Lake Wendouree fishing comp set for St Patrick’s Day

GATHER up the family for some St Patrick’s Day fun, when the Rotary Club of Alfredton hosts their annual Fishing Competition around Lake Wendouree.

Kicking off at 6.30am on 17 March, early birds can cast their line as the sun comes up or people can get involved later in the day until 2.30pm.

The aim of the game is to capture, measure, photograph and release trout, or catch, photograph and keep Redfin. Kayak, boat and shore fishing are all welcome.

One photo per entrant for each species will be judged and those who have caught the first, second and third longest fish will win prizes in both junior and adult categories. A kayak, and fly-fishing guiding with Craig Coltman are up for grabs.

The competition’s base, including registration, is at Durham Point. A barbecue will run all day for brekky and lunches, a Ballarat Blue Water Fishing Club boat display and a fisheries education van will be on site, and experienced fisherman will be around to help any competitors.

Alfredton Rotary’s Kathy Rivett is a passionate fisherwoman. She hopes Ballarat and the region will get behind the community event, so an impressive spread of people is seen fishing around the whole lake.

The club is looking forward to a progressive, inclusive, family and disability friendly atmosphere.

“It’s such an accessible lake now,” Ms Rivett said, noting the decks and pontoons around the lake are easily accessed by people in wheelchairs or with mobility scooters.

This is the competition’s second year and the club hopes more than 200 people will come and fish, having experienced diabolical weather at the 2018 event.

Alfredton Rotary’s Glenice Lofts had the idea for the competition.

“We have our meetings over at the Lake View Hotel and every night I just kept looking at the lake thinking, we just don’t do enough,” she said.

“It’s here all the time…there must be something we can do to encourage the young families to come and see the lake and try it out. I didn’t even know there were fish in here.

“I imagined it would be a full day event with everyone around the lake, having picnics on the foreshore.”

As the years go on, the competition will grow, and Ms Lofts hopes to direct proceeds a certain way.

“My vision was to raise money for young people in aged care facilities… people they care for can bring them out for the day,” she said.

There will be random prize draws throughout the event, so even those who don’t catch a fish could be lucky too. Check out the day’s prizes, and terms and conditions at alfredtonrotary.wixsite.com/fishingcomp.

Register before 16 March online at ballarattickets.com.au/event/8503. During this pre-registration period, adults are $25 and children under 15 are $10. On the day registration from 6.15am is $30 for adults and $12 for children.