Competition president Jeffrey Sambell said nobody knew what to expect early on in the planning stage.

“We had the idea a few years back but at that point the lake was dry,” he said. “A couple of months ago we were sitting around at a car show when we started talking about it again and we just decided to do it. None of us have really organised a competition like this before and we had no idea how many entrants to expect.”

It is thought it will be the first major competition held on the lake in approximately 30 years.

“The lake is exceptionally important to the town and its great that we can hold an event which will potentially attract people from far and wide,” Sambell said. “It won’t just be about the fishing because we want to include the whole town in the experience and there are so many great things to see in the wider area as well. Personally we’ve got two children and we want them to grow up with a positive perspective of a town where exciting things happen because it attracts visitors.”

Businesses from Edenhope, Naracoorte and Horsham have all jumped on board as sponsors for the competition and the West Wimmera Shire Council will open up limited camping sites around the lake.

More than $10,000 of prizes will be on offer with a cash prize of $2,000 for the winner of the open category.

“Everyone has been so positive about it,” Sambell said.

“We didn’t want to hassle people and businesses too much about it but we’ve actually had to apologise for not getting in touch with them earlier.

“We want to be making this an annual competition like the one in Horsham so it’s great that we have already received so much support.”

Registration for the November 4 and 5 competition can be  completed online at www.edenhopefishingcomp.com.

Contact Kalla on 0427 094 103 for more information.