Having a go at the 20 prizes on offer by throwing a dart at a balloon. Photo: Supplied.
Despite Woolgarlo Fishing and Social Club’s Paul Basham catching a total of 18 fish with a combined length of 4.87m for his side, it was not enough as the Woolgarlo side went down by just over a metre to the Young Fishing Club over the June Long Weekend.
Paul’s son Tim who did not manage to reel in a single fish, reckons he never got a chance in the competition because he was “too busy putting his father in the right spot”.
The Basham’s are from Cootamundra and during the long weekend Paul raked in 94 per cent of the team’s total, with Kellie catching 33cm and the other eight members not having any luck at 0cm.
Paul caught several red fin, a cod, and some carp.
Young had a fair weekend themselves with President ‘Bear’ catching 3.47m, followed by Kiwi at 1.34m, Graham at 1.02m and Brenda at 51cm.
The long weekend fishing competition and social and raffle evening kicked off on Friday June 11 with a meet and greet hosted by Young who also organised a sausage sizzle.
The social yarns were thoroughly enjoyed by 10 nominated members from each club with a banter-filled evening and overdue catchup, after more than 12 months since the last outing for the Shield.
Following fishing on the Saturday and Sunday, around 100 people gathered on the Sunday night to enjoy a delicious pig and lamb spit roast cooked by Mick Malcolm from Junee.
Mick is one of Woolgarlo’s gun fishermen but had to opt out from this year’s Shield as he was busy preparing the meals all-day Sunday.
A Woolgarlo spokesperson believes their side could have won if Mick was out with the rod, although the price was well worth it for the beautiful food he put on.
Dinner commenced at 6pm with presentations after that.
A number of “donut” results were first announced in anticipation of the final few figures, which declared Young as back-to-back winners after also winning it last year.
The final results. Graphic: Woolgarlo Fishing & Social Club.
In 2020 Young proved too strong with a progressive total of 5.93m to Woolgarlo’s 1.46m.
Also on the Sunday night, sales for the raffle/100 club started at 6pm and were drawn after the meal, prizes included meat trays and beer, as well as lollies for the juniors.
Dianne Peisley, went shopping on Saturday and purchased 20 novelty mystery prizes to make up a board with 20 balloons on it.
20 of the participants from both Woolgarlo and Young Fishing Club all had the opportunity to throw a dart at the balloon to win a prize, which was hilarious to watch according to Woolgarlo Fishing and Social Club Treasurer Lisa Matthews.
“It was good fun to watch everyone [both male and female members] attempting to use a dart to hit the balloon,” she said.
“Andy [Woolgarlo’s President] took around four shots to get it and then he ended up winning a novelty pair of handcuffs.
“And that’s what it’s all about. We try and make it different each time, to get everyone involved and have a good laugh.”
Young Fishing Club President “Bear” and Woolgarlo’s President Andy Matthews. Photo: Supplied.
The June Long Weekend fishing competition was considered fortunate to go ahead, prior to the mayhem of a locally acquired outbreak Covid case in Sydney, which has now seen the Covid restrictions worsen.
“2020 was very number limited along with other Covid restrictions too, and as a club we didn’t get to accomplish much,” Ms Matthews recalled.
“We were very fortunate that the June Long Weekend was enjoyed with no restrictions at all, just before everything happened.”
Next on the calendar for the Woolgarlo Fishing and Social Club is the October long weekend which kicks off with a movie night for the juniors on Saturday night.
The NRL Grand Final will be screened on a big TV on the Sunday night with the club enjoying a meal prior to that.
Christopher Tan
