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Tough river conditions could not dampen the enthusiasm of anglers celebrating the 140th jubilee of one of the world’s longest-running fishing competitions in South Otago at the weekend.
The 140th Waipahi Gold Medal fly-fishing competition took place near Clinton on Saturday, drawing 25 competitors from across the region.
Matt Pettersson took top honours, despite "high and dirty" river conditions.
"I knew it was going to be a streamer and nymph day," the Invercargill angler said after claiming his second consecutive gold medal.
Mr Pettersson landed three of a competition total of only seven trout caught, in what organisers believe was the second-lowest collective bag in the event’s long history.
"Conditions were pretty tough. I mean the river was dirty although it cleared a wee bit through the day," he said.
"It was very methodical fishing, just hitting the edges. I drifted a streamer with a nymph trailing it all day, and I got all three fish on the nymph."
The river level rose during the day as heavy rain and hail tested anglers’ skills.
Mr Pettersson also caught the heaviest fish of the day, claiming the Jaffray Lamond Hansen Trophy.
Otago Anglers Association president Mark Barrett said the Waipahi Gold Medal was believed to be the longest-running fishing competition in the southern hemisphere.
The competition was originally held on the Shag River.
As trout were introduced throughout the South Island, it moved to the Waipahi River, where the event had been held for the majority of its history.
Mr Barrett said organisers would like to see new faces join the competition.
Results
Gold: Matt Pettersson (beat 7), 3 fish 4.44kg.
Silver: Les Gibson (beat 5), 1 fish, 1.40kg.
Bronze: Bruce McGavin (beat 15), 1 fish, 1.21kg.
Heaviest fish: Matt Pettersson, 1.97kg.
Waipahi Cup (heaviest catch caught by Otago Anglers Association member): Les Gibson.
— Staff reporter