LEETON'S popular fishing event the Bidgee Classic has been cancelled amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions.
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The Leeton Bidgee Classic had been scheduled to take place in early March, but organisers have made the hard call to pull the plug now amid the uncertainty.
Leeton Bidgee Classic's Paul Smith said the committee waited as long as possible before making the final decision.
"It is disappointing, we held off making the decision, we were waiting on how the situation was looking after the Christmas and New Year period," Mr Smith said.
"We deliberately held off, but we had to make a decision. We left it as long as we could, but it's (the event) untenable in its current format.
"It's a massive burden for the people who operate the weir as well. We can't have the raffles, the fun activities for kids, so it makes it really hard.
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"We've got no dramas with social distancing out on the water, but if we can't get up close and personal with the fishermen, what's the point of having the competition? It's all about education and awareness so if you can't be up close with the kids and teaching them things, it makes it really difficult."
The 2020 Leeton Bidgee Classic was the last "big" event to be held in the shire prior to the pandemic becoming more serious in Australia and having restrictions come into place regarding large gatherings.
Last year's event was also the 21st anniversary of the classic.
"I don't remember a time where we've ever had to cancel, but this is the world we're living in at the moment," Mr Smith said.
"We've still got some projects happening, so it's not all lost.
"We've got the snagging projects happening which is all about the health of the river and the fish."
The committee will also be releasing thousands of fingerlings into the Murrumbidgee River, which is something it would normally do at the classic.
The fingerlings have been ordered thanks to grant money from the committee itself, Leeton Shire Council and the Recreational Fishing Trust.
In the meantime, while the event won't be happening this year, it does free up the volunteers on the committee.
"It gives our volunteers the chance to have a bit of a break I guess because a lot of hard work and many, many hours goes into organising the Bidgee Classic," Mr Smith said.
"It gives us time now to reset and start planning a great event for next year."
