News

Fishing challenge lures a sellout crowd

By Eamon Kurta

Feb 9, 2026

Major Random Entry Draw boat winner Clint Torney with Fishing Challenge coordinator Andrew Jefferies.

The Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge has wrapped up for another year, with organisers declaring the 2026 event one of the biggest and most successful in its history.

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A sellout crowd, strong visitor numbers and a lively three‑day program at Memorial Park combined to deliver a major boost for Deniliquin, both economically and environmentally.

Challenge co-ordinator Andrew Jefferies said the turnout was “fantastic”, noting there were “so many people, winners from every different state”, with more than 350 entrants travelling from interstate to take part.

The influx of visitors once again highlighted the Challenge’s growing reputation as a premier tourism weekend and a significant contributor to native fish recovery in the Edward River system.

This year’s event also delivered another major milestone for the Challenge’s restocking program, with $35000 in ticket sales generating funding to order a further 30,000 golden perch.

Organisers confirmed the order being placed yesterday, Monday, February 9, and expected for October, with additional catfish releases planned in the coming months.

The Challenge’s environmental impact continues to grow, with every dollar raised locally tripled through the NSW Fisheries Community Native Fish Stocking Grants Program.

In the lead‑up to the event, organisers oversaw the release of 30,000 golden perch fingerlings on January 20, adding to the 30 mature Murray cod released in December as part of the Adopt‑a‑Cod program.

Since 2023, Challenge fundraising has supported the release of 115,000 golden perch, 6500 eel‑tailed catfish and 540kg of Murray cod.

All proceeds from the event are reinvested into the river and surrounding lagoons, funding restocking, habitat improvement, bank protection and revegetation works.

The weekend opened on Friday night with the popular Mega Raffle, charity auction, kids’ activities, food trucks and a packed crowd at Memorial Park.

Sporting groups and community volunteers, including the Rovers, Rhinos and Rotary, helped run the bar and catering areas, with organisers emphasising that all money raised “stays in the community”.

With 116 sponsors supporting the event, the Challenge once again demonstrated the strength of local backing behind the region’s biggest annual fundraiser.

The yabby race also broke records, drawing more than $11,000 into the prize pool, with the top yabby earning $1200 and a total of $10,500 awarded across the event.

Lachie Spinks collected his winnings from the yabby race from co-ordinator Andrew Jefferies. Photo by Rebecca Flisher

Fishing sessions ran across Saturday and Sunday between Four Post Camp and Stevens Weir, with meals, raffles, spinning wheels, yabby races and live announcements keeping the atmosphere buzzing.

A total of 107 legal native fish were recorded across the weekend, with standout catches including Brian Bennett’s 95cm Murray Cod, junior angler Pallas East’s 90cm cod, and yellowbelly catches from Tony Wallace (95cm) and junior competitor Jock Warden (44cm).

Simon Thomas landed the longest carp of the event, 74.5cm, while junior angler River James Clarke recorded a fish measuring 69.5cm, with Charlie Carp collection bins ready to make use of the invasive pests.

Among the fishing results, Corbin Brailsford claimed the Secret Length Murray Cod prize with a 63cm catch, while Luke Pearce took second place with a 64cm fish.

The Lindsey Jefferies Memorial Award for longest native fish went to Pallas East with a 90cm entry.

Junior angler Jax Stevens secured the Junior Major Random Entry Award, enthusiastically taking home a fishing kayak, new rod and various Kings camping products, supplied by Dahlsens Mitre 10 Deniliquin and valued at $2100.

In the major raffle, Josh Williams claimed the second prize 49cc quad bike and helmet combo, while Leanne Bode won the first prize Sea Jay 3.5m boat, trailer and motor, sponsored by Deniliquin Yamaha and valued at $13,000.

Clint Torney took out the adult major random entry draw, winning an Angla Pro 394 boat, trailer and motor, also supplied by Deniliquin Yamaha and valued at $15,500.

So chuffed with his prize, Mr Torney stayed an extra night in Deniliquin, and took his new boat out for a test run.

Local businesses again rallied behind the Challenge, donating more than $60,000 in prizes for the weekend.

Merchandise sales also contributed directly to restocking efforts, with roughly every $15 spent funding a fish for local waterways.

The event’s economic impact was felt across Deniliquin, with reports of boats being sold, and new tyres purchased as travellers support local Deni businesses.

With a sellout crowd, major prizes, family-friendly entertainment and significant environmental outcomes, organisers say the 2026 Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge is one of the best yet.