NZ Fisher Issue 71

ISSUE 71

September 2017

Work-ups 2017: The Low Down

Chasing World Best Sturgeon www.nzfisher.co.nz

www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

“Honda provides me with reliability, fantastic fuel savings, quietness on set, low emissions and incredible harmonics which pull the fish. We’re now saving around 40% on fuel from one of my previous boats running like for like horsepower engines” Nicky Sinden ADOS Addicted to Fishing

“The choice of Honda engines was simple. Our experience with Honda reliability and support has been outstanding. The power is incredible, because the engines are hardly working, the economy is amazingly good.”

Captain Phil Barchet Blue Water Adventures

“With a heavier hull on the new boat and a large array of pumps and electronics the big powerful 3.6 litre V6 with a 90amp alternator was the logical choice” Tony Orton Offshore Adventures

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER TODAY

www.hondamarine.co.nz/find-a-dealer

CONTENTS 10.

6.

EARLY SEASON WORKUP

NAOMI’S WINTER ESCAPE

18.

HONDA AT THE FRONT OF THE PACK

20.

STURGEON: SUCCESS THE RESULT OF MANY FAILURES

EDITOR / Derrick Paull GROUP EDITOR / Colin Kennedy ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson CONTENT ENQUIRIES /

26.

Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz

FISH IN SHERRY & MUSHROOM SAUCE

FILLETING FLOUNDER

28.

ABOUT / Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to forwardthinking fisher people.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz ADDRESS / NZ Fisher, PO Box 47794, Ponsonby 11144 WEBSITE / www.NZFisher.co.nz

This is a GREEN MAG, created and distributed without the use of paper so it's environmentally friendly.

Please think before you print. Thank you!

READER PICS

Cover Image:

36. www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

EDITORIAL

W

OW! What a manic few weeks

to fish (if the weather allows), as it offers

of incessantly poor weather,

not only the chance to hit a great combo

political spin and a fair bit of

of big, hungry snapper in the shallows

mudslinging! As we eagerly await the

and reefs but also the beginning of the

build and delivery of our new Frewza

top water kingfish season. The kings start

F18 which we should have by next issue,

hunting nautilus and squid in spectacular

we’re hunkering down and waiting for

surface bust-ups, and we’ll be pushing

a little less wind to crack into the new

hard to get the boat rigged and hit a few

season. The Frewza is well underway,

of these hot spots as soon as we can.

and we’re excited as heck! [Images: 3 x in Frewza Build folder]. Honda Marine are even throwing free rigging kits in this month for the On the Water Boat Show,

The days the weather has allowed others to get out the fishing has been exceptional - if you can find the workups! The winter feeding patterns do

so that’s a bonus we’ve jumped on, too!

seem to be becoming more regular

October is one of my favourite months

as fishers chase the anchovy schools

4 www.nzfisher.co.nz

around, start to understand the baitfish’s

News and the Fishing website. The

movements and know what to look for

partnership means we can continue to

to find the feeding predators. With that

bring you our unique, fisher-friendly

in mind, we’re stoked to introduce Nick

magazine but also expand our horizons

Jones to the NZFisher contributor team.

and bring NZ Fisher to a wider audience

He provides great insight into the

to enjoy. The Fishing Media team are

modern lure-fishing techniques

great to work with and bring us a wealth

around the work-ups.

of experience in delivering the best of

While the rest of us have been home

fishing publications in New Zealand.

bemoaning the weather, Naomi’s been

Welcome Grant, Grant, Sam, and Mark to

up in Raro making the most of their

the NZ Fisher team ;-) I’ll be here as editor

excellent pelagic fishery and bagging

for some time too, but I’m stoked to have

her first yellowfin in the process – not

the resources, guidance, and experience

as big as her bluefin off Waihau, but

of the Fishing Media team adding to

another one off the bucket list – and

what we can bring you each month.

a very tasty contributor at that!

Finally, it’s my pleasure to announce that NZ FIsher has recently joined with the Fishing Media stable of NZ Fishing

Tight lines,

Derrick www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

Early Season Work Up

What’s the buzz?

