Trout Challenge gears up for June 22

Trout Challenge organisers – Matthew Pitt, Tracey Coyne holding Maisie Coyne, Steven Coyne, Dwayne Willoughby and Stephen Walsh, Charley Coyne, Nico Bates, Charlii Willoughby, Maddie Bates and Sarah-Jane Bock PHOTO TWH

The Outback Trout Challenge on June 22 is shaping up to be a huge fishing event, despite low river levels, low fish numbers and drought.

Rather than cancelling the event, Bourke’s Ain’t Caught Nuffin’ Fishing Club has changed the venue.

Instead of the Darling River, the fishing competition will take place at the Bourke Swimming Pool and the community has rallied behind the idea.

Club President Steve Coyne said a meeting held last week had focussed on how to divide up the drought funding that had been made available to the club to hold the event, and collating the support of local sponsors keen to back the club’s Outback Challenge.

“We’ve had so much support from local businesses as well as some of the bigger sponsors in Dubbo,” Steve said. “It’s been great and we really appreciate it.

“We’ve also been told we are eligible for further funding so we are just waiting to see exactly what we have so we can add to the program of events on the day.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.