The Rotorua fishing community were celebrating after taking home many of the top awards in the 2016 Ray White Clubs New Zealand National Trout Fishing Tournament.
Angling took place over four of the local lakes - Rotorua, Rotoiti, Okataina and Tarawera - in the three-day tournament that finished on Saturday.
Rotorua's Taylor Kingi took home the top prize, catching the heaviest rainbow trout overall - reeling in his 4.025kg fish on the first day of competition on Lake Rotoiti.
Kingi admitted it was a "surprise" to make such a big catch - his heaviest fish in any competition.
"It was a shock," he said. "I caught it within the first two hours which was pretty cool. I was jigging off a favourite spot of mine in Rotoiti.
"It's the biggest fish I have ever caught in a competition- it's usually my friend who I go with who has all the luck."
It was a clean sweep for Rotorua in the rainbow trout grade with locals Trent Hayman taking second - a 3.895kg catch - whilst Jadyn Harnett took third with his 3.87kg fish, both also caught in Rotoiti.
WINNERS: The three winners of the heaviest rainbow trout grade - from left, runner-up Trent Hayman, winner Taylor Kingi and third-placed Jadyn Harnett. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED.
Rotorua Citizens Club president Colin Elstob said he was impressed with the "amazing' quality of fish and hoped it would encourage more youngsters into the competition.
"The area has provided some of the best trout fishing for these guys and the quality in the lakes is incredibly unique," he said.
"What's been brilliant is that so many people could come down and have fun and be a part of this beautiful environment.
"I hope people are inspired from this and it would be great to get more of the younger generation having a go."
Close to 100 anglers entered the competition with roughly half of the field from Rotorua.
Members from Rotorua Citizens Club, Rotorua Club and the CT Club all took part and for the first time in the tournament's history non-members were eligible.
One of these was local Shayne Waitere-Kennedy, who entered the competition for the first time this year and, impressively, caught a 3.3kg fish on Lake Rotoiti on Saturday, along with seven other trout.
"I'm really glad I entered and my biggest catch really surprised me," he said.
"It took a long time to reel in - about four minutes, it was really moving in the water.
"After this success it would be great to be back again next year!"
2016 Ray White Clubs New Zealand National Trout Fishing Tournament results:
