WITH 106 fish weighed in and a “smashing” trophy fish landed, this year’s Camperdown Classic was deemed an undisputed success.
Despite a miserable forecast of torrential rain and hail and clashing with the AFL grand final, the event still lured 127 competitors to lakes Bullen Merri and Purrumbete.
Camperdown Angling Club president Bob Liddle said entry numbers were only 16 down on the previous year.
“Conditions looked terrible and we wondered whether many would turn up, but they did and we couldn’t be happier,” he said.
Entrants travelled to Camperdown from as far afield as Warburton in the east and Boort to the north along with a strong contingent from Geelong and Melbourne districts.
Mr Liddle said 106 fish were weighed in over the weekend.
“We had 23 brown trout weighed in, 18 rainbow trout and 65 Atlantic salmon,” he said.
“It was a great result – last year only 51 fish were weighed in.
“The cooler weather and rougher conditions tend to bring the fish on.”
The best fish caught for the competition was a 4.4kg brown trout at Lake Purrumbete. Chris Finlayson of Portland landed the 73cm trout which bumped him into overall second position for the weekend.
Torquay angler Paul Rebecchi was presented with the club’s “classic catch” award after he landed a 63cm brown trout at Lake Bullen Merri early Sunday morning.
Judged on appearance rather than length or weight, Rebecci’s fish was noted for its full body and good colour.
Event winner was Damian Kirl of Ballarat.
Though not landing a particularly large fish, Kirl managed numerous catches to top up his tally.
Junior winner for the weekend was Zac Harris of Portland and the sub-junior title went to Oscar Zapelli of Colac.
However, Mr Liddle said the biggest talk for the weekend revolved around “an absolute monster” caught at Lake Purrumbete late Friday.
John Sciacchitano of Pascoe Vale landed a 6.35kg male brown trout, caught with a minnow rapala on a down rigger in 50 foot of water.
Despite being billed as the biggest fish to come out of the lake in more than five years, the fish was ineligible for the Camperdown Classic, having been caught before the Saturday 6am start time.
Mr Liddle said the catch spurred on other anglers.
“It proved to people that there are big fish in the lake,” he said.
“Every angler dreams of catching a trophy fish and that catch showed them they can do it at Camperdown.
“That’s probably the biggest reason for running the Classic, to promote the two lakes and Camperdown and spread the word as to how good they are.
“I think we’ve managed to do just that this weekend.”
Mr Liddle thanked major sponsors and local businesses for their ongoing support.