Mr Hughes said he was looking forward to dropping a line at the Fitzroy River during his visit. "I don't confess to be great at it, I don't confess to be an expert, all I confess to is I enjoy getting out with a few mates and having a fish."

Mr Hughes was more than happy to have a chat with south-west residents who were keen to get a photo with the ex cricketer.

He also encouraged them to make the most of the wonderful rivers in the south-west.

The Vic Bream Classic is a state-wide fishing tournament which attracts hundreds of anglers keen to catch the biggest bream in the state's coastal waterways.

The Glenelg Hopkins CMA became involved in the local round of the competition which was held at the Glenelg River in February and the Hopkins in Warrnambool on the weekend.

Chief executive officer Adam Bester said improving river health was a large part of what the authority did, which made being involved in the competition a natural fit.

"The angling community have been a big part of what we have achieved, they are on the rivers every day and so let us know when things are not OK, or when things have improved," Mr Bester said.

"Our environmental watering program, works on river banks, building of fish habitat structures ... we have undertaken some significant projects to improve the health of our waterways and the fishing community has supported all of that."

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