Kakadu Klash, NT, Australia

Matt Flynn · #1 03-23-2007, 02:03 PM

2007 Aurora Kakadu Klash

15 March 2007 – 17 March 2007

The Annual Aurora Kakadu Klash for 2007 was held last Thursday, Friday and
Saturday at Aurora Kakadu on the South Alligator River. This Fishing competition is unique in that it is held in the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park and the crews capture a photo of the fish on a special measuring board and then the fish is released.

Over the past fortnight Kakadu National Park has experienced flooding and it was considered to cancel and reschedule this event. The flood waters dropped and the Boat Ramp car park was covered in mud. With the assistance of Parks, Aurora Kakadu and Gagudju Association were able to clear the car park and access to the Boat ramp was achieved.

The other obstacle was the Arnhem Highway from Darwin which still remains closed due to major damage to the West Alligator West Branch bridge.

32 Boats and 96 Competitors made the long way round via Pine Creek and along the Kakadu highway to participate in this event.

On Thursday morning with the upstream still flooded the majority of boats headed down stream towards the mouth and the result for day one was 83 Barra landed and the biggest Barra 112cm team “ Mongrels” with skipper Tom McCullough, Jonathon McTaggart and Robbie Kolman. Prize was a Carlton Mid Esky

Friday Morning the rain had returned and the teams still in good spirits headed out again. Day two 58 Barra were landed and Team “No Worries” with Skipper Daniel Wooller, Jason Bergin and Dave Coleman landed the biggest Barra 90cm. Prize was a Carlton Mid Esky

Saturday morning the last day of the competition saw again the majority of the field head towards the mouth. Fishing was quiet and with more rain 45 Barra were landed with team “Formula One” with Skipper Tim Eley, Brett Colley and Anthony Durdin won the biggest Barra day three with a 119.2cm. Prize was a Carlton Mid Esky

The Overall Winner of the competition were Team “ Powercom ‘ with Skipper Ken Brown and Team Members Steve Coutts, Gerry Coutts with scores, Day 1, 101cm, Day 2, 77cm, Day 3, 99cm with an overall Total 277cm. Team Powercom collected the winners Cheque $7,500.00 from Aurora Hotels, Resorts and Attractions and the
Perpetual Aurora Kakadu Klash Trophy.
Second place went to Team “ Mongrels “ with Skipper Tom McCullough, Jonathon McTaggart and Robbie Kolman with scores, Day 1 , 112cm, Day 2, 81cm, and Day 3, 79cm with an overall total 272cm. Team Mongrels prize was a Cheque for $1,000.00 from AUSFUEL and Accommodation voucher for each team member supplied by Aurora Kakadu.

Third place was team “ Yahoo” with Skipper Michael Thompson, Peter Wilson and Marty Frame with scores, Day 1, 94cm, Day 2, 62cm and Day 3, 89cm with the total of 245cm. Team “Yahoo “ collected 3 fishing Rod & Reel combo’s.

This year we included best female angler trophy for best female angler which was won by Beauty and The Beast team member Jenny Davis with a 62cm Barra caught on Day one.

All competitors and sponsors attended the Presentation Dinner on the Saturday night at Aurora Kakadu and the winners were announced. The competitors enjoyed a buffet meal and entertainment by Retro Duo.

Aurora Hotels, Resorts and Attractions would like to thank all competitors and sponsors for there contribution to ensuring this event is a success