Fishing isn't regarded as the most glamorous vocation in the world, but the stars came out to walk the red carpet for the inaugural ITM Fishing Media Awards at the Copthorne Hotel & Resort in the Bay of Islands recently.

The flashy evening was put together by Matt Watson and his ITM Fishing Show team to mark their 150th episode.

The glitz and glamour was a far cry from the humble beginnings of the show that started in a Far North garage in 2003, before being propelled onto the world stage when Matt appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman last year.

Since then Matt and his team have made spin off shows that have screened around the world on Discovery Channel and Animal Planet; but claim that their very best moments have been on The ITM Fishing Show.

It is these best moments that have been showcased, and with awards categories including 'Most Dramatic Scene', 'Biggest Tantrum' and 'Fish Love Moment', the FMA's promised to deliver some classic moments, including scenes not previously seen where everything turned to custard.

Just hours before the event started you didn't have to look hard to see that not much has changed for Matt and his team since receiving international acclaim. Matt was up a ladder with a power drill with the rest of the team, their partners and friends all busily putting the final touches on the room. The lighting had all just failed and one hundred and ninety guests were soon to arrive, amongst them A-list celebrities, TV executives and the show's sponsors. But judging by the feedback the event was a triumph.

"We have been to many differentaward shows over the years. The ITM fishing show awards were without a doubt the funniest, mostenjoyable evening's worth of award presentation entertainment we have ever attended. Matt and the team presented a top notch show that perfectly highlighted their fantastic series". "We are eagerly awaiting the second annualITM Fishing Media Awards." LUCY LAWLESS & ROB TAPPERT

"How someone as uneducated and mentally unstable as Matt Watson can put together a night this good is a mystery to me" PAUL EGO - The Rock, 7 Days

"Congrats to Matt and team for a fantastic Awards night! It was very clear on the night Matt cares greatly for his mates and the sponsors by making the night all about them. All those associated with the ITM Fishing Show have a real passion for what they do, and it was fantastic to see. I hope I'm invited back next year". LEAH PANAPA - The Rock

The ITM Fishing Show Awards - a look at some of the greatest fishing moments recorded on film - reality television has never been quite so entertaining'. GRANT DIXON - Editor, New Zealand Fishing News

I've sat through some boring awards nights with wanky speeches and out of control egos over the years, but the ITM fishing media awards was a breath of fresh air, real awards, real people...what a night... I even got to meet Lucy Lawless... she is a hottie. ROGER FARRELLY - The Rock

"I have done many things in my career but fishing with Matt and meeting the team has, and still is, the HIGHLIGHT of my career. A childhood dream came true. A fantastic awards evening with the ITM fishing family" "Just awesome" KELVIN CRUICKSHANK

The ITM Fishing Media Awards will screen as an hour long feature on TV3 Saturday October 30 at 5.00pm.