Showcasing the Tongariro River
STEPH RANGI The Tongariro River has been chosen as the location to kickstart World Fishing Day on June 23.
The river is a prized spot for anglers and later on this month the world’s anglers will see why.
A never-before-attempted global fishing marathon will be held, and televised live from 24 locations - one each hour.
Organisers hope to showcase the diversity of fishing cultures and opportunities that the world has to offer – and the Tongariro National Trout Centre and the Tongariro River will kick it all off.
‘‘It’s a great opportunity for us to highlight, not only New Zealand, but Turangi and the trout centre,’’ Bevin Severinsen, chief executive of the Tongariro National Trout Centre, said.
The World Fishing Day team say New Zealand’s trout are legendary in fly fishing circles, around the world, for their size, fighting strength, and reluctance to take a fly, which makes the country a must-visit location for the World Fishing Day team.
On the day, celebrity chef and wild food advocate, Al Brown, will be on the banks of the Tongariro River to try to intercept the trout.
Severinsen said the World Fishing Day team will also do a segment at the Tongariro National Trout Centre on their children fishing programme, which was one of the reasons as to why the centre were asked to take part.
Severinsen said the World Fishing Day team are hoping to attract up to 10million viewers and while the show might not be huge in New Zealand, it will be with the global angler community.
‘‘For the only coverage of New Zealand to be on the Tongariro River, it’s amazing,’’ he said.
‘‘It reinforces the fact that it’s a world class fishing river.’’
*Viewers can see the show via the FishingTV platform, available as an app for smartphones, tablets, smartTVs, and online.