Strong sponsor support for contest

Press, 27 January 1988, Page 31

Strong sponsor support for contest

By

BRUCE KELLY,

proprietor Rakaia Holiday Park Sponsor support for the annual fishing contest on the Rakaia River is stronger than ever in 1988. The Ryobi/Canadian Airlines Rakaia Salmon Fishing Contest 1988 has drawn a level of interest from sponsors that surprised the members of the Rakaia River Fishing Promotions committee. At the time of the initial 1983 contest many fishing enthusiasts considered the organisers were a trifle rash offering a first prize of $BOOO plus $lOOO per day giving a total of $13,000 over all. The risk paid off and the committee made a profit. At that time the goal of much of their fund-raising activity was to produce money and publicity to combat threatened irrigation schemes on the river. With the granting of the National Conservation Order for the Rakaia River the organisers considered that this particu-

lar battle was over. They considered it time to look anew at the contest. I For 1988 all prizes will be in the form of product with even the top prize of a trip for two to Canada falling into this category. It was also becoming obvious that people were really entering the contest, as a sort of fisherman’s convention, for the fun. It was decided then to provide a larger venue to integrate the weigh-in, display space and an after-match function, each, evening. This side of the event has really captured the enthusiasm of the local sub-committee set up to organise the social events, with such things as a second-hand fishing tackle auction, craft displays, wine and cheese tasting, food, bar, band and most important a good front man. The committee felt that this was so important that they took their sponsors’ recommendation and invited Russell Collinson from Whangarei, the very successful compere of the Tutukaka Hotel big game contest. It was also felt that the interchange of ideas and personnel would benefit the promotion of two very different but exciting forms of fishing. Ryobi and Canadian Airlines International have become joint main sponsors in 1988. Ryobi came forward after the 1987 contest with an offer which was well received and have provided a wide range of their first-class salmon tackle as prizes as well as some much needed organisational support. Included in the line up of prizes are T.2. reels, G. 8.4 reels, Rakaia rods, Waimak rods, Pacific Stik Salmon rods, Salmon Deluxe rods, Araty line, and even a chainsaw for the heaviest fish taken on Ryobi tackle. Canadian Airlines International have offered a return trip for two to Vancouver, Canada for a salmon contest, Canada being the home of the Quinnat (or King) Salmon. The organisers will back this prize up with some spending money, a

fishing guide and some i accommodation with the sincere wish that the winner has a great time I and catches a bag of t Canadian King Salmon, f Next in line is the Tutui kaka Hotel who have offered a Big Game fish- > ing holiday with accomi modation, a guide and a big game fishing charter boat. The organisers will i back this up also with a i return flight for two from i Christchurch and a suitable amount of spending > money. The Rotorua Promotions and Development Society have continued their prize of a holiday for two trout fishing at Rotorua with a guide and accommodation. The organisers will again provide a return flight and some spending money. It is gratifying to note with these two prizes the co-operation and goodwill between these different areas, as, in return two sponsors from Rakaia are offering prizes to contests held by the Tutukaka Hotel and the Rotorua Promotions and Development Society. The Rakaia River Holiday Park is providing motel accommodation and Michael Manion the salmon guiding for similar holiday packages to those being offered at Rakaia. Radio Avon will be providing coverage of the contest and broadcasting a fishing report after the 6 p.m. news on Friday evenings. Spinwell, the biggest manufacturer of salmon spinners in New Zealand, are giving away a Z spinner to every entrant in the starter packs and likewise the New Zealand Apple and Pear Market-

ing Board have sponsored a large quantity of Fresh Up. Support for the starter packs has also come from Rakaia River Holiday Park in the form of fishing tackle vouchers from their shop and the New Zealnd Fishing News. Cromb and Merritt Sports have sponsored the junior section with prizes from their Christchurch city shop. D.H. Brown and Sons, Ltd, have sponsored $lOOO worth of fish food to this year’s projected release Of 15,000 extra salmon smolt by Rakaia River Fishing Promotions. As a bonus Paul’s Camera Shop in Riccarton have sponsored a photographic contest with a $5OO camera as a prize. The subject will be “Salmon fishing on the Rakaia River.” Photos may be taken any time, not just during the contest, and a print or colour slide must be submitted by March 31. The conditions of entry are that the photo must be on the subject, the negatives must be available for the committee to use, entry is restricted to those entering the main contest, and any number of entries may be submitted. The judge will be Paul’s Camera Shop and their decision will be final. A further 45 sponsors have sponsored goods and/or services. It is also interesting to note that all this sponsorship, over $30,000 in all, will be won. There are no conditions, such as catching a fish over a certain size, and the only prize that has to be caught on Ryobi

tackle is a Ryobi chainsaw. Some prizes will require that the recipient be present at the prize givings and this contest must be one of few that gives away prizes to entrants that have not even caught a fish. Probably the best reason for supporting the Ryobi/Canadian Airlines Rakaia Salmon Contest 1988 is that all, if any, profit will be spent on the salmon fishery of the Rakaia River. It is written into the constitution. In the past the contest has helped pay for legal expenses at the Rakaia River conservation order hearings and contributed towards extra salmon rearing ponds at Glenariffe research station in the Upper Rakaia. The committee recognises the great importance of Glenariffe to the continued good fishing of the Rakaia River. It is therefore intended to support them again this time with a release of their own. The committee are actually going to buy their own run of fish and have them released at the optimum time for a good return. This is for 15,000 smolt at least, maybe more, some of which will be tagged and a special prize will be awarded at future contests for anyone who catches one of these. In the meantime, M.A.F. have agreed to lend a batch of fish that should, be due to return this year and there will be a special prize for anyone lucky enough to catch one.

It is not intended that this project consume all the money, as it is also planned to establish a

fund that can be used to defend any problems, should they arise, affecting the river and the salmon fishing.