Some of the rainbow trout released into the Numeralla River ahead of the Mud Marlin Festival this weekend.
Numeralla Fishing Club has again been active in restoring fish populations within the local river systems. Last month saw 100 pan size rainbow trout released into the Numeralla River up and downstream of the Numeralla village. The fish were specifically released in the lead up to the 11th Mud Marlin Fishing competition to provide greater fishing opportunities for entrants.
Preceding this most recent stocking event, the Numeralla Fishing Club has been instrumental in restoring fish populations through the annual release of native fish in the form of Murray Cod and Golden Perch. While the native fish have now been stocked into the river system for seven years, the rainbow trout are a recent and welcome addition. During 2015 alone, a further 1,000 rainbow trout, 3,650 Golden Perch and 1,375 Murray Cod fingerlings have been released into the Numeralla river and the lower reaches of the Badja and Kybeyan rivers.
Restoring the Numeralla River has been an ongoing project for several decades, however significant progress has been made more recently with bank stabilisation work, the reintroduction of fish habitat, willow removal, noxious weed removal (blackberry Gorse), revegetation, fish stocking and the removal of significant numbers of European Carp through the annual Mud Marlin Competitions.
Numeralla Fishing Clubs annual Mud Marlin Fishing Competition is on yet again this Easter with locals business and community members sponsoring a wide range of prizes. The major prize of a Webber BBQ valued at $600 is proudly sponsored by Monbeef Cooma is on offer for the secret weight fish.
A perpetual trophy for the largest overall Carp plus numerous other prizes are on offer for children and adults alike, including trophies for the kids.