Lake St Clair
A FISHING competition that brings around $10,000 a year in camping fees alone to Lake St Clair will consider taking their event elsewhere unless there is an improvement to the dam’s facilities and its operation.
The NSW Bassin Tournament got underway for 2010 last weekend and organisers were embarrassed for a number of reasons during the two day competition.
Around 63 teams, two people on average per team, attended the competition and tour organiser Mick Elsely said a number of people did not have a pleasant experience.
“It is very frustrating for us as we see the lake as an untapped jewel and think Singleton Council is losing a massive market,” he told The Singleton Argus.
Some of the organisers issues include the level of cleaning to the amenities building, kiosk opening and provision of waste disposal areas.
Choosing not to run their tournaments during peak times, the organisers struggle to understand why the attention at the dam is lacking.
“In the time we were there I didn’t see a hose or any type of disinfectant come in contact with the men’s toilets,” Mr Elsely said.
“I know it was a wet and muddy weekend, but there needs to be a better policy in place.
“We are just looking for it to be managed a bit better.”
Singleton Council manager parks and facilities Alan Fletcher told The Singleton Argus he is aware of the group’s concerns and that there had been some issues in the past in regards to gate access and pricing he understood had been resolved.
He explained that the caretaker does not have to open the second toilet facilities unless there is more than 15 people camping at once and unless there is a sufficient number of people to warrant it the caretaker does not have to ‘man’ the kiosk at all times.
Mr Fletcher did say that council has been in contact with the caretaker on a few issues recently.
1. Pioneer Fish Farm – Dwayne Upton / Walter Scifleet
2. Squirrel Bros- Ron Scott / Neil Scott
3. Hotondo Homes – John Cooper / Nathan Cooper
4. Bassin.com – Justin Scott / Wayne Parry
5. Lured In – Steve Chang / Steve Babbage
6. Smak Lures – Steven Richards / Wayne Beazley
7. Greenback Spinnerbaits – Rhys Tiggemann / Wayne Tiggemann
8. Basstards – Richie Constable / Veronica Mullholland
9. Mako – Steve Almond / Greg Parkes
10. Three Amigos – Greg Eslick / Rob Eslick
11. Baker Rods – Billy Pumpa / Peter Fogarty
12. 12. Castaway – Brad Harvey / Peter Philpott
13. Alfabs – Jay Torrance / Dale Ramage
14. Precision Marine Services – Dale Lanesbury / Dane Thorogood
15. Makin Up the Numbers – Todd Duncan / Brock Duncan
16. Happy Hookers – Josh Kinghorne / Matt Read
17. Full Scale – David Williamson / Karen Fontaine
18. GRB – Bob Schmahl / Andrew Flannery
19. DSG – Tony Neesom / Andrew Mathews
20. Hookin – Scott Watkinson / Dallas Ridley
21. Secret Creek Lures – Jody Vernon / Shrek
22. Tamworth Fishing Tackle – Graham Lowe / Llew Sankey
23. Smiffs – Wesley Smith / Joel Smith
24. Smico – John Picton / Wayne Smith
25. Coast to Coast – Blake Lambert /
26. Team Draper – Malcolm Draper / Luke Draper
27. Stinky Mullet – Luke Mulholland – Elliott Danks
28. Dam Bandits – Brendan O’Bryan / Heath Cooke
29. Gotcha – Dennis Hatzi / Heath O’Neil
30. G3 – Bernard Austin / Robert Austin
31. Hunter Native Fish – David Mudd / Bill Mudd
32. Woodstock – Brad Chambers / Colin Ipsen
33. Dubbo Transmissions – Michael Coad / Brett Kleppe
34. Bass Stalkers – Shannon Jobson / Danny Jobson
35. Ridin Shot Gun – Peter Oxley / Trevor Pottinger
36. Hopeful – Paul Berry / Jackie Wake
37. Bassinators – Todd Wilkinson / Ben Slayde
38. Bush Bass’n – Brad Turner / Steve Turner
39. Bugger Me Bass – David Lane / Steve Newman
40. Fuji Singleton – Rod Glover / Dylan Glover
41. Cougar Boys – Michael Fisher / Clayton McCormack
42. 2 Bassin – Paul Hawkes / Phil Dukes
43. Bust Em Up – Like Parsons / Tim Parsons
44. Fuji Singleton – Rod Glover / Dylan Glover
45. Bass N Chips -
46. Total Hoardings – Dan Clancy / Ian Roberts
47. Blackjack – Ian Wratten / James Browning
48. Munga – Craig Shiels / Ben Dart
49. Sunline – Joel Norman / Brooke Kennett
The Alfabs Group together with NSW Bassin Tournaments would like to invite you to participate in the annual ‘Alfabs Bassin 4 Charity’ competition.
This event will be held at Lake Glenbawn on 20-21st November with $10,000 cash up for grabs.
All funds raised from this event will be donated to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service which is a community owned and operated aero medical search and rescue service, serving the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, New England and North West regions of Australia.
Our aim is to raise in excess of $50,000. So if you’re keen to have a fish, win some great cash and prizes as well as give back to the community, put these dates aside in your diary.
More details to follow soon.
St Clair teams results click to view
63 teams competed in the first round of the Bassin NSW Team’s series for 2010. Storms and rain greeted the 126 angler strong field with all anglers struggling to achieve their full bag limit of 12 fish.
One team did achieve there full bag though. Ian Wratten and James Browning ( Team Black Jack)put a few of the more favoured anglers back in their place by trolling jackals and spinnerbaits along the weed edges to secure their full limit of 12 fish for 7.630kg. The boys were stoked to take home the $ 1200.00 winners cheque and tackle prize packs valued at $320.00.
In 2nd place was the ever consistent team of Craig Robertson and Jade Cornish (Team Lamiglas) with 11 fish for 7.510 kg. The boys fished the same point all weekend putting to good use their Lamiglas rods and taking home the 2nd placed cheque of $ 800.00 and tackle prize packs valued at $320.00.
Gregg Flett and Toby Wilson (Team Barz Optics) rounded out the top 3 taking home the $500.00 cheque and $ 320.00 of tackle prize packs.
Best placed Junior was Blake Lambert (Team Big Game) who fished with his mum Judy. The guys finished in 28th place overall with Blake taking out the juniors with his maximum 3 best bass of 2.050kg. Blakes fish came mainly from Jackalls and Spinnerbaits to the edges.
Big Bass went to John Picton (Team Smico) who landed his 1.53kg fish in the 3rd session on a Jackall.
The Bassman Spinnerbaits encouragement award went to Judy Roeth in here first ever tournament. Judy didn’t weigh a fish in but for her to get up on Sunday morning in the pouring rain at 4.30 just to be out there with her son was great to see. Don’t let Blake get his hands on the Bassman’s Judy you deserved them.
Overall there were 197 bass brought back to the scales with an average weight of 725mm. Not too bad I suppose considering the terrible conditions experienced by the competitors over the weekend.
See you all at the next round at Glenbawn on the 6th March
