It’s that time of year again - the Lake Hāwea Fishing Classic taking place this Saturday (February 8).

The annual ‘classic’ has been running annually since the early 1990s (apart from the 2022 cancellation due to Covid-19 restrictions) and often attracts hundreds of people for the community day out.

Billed as a family fishing event, lots of locals take part, but people also travel from around the South Island to participate. 

You don’t need a boat - around 30 per cent of people usually fish from Lake Hāwea’s shores.

And you don’t have to be a top fisher to score something at the end of the day either: As well as the traditional prize for the ‘heaviest fish overall’, there are also prizes for the ‘biggest tangle presented at weigh in’ and the ‘best genuine hard luck story’.

Three types of fish are caught in Lake Hāwea - salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout - but it’s not all about the catch at the classic. 

Organisers are particularly keen for the event to introduce young people to the pleasures of fishing, and there are some awards just for the kids. 

As in previous years, the fishing classic is a fundraiser - all net proceeds will go back into the local community.

On competition day, weigh-in will be held at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre between 2pm and 4.30pm, and prizegiving (at the same location) will be held at 6.30pm.

People can register in advance at the classic website or, on competition day, at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre between 7am and 9am.

PHOTO: Teresa Cotter