NZ Trout Festival -16 September 2023

Back bigger than ever – The 2023 NZ Trout Festival returns on 16 September at the Groynes Reserve and Clearwater Resort, Christchurch.

REGISTER HERE

Canterbury Fly Fishing Club and North Canterbury Fish & Game have combined to put on the third annual NZ Trout Festival.

Registration is essential, it's free, plus you’ll go in the midday draw to win one of two days fishing with Fishing Guide Kristina Placko (worth $950 each).

A big thanks to our sponsors, especially Hunting & Fishing (Tower Junction) and Epic Fly Rods.

Special guest this year is Brian Henderson, a master casting instructor from Australia, with us courtesy of Epic Fly Rods.

Brian will be doing presentations throughout the day on how to improve your fly casting at the Groynes Reserve. Brian is one of the foremost fly casters in the world; his one-hour session times are 9 am, 11 am and 2 pm.

Freshwater fishing industry leaders will have marquees at the Groynes Reserves and will have some of New Zealand’s top trout anglers there to give help and advice to help you catch more fish.

• Manic Tackle has several top anglers in their marquee, Rene Vaz and Bryce Helms; they will have FFF casting instructor Chris Dore and local guide and Pure Fly star Hannah Clement in attendance throughout the day, answering all manner of questions and giving presentations and exhibiting a wide range of trout fishing gear.

• Kilwell has Alex Waller from the YouTube channel “Trippin on Trout”, and Kilwell wants you to bring your rod along and try it with their range of Scientific Angler lines. They will also have a selection of the latest Orvis rods and reels for you to try out. 

• Flytackle NZ has a selection of the latest Guideline and Sage gear. Andrew Burden, owner of Sporting Life Turangi, will be on hand to pass on his extensive knowledge (especially euro nymphing) to all interested.

Other demonstrators at the Groynes Reserve include: 

• Kristina Placko, a well-known local South Island guide, will also be here covering various fishing-related topics and will be available to answer your questions. 

• Darian Shaheen from the Complete Angler will provide demonstrations and coaching on spin casting and soft-baiting techniques. 

• Tony Smith, the Wild to Table chef from Trout Fisher magazine, will share recipes in the CFFC marquee. 

• Christchurch Fishing & Casting Club marque will focus on women anglers, with demonstrations and advice from some of NZ’s top female anglers. 

• Soldiers Sailors Aviators Association NZ, an organization helping ex-service personnel into fishing, will also be here. 

• The Canterbury Fly Fishing Club, North Canterbury Fish & Game, and Environment Canterbury will also have marquees where anglers can come to get advice and information. 

And finally, don’t forget that if all this makes you hungry and thirsty, we have Rangiora Lions doing a BBQ ($2 coin) and coffee carts.

The Groynes Reserves demonstrations are aimed to be complementary with sessions at the Clearwater Resort, taking place at the following times: 

• 10 am – 10:30 am
• 11:15 am – 11:45 am
• 12:30 pm – 1 pm
• 1:30 pm – 2 pm
• 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm

At the Clearwater Resort function room, we have an impressive lineup of presenters, including: 

• Malcolm Bell & Darian Shaheen from The Complete Angler
• Jeff Forsee – Wanaka-based guide and well-known photographer and filmmaker.
• Kristina Placko – Well-known local South Island guide along with Daryl Paskell
• James Fuller & Peter Scott – both ex-members of the New Zealand Fly Fishing Team
• Manic Tackle – will also have some of their team running demonstrations to help you catch more fish!

To allow you to make the most of the day and see as much as possible, we will have an “Events Board” with details and timings of all the various presentations, which we will update as the day progresses.

Clearwater Resort Function Room Timetable

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So, if you want to learn more about all aspects of trout fishing, be it fly, spin, or soft bait, register and come along on Saturday, 16 September.