General News
3 April, 2026
Jeparit ready to reel
Jeparit Anglers Club is gearing up for another big Easter Fishing Competition, with organisers hoping locals and visitors alike will head to town for a day on the water on Saturday, April 4.
Organising committee member Yolande Hutson said the much-loved event was shaping up as another strong community day, with the competition itself unchanged and plenty on offer for anglers of all ages.
“Everything is the same as normal, like the previous year,” she said.
The competition will run from 7.30am to 3pm on Easter Saturday and will again feature senior and junior sections, a carp category, and the Kevin Humphreys Memorial Mystery Weight prize.
“Yeah, there’s the senior section with 10 prizes, and first prize is $2000 cash, and then the junior, which is 16 and under, they have 10 prizes as well, and their first prize is $500 and a swag,” Ms Hutson said.
Ms Hutson said the extra prize categories added even more excitement to the day.
“And we also have a carp competition and a mystery weight memorial prize, so we pick a weight and the closest person with a fish weighed in at that weight wins the memorial trophy,” she said.
While she said the current fuel situation had prompted some questions, Ms Hutson believed that could also encourage more nearby residents to enjoy the event close to home.
“So most other things are running as normal, but I do believe that maybe numbers could be slightly different in the fact that people who normally come won’t travel,” she said.
“However, maybe some locals that normally go away, won’t go away and may come to the fishing comp when they don’t normally, so it could work out to be kind of even in the long run.”
She said the competition has a strong reputation for drawing anglers from well beyond the district.
“I know people come from Ballarat, further than that, so there are people who would travel at least three or more hours to come.”
Ms Hutson said this year is a perfect opportunity for Wimmera people to finally give the event a go.
“If it’s been on your bucket list, this is the year to do it,” she said.
She said locals did not need to camp to be part of the day.
“If you’re local, you don’t have to camp, and they can just come down for the day.”
There is also good news on river conditions in the lead-up to the competition.
“There’s water in the river now; it’s looking much better,” she said.
Ms Hutson said anglers could expect plenty of fish in the system.
The event is also holding a $2 raffle on the day, with proceeds donated to the Good Friday Appeal.