IT PAYS TO FISH AT EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK

For the eighth successive year, El Questro (Australia) will host the now infamous, “Barrafest”, from Sept 14th. Attracting fishermen from all over the country, all will be hoping to land the best, mystery size “barra” and the magnificent purse of $5000 accompanying the catch.

Start the day with a sausage sizzle, and then hit the road, armed with your wilderness permit and compass, and spend the day fishing the secluded water holes and rushing rivers that criss-cross the million acre property, which is world renowned for its rugged beauty and isolation.

But, the fun doesn’t end with the fishing, after a hard day trying to land a barra, the entertainment starts as the sun goes down on the day’s water activities. Friday night sees the “Black Pete and Kevro show”, a sing-a-long not to be missed. Join in or just be entertained.

El Questro proudly presents “The Magnificent Seven” – a tribute band who cover songs from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s on Saturday night (Sept 15th) at the Station. Dance the night away, drown those sorrows, or tell the world all about catching your elusive “barra”.

The all inclusive entrance price of $110 includes a Barrafest polo shirt, 2 nights camping (Friday & Saturday), a sausage sizzle breakfast (Sat), BBQ dinner (Sat night), a stubby cooler and a Wilderness Park Permit.

Children are welcome to enter the open competition, (but they pay adult entrance prices). There are three categories – the major competition, or “Open Barra”, Open Catfish and the “Novelty Kids”. All weigh-in’s will be supervised by the Department of Fisheries.

Considering the latest statistics released this week by the Fisheries Department of WA, that more than a third of WA people (approx. 642,000) went fishing this last year, this year’s event should be as popular as ever! This is up 2 per cent on last year and more than twice as many as in 1987.

And many at El Questro, will probably take comfort in research that was also released this week, which showed that 78% of anglers were happy with their experience, despite many not even catching anything.

With the impressive scenery at El Questro, excellent facilities and the diversity of entertainment on offer for the whole weekend, it is a “must do” event on the professional and amateur fishermen’s calendar.

Barrafest at El Questro runs from Friday Sept 14 – Sunday Sept 16th 2001. Cost: $110 all inclusive