The 13th annual Grabine Classic at the Grabine Lakeside State Park on August 23-25 was hailed as another success, with 904 entries registered.

This result was above expectations given the wild, windy, wet weather that greeted anglers at the start of the tournament.

A Wyangala Dam around 72% full greeted competitors, 16% of whom were juniors.

A change in competition rules produced an increase in the catch ’n’ release section with 80 fish over 30cm being released back to the water. This figure included 61 yellowbelly, 12 silver perch and seven Murray cod.

This compared favourably to the 96 catch ’n’ keep fish tally, which included two catfish and two trout, a species not recorded for quite a number of years.

One of the committee men, while waiting to record a catch and release on the water, even bagged a 35cm redfin.

A total of 492 anglers were entered into the competition with David McDonald from Binda recording the largest cod for seniors weighing in at 4.37kg and Melanie O’Farrell from Wombat recording one of 4.14kg for the juniors.

Daniel Webber, of Cootamundra, bagged the most fish with a total of 112 carp.

In the catch ’n’ keep section there were three cod for an average of 9.80kg and the largest, caught by Thomas Pelling of Cowra, weighed 11.77kg.

Yellowbelly averaged 1.02kg, with the heaviest of 2.13kg by Margie Bell of Goulburn.

Silver perch averaged 0.95kg, the heaviest of 1.16kg caught by Steve Webber of Greendale.

Catfish averaged 1.38kg and the heaviest of 1.58kg was caught by Nick Apps of Young. The heaviest trout was 1.97kg, caught by Robert King from Doonside.

Up and coming junior angler Byron Campbell, of Boorowa, scored four prize divisions: Junior biggest and runner-up catch ’n’ release cod of 74cm and 70cm, biggest junior C&R silver perch of 42cm and the the Judy Monk Perpetual Trophy for junior champion.

The Boyd Carruthers Memorial Trophy for biggest catch and release went to Wayne Stewart from Gordon with a Cod of 87cm.

Other senior catch and release prizes went to Jess Corkery, of Nicholls, for a 48cm yellowbelly, and Mark George and Adam Kennedy with a silver perch of 43cm.

A lure board was again in operation to raise funds for restocking, which also attracted cash donations for the cause.

The of a trailer plus contents was won by Joe Cosgrove, of Taralga, and second prize of a barbecue went to Juene Eshman, of Bigga.

A total of 53 prizes were up for grabs and the major prize of the boat, motor and accessories was won by Luke Charnock, of Goulburn.

The tournament committee thanks the many sponsors, in particular the Lackanooky Bay Fishing Club in their support of the catch and release and Dick and Karen Elvins (Gwydir Gobblers) for their continued support over the years.

Special thanks also to the Grabine Lakeside State Park for their hospitality and support.

Many thanks also to those who operated the catch and release volunteer stations that recorded catches and made it all possible for the anglers wanting to keep the fish in the lake. – Wayne Cummins