McClelland and vice president Randall Robb (at far right). ▪ Photo contributed
Two young Cobar boys have hauled in the two biggest European Carp fish at the Nyngan Fishing Club’s 2024 Nyngan Carp Muster on Saturday.
Three year old Van Peters took the $1,000 prize for the biggest Carp caught on the day with his catch measuring 81cm (almost as big as him).
At 79cm, his brother Basil (aged 5) had the second biggest Carp of the day which won him the Under 12s prize with another Cobar boy, Heath Gibbs the runner-up with a 76cm Carp.
Seven year old Rigby Peters’ catch of 72cm just missed out on winning a prize.
Damian Wray’s 76cm catch won him the runner-up prize in the Open category just behind winner Matt Elias’ 77cm Carp.
The annual Nyngan Fishing Club Carp Muster is an opportunity to brush up on your fishing skills, win some cash and clean out the Bogan river of invasive European Carp.
Recent good rain that has filled rivers provides an ideal breeding environment for European Carp and other invasive non native fish species.
Carp Musters help to improve the health of rivers, reduce carp numbers and support better breeding opportunities and habitats for native fish.
This year a total of 2,510 Carp were caught at Nyngan on the day.
Seigrid Peters reports her boys were all taught to fish and catch yabbies from a young age by their New Zealand-born dad, Jamie.
“The boys go fishing quite a lot, especially over the cooler months as we do a lot of camping,” she said.
“Jamie is originally from the Bay of Islands in NZ and fishing runs deep in his veins.
“All his family are keen fishermen/women and their family runs their own comps every year in NZ.
“Every time we visit NZ, we spend a lot of time fishing.”
The three Peters boys caught a total of 68 Carp on the day.
They used corn kernels as bait and fished off the banks of the river.
“The big Carp were caught earlier in the day and the excitement was high all day then to see if they truly were the biggest,” Seigrid told The Cobar Weekly.
“Our youngest boy Wolfe had to stay home with Mum – so the fishing focus could be strong,” she said.
And it looks like it paid off with Van bringing home the $1,000 first prize and a giant presentation cheque that was taller than him!
