Windy weather was not a deterrent for people coming and going as a steady drip of families and fishing enthusiasts wandered through to enjoy all the festival had to offer.
Southland Fish and Game were on hand to teach young fishers how to cast and catch on the grassland before a competition led to a couple reeling in some great prizes — including two new fishing rods.
Hatching pools were also a sight to see, with plenty of educational material there for the people to learn about the work done to keep the rivers populated with fish ready for the catch.
Environment Southland demonstrated the biodiversity of the Mataura River with displays filled with the small bugs which provide a vital role in feeding the fish of the river.
An art installation with prints of the Gore Trout, chill-out spaces, historical displays — it was a curated celebration of all the Mataura River gives to the region.
"We’ve had a steady flow of people.
"They’re enjoying the river, the food, the activity: it’s been great.
"We’ve had the fishing game here, running a casting competition, there have been a ton of fly-fishing demos and presentations.
"People can have a go at the river if they want to," she said.
