Paul Dunn, of Balclutha, and sons Slade (12) and Logan (14) each caught a trout in the combined Lower Clutha Trout Fishing Competition and Bluelight fishing event on Sunday.
Mr Dunn, who won the prize for heaviest brown trout (1.2kg) in the adults event, said he enjoyed taking his boys fishing whenever possible.
"I love the excitement on their faces," Mr Dunn said.
"Even my oldest boy who doesn’t like fishing, you can still see he gets excited when he’s got one on. My youngest boy loves fishing and can’t get enough of it.
"It’s a bit of fun, and you spend a bit of time together."
A total of 262 anglers - exactly half adults and half children - entered the fishing events run by Otago Fish & Game and Balclutha police.
Fifty fish were weighed in - 23 brown trout, 11 rainbow trout and 16 perch.
The weigh-in and prizegiving were held at the Balclutha Association Football Club grounds.
Otago Fish & Game officer Bruce Quirey said good weather added to the fun but bright conditions might have had fish shy for some anglers.
"It was great to see so many families out fishing together on the Clutha River/Mata-Au," Mr Quirey said.
"There was a fun atmosphere at the weigh-in and prizegiving in the afternoon."
Detective Kate Bartlett, of Balclutha police, said police/Bluelight organisers were overwhelmed with the "fantastic" turnout.
"Today was bigger and better with the partnership with our friends from Otago Fish & Game," Det Bartlett said.
Fish & Game collected otoliths (ear bones) as part of the Brown Trout Origin research project.
The research in partnership with the University of Otago is helping to identify crucial spawning habitat in the lower Clutha River/Mata-Au.
The project was funded by Contact Energy.
- Staff reporter
