Entrants at this year’s Rakaia Fishing Competition are getting ready to cast their rods.
The Rakaia River Fishing Promotions three-day annual event starts tonight.
While for the first time ever there is no biggest fish weighin component, entrants are encouraged to go fishing and take photos.
The competition has been running for more than 40 years. It has traditionally focused on salmon, but entrants can catch any type of fish, including salt water species at the river’s mouth.
It is believed environmental conditions at sea which have affected salmon numbers in the river are benefitting other species.
President Chris Agnew said some fish being caught off the beach around the Rakaia River mouth were more plentiful than they used to be. They included kahawai, gurnard, rig, elephant fish, and even snapper.
‘‘It shows there’s a change going on,’’ Agnew said.
‘‘I have never seen so many people surf fishing off the beach before,’’ he said.
Agnew said he expected the event’s photo competition to be popular.
It has two categories – Reel Moments, showing fun times past or present at the competition, and Lines of Legacy, showing family, friends and generations connected through the competition.
The Rakaia Fishing Competition continues to be all about celebrating the culture and connection of fishing.
He was pleased with the number of entries, on Monday this week estimating they were only slightly down on last year’s number of about 530.
‘‘Get out and about and enjoy nature, and enjoy the place,’’ Agnew said.
The photos needed to be submitted by entrants from 4pm today through to Sunday, via Messenger, and posted to the page where people voted with likes.
