February 26, 2018
The Freshwater Open team fishing competition held at Boondooma Dam over the weekend attracted 36 teams, with some coming from as far away as NSW to take part.
The Freshwater Open is organised by local fishermen Matthew Mott and Andrew Mitchell, and is aimed at families rather than professional sports fishermen.
The competition offered prizes for the most fish caught, the biggest Bass, the biggest Yellowbelly and the longest fish.
On Friday, after concerns stormy weather might deter some visitors from taking part, Matthew Mott posted a short video on social media to show everything was proceeding as planned, and urging anyone in doubt to put their fears aside and make the trip.
It seemed to work.
In all, about 200 people made the trek to Boondooma Dam and organisers said they were pleased with the roll-up, which was only 10 per cent below the maximum 40 teams they’d planned.
The Freshwater Open specified that teams could be made up of a maximum three adults and an unlimited number of children.
However, a maximum of four lines were allowed to be in play at any time.
The overall winners were the team of Corey Goldie, Jack Hart and Caleb Baker, who caught 39 fish across the competition’s three sessions.
Joel Brazier and Jye Gilmore took out the prize for the biggest Bass with a 55cm specimen, and ran second overall.
Team Sewelly caught the biggest Yellowbelly with a 51cm catch.
And Joel Smith won the longest fish section by catching a 69cm Saratoga, one of only two caught during the competition.
Saratoga were only introduced to the dam by the Boondooma Fish Stocking Association and the Kingaroy Sportfishing Club eighteen months ago.
The groups put 72 breeders into the lake, but they hold high hopes the popular sport fish will become plentiful in future years.
The Freshwater was a catered event with live music on Friday and Saturday night and two competition rounds were held on Saturday, with the final round held on Sunday morning.
Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff paid a visit on Friday night to officially open the event, wish everyone good luck and thank visitors for spending their weekend at the Dam.
“This is a really great facility and we love having people come here,” Cr Duff said.
“Tell your friends about it.”
- Related article: Saratoga Revival In South Burnett
