Bjelke Fires Up

Bjelke-Petersen Dam near Murgon turned it on for the inaugural 2001 "Golden Lure" Tournament with 1012 fish caught, then released back into the impoundment by the 104 participating anglers. With anglers averaging nearly 10 fish each in a day and a half there were plenty of smiles under the Ken Mills Toyota marquee.

The 52 teams of two came from far and wide with participants from Townsville, Monto and Bundaberg in the north to Casino NSW in the south, Mitchell to the west and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts to the east. The "Golden Lure," is a lure and fly only catch and release competition with most of the profit going back to fish stocking. Each fish measured, then released over legal size was worth one point per centimeter. 5 Juniors entered and the junior prizes this year were the same as the seniors. The $100 entry fee per team saw them well catered for, with each angler receiving 6 meals each. Yallakool Café did the catering whilst the local ANSA (Australian National Sportfishing Association) club, The Kingaroy Sportfishing Club ran the tournament.

The top prize awarded was for Champion Team. The Two Tones, a local team from Nanango won this with 2546 points. Team members were Toni Brandon and Tony Perkins. They each took home a personalized 65 litre Evakool ice-box, a "Golden Lure" trophy each and their names will go on the Keith Patten Memorial Perpetual Trophy. Keith Patten worked for Mercury Outboards in Brisbane and attended most impoundment competitions building up a great rapport with anglers over Queensland. It was good to see the sponsors for this prize, Peter Flynn of Caloundra Marine and Mercury Outboards ask Mrs. Patten to present the shield.

Runners-up were another local team, this time from Kingaroy, The Dream Catchers comprising anglers Ron Baker and Steven Priestley who accumulated 1977 points. Along with their trophies they each received a Dave Irvine Environet.

Champion Angler went to Toni Brandon with 1862 points from the Two Tones. She received a take home "Golden Lure" Trophy, a Daiwa Millionaire Reel, Daiwa Procaster Rod and her name on the Yallakool Tourist Park perpetual shield. Runner-up was Dan Ryan from The Mexicans with 1210 points. Dan received a trophy, a Daiwa Regal-Z reel and a Daiwa Heartland Rod.

Champion Junior went to Casey Blundell from the team Wild Marine. Casey won with 1164 points. Casey received a Daiwa Millionaire Reel, Daiwa Procaster Rod along with a trophy for her efforts. Runner-up was John Davies Junior from Team Just Doo with 838 points. John Junior received a trophy, a Daiwa Regal-Z reel and a Daiwa Heartland Rod.

The longest Golden Perch was caught by John Green of Blackbutt from the team Far Quirk with a 56cm fish caught on the Saturday. The longest Australian Bass was 51cm and it was caught on the Sunday morning by John Davies Junior of Kingaroy from Team Just Doo. Both John’s received trophies and shirts courtesy of Trakka Clothing.

The early entry prize of two Bermuda cutting boards was won by team Tambofield comprsising Robert and Wayne Dugdale. The Bermuda products were courtesy of Bay City Marine Hervey Bay.

Unusual captures during the tournament included a 130cm Eel by Team McGinn, a 41cm Eel-tail Catfish by Team Hornet and a 46cm Eel-tail Catfish and a 27cm Boney Bream from the team on Wild Marine. Many Spangled Perch around 27-28cm were also caught. This is quite big for this species.

Interesting statistics to come from the tournament were the average length for each fish caught was 39cm, if the fish caught during the comp were arranged nose to tail they would stretch 395m and each angler on average accumulated 3.8 metres of fish. 127m of Golden Perch were caught on Saturday and 63m on Sunday morning. 136m of Bass were caught on Saturday and 57 on Sunday. In total, 265 m of fish were caught on Saturday and 129 m on Sunday. 684 fish were caught on Saturday and 328 on Sunday.

The committee would like to thank the main sponsors for the weekend, namely, Yallakool Tourist Park, Yallakool Café and Tackle, Caloundra Marine Sales, Mercury Outboards, Daiwa, Evakool Ice Boxes. Other sponsors who assisted during the weekend were SK Lures for their hand made chromed lures which went on the trophies, Ken Mills Toyota, SB Vending, Trakka Clothing, Bay City Marine, Kingaroy Caravans, Bush and Beach Magazine, Queensland Fishing Monthly, Lets Go Fishing Magazine, Dave Irvine’s Environets and Mark Waters Trophies.

For 2002 tournament or sponsorship enquiries please contact Robert Smith during work hours on 4162 6235.