More than a hard luck prize

Press, 22 February 1980, Page 10

More than a hard luck prize

Fi v e-year-old Nicola Richardson had a trial run at the Waimakariri River mouth last week-end. If it had been March 1, her patience and tiny catch might have qualified for the hard luck prize — $lO in products. Her family comes out to the adjacent Kairaki camping ground from Christchurch most weekends. On March 1, they could be joined by hundreds of men, women and children keen to try their fishing luck in the $2400 Daiwa P. and N. Waimak Mouth contest. The . Kaiapoi Jaycee chapter, a group of only 20 members, is organising the event and on the day will be augmented by wives and borrowing from other chapters. A set of rules has been drawn up in conjunction with <he Kaiapoi Working men’s Club fishing section.

The entry fee is $5 for seniors and $1.50 for juniors ■ under 16 on the day. Tickets, limited to 1000, are on sale now at the Christchurch stores of Smiths City Market, Cromb and Merrit, Ashby Bergh, Tisdalls, Mainline Batteries, Upper Riccarton H/W, Bob Fox at Rangiora and in Kaiapoi, at Blackwells and the Sporting Centre. Profits from the contest, which is planned to become a yearly event; will be used by the Jaycees for community projects. Entries will also be accepted on the day. at a

booth on Beach Road; 250 tickets are being reserved for these, but it will be advisable to arrive well before the contest starts at 10 a.m., to avoid a last minute rush. The contest will finish at 3.30 p.m., but an extra 15 minutes will be allowed for landing any fish hooked before that time. Fishing spots will be allocated. These will range on the south side from the lagoon entrance to 200 metres along the beach from the mouth, signified by flags. ; t Since planning began, the river mouth has altered, with about 100 metres lost on the northern side, so the contest fishing limit will now extend from 200 metres along the beach from the mouth, past the yacht club, to the seaward side of Mclntosh’s Hole. The convenor (Mr Peter Pinson) says it is hoped to close the area for the purposes of the contest for salmon fishermen and direct bait users to the sea front and south side. Only one rod, or conventional hand line, per ticket, will be permitted at any time, using only the casting method. There will be no watercraft fishing and tackle is limited to one triple hook, or three single barbed. Everything that swims had better keep away that day. Mr Pinson says that some have asked why it is not just a salmon contest, but the intention is to give it a much broader

concept — so flounders, sharks, conger eels and herrings, also beware., Public fishing will not be banned, but the Jaycees are hoping for overwhelming support.

With some tolerance on both sides during the five hour and a half contest, there should be no problem over territories, says Mr Pinson. Wild life rangers will be on hand to assist where needed.