BY Nick Jones

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

GO LIGHT For most slow-jigging situations I like to fish a small lever drag or spinning reel and a light rod with a slow-action. You want a lot of give in the tip to detect bites, allow snapper to mouth the lure without pulling the hooks away, and reduce the

GEAR & TECHNIQUES FOR WORK-UPS

pressure on small slow-jig hooks. That’s

With an exceptional winter work-up

why it’s also important to have a reel

season warming anglers up, the stage

with a smooth drag and to fish with a

is set for a horde of work-up chasers to

reasonably light drag setting. Work-up

ply the Hauraki Gulf over the coming

fishing is generally over sand and mud, so

months. Usually, the intense pilchard

the fish aren’t going to bust you off if you

work-ups happen when the water starts

take your time and bring fish in smoothly.

warming up, coinciding with snapper

I have seen some impressive kingfish

that are feeding hard to put on condition

subdued on kabura gear with very light

before they begin spawning. Once I’ve

drags; it just takes some time. Using

found the action, I deploy all manner

light braid allows lures to get down and

of new fishing gear and shiny new

stay in the hot zone close to the bottom

lures. Here are some tips to help these

for longer, and light fluorocarbon traces

investments pay off!

definitely fool more fish.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

It pays to stay in touch with your lure, looking for changes in speed or twitches

GO SMALL My general preference is for smaller rather than larger lures. These tend to get the most attention and catch surprisingly

in the belly of the line that indicates a take. Often snapper take lures as they are descending, especially ones with a realistic dropping action such as the Gulp

large snapper and kingfish. The bonus

Crazylegs soft baits or the Catch Mini-

with the small lures like micro jigs or

Squidwings lures.

kaburas are also the addition of species

Micro Jigs are fun to use and great for

like gurnard and john dory to the bin.

shallower water. These small jigs are

Depending on the drift speed, casting

shaped like baitfish and work well when

small lures downwind, so they have

cast downwind and let down to be

time to free fall to the bottom is a very

worked at the bottom, with a bit of a

effective way of fishing.

jiggle action similar to softbaiting.

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

GO SLOW There is a reason it’s called slow-jigging!

For kabura fishing, I like to fish without rod action at all, and simply a slow-wind of about one rotation of the reel handle every two to three seconds. Our old mate ‘Rodney Holder’ also catches his fair share of snapper on every charter, so don’t worry about slowing things down.

PLAY TO THE CONDITIONS When the bite picks up, or you are fishing a booming work-up, sometimes a bit more action or a larger lure can yield bigger fish. In these situations, a Catch Beta Bug or inchiku lure comes into its own with their larger bodies and flailing octopus skirts. Fish these lures with a lift of the rod and half or full wind on the return drop of the rod. Another good lure

EXPERIMENT

to use when the drift allows are ‘leaf-type’

If the fishing is hard, mix up your lures,

lures like the Catch Boss. These oval-

colours, actions, and speed to try and find

shaped lures drop slowly like a falling leaf

what’s working. I’ve seen some bizarre

and are best fished with slow lifts and

things catch some great fish, so have a

freefall drops to optimise the falling side-

bit of a play and make the most of our

to-side action.

brilliant Hauraki Gulf work-up fishery. 

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

FISHINGonTOUR

Naomi’s Winter Escape

YELLOWFIN ON!

BY Derrick Paull

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Yellowfin tuna tends to be the most Richard and Naomi at wharf

common gamefish caught at this time of

I

I was hoping to catch my first one. The

not many of us get to experience in New

caught on one charter. My hopes were

Zealand. If you’re traveling to the Cook

high for something similar!

the year, and although not guaranteed,

was lucky enough to head over to

day before our charter, one of the Marlin

Rarotonga at the end of July and

Queen boats had had a record day with

excited to get into some fishing that

two marlin and seven yellowfin tuna

Islands, fishing the crystal deep blue water has to be on the agenda.

