KEY POINTS:
Embellishment of the truth is a given when it comes to fishing stories.
Normally they're of "the one that got away" variety. But when it comes to fly fishing, the ones that are caught also lead to stretching of a more literal kind.
Apparently, fly-fishing anglers include their share of cheats and will do almost anything to ensure their trout are as long as possible. Squashing their catch flat to gain a few centimetres is not out of the question. That's why when the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships begin on the Tuki Tuki River in central Hawkes Bay today, each of the 50 anglers will be accompanied by a judge ... just to keep everyone honest.
With 10 teams of five - from New Zealand, Australia and Scotland, Canada, England, South Africa and Wales - spread across about 30km of river, it is just as well.
Hosted by the Hastings Anglers Club and based at Patangata, competitors have been practising all week, having moved on from the recent World Championship in Rotorua, which was won by the Czech Republic, with New Zealand runner-up.
That event, featuring nearly 130 anglers, was estimated to have contributed $1.2 million to the Bay of Plenty economy, and this event is expected to provide a significant windfall for Hawkes Bay, according to the president of Sports Fly Fishing NZ, Jill Mandeno.
Competitors stay for at least two weeks in the region.
"Each angler will spend at least $8000 to $10,000 at the championships ... but what is more exciting is that these anglers are likely to come back to fish the Tuki Tuki again and bring their friends with them."
Organiser Murray Boaler said: "The trout here are so great, and Hawkes Bay gets to be put on the trout fishing map."
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
