On 1 - 3 November 2019, 173 anglers from 14 fishing clubs across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and even Adelaide lined up for the 45th ANSA Burrinjuck Convention at Lake Burrinjuck hosted by the Canberra Fisherman's Club.

CFC members arrived early Friday morning to set up the Convention HQ at Lawlers while Zachary Zhao and Alex Steele fed the King Parrots and tried to make friends with the local roos.

  

Swarms of flies plagued those who set up the marquee, including Anthony who is still trying to repress the awful memory of swallowing two flies that afternoon.

By late afternoon, anglers began arriving at Lake Burrinjuck. Many of them could not help but notice that the lake had dropped to 33%, with once submerged tree tops now dotting various parts of the lake.

However, the fish didn't seem to mind. More fish were caught (461) compared with 2018 (448):

• 285 European Carp
• 145 Golden Perch
• 31 Redfin Perch

 

Left: Olivia McCreadie (Botany Bay Sportsfishing Club) weighs in the first fish for the Convention, 2.93 kg Golden Perch on 2 kg pre-test, which she released back into the lake. Right: Rachel Camilleri and Nerina Mendes (Botany Bay Sportsfishing Club) about to release their Golden Perch. Nerina's fish weighed in at 3.36 kg.

 Tyler and Koby Robinson (Happy Hookers Sportsfishing Club) with a 4.56 kg Carp and a 3.35 kg Carp respectively on 2 kg line.

And well done Tyler Robinson (Happy Hooker Sportsfishing Club) who weighed in a 4.56 kg Carp on 2 kg, giving him a claim for a National ANSA Sub Junior Landbased Game Record.

Other notable captures included:

• Olivia McCreadie (Botany Bay Sportsfishing Club) who weighed in the first fish for the Convention, 2.93 kg Golden Perch on 2 kg pre-test, which she released back into the lake.
• Stephanie Csiszar (Canberra Fisherman's Club) with a 3.76 kg Golden Perch
• Rod De Groote (Canberra Fisherman's Club and Last Cast Spinnerbaits) with a 3.23 kg Golden Perch
• Mitchell Jobson (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club) with a 4.4 kg Carp caught on 2 kg on Fly.
• Chris Stolk (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club) with a 4.54 kg Carp on Fly. As he weighed in his fish first, Chris claimed the Highest Point Score Fly Casting Trophy.
• Terry Tatton (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club) with a 4.54 kg Carp on Fly.
• Kodi Anderson (Assassin Spinnerbaits) who won the Heaviest Native Junior with a 3.95 kg Golden Perch.
• CFC President Bonnie Allen and First Bloke Ian Campbell caught their first Carp ever with a 1.59 kg and 1.22 kg Carp.
• Terry Tatton (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club) who won Highest Point Score – Lurecasting, Heaviest Carp Senior, and Highest Point Score Carp Senior Male with a 4.96 kg Carp.
• Ty Schneider (Canberra Fisherman's Club) who lead the Heaviest Native Senior until Sunday morning with a 3.6 kg Golden Perch.
• Ruben Hartley (Ocean Beach Hotel Fishing Club) who won Highest Point Scoring Native Junior with a 2.97 kg Golden Perch
• Chris Wilson (Pleasure Point Fishing Club) with a 3.67 kg Golden Perch.

Click here for photos of the captures from the 45th ANSA Burrinjuck Convention.

In addition to the fishing, there was plenty of catching up between old friends from the different clubs (and the building of new friendships between junior anglers) during meal times, followed by a viewing of Sergeant Swell of the Mounties and raffles. This year, we also raised a glass to remember Alan Matthews and Keith Smith, a pair of legends who sadly passed away this year. 

Back on the water, Botany Bay Sportsfishing Club and Wollongong Sportsfishing Club fought an epic battle for the Burrinjuck Bell. While Botany Bay claimed 30 points and Breanna Busuttil and Olivia McCreadie came first and second for the Rangers Trophy, Wollongong claimed the lion's share of trophies and took home the Burrinjuck Bell with 40 points. Congratulations to Wollongong for its emphatic victory.