After trolling the western coast with no bites, we pulled in the dead baits and set

I’d booked two half-day charters, the first

some other lures including Halco Laser

with Marlin Queen Fishing Charters. I

Pros and a couple of soft-bait type lures

was with six friends on the 25ft Bertram

instead. It’s interesting watching the crew

‘Marlin Queen’. It’s less than a five-minute

work the smaller lures to give them a bit

ride to just outside the harbour entrance.

more action than just being trolled. We

As you leave the Avatiu Harbour the

worked an area of warmer water (25.7°C)

water gets very deep very quickly, so we

where the marlin had been yesterday,

were straight into it.

before trolling out towards the FADs.

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FISHINGonTOUR

Richard and Naomi on fish

It turned out to be a very slow morning

the reels started singing. We had a triple

of fishing. However, the spectacular

hook-up, but as the lines were being

view of the island from the water,

cleared one fish was dropped.

watching the sun rise and appear over the

Quentin and Steve were on the rod,

island’s mountain peaks was a welcome

and they made short work of their fish,

distraction during the wait for fish to bite.

soon getting them to the boat. Seeing

Rarotonga has eight FADs (Fish

these fish swim beside the boat all lit

Aggregating Devices) around the island;

up in the clear blue water just like I’d

two are shallow water anchored at 400m

seen in photos, was truly impressive.

deep, and the others are deep water

Both fish were brought aboard and put

and anchored at 1500m deep. Marine

on ice. This was the first yellowfin tuna

Resources is currently in the process of

for both guys, and their smiles reflected

deploying two new deep water ones. Oh,

their achievements.

how I would have loved to have stuck

There were mahimahi around the area

a camera underwater to see what was

too. We watched in amazement as a

around them! A couple of other boats

couple of guys in their boat sped past,

were working the area around the FAD

chasing them down and harpooning one.

as well. We had a few passes before the

These guys are amazing! Flying along

skipper came in really close to a FAD and

at high speed, the maneuverability of

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

FISHINGonTOUR

Trolling FAD

FAD

Steve and Quentin’s Yellowfin

the boats is incredible and how the guy perched at the front holding the harpoon doesn’t fall in is beyond me. You have to see it to believe it!

Back at the wharf, Diane was there to meet us and see how the morning had gone. Our fish were expertly filleted for us, and before we went back to our accommodation, we were treated to hand-feeding the resident GTs our fish

My second charter was with Brendon Nicholas on Dawn Breaker and I was even more eager to catch my first yellowfin.

The day started similar to the previous charter, except the four of us were right beside the skipper in his Honda-powered 20 Ft Haines Hunter V198. We chatted

frames. Now, this is something you have

about all things fishing and had the

to see even if you don’t get a chance to

chance to set up the lures ourselves with

do it yourself.

some guidance from Brendon.

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Handfeeding GT’s

www.nzfisher.co.nz 15

FISHINGonTOUR It was another slow morning spent trolling the coast before heading out to the FADs again. I noticed that there’s a lot of radio talk between the skippers who were out at the time.

There were other charter boats in the area, along with local fishermen.

The other skippers are happy to share information, and there’s a lot of jovial conversation (read ‘talking shit’) over the VHF. We were running Halco Laser Pro lures a long way out the back when line started peeling out.

Richard grabbed the rod, and as he was winding in, a second rod went off. My turn! I took the rod and started winding.

We fought the fish from the back

Yellowfin Tuna!

of the boat, and soon my yellowfin showed itself beside the boat and was gaffed by Brendon before Quentin gaffed Richard’s yellowfin as well, and they were both in the bin on ice. I was over the moon! It wasn’t a big fish compared to what they can grow to, but it was what I’d come for.

and charter for us.

I am continually impressed by the different species of fish that I am privileged to be able to catch – many for the first time. And this was no exception, what an absolute treat to be able to eat fresh yellowfin tuna sashimi. Not only

Again on returning to the harbour, our

that, but to be able to make Ika Mata

fish was expertly filleted by Brendon,

with real coconut cream, given to us by a

and we were met by his wife Chantal

local, now that is something just about as

who had booked our accommodation

special as catching my first yellowfin. 

