The Glenorchy Community Association’s holding the 44th annual Glenorchy Fishing Competition, expected to attract anglers from all over Otago, Southland and beyond, competing in a variety of categories with their eyes firmly on the big prize — winning the best overall trophy.
Other prize categories include the heaviest overall fish, the heaviest salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout, the heaviest fish caught by a junior (13 to 18) and a child (12 years and under), the best family catch and the "best hard-luck story".
Volunteer-run, the fundraising event will this year support the maintenance and operation of the Glenorchy pool.
Organiser Jess Burke says the financial input is "critical" to ensure the pool can remain open while plans for much-needed renovation work’s under way.
Last month Mountain Scene revealed the Glenorchy Collective Trust has plans to build an early childhood education (ECE) centre and give the 40-year-old pool a major upgrade on a site now occupied by a small building used by a creche and playgroup.
The ECE centre would cater for up to 40 children and have a dedicated space for the creche and playgroup, while the pool would be expanded to 25m and have a splash pool and small gym added.
The overall project’s estimated to cost $10million — local fundraising’s already brought in about $100,000 — but may be a while off completion, so money raised during the Glenorchy Fishing Competition will help keep the existing pool running in the interim.
The area of fishing next Saturday is limited to the top half of Lake Whakatipu’s North Arm — from Black Gorge on the western side to Bennett’s Bluff on the east.
Competitors must have a fishing licence, and fish have to be caught on the day, with weigh-in closing at 4pm.
Anglers can register next Friday at the Glenorchy Hall from 6pm to 8pm, or the Glenorchy Hotel from 6pm to 9pm — entries will be accepted from 6.30am to 10am at the hall next Saturday.
Pre-registration’s also available by emailing gyfishingcompetition@gmail.com.
Entries cost $5 for kids 12 and under, $10 for junior licence holders (13 to 18 years), $20 for adult licence holders and $45 for a family.
The weigh-in will happen between 2pm and 4pm, followed by the prizegiving about 5.15pm.
● Meantime, this Saturday the annual Glenorchy Spring Flower Show is being held in the town’s hall from 2pm till 5pm — the $7 admission includes afternoon tea, from 3pm, coinciding with the prizegiving.
The show includes a plant, cake and produce stall, while competition sections are narcissi and handcrafts, the latter has a section for year 9 to 13 students and another for children. Entries, limited to three per person in any class, will be accepted from 6pm till 8pm tomorrow and from 8.30am till 10am on Saturday.
