After 50 years of the Snowy Monaro hosting the Snowy Mountains Trout Festival, organisers announced the event will no longer continue.

In a statement released last month, organisers of the Snowy Mountains Trout Festival said the decision to close the event was not made lightly.

“Over the decades, the festival has brought together anglers, families, and our wider community in celebration of our beautiful region,” the statement said.

“However, in recent years, we’ve experienced growing challenges in maintaining the event, particularly in securing the level of community involvement and support required to keep the festival running to the high standard it deserves.”

The last event was hosted in November 2023 for six days bringing keen anglers from across the country with the peak of the event seeing hundreds of anglers register in hopes of taking first place in the competition.

With fishing being some of the best over the past few years, the 2023 festival had more than $30,000 in prizes up for grabs.

The major prize up in the 2023 event was a $20,000 boat, motor and trailer package.

The festival’s wind-up will be carried out in line with the official guidelines set out by the NSW Department of Fair Trading, ensuring transparency and proper closure of all related matters.

The Snowy Mountains Trout Festival Committee said they are grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors, local businesses, and attendees who have supported them over the years.

“While it’s the end of an era, we hope the spirit of the festival continues in the hearts of all who have taken part,” the statement said.

“Thank you for 50 memorable years.”

Lake Jindabyne and Lake Eucumbene were two major waterways that drew anglers to the competition and since the announcement of the event ending, many fishing enthusiasts have taken to social media groups in hopes of starting a new competition in the area.

Disappointed with the news of the festival no longer running, local man Aaron Page reached out to the community asking for interest in starting up a new committee to run its own fishing competition in 2026.

Mr Page said he has decided to run the competition/festival as a business structure, this will help incentivise certain particular individuals with the skills and knowledge to get involved.

“The reason to operate such an event as a business structure means people will be paid for their commitment and contributions as staff to the event and they will have the peace of mind by being covered by workers compensation. It also removes almost all personal liability from individuals,” Mr Page said.

“It also alleviates the politics of a committee. The business structure is being designed to benefit the community socially, economically and environmentally and should see the event able to self-fund as well as support local charities and community groups for many years to come.”

The new competition guidelines will be based on a catch and release competition with an emphasis on environmental sustainability.

Mr Page is currently in the process of talks with the Snowy Monaro Regional Council events team and has sent a notice of intention form.

“Once the events team gets back to me with what permits, licencing and insurances will be required, I will be reaching out to land holders and the appropriate organisations to submit applications,” Mr Page said.

“There is a lot of nuances to be considered and community input will be sought by holding a public meeting for everyone to attend and hopefully live streamed through YouTube and/or Facebook for those that cannot make it in person.

“I will give one-month notice to everyone for the meeting date, and will also be making appearances to local small businesses, charities and community groups to see what I can do from my end to gain involvement to benefit them.”

Mr Page looks forward to being involved with the community and local businesses to start up this new fishing competition and continue bringing tourism to the area.