Carp Muster set to return, this year near The Crossing Theatre

The annual Carp Muster is returning this year to a different location – this year behind The Crossing Theatre.

And organisers hope it will be one of the best yet.

The Narrabri Amateur Fishing Club hosts the highly-anticipated muster across two days, starting on a Saturday morning.

This year the 15th annual Carp Muster will be on March 4 and 5, with registrations being taken in the Riverside Room.

In what is positive news for entrants, conditions are expected to be near-perfect for fishing when the muster arrives.

There is more water in the river than there was in recent years and there should be plenty of carp for hundreds of muster-goers to catch.

The Carp Muster is a family-friendly event that serves as an affordable weekend of activities.

When The Courier called down to the Narrabri Creek to photograph keen carp catchers, young Tyler and Hayley Aldridge had their fishing lines out with dad Khyle Aldridge.

“I love fishing,” Hayley said.

“I hope to catch some carp,” Tyler said of this year’s Carp Muster.

Narrabri Amateur Fishing Club publicity officer Jason Simpson told The Courier that the committee looked forward to the 2023 carp muster, which will once again be a family-friendly event.

“There are plenty of carp to be caught,” he said.

“Hopefully we will have good weather. It’s a great, family day out.

“It’s an affordable day for families.

“The entry price includes a sausage sandwich and a drink … and you don’t have to catch a fish to win a prize.”

Registrations will open at 8am on the Saturday at The Crossing Theatre’s riverside room and will close at 11am on Sunday.

The cost to register is $6 for adults and $3 for children and pensioners.

Thousands of dollars worth of prizes will again be up for grabs, thanks to generous sponsors, and everyone has a chance to win.

Each carp that a competitor catches across the weekend will see them earn an entry in the prize draw – so, the more carp, the more entries.

The only catch (no pun intended) is the carp must be caught between 8am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday anywhere on the Namoi River.

One change this year is that the smallest carp has been scrapped.

The event’s final weigh-in will be held at midday on Sunday and will be followed by the awards presentation to be held in The Crossing Theatre auditorium.

Narrabri Amateur Fishing Club will also host a raffle, yabby races and a casting competition on the weekend to add to the family-friendly nature of the annual carp muster.

A colouring-in competition is also being conducted and will close at 12pm on the Saturday.