The 2007 ‘Dart Cup’ Yamaha Fishing Classic was held again this year on the Queens Birthday Weekend at the mighty Dartmouth Dam in Victoria’s Alpine region.

The Dart Cup competition was once again a massive success even with the lower water levels the state is coping with at present. There was a total 344 open entries, 26 junior entries and 12 club/teams that competed in the tournament. A total of 536 trout were weighed-in over the weekend with most of these brown trout and about 100 rainbow trout.

The water levels were down to only 12% this year, so the new boat ramp, located off Haul Road at the main wall, was used for all competitors. All boats were able to launch several at a time with waiting kept to a minimum. The Toro Twister was in full swing once again with Matt Hick and his team directing the traffic at the ramp with their usual perfection. If your stomach was rumbling a tad and you needed your fix of the morning “greasies” you could grab a delicious bite to eat from the Mitta Angler team who manned the ‘Big Breakfast Bar’ at the boat ramp this year.

For the first time in the Dart Cup’s history, weigh-ins were held at the boat ramp at the main wall. Frank Tezak and Donna Cardwell were the official weigh masters at the boat ramp, which doubled as the catch and release weigh point as well. There were only a few that chose the catch and release section of the competition, however it is good to see some participated as it ensures success of the catch and release section in the years to come. Cappers Pro Tackle sponsored the boat ramp weigh-in, in addition to a special prize for the best catch and release trout.

A super, mega big thank you must go to all our sponsors especially the great crews from Southern Cross Ten, 2AY and Edge FM who promoted the competition so extensively over the airwaves, as well as Stephen and the team from Bonegilla Boat Shop and the good people from Yamaha. – Robyn Scales