Key Facts:
* The inaugural Fish Reflections catch and release event will be held on September 27-28
* Organisers expect more than 1000 entrants, with junior and senior categories
* The competition prize pool is $80,000
More than 1000 anglers of all ages – from mums and dads and extended families to youth who love to drop a line – will take part in the inaugural Fish Reflections "catch and release" fishing competition this weekend, flocking to popular and remote waterways across New South Wales.
Registrations are still open in the debut Fish Reflections event on September 27-28, which has attracted anglers keen to fish sustainably at a location of their choice and have a crack at winning a prize, all while having fun with friends and family.
More than 700 anglers have entered the seniors category alongside 230 juniors (Under 16s), with organisers confident more than 1000 entrants will be registered by the time the competition begins.
Event Director Michael Guest said he was thrilled to see so many anglers supporting a catch-and-release competition, with the most entries coming from Sydney and the NSW North Coast, alongside popular fishing spots in the State's west, including Copeton dam.
"NSW boasts so many fantastic fishing locations, many of them near Reflections parks, and there is still time to enter – the best thing about an online-style competition is that you can fish at your favourite waterway and bring your mates and family, too," Mr Guest said.
Reflections CEO Nick Baker said the organisation, the largest holiday park operator in NSW, was thrilled with the scale of entries the inaugural event was attracting, with staff at Reflections' 40 holiday parks encouraging their guests to register and connect in nature.
"If you love fishing, you know that you may not even catch a fish during the competition but what matters most is spending time with loved ones and having fun, and of course fishing in a sustainable way that minimises impact on the environment," Mr Baker said.
Known for some of the best fishing locations in New South Wales, Reflections' 40 holiday parks are found in renowned fishing destinations including Lake Keepit, Burrinjuck Waters and Copeton Waters.
Earlier this year, Reflections, a Crown Land manager which cares for 47 community reserves, invested $1.1M to assist the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development (DPIRD) to bring endangered native fish species back from the brink via repopulation programs.
Minister for Lands and Property, Sport and Tourism Steve Kamper said recreational fishing is a great sport for people of all ages to relax and connect with nature.
"Reflections Holidays operates 40 holiday parks and cares for community reserves on Crown land in NSW coastal areas and inland alongside major dams, providing affordable nature-based holidays and great opportunities for recreational fishing," Mr Kamper said. With an $80,000 prize pool, Fish Reflections has categories for juniors (Under 16) and adults of all fishing experience levels.
Entrants have the chance to win their category or perhaps get closest to the "mystery length" and be in the running to win a share in a prize pool that includes a 420 Busta tinnie valued at $23,990 and a four-night stay at a Reflections holiday park.
