ANGLERS competing in the 7th annual Longtail Tuna Flyfishing Challenge, held on the weekend of May 10 to 11, enjoyed beautiful sunny conditions with light south-west breezes.

The tuna were abundant with 42 longtails and 94 mack tuna being caught by the 55 anglers who entered. Although the majority of the fish were caught along the front of Bribie Island between the first and fourth lagoons, the eventual winner of the Champion Angler title went to Kim Strathern who caught the majority of his tuna (eight longtails and three mack tuna) in the Rous Channel area in the southern bay. Small Surf Candy style flies tied with Polar Fibre, flash material and epoxy bodies were popular amongst the more successful anglers.

The Runner-Up Champion Angler was Scott Matthew, who caught five longtails and 13 mack tuna. Scott and his team-mate Shaun Ryan (five longtails and 11 mack tuna) took out the Champion Team title with a combined effort of 10 longtails and 24 mack tuna for one and a half days on the water. A great effort!

The Bribie Island Sportfishing Club thanks all anglers who participated and hopes to see them again for the 2004 Longtail Tuna Fly Fishing Challenge. – BISFC.