Anglers turn out in force for Brown Water Classic

East Kimberley Fishing Club’s and Tackle World Kununurra’s Brown Water Classic reeled in more than 500 anglers at the weekend with thousands of dollars in prizes and local bragging rights on the line. The competition ran from July 24 to 26 in Wyndham and Kununurra, with stellar results across 10 species categories in the adult and junior divisions. In the adult category, Curt McCartney won the grand slam title with a combined length of 289.5cm across barramundi, catfish, sooty grunter and black dhufish, earning a $5000 prize sponsored by SMC Marine. Blaze Holland claimed top honours for the overall biggest barramundi with a 98.5cm catch, taking home the $5000 Wyndham Tilt Tray Facility prize. Walter French landed the biggest land-based barramundi at 97.5cm to win $4000 courtesy of Wyndham Supermarket, while Curt McCartney secured the boat-based barramundi category with a 93.5cm fish, winning a 10-day Tagalong Tour valued at $6250 from Birchy’s Fishing Tours. Sonia Wilson claimed the mystery barramundi prize and a 20hp four-stroke Yamaha motor sponsored by JK Adventure/Irontrack. Deborah Steenson had a massive weekend, winning two categories by landing a 107cm catfish to win $3000 sponsored by Call The Plane, as well as a 120.5cm black dhufish to win a $1250 charter voucher from North Australian Fishing Charters. George Jannings secured the biggest fingermark title with an 80cm catch to collect $1000, sponsored by Sawyer Plumbing & Gas. Dylan Morgan hooked the biggest threadfin salmon at 88cm for a $1000 prize courtesy of Driftwood Tree Services, and Charm Johnson took out the sooty grunter category with a 39cm catch, taking home $1000 sponsored by Cambridge Gulf Limited. In the junior competition, Adriahnn Trust claimed the grand slam title with an impressive total of 129cm, while Romiaz Coppin was runner-up with 102cm. Kirsten Hunter Jr took top honours for the biggest overall barramundi with an 83.5cm catch. In the land-based barramundi category, Aalayah Peart took first place with a 76.5cm catch ahead of runner-up Miah Morgan on 66cm, while Rubie Holland won the boat-based barramundi division with a 59.5cm fish. Viola Trust claimed the mystery barramundi prize with Alfie Gasson finishing runner-up. Victoria Gasmier hooked first place for the biggest fingermark at 42cm ahead of runner-up James Ross at 35.5cm. Romiaz placed first in the black dhufish category with a 77cm catch followed by Georgia Evans in second place with 64cm. Adreius Trust took top spot for the biggest catfish at 91cm ahead of runner-up Evelyn McCartney at 87cm. Dante Hunter-Clarke won the threadfin salmon category with a 66cm catch with Zahrella Rex taking runner-up at 50cm. Rounding out the results, Ky Thomas landed the winning 38.5cm sooty grunter with Beau McCartney taking runner-up at 36.5cm.