Local knowledge appeared to pay off for the Doubtless Bay Line and Rod Club anglers as they prevailed over their counterparts from the North Shore Fishing Club to reclaim the Youvella Trophy over Queen's Birthday Weekend.
A report from the annual Ray White Real Estate Challenge Shield noted fishing was difficult in less-than-ideal weather conditions in the competition where the top three fish by each club are weighed and recorded and the spoils going to the club with the greatest total weight.
By the end of the weekend, Doubtless Bay had wrested the trophy back from North Shore this year with a combined total weight of 17.8kg. This included another personal best off the rocks for a club member, Carl Turner's 6.8kg snapper, which combined with fish by Phil Barber and club president Luke Macdonald of 6.05kg fish and 4.95kg respectively.
The top three from the visiting North Shore club were Kevin Oglesby 4.05kg, Ted Audain 3.30kg and Jeffrey Zellie 1.55kg, totalling 8.90kg all up.
While the fishing wasn't great, the magnificent meal provided by Doubtless Bay members, and the North Shore Club's presentations to Jessica and Julie Scott for best junior and best women's fish respectively, contributed to an otherwise very successful event.
