Bransfords Kids Fishing Clinic - Palm Cove Jetty 7th July 2012

It was just amazing to see so many keen young anglers, over 170 of them in fact, along with mum / dad / sister / brother / uncle or family friend, participate in the 15^th annual Bransfords Kids Fishing Clinic on Saturday morning.


Pre clinic briefing

Despite the atrocious weather, it was howling 35knots from the South East….thank goodness it wasn’t raining too. These keen young anglers braved it out for several hours to get their fishing fix, learn a few tricks and at the end of it all, secure that Bransfords “Goody Bag” packed full of freebies. You’ve just got to admire their persistence, and be grateful for their parent’s patience in such conditions. Or is it a sign that recreational fishing is way up there as a “must do” pastime for our kids?

 I know mine just love it, and my partners kids do too – spending hours on end at various jetties, drowning a bait to try and land that elusive big one.

Palm Cove Jetty in full swing

Just a sample of all those kids

 This keenness should not be misplaced by the powers to be:

• Our local councils should provide adequate access to likely angling locations
• They should also provide facilities including wash down stations / running water / cleaning tables and toilets
• Our State pollies should ensure that access to parks / foreshore / rivers and lakes are not overly restrictive and
• Our Federal politicians must ensure that there are fish to catch – that the resource is managed to the benefit to all users. 

The above was certainly not lost by the likes of our Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, who recognized the potential influence of these littlies (voters of the future) and was on hand to offer congratulations, encouragement and a little insight into his stance on a few very political matters affecting the recreational fishing industry in our region.

Who loves a saussage sizzle then!

Getting ready for those prizes!

The Master - Keith Gragam

A very big “THANK YOU” must also go to all those sponsors who donated tackle / sausages / bread / soft drink / insurance / portable toilets and more…….. making the goody bags / sausage sizzle and drink all possible. Along with us so called “experts” who gladly gave our time to assist, encourage and participate in such a wonderful event – actually the largest of its kind in Australia.  Well done Keith!

 Congratulations to all the participants, but especially to the individual winners as follows;

·         Champion Female……Brianna Preston….salmon…..stingray….stripy

·         Champion Male…..Lewis Cheng…..Lots of Jewfish

·         Most Meritorious Capture…..Corey Rose…..1.25 kg Toad Fish

·         Encouragement Award…….Cole Watson…….eel

Champion Male & Champion Female Angler

That smile says it all!

 Well done to all the hardworking cooks / cleaners / tackle shop staff / Jetty Rats / photographers and helpers for an outstanding effort – WE WILL BE BACK!

 
Regards, Les