MONSTER TROUT TOURNAMENT 2016 – REPORT
2016-monster-trout-result-sheet
The Monster Trout event continues to be somewhat of a galvanising event for members that ordinarily spend most of their time sea fishing and it must be said for a bunch of salty sea dogs we really did quite well!We were lucky this was not another ocean event as the spring squally weather continues to upset fishing plans across the country. This time however we were contained to the inland waters of the Eastern Region with the epicentre of tournament activity based on Lake Rotoiti.
The fishing was again three days with a biggest difference being the Friday fishing fell into the 2015-16 season. This being the case the new season fishing didn’t kick off until Saturday, a day that would bring a bit of everything. Wind, rain, sunshine and loads of fish!
Most of the teams managed to get on the waters of Lake Rotoiti before sun up and the skies lightened on October the 1st the well-rested rainbows and brownies turned their attentions to feeding. With repetitive hooting and shouting coming from all directions and most of the waving being done with landing nets, it certainly was a special morning of trout fishing. Infact I don’t know of anyone that didn’t catch a fish this opening weekend that was on a boat, and when the average size was well over 2kg that is great fishing anywhere in the world.
53 anglers from our Club (slightly up on the 45 last year) weighed over 100 fish this year and conservatively released 2-3 times this number. Most of these fish were 2-4 year old which is the secret to a put and take fishery well managed by Fish & Game.
Most of the teams fished really hard and with a few beers on the Saturday night and yet another early start Sunday our prize giving back at the Club was a rather subdued affair due to most tanks running on empty! Kilwell’s blinged out prize pool topped up by loads of BNT automotive spot prizes went down a treat. Topped off only by the awesome glass art from Colins photography. Congratulations to all of our contestants and winners, a most enjoyable weekend!
Lastly, Thanks so much Deryk Nielsen our weighmaster, The Dolman family for their wonderful hospitality, Hamills Tauranga (great to have Stacey there), the team at Kilwell and to Colin McKenney and BNT Automotive our new sponsor!