Psychedelic takes out John Bertheleson Trophy at the 45th Dampier Classic

The Toby Mason-skippered Psychadelic won the highest honour at the 45th annual Dampier Classic for a game fishing haul which had them just pip rival outfits by fewer than 50 points. The Dampier Classic, hosted by the King Bay Game Fishing Club, was held from August 6 to 9 with teams competing to see who could catch the biggest game fish. The competition, sanctioned by the West Australian Game Fishing Association, saw 53 species of fish captured across the four days. The John Berthelsen Trophy was awarded to the boat with the most points for capture with the team of Psychedelic scoring 1814. Wet Dreams finished second on 1777 points with Aquatic Hooligan taking third on 1742. The trophy was named after the club stalwart who was the association’s first shack master and a member of the committee for 20 years. Berthelesen also acted as a weighmaster and social co-ordinator for the KBGFC. The boat Hashtag was named capture champions with 15 species and a total of 4272 points while Psychedelic finished second with 13 species and 4217.5 points. Psychedelic captain Toby Mason said the crew did not expect to win. “There was strong competition, three boats separated by 150 points — 1.5kg,” he said. “We finished second to team hashtag in the champion boat, they pipped us by 50 points — half a kilogram — which isn’t much.” Club president Leon Brislane said the trophy was the most prestigious prize at the club. In the other results the boat French Maid won the tag and release game fish category while Cruel Mistriss was the tag and release billfish champion. The men’s tag and release billfish winner was Peter Faulkner while Brock Crowhurst won the men’s tag and release game division. Tasmin Kyle won the female tag and release game category with 2440 points.