Boort Carp Eradication

Published on 24 September 2016

Try your luck with rod and line and enjoy a social weekend – that’s the invitation from Boort Angling Club as members put the finishing touches to their plans for their latest annual
carp-catching competition.

Planned for 15-16 October, the event is held on the shores of Little Lake Boort as part of the 2016 “Naturally Loddon” Spring Festival, a program comprising 10 family-friendly events spread across eight weeks.

This year’s schedule has also included the popular Kooyoora Wildflower Show, a social day at John and Sonia Piccoli’s sculpture gardens, a wetlands bus tour, vintage fair, historic machinery rally, the Terrick Terrick National Park activities weekend, two local festivals and Boort’s annual metal sculpture competition.

Club president Alan Wilson said the competition had been run three times before, “with a good roll-up each time”.

“Last year, we had about 160 people taking part, some from as far off as Melbourne,” Mr Wilson said.

“There’s a major prize and mystery prize this year, but we’ll still have sections for most carp caught and longest fish for both juniors and adults.

“Major prize this time is a Waeco portable fridge-freezer valued at $1000, thanks to regular sponsor Tint Central, of Bendigo.

“We also get very good support from local businesses in Boort.”

Mr Wilson said the angling club’s 50-60 members had enjoyed a good year, with renovation work on the clubrooms and regular competitions and get-togethers.

“There are plenty of carp in the lake, but also yellowbelly, redfin and – if you’re lucky – the occasional tench,” he said.

“It’s still a good place to fish.”

The one entry fee of $30 for singles (16 years and over) and $50 for families covers two breakfasts and dinner on the Saturday night, followed by entertainment with an old-fashioned spinning wheel, giveaways and drinks at bar prices.

Camping is available anywhere around the lake. For more details, phone 5455 2175 or 0429 798 352 or go to www.loddon.vic.gov.au