Issue 117 - The Fishing Paper & New Zealand Hunting News

THE

FISHING FREE

June 2015 – Issue 117

PAPER

&

HUNTING NEWS

 CHILL out - jig’s up  WIRED on the West Coast  LAST say on blue cod changes

“It was my personal best after trying to get a big kingi for years and was released for others to catch,” says Big Blue’s Mark Cotton.

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Re ad er sM on th ly

B B King IG

LUE’S

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not broken you cannot travel over 17 knots and even slower to capture vegetation or bottom hardness. Another limitation is depth.

Currently, you can only map on the 200 kHz or high chirp. 200 kHz usually sees down to 100 metres. With a higher power, you can map far deeper; I know of one keen fisho with a 1kW transducer who has mapped well over 200 metres down and is adamant he can go a lot further so long as the bottom is hard.

After completing the passes we grabbed a fresh feed of cod and headed home to check the result. I logged into the GO Free website, the process relatively straightforward and painless. The log is processed in the ‘clouds’ and while it’s not instantly available, the wait is well worth it. From my personal dive experience at the reef, the finished product was bang on. I was even able to choose between 1, 3, 5 and 10 foot contour definition for my downloaded map. I trialled it on both PC and Mac and found it easier on the PC, or is that me showing my age?

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Ever got a first impression really, really, wrong? That’s what happened when I first found out about InSight Genesis mapping on the Lowrance and SIMRAD units. A sales gimmick I thought; something not too many people would use or be interested in. I have never been so wrong. The more I looked into the feature the better it got; screen shots showing an exceptional amount of detail compared to all standard charting publicly available and simple enough to do myself.

The next logical step was to try it out, so I tested it on some reef structure I have both dived and fished out of Okiwi Bay, but doesn’t appear on any charts. Once on the water I simply turned on sonar logging from the standard echo sounder menu. It then automatically records, in the background, onto either the unit or the SD card.

To properly test the mapping, I wanted to get the best detail possible. By making passes across the reef spaced about 15 metres apart I was able to cover the entire area with no gaps.

I had turned my track on so that I could monitor my progress and keep my passes reasonably even. I could see the pinnacles coming up on the sounder so expectations were high for the finished product.

The main limitation when mapping like this is speed; to ensure the contour lines are

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Gutsy snapper biggest

ORY SOUTHLAND ST

Max Barclay

My dad launched the boat into the water at Cissy Bay. Daniel and I hopped in ready to do some fishing. Dad drove the car up and came back down to the boat. He waded out to his knees, pushed us out and hopped in. We quickly got up on the plane and, probably five minutes out, we stopped at some mussel buoys to see what we could catch.

We dropped our lines; I was using a Black Magic Tarakihi Terror flasher rig and salted mackerel as bait. We waited about 10 minutes before Dad got the berley going and 20 minutes later we still hadn’t had a bite. Dad asked us if we wanted to move, but just then I had a big bite so I struck and hooked what was on the end. I put the ratchet on so everyone could hear the line coming out. It didn’t take very long to get it up but when I thought it was close, I looked over the side of the boat to see what I had caught. Then I saw a snapper; it was big. Daniel got the net and scooped it up and put it on board. I was so happy because it was definitely my biggest snapper. I said to Dad I didn’t want him to gut it before I weighed it.

We stayed at that spot for another hour but only caught some sharks so we moved spot to get some cod. We got to a rocky point and dropped our lines. We caught about six kahawai, another two snapper and a lot of small cod, so we headed for home before the fish got too hot.

When we were at home we weighed my snapper: 4lb with the guts and 44cm long. It tasted really good … without the guts!

Jack Geddes with his thumper Clutha salmon.

SNAPPER PRIZE PACK WINNER

Jack be nimble, mum be quick Kaye Geddes

Max was thrilled to catch his biggest snapper in Cissy Bay.

My father taught me to fish and when my own family came along, I naturally gravitated back to the river. The kids loved flicking a spinner for trout, but three-years-ago we graduated to salmon and that brought a whole new level of excitement.

We often head up to Roxburgh in our search for silver, with some good catches, although this season has been poor with few fish caught overall.

These day trips require an ungodly 5.00am start, so the enthusiasm can wane when things go quiet, such as the day we fished well into the afternoon without attracting a nibble.

Moving down to the concrete wall that rose high above the Clutha, my young son, Cole, spotted a huge salmon cruising over the cracks in the flat rocks below. As we watched, it disappeared into a deep hole but returned again to pursue its beat.

