On 9 March 2014, the 37th Horsham Fishing Contest will be held on the beautiful Wimmera River, which flows through the centre of the City of Horsham.

Thanks to the local Council, free camping is available on approximately 50% of an 11km stretch each side of the banks of the tree-lined river. There are also two caravan parks and an abundance of motel and hotel accommodation.

Horsham is located on the Western Highway about 3 1/2 hours from Melbourne and 4 1/2 hours from Adelaide. It has a population of more than 15,000 and is also supported by a much larger rural population.

Horsham is a vibrant city servicing a large surrounding agricultural region. The city has an excellent retail sector and a variety of cafes, clubs, restaurants’ and hotels. The Leisure Centre and close by Green Lake provide for those interested in water sports. Ten-pin bowling and Kids Capers, an indoor children’s recreational playground, are other recreational activities. Horsham boasts one of Victoria’s highest rated Golf Clubs with its sensational new clubhouse catering for the golfer and those wishing to dine at the club. On Saturday evening the Horsham Greyhound Club hold their major event at the showgrounds located by the river and promises a great night out for the family.

The fishing contest is catch and release, all native fish are returned to the river. All carp are returned to headquarters for disposal. Carp, golden carp and tench are not eligible to win prizes, other than specific prizes allocated to these species. Any fish under 30cm is not weighed and carp must not be returned to the river. All fish are tagged then transported to headquarters for weighing and recording. These fish are then kept in aerated viewing tanks at headquarters at Sawyer Park for release at the end of the contest.

The organising committee is proud of the prize list on offer, the prizes are made possible by committee purchases assisted by local sponsorship for which we are extremely grateful. This year we are particularly excited about the top three senior prizes on offer.

This year 1st and 2nd prizes have near equal value at approximately $18,000 each. The winner will get to choose first from a Kia Rio S car or a Bluefin Estuary Trekker boat. Third prize is the choice of a cruise or a Bali holiday. As well there is a list of prizes and give-aways along the river totalling in excess of $60,000.

There are three sections, Senior, Junior and Tiddlers, so the whole family can get involved. Some years ago we introduced the Tiddlers section realising the 5 and under age group were missing out on fishing with the family. As a result of their inclusion, we saw a real family atmosphere develop with large family groups coming together for the long weekend.

Each participant is issued with a stake to allow them to mark their fishing spot. One stake allows for 2 rods over a distance of 2.5m on the bank. Stakes should be pegged to the left of any nearby stake. Pre entry stakes can be collected from 8am on the 1 March at our Site office at 9a Firebrace Street. NO stakes are issued before this time and date and only the official stake can mark the fishing spot. For those arriving just for the weekend of the contest be assured there is plenty of room left to fish. Over the years the major prizes have been caught all along the river even near headquarters in the centre of the city.

We have contestants from all over Australia enter. We invite you and your friends to join with us for a relaxing fun-filled weekend. Come to Horsham and get hooked all prizes must be won fishing contest. For more info: P.O. Box 47, Horsham. Vic. 3402. Ph: 0439 826 187 Email: --e-mail address hidden-- Web: www.horshamfishingcomp.com.au.