It’s time to go fishing 3-5 February

The popular Leamington Rugby Club Annual Fishing Competition is back again for 2023 – this time running from Friday through Sunday, February 3 to 5.

The Fish Auction will be held after the competition closes on the Sunday.

The successful event has become one of the most highly anticipated contests of its kind in the region, attracting hundreds of competitive and family-oriented fisherfolk from around the North Island.

The community event has been run by locals for over a decade, winning growing support from the local business community with each passing year.

Adding to its appeal is the fact that the competition raises money for a selected charity each year.

The Leamington Rugby Club Fishing Contest returns next weekend – challenging fishermen to catch a whopper of a fish and bag a prize in the process, and welcoming residents to bid for a fish at auction, all for a great cause.

Now in its 11th year the event has grown considerably, each year gathering support from the generous sponsors that make the event possible. Having raised money for prostate cancer in previous years, this year proceeds from the event will go towards Cure Kids. The original organizing group of Shane Kerr and Roly Bolton have stepped down for 2020, handing over the reigns to Karl Bolton and Andrew George –and already they’ve managed to gather some great sponsors and prizes.

Fish can be caught on the beach or out at sea beginning at 12pm on Friday February 7, and all entrants must have their catch back in Cambridge and ready to be weighed between 2pm and 4pm on

Proceeds from this year’s Fish Auction will go towards the national volunteer organisation, LandSAR – or Land Search and Rescue NZ. Last year, the annual fishing competition raised around $3,500 for Achievement House, and in 2021 it raised $10,000 for the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Competition categories are:

• Kingfish

• Kahawai

• Snapper

• Gurnard

• Crayfish

• Best Family Photo

• Separate children’s and adult’s section caught on the beach or out at sea 12pm on Friday February 7, and all have their catch back in Cambridge be weighed between 2pm and 4pm on

Organisers are once again grateful for the support of the competition’s sponsors.

They’re hoping for another great competition this year with fun for all and a few worthy prizes thrown in.

Entry is online this year. Anyone still keen to be part of it should visit the club’s website at www.lrsc.co.nz.

Rugby Club Fishing Contest returns – challenging fishermen to catch a fish and bag a prize in the process, and residents to bid for a fish at auction, all for 11th year the event has grown considerably, gathering support from the generous make the event possible. Having raised prostate cancer in previous years, this year the event will go towards Cure Kids. organizing group of Shane Kerr and have stepped down for 2020, handing reigns to Karl Bolton and Andrew George –they’ve managed to gather some great prizes.

Sunday February 9 at the Leamington rugby clubrooms on Carlyle St.

Following the weigh-ins and prize giving, fish will be auctioned off to the public and filleting stations will be available for buyers to have their fish filleted. Women and children are also invited to take part in the competition with respective prizes set aside.

As well as earning a ‘heaviest fish’ title, another division of the contest sees $250 offered to a person who takes the best photo of a released snapper. There are also two $250 “hard luck” prizes to be won as well as hundreds of spot prizes. Rules for the contest are on the entry tickets.

Categories include snapper, kingfish, kahawai and gurnard.

As well as earning a ‘heaviest fish’ title, another division of the contest sees $250 offered to a person who takes the best photo of a released snapper. There are also two $250 “hard luck” prizes to be won as well as hundreds of spot prizes. Rules for the contest are on the entry tickets.

Spectators and fish buyers are free to attend the weigh-in. Those taking part in the contest can purchase their tickets – only $30 this year – from Leamington Motors, Sportsworld and Cambridge Home Kills.

Spectators and fish buyers are free to attend the weigh-in. Those taking part in the contest can purchase their tickets – only $30 this year – from Leamington Motors, Sportsworld and Cambridge Home Kills.