“We had 1871 adults, 325 kids for a total of 2196 anglers,” event organiser Tony Bennett told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“Overall, I reckon there were 3,000 people. There were two years of Covid followed by floods which destroyed us last year.
“The figures this year were very pleasing. It was absolutely brilliant weather this time with people sitting on the oval.”
The football netball’s Lonsdale Reserve Oval was a hive of activity, along with the fishing from Bundalong to Yarrawonga/Mulwala. Anglers and family members throughout Australia enjoyed glorious weather over the three days from last Friday.
Approximately 700 cod, 100 yellow belly and 3,000 carp were reeled in, in the catch and release competition.
The biggest cod was 105cm by visitor Vito Lourisso, the second biggest 102cm, by visitor Andrew McKee – not related to club legend Brian McKee – 61.5cm was the biggest yellow belly and a monster 91cm carp was caught and returned to the water.
The total of 2196 anglers is heading back towards the record of 3113 anglers over a decade ago.
The town’s cod classic is the biggest inland fishing competition in Australia.
At ClubMulwala’s Legends Night last Thursday, fishing guru and champion Australian Test cricketer Merv Hughes specifically referred to the big town event.
At that night which featured, among other stars, Lord Ian Botham, Hughes described the Yamaha Cod Classic in Mulwala as “massive”.
“It’s a wonderful event with so much organisation and anglers love it,” Merv said.
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