Jack, my 14-year-old son, wasted no time and cast towards it with renewed enthusiasm. He was fishing an anchovy bait on a 3/0 hook above a sinker and gently eased it up on to a flat rock. They say spawning salmon don’t feed but this one casually swung over and mouthed the bait, tossing it aside with

a flick of its head and grabbing it again. Jack struck and the fish ploughed off, diving deep into the dark hole. It would be some time before we needed to worry about landing it.

Fishing so high above the water requires a basket-like net device to be lowered on a rope and the fish coaxed into the caged mesh so it may be hauled skyward and to land. A couple of weeks previously I had rushed a good fish and lost it when the line rubbed on concrete as the green fish exploded in a bid to escape, so Jack was playing it cautious this time. He’s a very skilled angler and after a protracted forty minutes I was in position and poised to haul on the rope. Jack nimbly guided the huge salmon into the basket but I mis-timed the lift and the fish spilled over the side. This happened several times and Jack was at the point of cursing me, when it slid in head first and I timed the lift perfectly.

We were all stunned at the size of it and after only three seasons, what a great privilege for Jack to land a personal best that tipped the scales to 25lb. His previous PB was 10lb so, as you can imagine, he was over the moon with this catch!

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Chill out - jig’s up

Daryl Crimp

Look Mum - no bait!

With fish drifting to deeper water, winter is the perfect time to focus on jigging, as the fish are concentrated in specific areas and easier to target. Two methods are popular: mechanical jigging using Japanese long jigs, and slow jigging using much smaller gear.

Whatever technique you prefer, success comes down to three key components: mastering the technique, matching the right jig, and choosing the correct rod, with the rod being most important, as it will help impart a better action and also subdue big fish quickly.

Long jigs mimic large baitfish and predatory fish will often attack a larger baitfish more readily than a small one because it is more efficient, expending less energy for greater return. The long jigs come in a range of sizes, shapes and patterns, which behave differently in the water. For example, a flat centre weighted jig will produce a slow fluttering descent, whereas a narrow jig with the weight to one end will plummet rapidly and is ideal for deeper water.

Long jigs emit hydrosonic vibrations as they move through the water. Fish have vibration sensors along the lateral line on their flank, which detects sound. Baitfish emit vibrations as they swim and these are picked up by predators. Long jigs are designed to flutter and move erratically in such a way as to send greater

vibrations to the predators. However, when a lot of fishers are thrashing the water, fish can become metal shy and that’s where slow jigging can be more productive.

Slow jigging requires more sensitive gear, smaller jigs and a lot more finesse. There are many styles of jig to choose from, some of which have been designed to impart specific actions: some work on the drop, others on the retrieve, some require action from the rod, while others only need a very slow wind to work. Essentially, drop the jig to the bottom with the rod tip pointed to the water. Then, very slowly, wind the jig through the strike zone or water column you believe the fish to be occupying. Drop and repeat as the boat drifts over the fishing ground.

To impart action on the lure, twitch the rod two or three times and pause, retrieve a little line and repeat. You can experiment with your own action, because there are no hard and fast rules but remember: the Japanese perfected the technique and it’s all about finesse - being slow and subtle. We’ll look at specific actions in future.

Slow jigging is more versatile than mechanical jigging and less strenuous, but again, a properly matched rod and reel will greatly enhance your success rate.

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Super hero seven & two scoops Daymon Nuhaj

Trout fishing - what can you call it? Rewarding, interesting, fun, exciting but most of all amazing. I mean, what can I say; walking along the river bank with trout laughing at me for trying to feed them plastic and metal. But it’s worth it because there are always those trout with bigger stomachs than brains! However, you don’t need a big brain to know that black & gold Tobys taste divine, or so this beastly brown thought.

It was a sunny hopeful afternoon with cicadas singing a million tunes as I looked along the overgrown willow trees. On the south side of the river I spot a monster waiting for those clumsy cicadas to fall into his deadly jaws. But I had a set of my own deadly jaws, armed with a black and gold Toby. I cast a perfect cast - Bang! Three grams of black and gold placed perfectly into the jaws of the beast.

I let him bolt around like a super hero, but all super heroes must fall some day and that day ended with seven pounds of fish and two scoops of chips!

Lucas doesn’t screw up his nose at carrots.

Lucas hot - fish stumped Michael Stump

Daymon racks up another catch.

My eldest son, six-year-old Lucas, started fishing at the age of three with a tiny rod and instantly showed great aptitude.

About a year ago he graduated to a full size rod and tackles his fishing with enthusiasm and a surprising degree of skill.

