In life there are decisions to be made from the heart, and not just solely from the head. Every now and then your heart will let you know its right because it can be for the greater good. PENN reels Australia has within its ranks an amazing amount of fishing knowledge combined with incredible business acumen. It just proved it also has a big heart.

We all hear about rural areas doing it tough and that can be the same for isolated regional coastal towns. Triabunna is one such story. Located on Tasmania’s lower East Coast an hour from Hobart in the south and two hours from anywhere from the north. The roads from both directions snake from suburbia and terminate at a community hit hard by a transition from the forestry industry to well nothing in the short term.

Triabunna had a thriving woodchip mill and vibrant industry sector around forest industries. The signing of the Tasmanian Forest Agreement and subsequent closures have landed a few blows to the chin of the Triabunna township. One knee on the canvas, but with a uniquely Australian strength and steely resolve, the Glanmorgan Spring Bay district was up for a fight. The township has looked up to find PENN reels Australia in its corner.

The seaside township has a sweet wharf district and offers plenty of opportunity to indulge in the beauty coastal Tasmania has to offer.

Triabunna is the gateway to the history and beauty soaked Maria Island, its seafood is amazing and marine life is abundant. These attributes are allowing the area to transit from an industrial hub servicing a large woodchip mill to an area quickly gaining a reputation for its local fine food and wine. The wharf area and subsequent marina upgrades are going along way in making Triabunna for a whole range of marine and boating activities.

The massive hole left by the mill closure was to be filled by all manner of wild tourist ventures, but to date this has not eventuated. To often it is left to the small boutique food and wine developments and the natural beauty of the area to do all the heavy lifting.

In the short term there has been some new blood that has shown a great willingness to help: PENN Australia, The Northern Game Fishing Club of Tasmania and the people of the Glanmorgan Spring Bay Council. These groups have worked hard to put on a two day event showcasing all the area’s strengths. The 5-6 April will have Triabunna come alive as the Seafest festival will be in full swing.

Triabunna has some sensational fishing grounds and there are many stories of southern bluefin and yellowfin tuna busting out of the water. These reports however are from commercial fishers, as Triabunna is a not known as a game fishing destination. This is all about to change with massive assistance from PENN Australia.

Getting anglers to the town when the fishing is unknown to only a few protective locals would be quite a task. In a true ‘if you build it the will come’ attitude, PENN Australia have put together a prize pool that would be envious of any tournament anywhere in Australia. This has been the cornerstone of the effort being put in by the Game Fishing Club of Northern Tasmania and Glanmorgan Spring Bay Council.

The sentiment to help a coastal town put itself back on the map and enjoy some short term economic stimulus has come from a board level at PENN. The long-term result will be a massive influx of people who have a great time and share the news of a wonderful and friendly place at Triabunna.