Trout Contest Well Underway

Waikato RiverCare Inc. is once again supporting the Kilwell Lower Waikato River Trout Fishing Contest which began last Saturday on the 1st October. Contestants of all ages have until 9th of October to catch trout between Karapiro Dam and the Waikato Heads. This fishing competition awards prizes to anglers for the “Heaviest Brown Trout”, “Heaviest Rainbow Trout”, and “Best Condition Trout”, including loads of mystery and spot prizes for entrants.

Despite the heavy rain and high river levels, contestants have not been deterred from getting out on the river to try their luck. So far 45 trout have been weighed in for the first 2 days of the contest with plenty more fish expected to be weighed in the coming five days of the event. The 2015 contest saw some impressive trout caught with 125 recorded at competition weigh-in stations. This year organisers hope the poor weather conditions forecast don’t discourage people from getting out and about with family and friends to their favourite fishing spot.

Waikato RiverCare Inc. is excited to be once again providing native plants as prizes for competitors in an effort to encourage more riparian planting on the river. Anglers planting today will improve the future biodiversity and production of the river establishing lasting benefits for both sports fish and the native fishery. Thank you to Te Whangai Trust who supplied these excellent plants from their nurseries.

All the best to all the contestants! For photos, videos and more information about the contest, visit the 2016 Lower Waikato River Trout Fishing Contest Facebook page HERE.