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

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www.nzfisher.co.nz 17

BOATFISHING

Honda at the Front of the Pack T

FREE rigging kit for 80-250hp Hondas! o celebrate Honda Marine’s first

all new Honda Outboard purchases

official presence at this years

made from 20 September until 16

Auckland On the Water Boat

October 2017, while stocks last and at a

Show, there will be a limited time offer

participating Honda Marine dealer ONLY.

on all mid to high horsepower outboard

Register your interest today or see us at

packages sold in the build up and during

the Auckland on the Water Boat Show

the show. For a limited time, Honda will

on Stand 107, Pavilion 1 at the Auckland

be providing free standard rigging kits

Viaduct between 28th September – 1st

on all Honda BF80 – BF250 Horsepower

October 2017. Buy your tickets for the

engines sold. This offer is available on

event here. 

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

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19

FISHINGforFOOD

Filleting Flounder

1.

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

The result is worth the effort

1.

Step 1

O

Starting on the underside, make a slice ne of Managing Editor Grant

in the side of the gut cavity as you would

Dixon’s favourite eating

to remove the innards when cooking

fish is flounder, and after

the flounder whole. Slice down the fish,

recently spending a day in the Firth of Thames, commercial fisherman Pete Thorburn showed him a simple way to

starting alongside the head, proceeding down at a slight angle to a point on the backbone just below the pectoral fin.

prepare the catch.

Most people cook their flounder whole, usually coated in flour then fried in a mixture of butter and rice bran oil, which leaves it with a crispy outer skin and succulent, moist flesh.

There is an art to eating flounder this way, working the flesh off the frame, so you don’t get a mouthful of fine bones, then

2.

flipping it over to start on the other side.

Recently I have been filleting the flesh off the flounder frames and cooking them this way, skin on, the same way you might cook a john dory.

You might think filleting a flounder would be a fiddly job, but with a decent sized fish and a fine-bladed, sharp knife, it’s a relatively simple task. The following sequence shows commercial

2.

Step 2

flounder fisher Pete ‘Piako Pete’ Thorburn

Keeping the knife nice and flat against

demonstrating the way he fillets his

the frame, work the blade against the

flounder. The bigger the flounder, the

bone starting at the head and taking it to

easier it is to fillet.

the backbone.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 21

FISHINGforFOOD

3.

3.

Step 3

Make a cut from the backbone across to the top of the initial incision (where the gut has been removed). Holding the fillet in your other hand, pull it upwards to make accessing the frame easier.

4.

Step 4

The separated fillet from the frame. Be careful to keep the delicious roe intact.

This can either be cooked as part of the fillet, or removed and cooked separately.

22 www.nzfisher.co.nz

4.

7.

5.

5.

7.

Step 5

Step 7

Flip the flounder over and repeat the

Cut alongside the head then continue to

exercise, starting with a cut down

work the flesh off the backbone, peeling

beside the head, slightly angled to

the fillet back with the thumb and

meet the backbone.

forefinger of your left hand and working across the frame to the other side.

6.

6.

Step 6

Run the knife at a flat angle, removing the

The end result: two fat, tidy fillets with

flesh off the frame.

very little flesh left on the frame.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 23

FISHINGforFOOD

SIMPLE FLOUNDER RECIPE In the past, I simply floured whole flounder and fried them in the frypan or on the barbecue hotplate as above.

Flounder is a very fine-fleshed fish, delicate in taste, so needs little seasoning or additives.

It is similar to john dory, which can also be used in this recipe. If cooking the fish skin on, put a couple of cuts in the skin to prevent it curling in the pan.

Ingredients •

Four thick, fresh flounder (or john dory) fillets, skin on or off.

•

½ teaspoon sea salt

•

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

•

2 tablespoons rice bran oil

•

1 teaspoon or so all-purpose flour or rice flour (optional)

•

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into four slices

•

Juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)

•

2 tablespoons finely-chopped fresh herbs, such as coriander, basil, chives, or flat-leaf parsley.

Method 1.

Pat both sides of the fish fillets dry with paper towels then season them with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a medium-sized cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until the oil ripples but isn’t smoking (generally around 1.5-2 minutes). While the oil is heating, pat both sides of the fillets dry a second time.

2.

