Wyangala Dam overflow after March flooding 2012
THE Annual Grabine Classic is being held on majestic Lake Wyangala this coming weekend August 24 to 26.
The Freshwater Fishing Competition has been running successfully for many years now with this being its 12th year continuing to grow even with the minor setback of drought affecting the area in recent years.
With the lake at full capacity there is plenty of water and more camping places for the eager camper to make for an enjoyable weekend away with the whole family.
The competition includes $13,900 in prizes with the major prize being a 430 Brooker ‘Saratoga’ V-nose Punt including outboard motor and many extras. This great prize has been donated by Cowra Marine who have been sponsors of this great event and feature for many years.
There is a major raffle for the weekend of a 6x4 trailer packed to capacity valued at over $1850. Second prize in the raffle is worth $700.
Prepaid entries for the weekend will only be accepted until Thursday August 23. Contact the club secretary on 48321846 for more information.
For further information regarding camping, accommodation and park facilities contact Grabine Lakeside State Park on 48352345.
The 'Jewel in the crown of the Central West', Wyangala Waters are a favourite picnic area and holiday destination.
Relax in comfortable accommodation or on the water in a houseboat, take a bushwalk or cast a line for some fishing.
With a catchment area of 8,300 square kilometres and a dam capacity of 1,217,600 megalitres, the surface area of the dam is two and a half times the size of Sydney Harbour and is a favourite for water sports.
There are many walking trails through the bush or go mountain bike riding. Canoe around the foreshores any time of year.
Lake Wyangala is well-regarded as an excellent inland fishing spot.
Catch silver and golden perch (yellow belly), catfish, murray cod and the renowned brown and rainbow trout.
Through the spring and summer seasons, Wyangala Waters is great for jet-skiing, pleasure boating, sailing, windsailing, swimming, and water skiing.
Wyangala boasts kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, reptiles and over 60 bird species including Wedge Tail Eagles and White Breasted Sea Eagles. Numerous types of eucalypt, wattle and many native flowers are also in abundance.
The original dam wall was constructed between 1929 and 1935, and was one of the last dams in New South Wales which utilised a railway or tramway system for construction purposes.
The current earth and rock wall was constructed between 1961 and 1971 due to fears that the original dam wall was beginning to lift away from its base and as a result, it was feared that it would not be able to withstand a major flood.
The original dam wall can be seen when the water level is around 30 per cent. An update of the present dam wall was commenced in 2010.
The dam was close to the epicentre of an October 2006 earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter Scale.
The minor tremor triggered a standard inspection of the dam structure which found there was no impact on the dam from the earthquake.
Water entitlements were down to just 10 per cent of normal availability in 2008.
Some inflows to the dam later in the year allowed restrictions for high security licence holders to be relaxed.
In late 2009, drought had reduced the water storage level to 4.5 per cent.
Last Year
LAST year the classic started off with an absolutely superb winter’s day that continued throughout the entire weekend. The Dam was at a level of 94 per cent and rising.
Although big numbers were present around the lake, a total of 1078 entrants were recorded but did not reach the record amount of 1155. Entrants came from all over New South Wales and some from Victoria and one from Townsville. 14 per cent were juniors who totally enjoyed the weekend and the Tournament apparently is fast becoming more family orientated.
Catch’N’Release recordings were more prevalent with an increase of over 500 per cent from previous years and was very pleasing to see. 54 prize divisions were on offer with all trophies being handed out to the lucky entrants.
The 2011 major prize winners were:
Heaviest Cod – Jess Corkery (Boorowa) 5.083kg
Heaviest Yellowbelly – Tom Keatley (Goulburn) 2.975kg
Heaviest Catfish – Mitch Grange (Yass) 1.475kg – Catch’N’Release
Heaviest Silver Perch – Arnold Fuller (Young) 1.061kg
Heaviest Carp – Mitch Cassells – Junior (Boorowa) 3.410kg
No Trout or Redfin were recorded this year.
Boyd Carruthers Memorial Trophy for largest Catch’N’Release – Katrine Holland (Oberon) Cod 4.998kg
Dick Elvins Trophy – Most Released – Shane Hatton (Orange) – releasing 29 fish.
First Prize Raffle - David Meachean (Watson A.C.T.) Trailer plus contents
Second Prize Raffle – Allan Hadfield (Yass) BBQ plus Gas Table Heater
Major Prize Winner of Boat, Trailer and Motor – Paul Bennett (Woodstock)
All fish weighed in were to be 35cm and over, except cod, which needed to be 60cm and over.
After not being able to conduct a Tournament in 2010 due to the extremely low water level, the Grabine Freshwater Fishing Tournament committee hope this year there will again be record numbers and wish to thank all of our sponsors for helping in getting the Grabine Classic up and running for the 2012 Classic.
