Despite challenging swell and weather conditions, the 2021 Albany Salmon Spectacular was a great success with more than 120 fishers – many of who competed in family teams – taking part in the inaugural competition.
Held over the Easter long-weekend, competition was fierce at the event, organised in partnership with Western Angler and Albany Boating and Fishing Club, as fishers vied for the thousands of dollars-worth of prizes on offer.
Tamara’s team takes top-prize
Ultimately, Team Taylor – comprised of Tamara Boyle, her son Jindy Boyle, mother Lesley Boyle and brother Russell Taylor – won the overall prize for the longest two combined salmon.
After posting a 166cm total with an 85cm salmon and 81cm salmon, the four team members walked away with four whopping prize packs, each boasting a value of $850, featuring:
- 10ft Shimano Colt Sniper rod;
- Shimano Saragosa 5000 reels;
- Halco Tackle lure packs;
- Western Angler subscriptions; and,
- $50 Trailblazers voucher.
With fishers allowed to make the most of the region’s world-class beaches and fish anywhere across the Great Southern, Team Taylor weren’t afraid to venture away from Albany.
“All of the local haunts near Albany had a lot of people fishing, so we drove out to Cheynes and fished the main beach,” Tamara told Recfishwest.
“It was slow going to begin with, but we eventually got a few and started to think we might be in with a chance once Jindy caught the salmon which went 85cm.”
That 85cm salmon was also the biggest individual salmon caught during the Salmon Spectacular, with nine-year-old Jindy claiming the ‘Single Biggest Fish’ category.
The biggest single fish prize included a $50 Trailblazers voucher, a Cheynes Beach family voucher, bottle of Limeburners Tiger Snake and an Oceans Legacy rod.
“We’re based in Albany and it was a last-minute decision to register for the Salmon Spectacular – we didn’t enter thinking we’d win anything,” Tamara said.
“It was as major thrill and surprise to win the overall prize and for Jindy to take out the single biggest fish award.
“We are so grateful and would like to give a massive thank you to the competition sponsors. We’ve never won anything like this before, so we are so appreciative and so happy.”
Happy salmon snaps
Albany local Hamish Rus won’t be forgetting his first salmon anytime soon, especially after the catch netted him the Salmon Spectacular’s ‘Best Photo’ category and winning a $500 ARB Albany voucher!
Fishing with his father Mike in their boat off Albany, the 11-year-old had to hold onto his rod tight as a bustling Australian salmon tore line from his reel.
And, although his arms were sore after the battle, the smile couldn’t be wiped from Hamish’s face.
“We moved here at the end of 2016 from New South Wales and haven’t spent too much time fishing for salmon,” Mike said.
“The weekend was a whole new experience straight from the first hook-up – there was lots of adrenaline, excitement and very tired arms.
“The Salmon Spectacular was an amazing, well-run competition and to score a couple of prizes after a great time fishing was definitely icing on the cake.”
THANK YOU!
Hunter Gee won the junior prize category, which was a random draw for competitors under 16 years old, which included a $50 Trailblazers voucher, Penn beach fishing combo, Fab Fishing Tours voucher and an Albany Rods pack.
The daily mystery length prizes – claimed by Rick Gordon on Saturday and Ruan Scholtz on Sunday – included a PFD pack, Jos Jos Pizza voucher, Western Angler subscription, Platypus leader and a $50 Trailblazers voucher.
Twelve hourly random prizes of a $50 Trailblazer voucher were also drawn over the course of the competition.
“We’d like to give a massive thank you to all of the sponsors who helped make the Salmon Spectacular possible and all of the fishers who took part,” Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said.
“It was great to hear that everyone made the most of their long-weekend and had a great time fishing for salmon – they truly are an iconic southern sportfish.
“Recfishwest is proud to be able to coordinate events like this, because it’s these kind of events we’re passionate about running to help make salmon fishing, and fishing in WA generally, even better.
“And, we would also like to thank Scott Coghlan from Western Angler for helping us coordinate the event and Albany Boating and Fishing Club for hosting the event.”
