2017 Sofala Carp Blitz

13 December 2017

ANOTHER successful Sofala Carp Blitz wrapped up on Sunday, November 19, with 260 anglers registering for the event.

The 2-day event started in welcome heavy rain on Saturday morning, which continued into the early afternoon. But as they say, “when the going gets tough…”

The girls were the first to weigh in with 14-year-old Sara Lane bringing two fish to the scales to get the event rolling.

Wet anglers continued to register during the day and head back out to try and catch a winning fish. By the end of the day, 48 carp had been weighed.

Sunday saw the sky clear and by mid-morning anglers were weighing in their catch from overnight and heading out for more.

Dusty Squibb, eventual winner of the Biggest Bag for Juniors, out fished his Dad Jim with 13 carp, his best fish weighing 5.14kg.

After lunch the pace picked up with anglers waiting in line to weigh their catch before the 3pm deadline. Some impressive catches by the juniors were topped by 6-year-old Jack Hall, with a 6.17 kg fish, and 5-year-old Payton Edwards weighing a 4.95 kg carp

Fly fishing specialist Peter Lister again caught the biggest carp, weighing 6.76 kg, and Molly Osborne held on to win the ladies with her best at 4.57 kg. Jason Stapleton had the scales running hot when he emptied 27 carp from his Esky to win the biggest bag, and Keira Roach won the Biggest Bag for Ladies.

Biggest Redfin went to 7-year-old Jed Moore, and 7-year-old Jessie Meekin got the closest to the secret weight of 3.3 kg with his 3.28 kg carp

A total of 212 carp for a total weight of 590 kg were brought in, with some of the anglers who walked long distances along the Turon only bringing back their biggest fish to weigh.

Shane Randall was happy he bought some tickets in the raffle, winning the major prize of an Engel fridge-freezer supplied by the Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Association. Second prize of a Turon Gates holiday was won by Des Gascoyne, and 4-year-old Sophie Wotton was happy with 3rd prize of a gold nugget.

Removing a couple of hundred carp from the river makes a minute impact on their numbers but it raises awareness with the kids who now flock to this event each year.

Funds raised from culling carp also go back into the river in the form of native fish fry, paid for with funds raised from this event and matched by NSW DPI Fisheries Dollar for Dollar Scheme

Thanks to our many sponsors who make this event such a success. They are: