On Sunday 15 March 2026, Fishing for Farmers proved a very meaningful day.
We had families, couples, and one particularly enthralling storyteller (you know who you are) travel from as far afield as Balclutha and Lorneville to enjoy the event.
The highlight? Watching young Carter land his first fish on the fly - all on his own too! A guide we shall not name fished that same stretch days before and got skunked, so Carter enjoyed the bragging rights. A perfect reminder of how fishing can surprise us.
Most importantly, everyone left inspired to keep fishing — and that’s what it’s all about.
Big thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.
On the fishing side of things, that was local guides Graeme Watson (a previous Chair of Southland Fish and Game), Mike Dennis and Joel Hughes. Their time, knowledge and encouragement made all the difference.
On the coordination side, it was the Upper Mataura Fishing Connect Group and the Southland Rural Support Trust. Without their commitment these events simply wouldn’t happen.
Photo: Carter (Parents are Southland Dairy Farmers) with his first fish on the fly. The first of many we suspect.
This story was supplied by Fish & Game New Zealand - Southland
Check out Regional Events for any up and coming "Fishing for Farming" events being held in your area in conjunction with your local Rural Support Trust
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