THE MEMBERS of the Charleville Fishing and Restocking Club are good people to know. Firstly, they make sure there are fish in the rivers so there’s plenty to catch. Then, they invite visitors to join their events.
So start dreaming about sitting around a campfire eating campoven tucker and telling some true fishing yarns - like the one that didn’t get away that very day!

The club works hard to raise funds for restocking the waterways of the district. Club spokesperson Judey Aiken said that over the years, club members had put 340,000 yellowbelly fingerlings into local rivers to make sure there would always be fish to catch. This year another 30,000 fingerlings will be released. There have also been more than 44,800 Murray Cod released during that time.

A great time to be in Charleville is the May long weekend for the competition fishing weekend out at the Ward River. As well as fishing, the barbecue and bar operate all day and a campoven dinner is served at night.

The club has an 11ha block of land at the river. Members have built a bar there in the shape of a yellowbelly. They reckon it gives new meaning to the saying, “drink like a fish”.

The club stages an annual rodeo in March, a gymkhana in October and about four fund-raising claypan boogies during the year. They’re top family days, with bush fun all day and the chance to boogie away the night.

If you’re keen to join a fishing trip and enjoy a scrumptious campoven dinner with new friends, contact Judey in advance at Judey’s Browse In and plan your visit to coincide with a club trip.