He’s a natural and technically very accomplished but it is the sheer joy he gets from fishing that impresses me. No matter where we go, whether it is overnighters to d’Urville Island

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or day trips out into Tasman Bay, Lucas always catches the biggest fish for the trip.

Recently we headed to Pepin Island and anchored while the berley worked its magic. Lucas was using my softbait rod and fishing with squid when he caught a lovely pannie snapper and this beautiful gurnard. The expression says it all; Lucas is happiest when he has a rod in his hand and a fish in the bin.

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Wildcat winter in Golden Bay Jan Derks

Clear sky with a mild onshore breeze and calm water boded well for the day of our arrival at Port Tarakohe this July morning, 2014. Leigh had been there ahead of us to set up as prearranged. Welcomed aboard and safety briefing undertaken, the run out to our first fishing spot was brisk, smooth and anticipation-filled.

Leigh cut Mistral’s engine from cruising speed to idle. The rods were already rigged and baited, sitting in the holders along the gunwale. Anna, Noel, Steve and I took a rod each and at Leigh’s nod, dropped our lines.

“Make sure the rigs are on the bottom,” was Leigh’s instruction.

We didn’t wait long until the first fish was on.

Noel’s rod tip gave a lively twitch and he commenced retrieve.

The outcome – a double hook-up of sea perch. These smallish spiny fish are a frequent component of the catch in many places and water depths. They are a delicious table fish, so we were happy to be off to a good start at first hook-up. Anna and Steve had fish on simultaneously while Noel was dropping his line again. This time there was a blue cod for Steve and a tarakihi for Anna.

Our action continued for an hour as we drifted and between us we had caught a mixed bag including blue cod, kahawai, sea perch, tarakihi and a number of spiny dogfish. Then the fishing went quiet. Leigh decided to re-position to our starting place.

The same result occurred – fish taking at the first drop, with consistent hook-ups as we drifted, tailing off to become quiet after an hour and a half.

At the end of the second drift we relocated to another position a kilometre or so seaward of our start place. Anna had a good strong take and a robust fight from a kahawai, while Noel, Steve and I were kept entertained by hook-ups with a mix of perch, blue cod, gurnard and kahawai. A highlight of Anna’s day was catching gurnard - such striking fish fresh from the water, with their large, flared pectoral fins so coloured and patterned against the iridescent bronze-tinged red of their upper bodies and pale belly.

We repeated the drift process at this second site and a similar set at a third location. Every place we encountered fish. It was scallop season and Leigh produced his scallop dredge and we enjoyed a scenic cruise across to a different part of the bay while this was being rigged. The result of a couple of dredging runs was fresh scallops to add to our day’s catch. Our run back to Port Tarakohe in the cooling evening was extremely pleasant and an opportunity to view the coastline and settlements and reflect on

Leigh and Anna with one of Anna’s kahawai, Noel looking on and enjoying the fishing.

Wildcat eyes wild Coast Daryl Crimp

an enjoyable day’s outing.

We had come to Golden Bay to fish, in different circumstances to other times we had been with Wildcat Charters – when the base of operations was Greymouth Port. Leigh and Michelle had re-located to the top of the South, combining fishing and accommodation as a possible package through Wildcat Charters and Wildcat Motels, the fishing trips commencing out of Port Tarakohe, just a short distance from their motel accommodation at Pohara. This provided an ideal option for us as visitors to the Golden Bay area - accommodation and fishing as a package.

Golden Bay - a golden opportunity for winter fishing.

Blue cod fishery consultation launch MPI Media

Consultation on new proposals to manage the blue cod fishery in the Marlborough Sounds will begin on 2 June.

The Blue Cod Management Group, which developed these proposals, is made up of recreational and commercial fishing representatives and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Group spokesperson, Eric Jorgensen, says the proposals were developed following feedback from the community and an analysis of the science earlier this year.

“Our goal is a sustainable fishery for the current and future generations. Your feedback on these proposals will help us arrive at the best way forward.

The latest science, as well as observations from fishers, show that we need a change.

Some blue cod populations are not much better off than when the fishery was closed in 2008 and too many blue cod are being killed in Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds.

The group has a preferred option, which we think balances the needs of all stakeholders and makes the rules simple

It has been a long time in the planning but finally the ‘Wild West Coast’ is about to be tamed and made accessible to enthusiastic fishers who previously haven’t had the means to capitalise on the abundant fishery there. The legendary Kahurangi Shoals have long been protected by inaccessibility and weather, but Wildcat Charters, operating out of Port Tarakohe, Takaka, have brought the famed fishing grounds within reach of the average fisher, with the purchase of a 10.2m Senator equipped with twin 225 Yamaha motors.

