Fishing
10 March, 2026
Beer lands big win at fishing comp
Long-time competitor Josh Beer took out the major prize at the 2026 Horsham Fishing Competition, coming first in the Longest Native Fish Category after reeling in a 49.5cm Catfish.
With the family name long associated with the annual competition’s prizewinners, Josh Beer was elated with his first win in the major prize, a $7500 travel voucher from Helloworld Travel.
“I’m just over the moon, I didn’t think that would happen to me,” Beer said.
“When I got here, I was calm and didn’t think I was going to win first prize, but I did, and that’s where I lost control.”
After reeling the catfish in the late morning and taking the lead, Beer admits it was a nervous wait before securing the win.
“In the last update around 2.30pm, I still wasn’t confident,” he said.
“But I was hopeful, and here we are.”
Kaitlyn Ryan and Curtis Moroson rounded out the top three in the Senior Native with Catfish of 49 and 48.5cm, respectively.
Another highlight of the day was the father-daughter combination of Barry and Alana Matulick taking first place in the Senior Carp and Junior Native categories, respectively.
Barry Matulick pulled in a 68cm Carp, followed by Jemal Ahmetovic (68cm) and Chris Denton (67cm).
Chris Denton finished first in the Longest Bag, with a total of 298cm. John Murgatroyd (297cm) and Jesse Denton finished second and third in the category.
Alana Matulick’s 49.5cm Catfish secured the Junior Longest Native Competition, with Lyla Launer (49cm) and Bailey Griffin (44cm) finishing second and third.
Zoe Priddle won the Junior Cash for Carp, with a 63.5cm reel, followed by Lenny Martin in second (63cm).
Results:
2026 Senior Longest Native Fish:
Josh Beer (49.5cm Catfish)
Kaitlyn Ryan (49cm Catfish)
Curtis Moroson (48.5cm Catfish)
Anthony Rivett (48.5cm Catfish)
Dominic Clancy (48.5cm Yellowbelly)
Brad Treloar (48cm Catfish)
Colin Wilde (48cm Catfish)
Shane Shiells (47.5cm Catfish)
Barrie Hahne (47cm Catfish)
Peter Gelumbickies (47cm Catfish)
Melissa Stevens (47cm Catfish)
Graham Hardy (46.5cm Catfish)
Craig Bennett (46cm Catfish)
Peter Brereton (45cm Yellowbelly)
Peter Brereton (44.5cm Yellowbelly)
Monique Ryan (44cm Catfish)
Rod Beer (44cm Catfish)
Craig Hadfield (41.5cm Silver Perch)
David Martin (41.5cm Silver Perch)
Blake Lovell (39.5cm Silver Perch)
2026 Junior Longest Native Fish:
Alana Matulick (49.5cm Catfish)
Lyla Launer (49cm Catfish)
Bailey Giffin (44cm Catfish)
Ameilia Williams (44cm Catfish)
Jimmi Norton (44cm Yellowbelly)
Oliver McMaster (43cm Catfish)
George Montgomery (42cm Catfish)
Cooper Sandilands (42cm Catfish)
Mayden Hourigan (41cm Yellowbelly)
Eli Kenny (40cm Yellowbelly)
