Junior boat winner and 2022 Champion Angler Matthew Caruso (front) with Deniliquin Yamaha owner Paul White (left) and Deniliquin RSL Club CEO David Hart.
Photo by
Bryanna Rossow
Deniliquin’s Matthew Caruso was certainly the luckiest angler at the weekend.
Not only was he the Champion Angler for 2022, he also won the junior boat prize through the luck of the draw.
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Matthew couldn’t believe his luck when his name was plucked out, winning a Digger 340 punt with Yamaha engine.
But his was not the first name drawn.
His luck came when another local youngster was not present to claim her prize on Sunday.
There was a huge cheer from the crowd when Matthew’s name was called out.
Given he had just been up to the stage a short time earlier to claim his Champion Angler trophy, they knew the prize was his.
While he admitted his dad’s boat was still nicer, the 12 year-old was excited to now own his own boat.
He said he would be taking it out that afternoon for another fish.
Anthony Caruso said this stellar year for his son has come in his seventh year of participating in the Fishing Classic.
‘‘Every year he waits for his name to be called to win the boat,’’ Mr Caruso said.
‘‘He was absolutely over the moon.’’
Taking home the major boat prize for the weekend was John Venezia from Riddles Creek, who attends the Deni Fishing Classic yearly.
After ‘‘not having much luck’’ on the water he was shocked to be taking home his first boat ever — a Dundee 390 boat with Yamaha F25 4 stroke engine and trailer.
Darrell Drath from Yanco took home the $5 boat raffle prize on Saturday night and couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.
‘‘I didn’t get a bite all day, but this has well and truly made up for it,’’ he said when accepting the prize at the family fun night.
Also drawn on Saturday night was the early bird boat prize, which was won by Deniliquin’s Brad Hall.
Mr Hall said he couldn’t believe his luck, after not catching a fish all day.
‘‘I’m glad something went well for me,’’ he said.
‘‘I will be taking this one (boat) out as soon as I get the chance.’’
All boat prizes were supplied by Deniliquin Yamaha.
