With this year’s event cancelled and its long-term future seriously in doubt, members of the previous committee have called on the public to step forward to fill their empty chairs at a second AGM on September 10.

Committee chair Darrell Kachel said the committee was originally started In 1987, after meetings between John Irvine, Harold Castledine, Daryl Barnes and les Moulds. 

The week-long inaugural Northern Inland Fishing Competition was held in January 1989. It is now a three day event held in December.

A new committee changed the event to ‘catch and release’ in 2003.

“We got away from the catch and kill part of it, and that made it a lot easier to get sponsors. 

“They came out of the woodwork for that one,” Kachel said.

“It’s been the same ever since, and so have the people on the committee. The people from 2003 are still there today, and they’ve had enough.”

“We require a president, secretary and treasurer.”

Kachel said there were two major fishing clubs in town.

He hoped they would consider becoming involved in some capacity.

“The general talk is that people don’t want to see it go away, it’s just too good for the town,” he said.

“Everything is in place, the committee is very financial and everything is there for the going, if we can get executive members.”

Event founder Harold Castledine said he could not place a monetary value on the competition, but said there was 700 nominations for the event last year.

“People come from everywhere, so that’s an indication of how popular it is,” he said.

“If it’s that popular then it’s bringing money into the town. I mean, it was a big event back in ‘89. 

“When we moved it out to Copeton Dam we had entertainment out there and everything.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about the executive positions are encouraged to ring Darrell Kachel on 0427 221 057