Just eight more weekends until Christmas, and there’s plenty happening at the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club.

The Trout Month-long Tournament finishes on Saturday, so there’s still time to get those trout measurement photos in.

Prizegiving will be held at the club on Friday, November 6.

The month-long tournaments have been a resounding success in 2026, with the inaugural Trout Month proving popular with anglers.

It was great to see the response, and we’re pleased to confirm it will return next October.

Our next event is the Pāk’n Save Whakatāne Christmas Hams Tournament, on Saturday, November 21, from 6am.

The briefing will be held at the club the night before. Entry fees are $40 for full members (seniors and juniors) and $60 for social and non-members.

Prizegiving will be held at the club on Saturday night at 7pm, and all anglers must attend.

Prize categories are snapper, trevally, tarakihi and red gurnard, with red crayfish returning for the second year.

Entries open on Sunday, so keep an eye on the club Facebook page and website for details. A big thank you to our sponsors for helping make this tournament such a fantastic event for our anglers.

Next up, the Yellowfun-tastic kicks off on November 28, bringing 22 days of yellowfin tuna action.

The briefing will be held at the club on Friday, November 27. The tournament runs until December 19, with prizes for the 10 heaviest yellowfin tuna, as well as weekly average prizes. Entries open soon.

Coming up in January are the ever-popular Whale Plumbing Junior Tournament and the Haddock Spraypainters and Panelbeaters Ladies Tournament, with the theme for the ladies tournament the letter “H”.

There’s plenty happening off the water, too:

■ Melbourne Cup Day – Tuesday, November 3

Come along and watch the races on the big screen. Happy Hour runs from 4.30pm to 5.30pm, with sweepstakes and prizes for best dressed lady and best dressed man.

■ Kids’ Christmas Party – Sunday, December 13

Annual members only kids’ Christmas Party.

Bring along your child, grandchild, niece or nephew between 10am and 12 noon, with each child bringing a named gift valued at up to $20.

There’ll be goody bags, Christmas activities and a special visit from Santa.

Project Future Proof

Work will be carried out in three stages so there will be some changes to parking and access around the boat ramp area as construction progresses.

Work will begin on November 9 in the main boat trailer carpark area, where parking restrictions will apply.

Work will then move to the reserve playground area. Access may change as construction progresses.

The final stage will involve work around the gates.

Signage will be updated as work moves between areas, so please check the signs when you arrive.

■ Allow extra time for parking – parking in the main boat trailer carpark will be restricted while the work is under way.

■ Use the alternative parking – overflow parking will be available at Mātaatua Reserve.

Follow the signs to find the designated parking areas.

■ Boat ramp access remains open – you can continue to access the boat ramp to launch and retrieve your boat.

Follow any temporary traffic management and directions from contractors.

■ Boat wash access remains open.

Tight lines, safe boating, and we’ll see you out there!