Teralba Lakesiders Fishing Club has come up with an innovative response to the coronavirus situation over Easter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The club is holding an "Easter Casting Competition" from April 9 to April 14 for all current and prospective junior club members.
The idea is to give juniors and their parents something fishing-related to do over the break in line with restrictions on movement.
Simply send in a photo or video of yourself casting a weight or lure (hooks off) into a target area in your backyard.
Prizes will be awarded for the longest accurate cast, mystery length, funniest, most accurate cast into a bucket and more.
"Because the club is in limbo at the moment, it's something to keep the juniors interested," club president Randal Mason said.
"Maybe a parent can be there side by side with them which is allowed.
"It's a bit of fun in the backyard and there will be heaps of prizes available from our club sponsors."
For more information, email ian.guy@westnet.com.au.
Active club
The casting comp is yet another initiative from Teralba Lakesiders Fishing Club to support and encourage junior fishing.
Last November it held a huge Juniors Day on the Lake backed by thousands of dollars in sponsorship and prizes.
"We're a big active club by local standards," Randal said. "We've got over 70 members and they're all keen - our weigh-ins are usually huge, but we're in limbo at the moment because of the lockdown."
New comp
Like many fishing clubs, Teralba Lakesiders is affiliated to a licensed club - in this case Teralba Bowling Club.
Like all pubs and clubs across Australia at the moment, the bowlo is shut due to the pandemic.
Social isolation restrictions mean that gatherings of two or more people in public are not allowed.
But that hasn't stopped the club looking to the horizon when things get back to normal.
"Covid-19 has really thrown everyone, not just us, into a spin," Randal said.
"We had planned to kick off a new catch and release competition this April which would run as an alternative for our members who can't, for whatever reason, make our monthly club comps.
"Some members work weekends, or shift work, or prefer to just fish catch and release, so we have a complementary comp in the pipeline which will kick off once the club is back up and running free of the coronavirus restrictions.
"The deal will be that you take a photo of your fish on a brag mat and send it in.
"There will be prizes across 16 species.
"Toronto Hot tackle has come on board as sponsor which we are very grateful for.
"The first date was to have been April 18 but now we'll wait to kick it off after the club's next AGM.
"Basically it's to draw members who can't make normal weigh-ins or who want to fish catch and release - you fish when it's a non-comp weekend.
"All you'll need is a brag mat and the code word to access the comp."
Photo are to be posted on the Teralba Lakesiders Fishing Club Facebook page or if you're not up to speed with that technology they can be sent to Randal.
The fish species are: bream, jew, kingfish, luderick, trag, morwong, flathead, drummer, flounder, leatherjacket, snapper, trevally, whiting, tailor, salmon, bass, and estuary perch."
"When the member submits their photo they have to state the fish species and length and the fish has to be placed on a brag mat with the measurements and code word clear," Randal said.
"The comp will start on the first day after the first monthly weigh of the season and finish the day before the next weigh-in. There will be a written code which will last the whole comp.
"A fish species already posted has to be beaten, not equaled.
"Each species winner will earn a $40 Toronto Hot Tackle voucher.
"Two committee members will be the judges and their decision will be final."
Entry is free for all Teralba Lakesiders Fishing Club members.
For more information, give Randal a call on 0419 420 756.
Common sense
In terms of fishing this Easter and beyond, the advice from NSW Police is that fishing is permitted, as long as people follow all other advice in relation to social distancing and gatherings of two or more people.
Having said that, health authorities are urging people to stay at home and police have made it clear that they will be out in force checking to see whether people are undertaking essential travel.
Whether that includes getting to your fishing spot to exercise may be a judgment call that ends up beyond your control, so act responsibly and use common sense in the interests of all.
For more information on current restrictions, visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.