2006 INTERCLUB TOURNAMENT
25th, 26th February & 4th, 5th March 2006
An impressive 221 boats and 930 anglers converged on the coastal town of Port Stephens , on the NSW Central Coast for the Toyota 2006 Interclub Tournament, this was the 44 th year of the New South Wales Game Fishing Association organised event.
The Interclub Tournament as we know it today was first held in 1963, prior to that date a Club Challenge was held between Sydney GFC and N’cle & Port Stephens GFC, in 1957 it was reported in the media that for some years now Newcastle & Port Stephens fishermen have recognised the fact that February 24 and 25 of each year have some magical quality which makes them good fishing days.
Did this prophecy prove correct in 2006 ? YES!
Saturday 25 th saw more fish being hooked and tagged than the other tournament days. |
 This tournament does not offer prize money or big prizes, but does offer Club pride, prestige and camaraderie and is now one of the largest tournaments of its kind held in the Southern Hemisphere.
The tournament is held over two consecutive weekends and commences with an impressive Sail Past where 221 boats in single file motor from Dutchmans Bay (Dutchies) to outside the heads, when the last boat has arrived the radio operator calls “START FISHING, START FISHING, START FISHING” and START it did!
There were 166 fish tagged for the day, with 136 of these being Marlin. |
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Dr. Julian Pepperell renowned Marine Biologist again “headed” a team of Scientists and Students from various Universities around Australia and the USA, they took fish samples for several scientific projects that are presently being studied, of course 97% of all fish hooked during the tournament were tagged and released, the information that is gained from tournaments such as the Interclub and the tagging program has proved to be invaluable within Government Departments, Fisheries & Scientists.
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Reef Science Australia had their magnificent fish tank on display between the weigh station area and the Toyota Marquee, the fish tank was certainly popular with the public and especially the kids when it came time for the demonstration, there was no end to the volunteers from the younger generation to “wet a line”.
Sunday 26 th February saw the fleet at sea again, the weigh station opened at 4.00pm on each fishing day, fishing personality Steve Starling was MC and kept the public “spellbound”. 136 fish were tagged and released for the day with 86 of these being Marlin. |
While the Interclub itself then jumped five days to restart the following Saturday March 4 th, the Tournament Committee organised a Junior Angler Fishing Clinic which was held on Sunday 26 th in the Toyota Marquee from 10am to 12 midday . These Junior Anglers got instruction on Scientific facts from Dr. Julian Pepperell, fishing techniques from Steve Starling, John “Stinker” Clarke and their Instructors – and then even got to try their luck with “wetting” a line, the clinic was open to the first 50 Junior Anglers who entered, there was a $5.00 entry fee with all proceeds going to CAMP QUALITY.
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| Monday, 27 th was designated “Sponsors Trade Day”, this day gave our tournament sponsors the opportunity to display their merchandise in the Toyota Marquee and a boat display at the weigh station, this day was not only for the participating anglers and their families but was open as well to the general public. |
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| Tuesday, 28 th was Ladies Day – this is one day where the emphasis is on Ladies (of all ages) and were invited to fish the Toyota 2006 Interclub Ladies Day Tournament, fishing was from 7.00am to 4.00pm, whilst the weather was not as good as it had been for the weekend, 71 Ladies participated. There were 39 fish tagged and released, with Tania Jollie fishing on “Luhr Em In” (Broken Bay GFC) taking out Champion Lady AnglerTag & Release on a count back with 3 marlin and Wendy Hyland on “Weapon” (Lake Macquarie GFC) capturing her first marlin a 163kg Blue to take out Champion Lady Angler Capture. |
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The rest of the week allowed all Skippers and Crews the opportunity to get the boat in order, ready for another full weekend of fishing and tell those stories of the ones that got away the weekend before.
Then it was back to Day 3 of the Toyota 2006 Interclub Tournament on Saturday March 4 th, the fish were not as cooperative on the last weekend, this saw water temperature change and there were 96 fish tagged & released with 33 of these being marlin |
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| Sunday 5 th , saw the contest come to a close, with all boats at the weigh station no later than 6.00pm . The 4 th day proved to be the quietest with 66 fish tagged and 23 of these being marlin. |
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The Toyota 2006 Interclub Tournament Presentation Dinner was held at Nelson Bay RSL on the Sunday evening where the trophy winners were announced. Newcastle & Port Stephens GFC won the “Mustad” Silver Hook Award for Champion Club Tag & Release and Broken Bay GFC for the second consecutive year won the “Mustad” Gold Hook Award for Champion Club Capture. Congratulations go to all trophy winners and to all participants of the Toyota 2006 Interclub Tournament, we now look forward to 2007 which will be our 45 th Interclub Tournament. |
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2006 Tournament Committee & Officials
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