The Waitahanui Tri-Lodge Teams Challenge
was held on September 25,26 and 27 and was fought for in a very spirited way by the 3 teams.
Representing Shoreline was the 'Master Baiters' made up Mike and Kris, Ian, John, Jim and Jean. The Waitahanui Lodge Lay-abouts put Carl, Viv, Steven, Neil, Phil, Roger and Sue forward as fishos. Windsor Lodge (after much deliberation) sent Lew's Lot into battle. Captain Lew had Peter, Grumpy, Clive, Gerald, Richard and John as team-mates.
The rules were framed to stop burglars riding into town but Big Jim from the Shoreline set the bar with his first fish on Friday...a 3.74lb Rainbow Hen from the Waitahanui. This meant the rest of us were chasing our tails all weekend trying to better him and it certainly rattled the cage. To rub salt into our collective wounds, his team-mates Jim and John hit the bay on Saturday and pulled in two browns weighing 6.52lb and 8.02lb respectively. Game Over!
Lew's Lot toiled hard all weekend and a (very) late Rule Change was considered on Saturday night to number of fish not best weight. Lew's Lot weighed in 14 (many more put back), the Master Baiters 9 and the Lay-abouts recorded 3.
A social get together on Friday night set the mood for the weekend. So much so that Grumpy could not bring himself to steal John's 8 pounder on Saturday night. He not only let his team down but set the future standard for sportsmanship. Most disappointing!
At the closing bell on Sunday the Master Baiters were standing alone at the top.....a great (lucky) effort that was rewarded with a wonderful trophy at presentation.
The Trophy was made by Robbie of Wildwood Gallery and will be cared for by the incumbent holders (or else!).
 
We, in the spirit of good sports, fed them and then had to sit there and listen to how they fought their fish for hours. Well done Master Baiters and you can be assured that we will put in a big challenge next autumn and maybe rewrite the rules and ban Brown Trout.
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