The Haddock Spraypainters & Panelbeaters Trout Tournament was held last weekend on the waters of Lake Rotoiti, with anglers enjoying two days of competitive fishing despite the trout not always “playing ball”.

More than one monster fish managed to escape and swim another day, but competitors still landed an impressive 103 trout during the tournament.

Sunday’s prizegiving coincided with Mother’s Day and all women competing in the tournament received a small gift in recognition of the hard work mothers do every day.

Tournament results:

Winning the junior section, and taking home the Kara-Val Trophy, was Morgan Black, aboard Captain Morgan, with a rainbow trout weighing 3.885kg.

The ladies section was won by Anna Heath, fishing aboard Unreel, with a rainbow trout weighing 3.315kg.

The men’s section was taken out by Darrell Black aboard Captain Morgan, with a 3.885kg rainbow trout.

Full tournament results are available on the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club website.

Representing tournament sponsors Haddock Spraypainters & Panelbeaters, Goose Haddock was on hand to present prizes to the winners.

Bill Dippie from W J Dippie presented prizes for the Best Condition Factor section.

Darrell Black also claimed the Okataina Trophy for Best Condition Factor Trout with a condition factor of 58.8636.

A special highlight of the evening was an award-winning trout mount brought along by Lindsay Hunt.

During the 2025 Haddock Spraypainters & Panelbeaters Trout Tournament, Hunt had already visited the weigh station aboard His Nibs II to weigh his catch for the day.

However, while trolling approximately 300 metres from the weigh station on his journey home across the lake, he hooked an even bigger fish – a massive 4.505kg rainbow trout.

That fish earned him the heaviest trout for a male angler title, as well as the Best Condition Factor prize and the Okataina Trophy.

The trout was later mounted by Brian Lingard of Eastern Bay Trout and Game Bird Taxidermy.

The mount went on to win Best Fish Skin Mount in the Open Division at the New Zealand Taxidermy Association Annual Competition, judged by an American guest judge.

The “Gerald the Trout” colouring competition was drawn during prizegiving. The 0-8 years category was won by Mase McGregor, while Taylah won the 9-16 years section.

A huge thank you to sponsors Haddock Spraypainters & Panelbeaters, W J Dippie, and Hamills Rotorua for their continued support. Thanks also to our tournament convenor and weigh masters Stu and Jenny.

• Upcoming events – Coming up later this year will be the WSFC month-long tournaments, running from July to October. Each month features a named fish species and uses a measure-and-release format. These tournaments are open to club members only.

For entry details and rules, contact [email protected]. The club is also seeking sponsors for the month-long tournaments.

While work continues on the shops adjacent to the clubrooms, the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club and Skippers Restaurant remain open as usual. Members and visitors are welcome to enjoy meals, refreshments, and harbour views throughout the redevelopment period.

Club nights are Wednesdays and Fridays, with happy hour from 5pm to 6.30pm. The club courtesy van operates Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 4pm and can be booked on 0800 CATCH ME (228 2463).