There was a huge turnout for the 19th Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly Fishing Competition with a total of 680 competitors, including 116 juniors, weighing in 274 fish – a record result.

Good weather conditions and the lake at 42% water level set the scene for a great weekend of camping, fishing and family activities. The most productive session was from 5am Saturday morning with anglers weighing in 112 fish.

Hanwood Fish Farm Champion Junior anglers were Brodie Cortes of Booie who weighed in a 1.815kg yellowbelly and Codie Cortes of Booie who weighed in a 0.785kg Australian bass.

Adult angler Michael Turner of Bundaberg took out the Barney’s Marine heaviest Yellowbelly at 1.390kg, and Matty Page of Kingaroy won the Wondai Accounting and Tax Services Heaviest Australian Bass at 1.525kg.

Major prize winning draws for the yellowbelly, Australian bass, silver perch, jew and spangled perch categories were won by Mike Stewart of Wondai; Matt Baker of Condamine; Damien Sander of Yarraman, Lynda Cecil of Proston, and Sue McHugh of Bundaberg.

Major sponsors of the competition are South Burnett Regional Council, Wondai Accounting and Tax Services, Barney’s Marine, Suzuki Outboards, Lowrance Fish Finders, Handy Hire, Kingaroy Plumbing Works, Wondai IGA, All Covers and Tarps, Kingaroy Mower Centre, Kingaroy Canvas and Camping, EvaKool Ice Boxes, John Provan Building Pty Ltd, Dean Chesterton Homes, Tarong Energy, Ergon Energy, Golden Spurs Hotel, Reliance Petroleum, Tingoora Hotel, Woolworths, Hivesville Hotel, Carrollee Hotel, South Queensland Charter Services, Water Skiers Warehouse, Bass to Barra Marine and Smak Lures, Bob Jane T Mart, Wondai Post Office, Bryan Zelinski Engineering, Proston Country Bus Service, Smithfield Feedlot, G Crumpton and Sons and Wondai Plumbing and Hardware.

Huston Ford and Ransen Timber Company sponsored the winner and runner up prizes in the junior section, and Allround Angler of Caboolture sponsored runner up prizes in the adult section. Sponsorship by the South Burnett Times and South Burnett Observer also ensured the event was widely publicised in the local area.

The event provided a boost to the local economy with over 1300 campers enjoying the great facilities provided by South Burnett Regional Council at Lake Boondooma. Many of the campers were extending their stay in the area to visit other tourist attractions including Boondooma Homestead, the Wondai Timber Museum, local wineries and the many other attractions in the local area.

The Boondooma Dam Fish Stocking and Management Association Inc, the Proston Local Ambulance Committee, and the Proston Lions Club would like to thank all competitors and our many sponsors for their continued support.

The 2010 competition will be held on the 13 and 14 February 2010. For more information contact John Burow on (07) 4169 0876 Mobile 0427 112477 Email – --e-mail address hidden--