However, just as the presentation of awards got underway, Nature threw us the curviest curve balls. The heavens opened up and released enough rain to re-float Noah's Ark. The rain was so loud it drowned out the speaker system. Some quick thinking by Bonnie and John saw the speaker system transferred to the marquee, where the presentation of prizes finally resumed. We survived and we will be back to host the Convention again next year.

The Canberra Fisherman's Club thanks its sponsors who helped make this event successful. And thank you to all the ANSA Clubs who support our Convention each year. We look forward to seeing you again on 6 – 8 November 2020.

CFC President Bonnita Allen presenting the Burrinjuck Bell for the Champion Club to Wollongong Sportsfishing Club President Paul Emms, and to Mikaela Emms and Sidney Stolk. Congratulations to the Wollongong Sportsfishing Club.

Click here for photos of the Trophy Winners of the 45th ANSA Burrinjuck Convention.

Results

Champion Club

Wollongong Sportsfishing Club	40
Botany Bay Sportsfishing Club	20
Ocean Beach Hotel Fishing Club	10
Happy Hookers Fishing Club	7
Sportsfishing NSW	4
Pleasure Point Sportsfishing Club	4
Canberra Fisherman’s Club	3

Open Categories

• Heaviest Carp Junior: Tyler Robinson (Happy Hookers Fishing Club)
• Heaviest Carp Senior: Terry Tatton (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Heaviest Native Junior: Kodi Anderson (Assassin Spinnerbaits)
• Heaviest Native Senior: Mark Wilson (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Heaviest Redfin Junior: Sidney Stolk (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Heaviest Redfin Senior: Scott Maclean
• Heaviest Salmonid: Not awarded
• Total Length Native Catch and Release: Dan Webber
• Mystery Weight (Junior): Alex Steele (Canberra Fisherman's Club)
• Champion Family: The Stolk Family (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)

ANSA Categories

• Highest Point Scoring Carp Junior Female: Mikaela Emms (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Highest Point Scoring Carp Junior Male: Tyler Robinson (Happy Hookers Fishing Club)
• Highest Point Scoring Carp Senior Female: Chloe Stolk (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Highest Point Scoring Carp Senior Male: Terry Tatton (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Highest Point Scoring Native Junior: Ruben Hartley (Ocean Beach Hotel Fishing Club)
• Highest Point Scoring Native Senior: Mark Wilson (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Highest Point Scoring Fish – Fly Casting: Chris Stolk (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Highest Point Scoring Fish – Lurecasting: Terry Tatton (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club)
• Rangers Trophy: Breanna Bussutil (Botany Bay Sportsfishing Club)

 

Friday night dinner under the Marquee.

Canberra Fisherman's Club members getting ready for some dinner.

A sea of blue as the crew from Botany Bay Sportsfishing Club sit down for lunch.

Members of the Pleasure Point Fishing Club getting ready for the presentation of prizes on Sunday afternoon.

The ANSA Conventions bring anglers together from all over NSW and ACT and nurtures our junior anglers to be next generation of leaders in Sportsfishing. It also provides opportunities for junior anglers such as Zachary Zhao (Canberra Fisherman's Club) and Hamish Stolk (Wollongong Sportsfishing Club) build new friendships.

Lindsay Steele and Alex Steele weighing in a pair of Burrinjuck's finest mud marlins.

Kevin Spriggs and Jason Rogers cooking Saturday morning breakfast.

 Bruce Murray cooking pancakes for breakfast on Saturday morning.

Ian Campbell cooking eggs for Saturday morning breakfast.

Zane Zhao cooking Saturday night dinner.

Alison Borman and Kevin Spriggs on Saturday night dinner service.

Andrew Butt cooking schnitzels on Saturday night.

Head Chef Karen Malam in the background supervising Chef de Partie Chris Malam and Commis Chef Glen Malam at the breakfast station.

Burrinjuck Chair Sarah Borman thanking the CFC members for their hard work in putting the Convention together. And thank you Sarah for your hard work.

Thank you Mick Jewry for being the best Burrinjuck Sponsorship Officer.

CFC President Bonnie Allen and Ian Campbell with a 1.59 kg and 1.22 kg Carp.

 Chloe and Matthew Addis (Botany Bay Sportsfishing Club) with a 1.46 kg Carp.