To celebrate the upcoming On The Fly Festival on the Mataura River, the statue is finally receiving a name through a competition. Gore District Council’s senior events co-ordinator, Florine Potts, mentioned that there have been numerous suggestions, with names like Trouty McTroutface amusingly making the list.
After narrowing down the choices, the five finalists for the statue’s name are Trixie, Scout, Trevor, Gordon, or Finn. Potts encouraged everyone to participate in the voting process, either through social media or by texting the local radio station.
Potts expressed hope that other towns with similar giant statues will follow suit and give their sculptures unique names. Despite the eventual name, the brown trout statue will always remain a beloved symbol of Gore.
Visitors often stop to take photos with the statue, making it a well-known landmark in the town. No longer just referred to as “the trout,” the sculpture will soon have a fitting name that reflects its significance as a true Gore icon.
