**Lenny Pullin pulled in a beautiful rainbow jack of 1.969kg to win the Heaviest Junior Fish category.**

The Stoney Creek Sika Hind Hunt and Trout Fishing Competition wrapped up with a feast of wild game and live demonstrations on the weekend.

More than 400 people attended the event, which saw hunters out harvesting hinds from the Kaimanawa and Kaweka forests.

The contest was also an environmental initiative to try and reduce the sika population in the forests to improve the health of the herd and the forest. More than 70 hinds were caught.

More than 220 people entered the Trout Fishing contest

Organiser Brendon Li from Stoney Creek says the whole purpose of the fishing event was to help shine a light on the health of the fishery and habitat, “and what we can do as anglers to help improve this for future generations.”

One boat alone caught 102 fish over the two days of the contest, highlighting the issue of an overpopulation of fish in the lake.

More than $80,000 worth of prizes were handed out at the event.

All money raised went to Our Backyard Trust to help support the community with conservation, community support and outdoors mental health initiatives.

Winners

Sika Hind Hunt Comp (1st Oct to 15th Nov)
More than 200 hunters entered
More than 70 hinds harvested
Oldest hind was more than 16-years-old; 1st place JARVIS DENTON who won a Helisika remote lodge experience for four people worth more than $4,500
Most Hind Jaws was won by Daniel Le Feuvre who harvested four hinds during the competition on Department of Conservation land.
Best live stag photo was won by Dylan Ryan.
Kids Colouring competition was won by T'Keyah (12) - Kuratau School, Charlie Horton (6) - Taihape School, and Chase Sutherland (4) Martinborough Kindy

Taupō Trout Fishing Competition (November 21-22)

More than 220 anglers entered
47 fish weighed in
Heaps of fish caught out on the lake, with plenty of boats catching well over 20-30 fish each day. One boat caught 102 fish in the two days. That shows what great fishing there is to be had, but also the challenge of plenty of fish in the lake says Stoney Creek marketing manager Brendon Li. “And the whole purpose of this event is to help shine the light on the health of our fishery and their habitat, and what we can do as anglers to help improve this for future generations”.
Heaviest Trout won by Maree Ede with a brown trout caught at the Horomatangi Reef weighing in at 2.56kg
Average Weight Trout won by Sam Holmes with a Rainbow caught weighting 1.391kg
Best Two Fish (combined weight) won by Julian Ede with two brown trout weighing in at a combined total of 4.715kg
Heaviest Junior Fish - Lenny Pullin with a beautiful rainbow jack of 1.969kg

Plus, there were plenty more 2nd, 3rd and junior prizes

Big Attraction was the famous Stoney Creek Lucky T-Shirt draw - everyone who entered the event received an exclusive limited edition Stoney Creek Shirt which has a unique code on it. This put everyone in the draw to win the major prizes like Traeger barbecues worth more than $3,500, Stoney Creek Gear, binoculars, GPS units, artwork and more.

There was more than $80,000 in prizes and giveaways.

All done in the name of conservation. The event was a non-profit with proceeds going back to Our Backyard Trust to help support the community with conservation, community support and outdoors mental health initiatives.