The lure only, catch and release event is in its third year, and has proved a mecca for some of the best freshwater anglers in the business.

While conditions tested those involved, the end result saw 164 fish measured, including 20 Murray Cod and 144 Golden Perch.

Mike Shelton represented the major sponsor, Inverell Fishing and Hunting, and said the competition was strong.

“It took the final morning of fishing to sort out a clear winner,” Shelton said.

“In the end, it was last year’s champion, Mat Anderson from Moree, who was again able to take the title with a total of 13,380 points.”

Anderson was followed by local and current Great Inland Fishing Festival Champion, Tim Mutimer, who was crowned as runner-up with 11,116 points.

Mutimer also scooped the pool with the biggest cod of the competition that measured in just under the magical metre at 98 centimetres.

The biggest Golden Perch of the event went to Kel Corrington with a very respectable 60 centimetres specimen.

The invitational event is organised by the Inverell RSM Fishing Club with the sole purpose of raising funds to stock local waterways.

Club president Peter Black said funds raised from last year’s event saw 6000 Cod and 25,000 Golden Perch fingerlings released into local waterways in proximity to Inverell.

“It would appear we will be able to do something very similar again with the funds from this year’s event,” Black said.

“On top of that, an impromptu auction combined with some very kind donations from participants saw in excess of $1200 raised for a young girl fishing in the competition who was part of the Shave For a Cure cause.

“None of this would be possible without the kind support of our sponsors. Everyone in the industry is keen to lend a hand to an event that is about ensuring sustainable fish stocks into the future.”