AFTER generations of debate, the Tuross Head Club’s members have finally settled the matter; it’s all about the length!
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sunday was the club’s final competitive fishing day and members hit the water in pursuit of the last monthly piece of silverware; the morwong goblet.
The back-story is one of innovation, preparation, presentation, consternation and deliberation… not to mention patience, diligence and perseverance, but let’s keep this short and sweet.
Some six months ago, the club’s competition secretary, John Suthern, proposed a new scoring concept that was inspired by the success of the popular flathead and bream tournament.
He developed a computer-based system that scored a fish on the merit of its size according to its species.
To work, the system measures length as opposed to weight.
This shift has one enormous benefit: anglers can now score fish that are released to swim away, encouraging competitors to only take home what they intend to eat.
This new scoring concept firmly supports the catch and release ethos within the recreational fishing public.
To begin the scoring process, any legal fish measured achieves an automatic base rate.
For every millimetre above legal length, it achieves additional points.
These points vary from species to species, depending on the length of what the club membership has deemed as a trophy in the region for the species in question.
That trophy length achieves a total of 100 points and the points per millimetre formula is determined by the difference between legal length and trophy length.
It may sound complicated but when it’s automated it’s simple.
The long and the short of it is that all species eligible for the club’s competitions are on an equal footing, opening up the opportunities for greater participation, family involvement and a sustainable fishing future.
The club’s members immediately recognised its merit and its controversy. However, true to his instinctive leadership nature, John Suthern provided open information and education sessions, fully disclosing the process using examples and demonstrations.
The proposed rules went to the membership for a secret ballot on Sunday and, as a club, they are pleased to announce that the rule change was adopted with an overwhelming majority.
Cameras can take the place of scales and photographs of qualified fish can be uploaded directly to the club’s website.
There are strict rules governing eligible photographs and the club will not hesitate to disqualify any fish if the photograph does not “measure up”.
All rules are clearly outlined on the website, so there can be no excuses.
The ability to upload images for points in the club’s monthly and annual competitions now means that residents from Ulladulla to the Victorian border, the club’s eligible fishing grounds, can become members and participate on their home waters.
The potential for growth of the club is enormous and inspired by the determination of a few progressive thinkers, lead by Suthern.
Along with a bolstered committee, there’s a new Patron.
Don Burns announced his retirement after 10 consecutive years and handed his mantle, and his tongs, to David Greenhalgh, who has been involved with the club for more than 20 years.
Jill, his wife, was also inducted as a life member for her decades of service on the committee.