Children tackle trout fishing
While Flyn Blair doesn’t have many years’ fishing under his belt, the Taranaki youngster has already mastered the art of telling a fishy tale.
The 6-year-old was one of 100 children booked in at the 22nd annual Stratford kids’ trout fishing day at King Edward Park on Saturday.
‘‘I have gone to a special place but I’ve never caught one like this before,’’ Blair, who has been fishing for two years, said proudly while displaying a rainbow trout.
‘‘This is the biggest one that I’ve caught in my whole life.’’
The event was put on by Fish and Game and the Stratford Fishing Club. All fishing gear was supplied so the budding young anglers could try and hook one of the 300 rainbow trout released into the scout den pool on the Patea River, which makes its way through the park.
Blair said he was looking forward to eating his catch once it had been smoked.
Taranaki Fish and Game officer Allen Stancliff said the 2-year-old trout had been nurtured at its hatchery in Ha¯wera before being released on Friday night.
‘‘We have been happy with how it has gone,’’ Stancliff said.
‘‘This is certainly our best kids’ fishing event.’’
Stancliff said the event often got kids hooked on the great outdoors.
‘‘It’s brilliant, it’s just really great. The kids enjoy it so much and many get to take a fish home.’’
Marty Gavet, 11, said he enjoyed the fight involved in landing a trout.
The first lines went in the water at 8am and the kids each had 15 minutes to land a fish with the help of club members and volunteers.
At 1pm the nets were removed and the remaining trout became fair game to any angler who held a fishing licence.
Stancliff said they were grateful for the support of the fishing club, TET and Stratford District Council to put the event on.