There was a great turnout for the 20th Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly Fishing Competition that was held on the 13-14 February 2010. A total of 545 competitors including 79 juniors weighed in 247 fish.

The water level in the lake was at 40%, and the good weather conditions set the scene for a great weekend of camping, fishing and family activities. The best session was on Sunday morning with 95 fish weighed in.

Hanwood Fish Hatchery champion junior anglers were Chris Biltoft of Tingoora who weighed-in a 1.165kg yellowbelly and Blake Manthey of Nanango who weighed-in a 920g Australian bass.

Adult angler Gareth ‘Flang’ Kenealy of Dalby took out the Barney’s Marine Heaviest Yellowbelly at 1.125kg. Gareth won a Lowrance Fish Finder that was sponsored by Barney’s Marine of Pialba and Lowrance.

Adult angler Corey Skennerton of Kawungun took out the Wondai Accounting and Tax Services Heaviest Australian bass at 1.250kg. Corey won a trophy and prize money with a value of $250 that was sponsored by Neil and Elizabeth Smith of Wondai Accounting and Tax Services.

Major prize winning draws for yellowbelly, Australian bass, silver perch, jew and spangled perch were won by Luke Cross of Toowoomba; Ross Lindenmayer of Millmerran; Bradley Cecil of Proston, Cindy Nelson of Nambour, and Kev Lumley of Nanango.

Major sponsors of the competition included South Burnett Regional Council, Wondai Accounting and Tax Services, Barney’s Marine, Suzuki Outboards, Lowrance Fish Finders, Allround Angler, Huston Motors, Ransen Timber Company, Kingaroy Plumbing Works, Wondai IGA, All Covers and Tarps, Kingaroy Mower Centre, Kingaroy Canvas and Camping, EvaKool Ice Boxes, Harvey Normal Electrical of Kingaroy, John Provan Building Pty Ltd, Chesterton Scaffolding, Tarong Energy, Ergon Energy, Golden Spurs Hotel, Reliance Petroleum, Tingoora Hotel, Hivesville Hotel, Carrollee Hotel, South Queensland Charter Services, Jim Hayne Real Estate, 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. Ergon Energy also sponsored a lucky draw of 5 junior and 1 adult life jackets.

The event provided a boost to the local economy with over 1700 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 would like to thank our generous sponsors who made this event an outstanding success.

The 2011 competition will be held on the 12 and 13 February 2011. For more information contact John Burow on 0427 112 477 email – --e-mail address hidden--