FISHING conditions are prime for this year’s Leeton Bidgee Classic which kicks off on Friday 6th March along the Murrumbidgee River, in south-western NSW.
Leeton Bidgee Classic President and head of the OzFish Chapter for the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area Jodie Ryan, said it was like winning lotto.
“There are reports of metre-long Murray cod being caught, and we are incredibly excited to see such healthy and beautiful flows here in the Murrumbidgee,” Ryan said.
“Despite the drought, fires and floods that have impacted fish in many waterways, we’re in the extraordinary position to have optimum conditions for this year’s event, so we’re expecting the fish to be highly active which is fantastic news for anglers and particularly special for us as we celebrate 21 years.”
Ryan said this year’s competition was shaping up to be one of their biggest, with hundreds of anglers from around Australia expected to compete.
“We have over $40,000 in prizes, loads of activities such as lure casting competitions, live entertainment and a special presentation by OzFish Ambassador and one of Australia’s most respected fishing writers, authors and presenters – Steve “Starlo” Starling,” she said.
“It’s fished in a stunning venue that comprises a 20-kilometre stretch of the beautiful Murrumbidgee River, all the way from the Sturt Canal down to Euroley Bridge,” Starlo said.
“My wife Jo and I are really looking forward to throwing some spinnerbaits and hard-bodied lures into the Bidgee alongside our fellow competitors after what’s been a bloody tough start to the year for our native fish, with dozens of fish kills along the eastern seaboard.
“We’re now seeing some of our most precious species — fish like Macquarie perch and certain galaxias —under real threat,” he said.
Starlo applauded the Classic’s organising committee for its decision to fund fish habitat restoration projects with monies raised from the event and said the get-together would also provide hundreds of concerned fishos with the opportunity to talk about the many issues facing Australia’s fish, and to ask the big question, “What can I do to help?”.
The 21 st Leeton Bidgee Classic will be staged on the Murrumbidgee River at Gogeldrie Weir Park from the 6th to 8th March and registrations can be made online, in person or by mail.
Each registered competitor will automatically qualify for a ticket in the major prize raffle, while a family entry will include four tickets.
For more information: www.leetonbidgeeclassic.com.au
