It is eight years since the first BCF Carp Blitz on the Macquarie River at Bathurst pioneered an inland freshwater fishing revolution across the nation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The annual fishing cull targets feral European carp and European perch (redfin).
The Bathurst Blitz, as a family fishing day, has become a favourite with hundreds of thousands of anglers on social media but it’s the fishers on the ground tomorrow, physically casting a line baited with sweet corn, bread or a worm, who will be making a difference by landing feral fish.
This year is more critical than ever in the life of the Macquarie River fishery, where literally tonnes of “ferals” have been captured over the past seven years, supported by the NSW Catchment Authority’s inter-schools Carp Catching Champs Trophy.
For the first time in the history of the Carp Blitz, Peter Wright, the Bathurst RSL Fishing Club committeeman who first conceived the idea of Bathurst recreational anglers waging war on the scourge of national waterways – carp and redfin – will be leading the charge.
Recently elected president of the RSL Fishing Club, Mr Wright said the Carp Blitz had well and truly exceeded his expectations when he conceived the idea in 2007.
One of the highlights was a record seven kilogram carp, which was landed by a schoolboy.
“We began fishing for carp and redfin to reduce pressure on the once healthy Macquarie River native fishery, habitat of the endangered trout cod, Murray cod, golden and silver perch. The fishery had all but collapsed,” Mr Wright said.
“But we never expected Bathurst’s Carp Blitz would start an onslaught on invasive feral fish in all of the major river systems of NSW and other states. We now have Carp Musters, Carpathons, Fisheramas, Carp Classics in country and city, on rivers, dams and town water supplies.
Mr Wright said Bathurst RSL Club and their loyal sponsors have Carp Blitz prizes for all ages and categories. Fifty kilograms of sweet corn and 30,000 earthworms will be given to anglers to bait their hooks.
Registration and weigh-in at Evans Bridge is a gold coin donation to Bathurst RSL Fishing Club Trust to continue a RSL Club, Bathurst Regional Council joint venture – a native species restocking program in local waterways.