This year’s Guyra TroutFest promises to be bigger and better – and that’s no fisherman’s tale!
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The festival, now in its third year, is held on the October long weekend – September 29 to October 1 – to mark the opening of the trout season.
The festivities include fishing competitions for young and old, a market day, art shows and workshops, and open gardens, heritage tours, collectors’ displays, and a fishing simulator.
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“We'll have a couple of weeks of fishing focus in Guyra to promote ourselves, and New England in general, as a trout-fishing destination,” festival co-ordinator Lynne Chapman said.
“We're looking to attract fishers from all over to come to Guyra.”
Major sponsors are the Guyra Bowling Club, and Caffiends.
Angling for artists
One of the highlights this year is an art competition and expo in the main street, running from September 24 to October 1 – and the TroutFest Committee is angling for artists, photographers, and sculptors to enter.
“We're asking anybody in town or outside who is a knitter or a crocheter or any fabric worker to create a fish-related theme,” Mrs Chapman said.
If you’re interested in making hand-knitted and crocheted fish and fish sculptures, entries close September 17. Email guyratroutfest@gmail.com to enter.
Prizes will be presented on Friday, September 28 at 5.30pm.
There will be three children’s sections for primary and secondary students. This section includes photography, and entry is free for children.
The first person to spot the special tagged fish will also get a prize.
So you want to be an artist?
Local artists from Guyra and New England will run art workshops earlier in the week.
Laurie Knight will teach about Simple Landscapes (September 25) and Water Landscapes (September 27) in Oils.
Three workshops will be held on September 29.
David Henderson, a winner at Guyra’s 2017 photography exhibition, will run a Photography course.
Deepwater-based silversmith Richard Moon will teach how to make Jewellery in half a day; and Glen Innes artist Lloyd Gawura Hornsby will teach children to paint boomerangs.
Many of these workshops have limited numbers, so book early to avoid disappointment.
More information about the Art Competition and Expo, including workshops, is available on the Guyra Troutfest webpage, or by emailing guyratroutfest@gmail.com.
Fun for small fry
Children will be able to attend a How to fish clinic at the Mother of Ducks Lagoon, run with the help of the Department of Primary Industries’ Fisheries section.
Kids 8 to 14 years old can learn fishing techniques, bag and size limits, and fish handling for catch release from experienced volunteers and staff from Industry & Investment NSW.
“They will have a morning full of learning how to tie knots and cast, and about different sorts of fish,” Mrs Chapman said.
“After lunch, they go fishing for the trout that the hatchery brings across for the day.”
Kids will also get showbags with a fishing-rod and reel, a tackle box, a free T-shirt, and a hat.
Applications close on September 22. Contact Milan Duwenhogger-Lange on 0458 274 876 (leave a message) for application forms. Numbers are limited to 25, so don't miss out.