Over 700 anglers enjoyed a sensational weekend at the 2006 Longreach Yellowbelly Classic Fishing competition, including special guests Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen, camera man Clint Hempsall and sound man Rod Conder.
The Classic was held along the banks of the Thomson River and attracted anglers from Barcaldine, Winton, Richmond, Hughenden, Alpha, Moura, Quilpie, Rockhampton, Emerald, Charleville, Townsville, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Isisford, Blackall, Mt. Isa, and many other areas.
The Longreach Fishing Club’s wanted to promote fishing by holding a family oriented fishing competition. They also wanted to encourage tourism.
The competition grew dramatically this year with 210 measured. Fish from 31-52.5cm were measured and most were released back into the Thomson River.
The main draw on Sunday was a Stacer 350 Seasprite boating package valued at $6,000 donated by Terry’s Marine Centre in Rockhampton.The lucky winner was 17-year-old Douglas Webb of Alpha.
Escape with ET aired an episode on 4 November featuring the Longreach Yellowbelly Classic. Toby Bosscheiter filmed a segment aboard the Billabong Boat Cruise, the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre before driving from Longreach to Muttaburra to visit the Muttaburrasaurus. Thanks to the generosity of all sponsors, Fairbairn Motors Longreach, the Australian Stockmans Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, QANTAS Founders Outback Museum and Longreach Outback Travel Centre.
Event organisers James and Helen Balke would like to thank all the sponsors involved in making this year’s Yellowbelly Classic a huge success. – LYC
Facts
RESULTS
Juniors
Longest Yellowbelly: Jason Willersdorf (Longreach) 52.5cm
Longest Catfish: Scott Frazer (Augathella) 50.5cm
Longest Bream: Leroy Brown (Blackall) 31cm
Longest Barcoo Grunter: James Barwick (Barcaldine) 32cm
Longest Welch Grunter: Mackenzie B-Peet (Dysart) 33.5cm
Major prize winner: Gary Cutting (Longreach)
Adults
Longest Yellowbelly: Lloyd Mercer (Perth) 53.5cm
Longest Catfish: Brett Carlson (Longreach) 50cm
Longest Bream: Shane Heinemann (Quilpie) 31cm
Longest Barcoo Grunter: Phil Leard (Charleville) 35.5cm
Champion Adult Yellowbelly Angler (most number of yellowbelly caught): Louis Turlan (Mackay)
Major prize winner: Douglas Webb (Alpha)
Overall Heaviest Redclaw: Brady O’Connor (Emerald) 526g
Raffle
Minn Kota electric motor: Di Jackson E78
XXXX Swag: Jake Bernie E47
Samsung CDMA phone donated by Telstra Country Wide: B. Jarmey B9