Ribbons' History

We, who live in Cairns North Queensland, Australia, live in a unique environment which has much to offer the locals and tourists alike. The table lands, rainforests, a lovely city nestled on Trinity Inlet surrounded by mountain ranges, all bordered by a magnificent coastline and an ocean. This ocean not only boasts the Great Barrier Reef but some of the best fishing in the world.

It is in these sparkling tropical waters that each year on the first weekend in December, Cairns is host to a unique event - the "Ribbons" ladies only fishing tournament - a tournament run by women for women.

The game fishing industry in Cairns goes back to the 1940s and attracted pioneer anglers such as George Bransford, Zane Grey, Bob and Dolly Dyer and Lee Marvin to the area. However, it was at a social function prior to a fishing tournament in 1984, that a group of adventurous women,  whose husbands were fishing, came up with the idea of running a tournament for women only, thus giving them the opportunity to experience what was seen as a predominately male recreational pastime.

The seed was sown, the idea grew to a reality and the first Ribbons tournament was held in December 1984. The overwhelming response from keen women anglers has seen the tournament grow from humble beginnings to one of the highlights on the Cairns fishing calendar. Entrants (as many as 46 boats and 160 anglers in one year) outnumber such prestigious tournaments as the Lexus Marlin Fishing Classic, Dunk Island Tournament and the Lizard Island Classic.

The Ribbons tournament is timed to coincide with the end of the heavy tackle season as a "wind down" and a more relaxed day for the skippers and deckhands on the charter boats. Skippers off the boats at competitive prices within the range of most anglers.

Line class is 10kgs and Tag and release of billfish is promoted and edible fish may be gilled and gutted. The fishing fraternity in Cairns is very aware of the importance of tag and release programs and welcomes the recent decision of the Australian Government to ban the taking of blue and black marlin by commercial fishers and also the recently announced agreement between GFAA and commercial longliners to protect the Far North Queensland breeding grounds for marlin.

Although the Ribbons tournament is a one day fishing event, it has become a social weekend during which teams of 2 - 4 anglers including junior ladies come together for fun, friendship and fishing. Anglers are mostly local but each year a few intrepid women come from interstate and overseas to compete.

Friday evening sees the registration, briefing and calcutta and a few drinks overlooking the water sets the mood for the weekend. Early Saturday morning, the anglers are busy decorating their boats (and themselves) for a spectacular sailpast and judging of the best decorated boat. Much fun and frivolity is had for an hour or so but once past the judges, the decorations are dismantled and then down to the serious business of fishing. A glass of champagne greets the weary anglers at the weigh-in gantry in the evening and quite a few stories, some taller than others, are told of the day's events.

The presentation of trophies dinner is held on the Sunday evening. The Ribbons committee is indebted to its major and minor sponsors who have generously supported women in fishing for so many years. Prizes range from flight and accommodation packages, cruises, jewellery and many other minor prizes and trophies, all of which have been donated.