Rowley Kay Comp 2025
Easter weekend saw the Club Forster Blue Water fishing Club host the Newcastle Blue Water Fishing Club for the annual Rowley Kay Shield. The competition has been running for the past 30 years approximately, with Newcastle winning the majority of time.
Whilst Friday’s weather presented wonderfully light winds, favourable to good offshore boating conditions, a large low pressure cell in the Tasman sea resulted in a large swell which was anything but conducive to offshore boating comfort. This resulted in most boats staying in harbour, with only one boat from the Forster club venturing out and five from Newcastle. However safely navigating the bar was not the only impediment to good fishing conditions as the discovery of a fast running southerly current added to already difficult circumstances.
Consequently, Friday saw only a total of 10 fish weighed in at the end of the day.
Saturday saw a marked improvement in sea conditions with some glassy seas on a much gentler swell. Accordingly a total of nine boats ventured out from the 2 clubs, and a total of 91 fish were weighed in. Some solid metre plus dolphin fish we're boated, and some good size large tailor ‘greenbacks’ also found their way to the weigh in table.
Unfortunately for your local club, Newcastle were once again victorious and took home the Rowley Kay Shield: 599 points to 257. Newcastle Club President David Wells was the standout angler for the competition winning both the categories for most Fish Points (375) as well as for most Boat Points (375). For Club Foster Bluewater club John Habraken attained most Fish Points (196) with the tireless Barry Wrench gaining most Boat Points (125).
The competition culminated with a luncheon/presentation held at Club Forster on Sunday 20th April. Hopefully we can get ‘em next year!
