SOME 24 fishing enthusiasts participated at the first San Carlos City fishing tourney held at the Park Marina and Boulevard Area over the weekend.
Participants coming from the municipality of La Libertad and the cities of Guihulngan and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental and the cities of Kabanklan, Sipalay and Bacolod in Negros Occidental joined the event.
There were also participants from Alegria town, Cebu province, a press release from the city government said.
James Labor, one of the organizers, said that the fishing tournament has been planned for a long time.
But due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic they weren’t able to push through with it until now that the city had adjusted to the new normal which coincides with its celebration of the 62nd Charter Day anniversary.
Labor extended his gratitude to the city officials especially Mayor Renato Gustilo for supporting their first tournament. He also hoped that they will once again support them in their future tournaments that will likely happen on November during the Pintaflores Festival.
Meanwhile, the winners of the event were awarded yesterday at the Park Marina Function Hall.
In casting category, Homer Tabanao of La Libertad won first place who first caught the 130 grams Crescent Grunter and received P3,000 followed by Geper Nalam of Dumaguete City in second place with his 130 grams Baracuda and a special award for the most fishes caught who also received P2,000 and a fishing reel.
Michael Calpoporo of Bacolod City placed 3rd and received P1,000.
Ariel Libre also received a special award for the most catch in live bait.
Winners also received trophies and fishing gears that consists of reel, braided line, and fishing lures.
Tabanao of Brother's of the Hook Team noted that it's his first time to enter and win in a fishing competition.
He said that to be an angler you need to have patience and must enjoy camaraderie especially in going along with new people you meet.
He added that one must be environmentally responsible where he returned small caught fishes and cleaned up when he sees spots or waste materials on the waters.
Tabanao added that he strongly believed that what you do for nature, nature will return it back to you, good or bad. (PR)