Fish It Forward™: Top Entries

Best of the Best Entries

Inspiring Stories of Sharing the Catch

This summer, Desolve launched Fish It Forward™, an initiative celebrating the community spirit found across New Zealand and Australia’s fishing world. It was all about the anglers who go beyond their catch and share the bounty with others.

We invited you to share your stories—whether you donated fish to a local cause, provided a meal for family and friends, or shared a catch with someone in need.

The competition has now ended, and we’ve been blown away by the incredible stories we’ve received. Here are some of the best tales that showcase the true spirit of giving back.

Fish It Forward™ Winner 

A true local legend

"This is my buddy Rob Brown, and I can't think of anyone more deserving of this prize—we'll spend a full day on the water (5 a.m. till 5 p.m.), he'll never skip out on helping wash the boat, and while we're all kicking back with beers, Rob will be filleting into the evening before delivering fish, pāua, and crays to at least five or six local families who would otherwise never get the chance to experience fresh kai moana.

The crazy part is, we never knew this was going on because Rob is the most humble dude around. All this on top of being the hardest-working blue-collar guy around (industrial sparkie). A true local legend!"

Submitted by Dale Buck

Putting a smile on people's faces

"My name is Abbie, and I would like to nominate my partner, Shaine.

He goes out twice a week, if not more (if I let him—and he tries! 🙂). He takes the boat, dinghy, or kayak and sets the net. We have a feed, and he gives the rest away. We drive around to the local elderly living alone and give them fresh snapper, including a lady in her 80s whose husband was a fisherman and passed away years ago—she hadn’t had fresh fish since he was around.

He also smokes kahawai and gives it out to the old boys in the pensioner flats. He donates to the local marae, and last week, he gave all his catch to a tangi/funeral for a baby that passed away.

He does it for the love of fishing and the smiles it puts on people’s faces. He’s done a lot for the community, and I think he deserves something back for all that he does."

Submitted by Abbie on behalf of Shaine

Keeping the tradition alive

"I love fishing, but unfortunately, due to financial reasons, I sold my wee boat two years ago.

Living in Christchurch with a new toddler, it can be difficult to get to good fishing spots. The easiest way to still get out and have fun is by fishing the Waimakariri and Rakaia river mouths for kahawai. It’s not my favourite fish to eat, so when I go out, I usually bring two home for my wife's family. They’re Samoan, and nothing goes to waste. Quite often, the go-to is 'oka'—kept raw with lemon juice, coconut cream, and other goodies.

It allows me to still get out and have fun—and it's easier to get past the Mrs when I supply her family with the treats!"

Submitted by Kurt

Bringing the catch to those who can’t

"My Fish It Forward story is all about giving.

I absolutely love the outdoors, especially fishing. I head out often and give a lot of my catch away to family, friends, and neighbours. I live in an area with a lot of older people, and I always share my fish with them since they can’t get out themselves.

Recently, I caught a marlin, got it smoked, and shared it around the community—many people never get the chance to experience that. I also try to take them out with me on good days when they can handle it with ease.

Here’s a photo of the marlin I caught and was able to share!"

Submitted by Teghan

Never take more than we need

"This isn’t my story, but a story about my tuakana, Lloyd-Matai.

Lloyd-Matai has been running a fishing club at Te Kura o Aorere, teaching kids to fish during his lunch breaks and after school for a number of years.

He provides not only the lessons but also the gear, bait, fuel, and everything they need. He’s taught them how to tie their own flies, how to cast, how to iki and fillet, how to cook, and how to feed others.

He also teaches them that the first fish goes back to Tangaroa and that we never take more than we need. He shows patience and kindness, extending his knowledge and generosity to the whānau of the students he teaches.

The students learn that fishing isn’t always about the catch—it’s about being out there and enjoying nature. Many, many people are fed by his actions, far beyond the immediate families, reaching the kaumātua in our community.

If anyone deserves recognition, he does—but he’s too humble to ever speak about the extent of his generosity."

Submitted by Erihapeti

Fishing together, sharing together

"I started fishing with my husband at 62, and he’s now 76.

The reason I began fishing with him is that his fishing mate of 50 years passed away in June this year. I didn’t want him to stay at home, so I got him to teach me how to fish.

I must admit, he took me to a great spot on the beach where I caught my first-ever fish. We’ve been back many times since, and I’m starting to understand how the water moves. I know there’s so much more to learn, but I’ll keep trying.

With all the fish we’ve caught this year, we’ve taken them up into the back of Queensland and shared them with family and friends.They love seafood but only get it when we bring it to them.

It’s a wonderful experience to share what we have with others."

Submitted by Sandra