February 17, 2016
This year’s Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly Fishing Competition broke a 28-year record.
The popular amateur fishing competition, which was held at Lake Boondooma last weekend, drew 832 competitors (630 adults and 202 juniors), smashing the previous record of 721 set several years ago.
Boondooma Dam Fish Stocking Association spokesman Terry Allwood said the lake fished extremely well for this year’s event.
“The water level was 62 per cent and over 200 fish went through the catch and release section, and another 316 in the gilled and gutted section,” Terry said.
“The biggest Yellowbelly of the event was weighed in at 2.25kg.”
To handle the record numbers turning up at the competition’s three weigh-ins, the Association trialled a new processing method that shaved almost one-third off normal weigh-in times.
Fish Stocking Association President Glenn Munro said he wanted to pass on the group’s thanks to participants for their “patient and supportive” attitude.
Glenn said next year the group will see if it can streamline the process even more.
Lake Boondooma Tourist Park operator Corey Goldie said he was delighted with the turnout.
“The camping grounds were packed all weekend, and the atmosphere was great,” he said.
Cash and other prizes were presented at the end of each of the competition’s three sessions, and the overall winners picked up the major prizes at the conclusion of the event.
The Fish Stocking Association uses profits from the event to supplement fishing permit funds it receives from the Queensland Government to restock Boondooma Dam.
“We made more than a $20,000 profit from the weekend, so the future for Lake Boondooma fishery is looking very healthy,” Terry Allwood said.
To date, the group has released approximately 4.5 million fingerlings into Lake Boondooma.
The Association congratulated all the winners and everyone else who attended and help make this year’s Yellowbelly such a success.
It also wanted to thank the many generous sponsors who continue to support the Yellowbelly.
During the weekend more than 250 prizes, with a total value of more than $25,000, were given away.
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2016 Yellowbelly Winners
- The Catch and Release category of longest Native, targeting Australian Bass and Yellowbelly, was won by Mark Bleys, of Proston, with a Bass measuring 515mm. Mark took home a $300 cash prize and a trophy.
- Dylan Brandley, of Kingaroy, put in a solid effort to walk away with the most fish (Bass and Yellowbelly) caught and released throughout the competition with a total tally of 17.
- The Heaviest Yellowbelly title (sponsored by Corey and Nikki Goldie from the Lake Boondooma kiosk) was claimed by Bart Fraser, of Bli Bli, with a Yellowbelly of 2.175kg. Bart took home a $360 cash prizes plus prizes and a trophy.
- The winner of the heaviest Bass section (sponsored by Wondai Accounting and Tax Services) was Lincoln Neal, of Tara, with a Bass of 1.75kg. Lincoln fished the lower end of the lake using bait to secure a pay cheque of $320 plus prizes and a trophy.
- Hanwood Fish Hatchery champion junior anglers for Yellowbelly were Alex Lindsay, of Dalby, with a Yellowbelly of 2.25kg. The Bass was claimed by Brady Cullinan, of Toowoomba, with a bass weighing 1.46kg.
- The major draw prize of a 3.4m Bluefin boat was won by Nicole Kussrow. The prize was sponsored by Lake Boondooma kiosk and Bluefin Boats.
Next year’s Yellowbelly will be held on February 11-12. Entry costs for the event will remain at $20 for adults and $5 for juniors aged 16 years and under.
[Photos by southburnett.com.au and Boondooma Fish Stocking Association]
Related articles:
- Yellowbelly Draws A Bumper Crowd (2015)
- Big Crowd Makes Splash At Dam (2014)
- Big Weekend At Boondooma (2013)
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