Hooked on Koondrook Barham

Exciting categories for juniors and adults feature prizes for the largest cod, golden perch (yellow belly), and carp, plus a coveted champion angler award for the most skilled fisher.

The champion angler is the person who catches the most legal-size fish over the weekend.

The competition promotes sustainable fishing practices, encouraging catch and release for native species, while helping control invasive carp populations.

“Most folks that go to fishing comps know what the prizes and the comp is about,” Barham Koondrook Fishing Competition coordinator Julie Sleep said.

“When people catch a fish, they take a photo of the fish on a brag mat, and it is their choice whether to put the fish back or keep it.

“We suggest releasing it.”

The prestigious Koondrook Barham Fishing Competition offers just 300 coveted adult spots annually, while encouraging unlimited junior participation to foster young talent.

“Entries are limited to 300 spots, and they are open to the 300 that came the year before,” Julie said.

“If at the stage, I get to the end of October and I don’t have those 300 coming, I advertise on Facebook.

“The spots go pretty quick.”

Your entry fee includes a weekend of delicious meals, fostering a warm community atmosphere with dinners, breakfasts and lunches provided throughout the competition.

If you are not a fishing comp entrant, but are there with your family or want to be part of the community fun, people can buy a meal voucher for the weekend.

Run on behalf of the River Raiders, the Koondrook Barham Football and Netball Club, the fishing competition helps raise funds for the club.

“We will ask the club, ‘What do you need? What do you want to develop? And they give us an idea,” Julie said.

“At the moment, they are saving for an outdoor rotunda, so that is where the funds are going this year.”

For more information and to check if there are any tickets left for this fantastic weekend of fishing, go to https://www.facebook.com/KoondrookBarhamFishingComp