The Darlington Point waters will be teeming with anglers over the weekend when the 2020 Riverina Classic Catch and Release Fishing Competition makes its big splash.
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It'll be the seventh event of its kind, and this year's competition is already shaping up to be one of the biggest yet with more sponsors coming on board and more prizes to be won.
Committee president Matthew Lashbrook said the competition has continued growing momentum each year, with 2019 reeling in a record-breaking 569 entrants.
"It keeps getting bigger and bigger each year," Mr Lashbrook said.
This year's competition will be raising money for Rural Outreach Counselling, a non-for-profit that reaches out to rural families battling with mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Committee member Jeanice McCosker said mental health had become an especially pressing issue for rural Australians, as a combination of drought and bushfire continues to ravage large swathes of the countryside.
"They're finding it hard to stay strong when all these problems keep pulling and tearing and knocking them down," Ms McCosker said.
"We're very proud to support such a good cause and to bring people together to celebrate our amazing river."
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Last year's competition raised $20,000 for Rural Outreach Counselling, with the money helping to send travelling counsellors to rural people.
The competition follows a photo-entry-only ruleset, with caught fish to be photographed and released back into the water for the sake of sustainability.
The record to beat this year will be that of Joshua Mott, who caught a 91 centimetre Murray Cod at last year's competition.
Fishing conditions are looking to be nice and cool with highs of 20s forecast for the Darlington Point area over the weekend, however there will be a chance of showers for Saturday and Sunday.
A full breakdown of the competition rules can be found on their website, riverinaclassic.com
THE Details
Competition times
- February 7, 12pm to 9pm.
- February 8, 6am to 9pm.
- February 9, 6am to 11am.
Cost
- Adults - $50
- Kids under 17 - $20
- Family - $120
Categories
- Biggest Murray Cod
- Biggest Golden Perch
- Champion Angler
- Biggest Carp
- Best represented Registered Fishing Club
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
