The final three days of winter were absolutely stunning, to the delight of the 916 strong crowd that attended.

Especially for those who had attended the 13th Grabine Classic and could still remember last years wet and wild conditions. With this strong attendance it was clear that our change to catch and release had not adversely affected the number of competitors, in fact according to our survey of 101 entrants, 84 per cent were pleased with the change.

The water level was 55.9 per cent on Thursday afternoon and had risen to 56.3 per cent on Sunday with the fresh inflow after some rain earlier in the week and the park was looking good.

Some anglers found the fishing to be impossible in the 10 degree waters, while others recorded some impressive catches. Scott Murphy from the ACT landed an 82cm Cod to be crowned this year’s champion.

All six cod entered this year were entered by seniors.

The senior Golden Perch winner was Luke Webber with a 51.5cm fish.

The junior Golden Perch winner was Cooper Cross at 49cm.

Robert Fazl caught the biggest Silver Perch at 44.5cm.

Sam Cramp’s 38cm Silver was long enough to put him in the top spot for the juniors.

All four catfish entered were prize winners, the biggest at 54.5cm was entered by Mick Ryan, a senior, with Cooper Cross coming in again for the juniors with his 41cm catfish.

No trout were entered this year and there were no reports of any redfin either.

A total of 140 native fish were caught and released this year with 114 Golden Perch, 15 Silver Perch, six Murray Cod and four Catfish.

The biggest carp bag and senior largest carp prizes were both taken out by Steven Webber with a total of 72 fish with the longest measuring in at 74cm.

While in the junior longest carp category Dean Cerovac took the honors with a 62.5cm fish.

Steven, Dean and the rest of our fine carp anglers did a good deed by removing a total of 314 of the pest species, down from last years 492.

This year when our contestants entered native fish we asked them what they had used to catch their fish.

It seems that on this occasion the trusty old worm prevailed at 69 per cent, followed by lures at 20 per cent, 8 per cent of fish were tempted by crayfish, 2 per cent went to wood grubs and less than 1 per cent on cooked prawns.

To be fair the cooked prawn landed a 72cm cod!

Peter Hempel of Blayney is now the proud owner of this year’s boat after being drawn out and Graham Hughs was the lucky winner of this year’s trailer full of camping equipment.

All 42 prize categories were awarded at Sunday’s presentation, the prizes totaling over $20,000, with the unfilled fish prizes going to lucky entrants who had their entry forms drawn from a barrel.

The committee would like to thank our many sponsors for their support this year, in particular Goulburn Tackleworld for our new leader board, Carlton & United Breweries and Pure Fishing Australia for their generous prize donations.

Also a massive thank you to Dick Elvins (Gwydir Gobblers) for his continued support and help for another year.

A special thanks also to Grabine Lakeside State Park for their hospitality and support throughout the tournament.

They look forward to welcoming everybody back to Grabine on the August 28, 2015 to compete in our 15th Annual Grabine Classic.

Contributed by Chris Wray, Secretary of the Grabine Freshwater Fishing Tournament.

Presidents report

2014 could only be described as a great success. Our 2013-2014 AGM was history making in the sense that the committee felt it was time for change. A change for sustainability, not only for fish stocks, but also for the tournament itself. It was decided we would go catch and release. The decision wasn't taken lightly. We had discussions with other tournament committees and after they had a slow start, they had success in winning back angles and sponsors. The writing was on the wall, we had to go this way. Lots of meetings and hours researching, we decided this was the best way forward. We could attract larger sponsors, and receive.help from the fisheries,  it was also-appealing to Grabine Lakeside Park and of course the younger "switched on" anglers.

The committee ourselves were drawn into social media, websites, emails, photos, video technology and digital data. Anglers all of a sudden had things like circle hooks, brag mats, enviro-nets and I phones as part of their equipment. We always had Five F's - Family, Friends, Fun, Fishing and a Fridge, now we need one more Foto's.

I affectionately called the competition Grab "N: Release and we were on our way.

The weekend kicked off on Friday bathed in sunshine. We knew were going to get numbers and we did, some 916 entries were filled out over the weekend. Over 450 fish were measured or had their photo taken.

The competition would not have happened if not for our hard working committee, special mention must go to Chris and Jane Wray, the secretary and treasurer respectively, who put in a lot of hours, ensuring a smoothly run competition. Thanks guys very much. Thank you to all our major sponsors,

Grabine Lakeside, JD's Crookwell, TJC Products, Lackanookie Fishing Club, General Store Crookwell, Tackle world Goulburn, Cowra Marine, Lidner socks, other local sponsors included Crookwell Tyre Service, Crookwell Services Club, Criterion Hotel, Crookwell Hotel Motel, Federal Hotel Bigga, Bigga & Binda Stores. Lost River Produce, Meats a Treat, Pauls Cafe, Crookwell Post Office, IGA, Hills Butchery, Jewellers @ Crookwell and M.D & J.J Anderson. Thank you again, I hope that anglers called in on the way and patronized your businesses.

Not only as I said earlier was the weather good, so was the road from Bigga to Grabine and I would like to thank Upper Lachlan Shire Council and staff for having the road in tip top shape. Again, thank you to the Upper Lachlan Shire Council and surrounding areas, residents who all made this year a special event. Looking forward to seeing you at next year's 2015 Grab N Release completion at Grabine from August 28. Phil Cramp, President.