The Ceylon Sea Anglers Club's annual Madhu Ganga Estuary Fishing Competition to be held on October 25 this year is shaping up to provide anglers and their families a wonderful day out.
The oldest anglers' club in the country, the Sea Anglers’ was established in 1934, located at Barberyn Island and subsequently moved to Clappenberg Bay after the 2nd World War. Sadly in April 2009, the club's premises was acquired by the Sri Lanka Air Force owing to security considerations. However due to the perseverance of the energetic committee led by Jonathan Martenstyn, the club is in the process of obtaining land to construct a new club house and accommodation for members.
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In 2006 the Committee decided to organize events in the south west coast and inland waterways to popularize the sport of angling and also to raise much needed funds for the upkeep of the Club. In October 2006, the club conducted its inaugural Madhu Ganga Estuary Fishing Competition. Madhu Ganga was chosen so that anglers who frequent inshore lakes, such as Bolgoda, would get an opportunity to explore the unspoiled surroundings of other estuaries like Madhu Ganga which boasts a healthy stock of Barramundi and other fresh water species.
A total of 67 anglers competed at last year's event, an important feature of which was the release of 1,000 Barramundi (Modha) fingerlings into the estuary at various points. Being a member of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), the governing body of Angling around the world, the Ceylon Sea Anglers Club strongly promotes sustainable fishing. Moreover, event officials stipulated that all catches which were below the sanctioned size were to be released back into the estuary. IGFA Representative in Sri Lanka - Mr Mervyn Andriesz officiated at the event.
Exciting prizes are lined up for this year's winners including Penn International, Abu Garcia and Cabelas Reels, Berkley fishing accessories etc as well as weekends for two sponsored by John Keells Hotels and Nilaveli Beach Hotel, HSPA high speed broadband Dongles and a mobile phone sponsored by Dialog Telekom plus many more.
Entries close on September 20. The competition is open to all and details can be obtained by sending an email to: sea.anglers@gmail.com or calling Harry on 0777762276 or Harin on 0777390396
www.ceylonseaanglers.com |