Lure of fishing draws winner back from north

A former Glenorchy youngster  won the town’s annual fishing competition on Saturday.

Twelve-year-old Sophie Hickey, who  lives in Christchurch, reeled in a 1.7kg brown trout for the win.

She was fishing with friend Jack Higgins, also 12, off Glenorchy pier.

The pair  used huhu grubs as bait.

It worked and Jack said they had caught several brown trout before lunchtime.

More than 145 people registered for the competition, including 2-year-old Mackenzie Jones, a sixth-generation local, and the Johnston family, who made the trip from Australia.

The competition celebrated its 35th birthday this year. Organiser Sonya Poplawski said it was one of Glenorchy’s key events.

"The fishing was pretty tough but it was a beautiful day and entries were on par with other years. We make it a real family affair and that is what is important."

Ms Poplawski, who is also secretary of the Glenorchy Volunteer Rural Fire Force, said the money would go towards upgrading the training room for the brigade.

Other winners were: Junior, Reo Larrsen-Allen, of Queenstown, (1kg brown trout); local family prize, Vient-Scott family; non-local family prize, Hickey family, of Christchurch.