There were 32 people, mainly children, competing over the week. Some top eels were weighted in throughout the competition, including a potential new Australian record on the last day by Bellingen local Jai Tennant.

His eel was a huge 11.65kg, beating the previous record of 10.49kg from Danny Osland in 1990.

The daily best eel results are:

Day 1: Jai Tennant – 5.75kg; Day 2: Jai Tennant – 6.5kg; Day 3: Tyson Sharkey – 6.25kg; Day 4: Cody Beaumont – 8.45kg; Day 5: Jai Tennant – 6.7kg; Day 6: Tyson Sharkey – 6.5kg; Day 7: Jai Tennant – 11.65kg.

Other results include: Best eel by a man: Nicholas Fredrickson – 7.4kg; Best eel by a lady: Paula Tennant – 5.9kg; Best eel by boy – Jai Tennant – 11.65kg; Best eel by girl: Simone Osland – 8.2kg; Most weight of eels 2009: Jai Tennant – 45.85kg; Bellingen Eel Champion “Waterhole Wal” Perpetual Trophy – Jai Tennant – 11.65kg.

The Bellingen eel fishing competition is a ‘Catch and Release’ competition with prizes going to the competitors with the liveliest eels each day. Congratulations to all our eel fishing families for the care of their eels, with nearly all being released after daily weight-ins. We want to thank Fishing Tackle Australia for their donation of a rod and reel for daily winners of liveliest eel. The winners were:

Day 1: Jordaine Osland; Day 2: Ernie Osland Jnr; Day 3: Marshall Lowe; Day 4: Simone Osland; Day 5: Logan Clarke; Day 6: Darcy Kael and Cooper Warwick;

Day 7: Tyson Sharkey.

A well-attended BBQ and presentation of trophies completed the week of competition. Many thanks go to those who helped with this presentation including The Bellingen Bowling Club, weight masters, parents and grandparents. We also want to thank our valuable sponsors: Urunga Anglers Club, Bellingen Automotive, Bellingen Auto-Electrical, John Tickle, Garry and Kerry Bryant, National Australia Bank, Diggers Tavern, Bob Hamilton Real Estate, Pat Fox, Robert and Lois Clarke, Bob Hudson, Michael “Pud” Lee, Bellingen Providores, Fishing Tackle Australia, D.P.I Fisheries and Bellingen Butcheries.

Waterhole Wal.