Club spokesman Brett McInnes said several club members were rewarded for their efforts with some trophy Cod.

Cleal was fishing from the bank at Copeton Dam in the early hours when his surface lure was engulfed after several cranks of the reel. 

“The ensuing battle was epic, and Cleal was more than happy to finally land the fish for a few happy snaps and then release to fight another day,” McInnes said.

Cleal’s Cod gave him a total of 1040 points and runner-up in the men’s division for the weekend. 

“The winner of the men’s division was Darran Cleal, who managed two Cod from the Macintyre River, down stream of Inverell for a points total of 1180,” McInnes said.

“Keeping things in the family, Louise Cleal was the standout among the ladies with two Cod; one 80 centimetres and the other 95 centimetre, for a very respectable points total of 1750.”

Ever-consistent junior angler Daniel Mepham fished in the high lands around Glen Innes. 

He scrapped together a point total of 172 to again win the division.

Another highlight of the presentation barbecue on Sunday at lunchtime was the donation of $300 from the fishing club to the Inverell Prostrate Cancer Support Group. 

Group president Kerry White was on hand to receive the cheque from treasurer Ken Osborne.

“The club’s donation stems from its involvement in the national Pirtek Fishing Competition fundraiser for Prostrate Cancer research,” Osborne said.

“We have managed to secure some great prizes that we raffle, and we then direct the money locally to the prostrate cancer cause.”