The Haddocks Spraypainters and Panelbeaters Trout Tournament on May 9 and 10 will see keen trout anglers from around New Zealand, as well as visiting Australians, take to the waters of Lake Rotoiti in an effort to land freshwater game fish in the form of rainbow and brown trout.

A briefing will be held at the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club on Thursday, May 7, with fishing beginning at 5am on Saturday, May 9. Prizegiving will be held at the club at 7pm on Sunday, May 10.

Thank you to Haddock Spraypainters and Panelbeaters and W J Dippie for your sponsorship. Entries are now open – sign up online or at the club.

Results are in from the New Zealand Sportfishing Council Youth Nationals, with Whakatāne anglers performing well despite trying weather conditions.

In the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club EBOP Interschool Challenge, Whakatāne High School came out on top in the secondary section, with Mia Hyndman the top-scoring angler in the team.

Te Kura o Te Paroa took the primary section, with Harley Jaram the top-scoring angler in the team.

Thank you to First Credit Union for sponsoring the Interschool Challenge primary section, and to manager Terri Wilkins for being on hand to present the prizes.

Special thanks also go to our weighmasters, who are always on call and do an excellent job recording the junior catches.

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 10 so bring Mum down for lunch or dinner and go in the draw to win fantastic Mother’s Day hampers. Just scan your members card to enter.

A blast from the past courtesy of our historical researcher Jenny –

This is from the club’s newsletter from January 1970 by Theo Kopae.

“How to Catch a Tuna: Take 1 Tuna Lure, toss into the drink, then reel out line 30-40 yards, reel in slack – Result: No lure, No Tuna. This technique was developed by Tuna Consultant, President Charles Hale of Whakatane.”

Don’t forget you can save on fuel by catching the club van on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 4pm. Just phone 0800 CATCH ME (228 2463).