If using a little flour, sprinkle some over both sides of the fillets and use your fingers to evenly coat. Add the fillets to the skillet and cook, without moving, for two minutes. Slide a thin fish slice underneath the fillets (making sure to use firm pressure to scrape up any of the golden crust that may be sticking to the bottom) and carefully flip the fillets. If it seems impossible to slip the fish slice between the fillet and skillet, wait 30 seconds or so then try again.

3.

Place a slice of butter on top of each fish fillet so it melts and runs off into the skillet. Cook the fish until it springs back from light pressure – usually around two minutes, depending on the thickness.

4.

Use a fish slice to transfer the fish to a platter or the plates. Squeeze the lemon juice into the skillet and, with the skillet still over the heat, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the fresh herbs and spoon the sauce over the fish.

Serve with a fresh loose-leaf salad, fried eggs and homemade chunky chips! 

24 www.nzfisher.co.nz

baby boss SMASH THE SNAPS

Slow pitch jigging has taken Japan by storm, we have tested and enhanced these Japanese lures, making them irresistible to most fish species.

Irresistible to snapper and most fish species • Made from Zinc for increased hangtime and toughness.

• This state of the art jig can be used as a slow pitch lure as well as several other techniques.

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www.nzfisher.co.nz 25

FISHINGRECIPE

Fish in Sherry & Mushroom Sauce

High class recipe for hard fought fish

Ingredients

•

1kg fish fillets (snapper, cod, tarakihi, bluenose, john dory – any white-fleshed fish)

•

1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms

•

1-2 tbsp sherry

•

1.5 cups cream

•

2 tbsp grated cheese (tasty)

•

1 tbsp breadcrumbs

•

1/2 cup chopped parsley

•

2tbsp butter

•

2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

•

1 tbsp flour

•

Salt and pepper

•

Paprika

Method 1.

Lightly season fish with sea salt and pepper, before arranging in a shallow oven dish. Sprinkle with parsley. In a saucepan, melt the butter with the lemon juice before adding mushrooms.

Saute for five minutes.

2.

Blend in the flour, gradually add the cream and slowly simmer, stirring regularly. Add sherry and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour over fish, sprinkle with cheese and breadcrumbs before adding a pinch or two of paprika to add colour.

3.

Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees C then bake for 20-25 minutes or until fish is just cooked and the top is well browned. Finish under grill for two to three minutes if necessary.

Serve with a loose leaf salad. 

26 www.nzfisher.co.nz

www.nzfisher.co.nz 27

TRAVELFISHING

White Sturgeon: Success the Result of Many Failures

Editor Derrick Paull chats to fishing adventurer, Andrew Pelling

T

his season Andrew Perring set

and this is where he ended up.

out to find the best sturgeon-

I sat down with Andrew to discuss

fishing destination he could.

what goes into researching such an

‘Best’ meant pristine surroundings,

expedition only to get blown away by

limitless water, world-class guides and

the size of the sturgeon available on the

huge sturgeon. Andrew did his research,

Fraser River in British Columbia.

28 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Derrick: How many months research and planning go into a trip like this?

Andrew: Typically I spend three to four months researching what species to fish for on my next fishing expedition.

A further three months goes into researching the best destination in the world, the best guides and where to catch the biggest fish. But this expedition was to be a bit different: it was a compilation of 30 years of fishing adventures in search of a mythical monster.

I’d first heard about sturgeon 30 years ago.

There is an ancient Aleut Indian legend of a Loch Ness-like creature that inhabits Lake Iliamna in Alaska. Since 1977 regular sightings have been recorded in Pedro Bay,

I understand that sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish, with origins back to the Triassic age?

Yes, sturgeon are the largest of freshwater fish on the planet. Sturgeon between 8ft and 10ft are commonplace on the Fraser River, with 11ft and 12ft sturgeon caught throughout the season.

a small Indian village on the shores of Lake

Sturgeon were first known to inhabit the

Iliamna. Back in 1990, I ventured to Pedro

planet 50 million years before dinosaurs,

Bay and spent six months living around

in what is known as the Triassic Age. One

the shores of the lake in search of the

of the incredible things about sturgeon

Iliamna monster.

is they have not changed during the past

When I returned to New Zealand, I named my boat Iliamna after this legendary creature. In 2010, Jeremy Wade of River

250 million years, and they have outlived the just about every other creature ever to roam the planet.

