With his new dinghy, trailer and outboard in tow, a happy Beau Gee — the 2021 Salmon Slam winner — couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he travelled back down the Great Southern Highway to his hometown Mt Barker.
It is set to be a happy four-hour trip back down south for Beau and his 13-year-old son Hunter, after they were today presented the 3.5m Seajay aluminium dinghy, powered by a six horse-power, four-stroke Honda outboard and trailer at the Recfishwest office at Hillarys in Perth’s north for simply catching a salmon and entering it into the app-based competition.
Beau was ecstatic that he’d scooped the Salmon Slam’s top-prize in a random draw from the almost 1,700 fishers who took part and chased salmon along South West and south coast beaches during the autumn salmon migration as part of the three-month Slam, which ended on 31 May.
“I’ve always wanted a boat – but you know how it is… it’s one of those things that comes after a house and a new car – so I guess this was pretty good shortcut,” Beau told Recfishwest as he collected the dinghy, supplied by Rusty’s Marine in Albany.
“I’ll be taking Hunter out and my two daughters are really keen as well.
“We’ll be heading out in the Albany harbour on the first trip targeting King George whiting and I’ve heard there’s plenty of squid around at the moment.”
Held in partnership between Recfishwest and Western Angler magazine, the Salmon Slam – part of the Awesome Autumn of Salmon – celebrates salmon as a fantastic, safe and accessible sportfish.
And as far as the Gees were concerned, it couldn’t have been much ‘Awesomer’ with Hunter taking out the junior random prize in the Albany Salmon Spectacular event held over the Easter long weekend.
For his efforts at the Spectacular, which is also part of the Awesome Autumn, Hunter won a $50 Trailblazers voucher, Penn beach fishing combo, Fab Fishing Tours voucher and an Albany Rods pack.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland congratulated the Gee family and also thanked the great sponsors for supporting this year’s Salmon Slam.
“The WA tackle and outdoors industry have really come to the party and backed this competition making it such a success,” he said.
“Once again, we’d like to give a big Recfishwest shout-out to all those who donated prizes.”
