Ltd, Chesterton Scaffolding, Ergon Energy, Barrability Fishing Charters, Golden Spurs Hotel, Hivesville Hotel, Carrollee Hotel, Water Skiers Warehouse, Tropic Angler, BGA Agriservices, Bass to Barra Marine and Smak Lures, Bob Jane T Mart, Wondai Post Office, Bryan Zelinski Engineering, Proston Country Bus Service, Smithfield Feedlot, South Burnett Machinery, G Crumpton and Sons and Wondai Plumbing and Trade Centre.

Huston Ford and Ransen Timber Company sponsored the winner and runner up prizes in the junior section and Allround Angler of Caboolture sponsored runner up prizes in the adult section. Ergon Energy also sponsored a lucky draw of five junior life jackets.

The event provided a boost to the local economy with over 1000 campers enjoying the great facilities provided by South Burnett Regional Council at Lake Boondooma. Many campers extended their stay in the area to visit other tourist attractions including Boondooma Homestead, the Wondai Timber Museum, local wineries and the many other attractions in the local area.

The Boondooma Dam Fish Stocking and Management Association Inc would like to thank all competitors and the many sponsors for their continued support.

The 2012 competition will be held on the 11-12 February 2012. For more information please contact John Burow on 0427 112 477. – Boondooma Dam Fish Stocking and Management Association Inc.

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South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Carter presenting the prize for the Heaviest Yellowbelly to Cheryl Russell of Gayndah (photo courtesy of James Barclay).