CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand -- The annual New Zealand Textile Industry Fishing competition held March 11 and organized by Scorpio Agencies Limited  was the biggest in its history with 170 anglers registering for the event and over $10,000 raised for the Sweet Louise breast cancer charity.

The Fisherman  came from as far away as Australia and Indonesia to compete for the titles and many coveted prizes including the James Dunlop Textiles King Fish Trophy, New Zealand Window Shades Snapper Trophy and the Ice House Boat trophy.

“The weather conditions for the event were stunning and the Hauraki Gulf turned on a beautiful day,” said Brett Fleetwood, one of the organizers.

He said that Team Oceanbridge won the Snapper Trophy. This company has been involved in the New Zealand Textile Freight Forwarding business from the United States for 35 years .

The King Fish trophy was not won this year as “not one good sized Kingfish was entered,” Fleetwood said.  “However Hamish McCourtie from James McCourtie Textiles Agency was very close  to winning the prize but he lost two great fish at the side of his boat after fighting them both for an hour each; maybe next time Hamish will get a stronger leader line.”

The team boat prize was won this year by Team Charles Parsons. Jim Terrell took the prize trophy away from Nick Dunlop representing James Dunlop Textiles.

Next year’s event is scheduled to be held on Friday March 9. For more information, visit www.nztextilefishingcompetition.co.nz.

Read the article in our summer issue here.