Monsters ventured to Pedro Bay, Lake

Sturgeon are covered in armour plating,

Iliamna, in search of a creature the Aleut

and with the added advantage of size,

people call Jig Ik Nak, which was rumoured

they have no predators.

to attack and kill the locals as they traveled

Sightings of the Lake Iliamna monster are

in canoes. What Jeremy discovered lead

believed to be between 22 to 25ft, which

me to Chilliwack British Columbia to finally

is the size white sturgeon have been

meet up with this mythical beast.

known to grow to.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 29

TRAVELFISHING

So how old and are the Fraser River

salmon becomes the best bait. Hooks

sturgeon and how much would this

are barbless, usually about 7/0, with up

‘monster dinosaur’ weigh?

to 20oz of weight used to keep baits on

The older sturgeon in the Fraser River

the river bottom. Rods and reels need to

are over 100 years old and can weigh

be able to handle light to medium game

500lb to 1000lb.

fishing. Braid of 160lb is common.

All sturgeon caught on the Fraser River

How do anglers catch these monster dinosaurs? What’s the policy on catch and release?

must be released When is the best time of year to fish for sturgeon and how many sturgeon would

Sturgeon are basically scavengers, using

an angler expect to catch a day? When

barbels to identify their food through

planning a trip to the Fraser River, how

smell. Their mouths are a sucker, like a big

many days should an angler plan for?

bucket. While they don’t have teeth, their mouths are also armour plated, making it very difficult to set a hook.

Sturgeon are available in the Fraser River year round. However the guides tend to focus their angler time between April and

Sturgeon will feed on crustaceans, small

November. Peak summer, mid-July to

bait fish, the decaying flesh of salmon

mid-September, is prime time for anglers

and salmon eggs. Sturgeon are often

wishing to target sturgeon between 7 to

seen crashing through large schools

10ft in length. The chances of catching

of salmon – very much a predatory

a fish over 6ft are high. However it’s

behaviour. Therefore, during summer

all about size this time of year; the top

months the largest sturgeon are caught

guides are focusing on the biggest 5% of

on small bait fish. As autumn rolls by,

sturgeon in the river.

30 www.nzfisher.co.nz

“The older sturgeon in the Fraser River are over 100 years old and can weigh 500lb to 1000lb.”

not uncommon for some pools to hold 500 sturgeon. Catch rates increase to 30 fish a day. However, average fish size may decrease as the monsters are naturally more cautious than their smaller counterparts.

Spring fishing is consistent, but the general fish size is 5 to 7 ft. Winter months are December to March. The metabolism of the sturgeon slows right

One or two seven footers a day is an

down in winter. They are still there,

exceptional day. However, in 2017 the

but it’s a bit chilly out on the river mid-

number of 8 to 9ft fish caught each

winter, so anglers need to be flexible and

week has been extremely high. Sturgeon

pick the better days.

between 9ft to 10ft are a monthly

A couple of days fishing will provide

occurrence. Once a season, sturgeon

anglers with the opportunity to experience

between 11ft and 12ft are hooked and

one of the most unique fisheries on the

sometimes landed.

planet. However, it usually pays to fish

Autumn months of mid-September, October

several days, giving many more chances,

into November. Anglers who wish to catch

as there are days allocated to get the most

a lot of sturgeon enjoy Autumn fishing. It’s

from the experience.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 31

TRAVELFISHING

What is the reasoning behind 2017 producing so many 8ft-plus sturgeon?

Sounds like an incredible year on the Fraser River!

Every three years the Fraser River experiences a pink salmon run; 2017 is a pink salmon year. The ocean-going mega sturgeon have followed the pink salmon from the ocean into the Fraser River; because of this phenomenon, anglers in the know have come from around the world to experience some of the best game fishing on the planet. As a result, the 2017 sturgeon fishing season has produced some of the best sturgeon fishing in history.

