MOST anglers would have their sights set on bagging a metre-plus barramundi at one of the Northern Territory’s favourite fishing competitions, but several will be more focused on trying to hook a memento for a good cause at the weekend.
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More than 200 competitors will converge on Timber Creek on April 29 for the 2016 Big Horse Creek Barra Classic, which is hosted by the Katherine Game Fishing Club.
Club president Harry Renfree said one of the highlights of the competition would be the banner auction after anglers had put away their tackle and put their feet up to reflect on the event.
“We decided to put the banner from last year to auction at the presentation night and it went really well,” he explained.
“It went for $1600 and we put the money towards buying visitor chairs for the palliative care ward at Katherine Hospital.
“With that, we ended up getting eight purpose-built visitor chair for the ward.
“So, we will have another auction this year and see if we can beat that figure.”
Brian “Blondie” Demarco paid top dollar for the banner in 2015 and said the auction provided a community-minded way to wrap up the competition.
“We support the community through the fishing club and it was more than a good enough reason to bid on the banner,” he told the Katherine Times.
Mr Renfree said that although he had no target in mind for how much the 2016 banner would garner, any money raised would be again donated to a health-related cause in Katherine.
“We’re hoping to up the ante this year and it will go towards something health,” he said.
“The auction was pretty hotly-contested last year.”
Mr Demarco said he expected bidding to again be frantic and hinted that he might throw his hat into the ring to secure consecutive banners.
“Most of these guys are mates,” he laughed.
“I think the bidding will get a bit crazy, especially after everyone’s had a few drinks.”
Those yet to nominate for the competition have until April 28 to do so.
“We’d love to see 250-plus [entrants] this year,” Mr Renfree said.