Weipa Billfish Club stalwarts Gav Roberts, Simone French, Andrea Kennedy and Darryl French at the Queensland Game Fishing Association awards.
KNOWN as the friendliest club in Queensland, the Weipa Billfish Club received a healthy dose of good karma on Saturday when it collected a swag of honours at the Queensland Game Fishing Association awards.
The club had five representatives at the Gold Coast gala event – Andrea Kennedy, Gav and Emmi Roberts, and Darryl and Simone French.
“We had a great year as a club and the south-east clubs had a tough one with a lot of bad weather,” said club treasurer Darryl French, who picked up a couple of individual honours.
He won the QGFA champion male angler (catch and release), as well as the champion overall angler trophy.
Lorinda Billing, who has just left Weipa for Townsville, was also named the QGFA champion female angler.
Billing and husband Nathan were keen anglers and big supporters of the club.
A Weipa boat also won a gong, with Mark Bowlen’s Who’s Your Daddynamed the All Ports champion boat on Saturday.
The Weipa Billfish Club then went on to take out the state’s All Ports trophy.
“It was an awesome night; we cleaned up,” Darryl said with a slightly sore head on Sunday.
“We were all a bit surprised because the south-east clubs usually blow us away because they have bigger numbers and more boats. Sadly, they copped a bad year with the weather.”
Points are allocated for each catch over the season and Darryl said Weipa’s camaraderie on the water paid dividends.
“We all share information and help each other out so we know where the fish are,” the club treasurer said.
“The good thing about shift work is that there’s usually a club member out on the water every day of the week.”
The club is preparing for its annual Weipa Billfish Tournament and Darryl said he hoped the club’s success would encourage new members and more participation in 2022.
“Everyone is welcome and we’ll look after you if you haven’t got any experience,” he said.
“We’re a very social club and we would love to see a lot more members and participants.
“The more people out on the water is better for all of us.”
The Weipa Billfish Tournament runs from October 1-3.