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“The 2017 sturgeon fishing season has produced some of the best sturgeon fishing in history.�

The Fraser River is brown to discoloured for most of the season. We fished a crystal-clear tributary from Lake Harrison – which is why we choose to fish with Sturgeon Hunter: there were You mention your planning includes pristine surroundings and limitless water; tell me about the Fraser River environment.

more fishing options available to us than elsewhere on the Fraser River.

We constantly had bald eagles flying overhead, and black bears are sometimes seen walking the river banks.

The Fraser River is a massive river. In spring the freshnet is a river event when the snow starts to melt, and the rivers become absolutely huge. The

What is the distribution range of the white sturgeon?

water levels start to drop by mid-July

They are known to inhabit waters

and have become clear and low by

between San Francisco and Vancouver

September. None of this affects the

in the Pacific Northwest. The natural

quality of the fishing experience, as the

geographical range is very small. For a

sturgeon just hold in different areas;

sturgeon to be found in Lake Iliamna, it

this is when a locals guide’s knowledge

would need to be over 4000km north of

becomes invaluable.

its natural habitat.

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TRAVELFISHING

Wow, sounds like the Fraser River fishery is in good shape for future years. Who are the best guides on the Fraser River and how much does a day’s fishing cost?

I had the pleasure to fish with Steve

Did you get a chance to fish for mythical

Kaye from Sturgeon Hunter. Steve is

monsters elsewhere in British Columbia?

an exceptionally hard working guide

Yes we went to Lake Okanagan in search

who goes to great lengths to put his

of the logopogo. The logopogo is a

clients into some pretty special fishing.

similar Indian legend as the Lake Iliamna

Anglers can follow his Facebook page,

Monster. Unfortunately, we came up

and he will constantly be putting his

pretty empty handed, except for maybe

clients onto more large sturgeon than

a large ripple effect, so probably won’t

anyone else. Pricing starts from $645

revisit that legend.

Canadian dollars a day.

Huh, still searching for the mythical Outside of sturgeon fishing, what else is

monsters then are you?

on offer in the area?

This expedition answered a lot of

Hope is the closest town. For fans of

questions. During two days fishing on the

Rambo, they will remember the sheriff

Fraser River, I caught an 8 footer, another

taking John Rambo and sending him

of 7ft 6in, along with 7ft 2in, 6ft 7in,

across the bridge and out of town. The

and 5ft sturgeon. The share volume of

bridge is now gone, but it’s Canada’s

monster dinosaurs is outstanding;

version of Hobbiton.

I have no doubt a 22ft Triassic Period

Not too far away is Whistler; spend

dinosaur is out there somewhere.

an afternoon on a guided grizzly bear

Maybe it will find its way into Lake

viewing tour. Vancouver – spend a day on

Iliamna, but more than likely it will be

George Strait watching orca.

found in the Fraser River BC. 

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www.nzfisher.co.nz 35

READERPICS

5 (now 6) year old Harley with her PB snap - what a fish!

Deva Brown showing off skills the jig with this perfect Hauraki Snap

Massive (Bait or dinner?) Squid

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Cade Paton (Just 10 years old!) with a smashing 12kg kingi.

Callum Vigus’s pic on a recent kayak mission - stunning

Callum Vigus with a sweet pre-dawn snap on Tauranga Harbour

Deva, Calvin & Ash with some tasty, hard fighting Hauraki kings

Dive instructor Ritchie Haagh with a good return - thats a serious packhorse! www.nzfisher.co.nz 37

READERPICS

Mike Walkley hiding behind an impressive and colourful squid

Jason Dee with a 12 1/2 pouder - great reward for the 5am start

Neville Reathaeln rueing not winding faster!

Logan Paton with a 6.4kg snap from his family boat in the Firth of Thames

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Nicky Cairns with a well hooked snap on the trusty flasher rig!

Quinn Waite (8) with his new PB Snap

Ron Smith with a stonking Tekapo Canal trout after he had his arm twisted to go on a fishing campervan tour

Steve Miell with a ‘Epic’ puka from the Coromandel

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READERPICS

Shane Mankenow hoisting two SOLID Westcoast kings

Zane Cundy with a mean inner harbour king

Steve Miell’s mate Dave toughing it out in outrageous conditions, Nice king ;-)

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