Te Puke Emergency Services fishing contest a proven formula

Te Puke Emergency Services president Nigel McPherson hands over a $1000 donation to Coastguard Eastern Region manager Stuart Lowth, part of the proceeds from last year's fishing competition.

There won't be too much deviation from the norm for the 2018 Te Puke Emergency Services fishing club annual competition.

The competition takes place over the weekend of March 14 to 16 and usually, says club president Nigel McPherson, all 100 tickets are sold.

If that happens again this year, the club will net $4000 to be distributed to local emergency service providers. Last year it went equally to Te Puke St John, Maketu Coastguard. Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade and the TECT Rescue Helicopter.

"We stick to the format because it works," says Nigel. "The difference between this comp and most comps is this does raise money for our local rescue services."

There are two spot prizes of pizza ovens up for grabs — one at the briefing and one at the prizegiving barbecue — as well as sponsors' prizes and prizes for the heaviest snapper, kahawai, kingfish and trout.

The trout option means the contest caters for freshwater anglers as well as providing an option should bad weather prevent fishing at sea.

"People can fish from first thing Friday right through to Sunday then we feed everyone with a free barbecue," says Nigel. There will be daily weigh-ins at Te Puke Fire Station.

As well as to 100 $50 tickets, there is a youth section for anglers 14 and under — an ideal opportunity to take a youngster fishing.

" Because it's over three days you can have one day out with the kids and two other days with the adults. A lot of tournaments don't cater for both."

Tickets can be bought at Te Puke Sportsworld or by calling Nigel on 021 034 3936. The club also holds regular events and trips, including start and end-of-trout season contests.