Windamere Golden Classic 2003 Report

While last years Windamere Golden Classic was highly successful, we believed that this year's event could be bigger and better. In particular, we thought that two aspects of the event could be enhanced. Firstly, we decided that a large marque would be a handy addition. The marque would be used as the central point of the event, where such social gatherings as team briefings, BBQ's and the Saturday night presentation could be held. Although we have been fortunate to have reasonably pleasant weather in previous years, we could not bear the risk of having this years presentation affected by rain.

Standing room only for the Briefing!

A marque would ensure that competitors would have somewhere to shelter in the case of inclement weather. Another area that the organisers believed could be improved was sponsorship. This year our event has retained not only sponsors from previous years, but has attracted a number of new sponsors as well. With our event going from strength to strength, it appears that sponsors are only too keen to jump aboard.

This enthusiasm has seen the calibre of prizes increase significantly. We thank each and every sponsor for their important contribution towards making the Windamere Golden Classic such a respected and successful event. In terms of prizes, this year's event is most definitely the most prosperous by a long margin.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all sponsors who supported the event.

The Windamere Golden Classic was in the privileged position this year to have a web site dedicated to the event. Neil Ryan, an organiser of the event and founder of Sportsfish Australia, was responsible for devoting numerous hours to the creation and maintenance of the web site.

Through this web site, we have been able to effectively deliver information regarding the event to interested anglers, along with a forum where our sponsors have been able to display their websites. We are very grateful for the generosity of our sponsors so we endeavour to give them as much exposure as possible.

Grand Champion Team over 3 Sessions: Team: Hard Core. Steve Starling Trophy Glen Stewart, Chris Burbidge & Garry Cook.

Due to overwhelming demand from anglers' eager to compete in the Golden Classic, we decided that this year we would allow some new faces to experience the competition.

This was done with the help of Sportsfish. Interested anglers were able to register on the site and successful applicants were notified.

This boosted the total number of teams to a little over 50. We are keen to boost the numbers, but we intent on keeping the numbers small enough to keep the atmosphere that the Windamere Golden Classic is well known for.

This move was nothing but positive. Newcomers to the event were nothing but upbeat about their first Golden Classic.

Many were hell bent on going out and buying new equipment as soon as they got home.

It was also pleasing to see many of the experienced anglers sharing their infinite knowledge and wisdom with the less experienced anglers; often it was over a beer or three.

There are still some aspects of the Windamere Golden Classic that haven't been changed. The format of the event introduced in 2001 is still the same, with session 1 starting on Friday 1pm, and finishing 7pm. Session 2 starting at 6am and finishing at 11am. Session 3 starting at 1pm and finishing at 6pm.

This year all competitors turned up at 12pm Friday to be filled in about this year's event. There was something for everyone, with a lucky draw being held for the juniors. All juniors walked away with something from the lucky draw, which was sponsored by Halco Lures, Viking Lures, Knols Lures and Freshwater Fishing.

Competitors scrambled quickly towards the water immediately from the briefing, eager to be ready to be the first one's on the water when the event commenced at 1pm. Everyone was keen to be the first one out to their favourite spots, tempted by the scenario of hooking a golden perch. Not long after, a little rain appeared.

The rain however couldn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm and sure enough, it disappeared a short time later. The first session would be the most prosperous session of the event, with 121 fish being caught

Hmm I'm sure I heard the boat start!

Fishing was hard but challenging. It was hoped that with a 6am start the following day fishing might improve.

The teams who were very keen to do well this year had a relatively early night while some of the other teams took a different approach. Sayings like live for today and not tomorrow, late starts catch fish and we'll kill the pig tomorrow were heard echoing long and hard into the night.

It would be proven that fishing with a handicap (hangovers) would be the undoing of many of the teams next day.

Session 2 started at 6 am. The weather looked promising and there was an air of confidence among the early risers, the big fat lazy yellows would be easy pickings as they cruised in amongst the shallow weed beds.

Grey dawn can be a very productive time to hook a fish but for most early starters this proved to be a disappointing mornings fishing. To some of the anglers that revelled until late the night before, the sound of the early starters outboard motors roaring up the lake was a reminder that it was time to get out of bed. Who was going to make the first move?

While fishing conditions appeared to be ideal, the actual numbers of fish caught was low in comparison to the previous afternoon. I have a theory that due to the socialising on Friday evening may be, just maybe, the number of anglers fishing that morning was down a little on Friday afternoon's session. Were there many anglers who were woken by the sound of roaring engines?

This is what it's all about.

The Final Session on Saturday afternoon was certainly looking far more attractive for some of the furry throated, part time anglers who had been tucked up in bed most of the morning.

Fishing conditions looked to be the best they had been for the whole weekend.

The finish was to be 6pm. This was designed to give the statisticians more time to count scores for those sessions and to compile the results of the competition.

Congratulations to all the winners. It's the second year running that Hard Core have won the Steve Starling Trophy. Its not just luck, they are talented anglers and good guys to go with it.

As always, we would like to thank all sponsors, both big and small.

Special thanks to Shimano, Lowrance, Freshwater Fishing, Otto's Fishy business, Kaenon Sunglasses, Blakes Marine, Bing Lee, Darche Swags, Barry Williams Custom Agents, Outdoor Survival Australia, Pure Fishing, Gladiator Tackle, Viking Lures, Halco, Koolabung, Knols Lures.

A very big thank you goes to Paul Winchester, John Scott and Les Waldock (La Fargo Smoo Chasers) who were the cooks for the Saturday nights BBQ and Sunday morning breakfast. A job well done.

Thanks to Graham Donaldson, Tony Tonini and The Fatman for all their running around.

We hope that everyone had a very enjoyable time. Hope to see you all their again next year. Good Fishing!!

Pat Morris.

Tournament Director.

WINDAMERE GOLDEN CLASSIC RESULTS 2003

SPORTSFISH DASH 4 CASH RESULTS 2003