Skipper Leigh Kelly said the faster boat will enable them to better target the productive ground of d’Urville Island and, more particularly, the West Coast and north of the shoals.

“It brings that amazing fishery within the scope of a day trip, so we can now offer a relatively new fishery to recreational fishers.”

Leigh and Michelle also operate Wildcat Motel in Pohara, Golden Bay, so offer the complete package: fishing and accommodation. Leighs says all gear is provided but anglers are welcome to bring their ‘pet’ rods or specialist gear. Initially, the charters will be geared towards groups of up to six, but he is flexible and welcomes enquiries.

The trips will ideally leave from Tarakohe but there is provision to go via Westhaven if he has multiple bookings.

Obviously, the trips are contingent on good weather, but Leigh said winter provides some of the most settled weather so it is a good chance to get two bites at the cherry: great catches on the back of an awesome summer of fishing.

Leigh expects the trips to be very popular so encourages people to get their groups together and get in touch now. The West Coast is the old d’Urville of the seventies and one of the last virgin fisheries to be opened to recreational.

For details see Wildcat Charters in The Directory.

Public information sessions for Marlborough Sounds blue cod

and fair. However, nothing is set in stone.

We want to hear from you whatever you view.

The launch of the official consultation about management controls for blue cod within the Marlborough Sounds will take place on Tuesday 2 June 2015.

The Blue Cod Management Group will consider all submissions and develop a proposal for the Minister to consider.

Three information sessions will take place in Wellington, Nelson and Blenheim as follows:

Any changes will be in place once the fishery reopens for summer on 20 December 2015.

Go to MPI’s website on Tuesday 2 June to read the proposals in detail and find out how to have your say. If you want to find out more, we will be running some events during consultation which will give people a chance to better understand the options and ask any questions.”

Deputy Director General of MPI Scott Gallacher thanked the BCMG for their work to date. Mr Gallacher noted the significant amount of work the group had undertaken to develop the options proposed, including seeking views from local communities.

The options are robust and thoughtful, and balance the need for sustainability while making sure people can continue to use this iconic fishery.

Wellington Date: Thursday, 11 June Drop-in between: 4.30pm – 7.30pm Venue: Mana Cruising Club 5 Pascoe Avenue Paremata Wellington

Nelson Date: Tuesday, 16 June Drop-in between: 4.30pm – 7.30pm Venue: Rutherford Hotel 27 Nile Street West Nelson

Blenheim Date: Wednesday, 17 June Drop-in between: 4.30pm – 7.30pm Venue: Marlborough Convention Centre 42a Alfred Street Blenheim

There is no requirement to register your attendance. The formal consultation period will run from 2 June – 30 June. Documents and guidance on how to make a submission will be available on the MPI website www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations from Tuesday 2 June.

If you have any questions please email msbluecod@mpi.govt.nz

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Coastlines

By Ivan Wilson

Red This story is brought to you by the colour red and the numbers two and four.

If you were a devotee of Sesame Street when younger, you’ll understand the reference!

We decided to ‘Mondayize’ our fishing and so oddly enough, the day after watching a Gloriavale Community expose on telly, we were sitting at Lake Haupiri, looking over the water at their compound, set against the broody green hills.

Copyright. Peter Jaworowski

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CAST BACK IN TIME STORY

Send us in your Cast Back in Time story and if published you go in the draw to win a BLACK MAGIC Snapper Pack.

VALUE $79.95

SNAPPER PACK CONTENTS Spool of 60lb tough trace KL hooks economy pack C point hooks small pack KS hooks small pack Rolling swivels small pack Midnight Mackerel bait sabiki Flasher rig editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz C point strayline rig Stories should be 300-400 words Towel

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Congratulations to Max Barclay. Max is our June winner of the Snapper Pack. His story, “Gutsy Snapper Biggest” is on page 3.

BEST BY TEST Fish Profile – Gurnard The nickname ‘carrot’ aptly describes the appearance and shape of this species. It is reddish pink to brownish above and white below. The large shovel-like head is covered in a bony plate that has spikes angling back. From the shoulder, the conical-shaped body tapers back to the tail.

The huge pectoral fins tend to be olive green, covered with white spots and with a distinctive black circle at the base of each fin. Average sizes fit into the 30-50cm range, with large specimens reaching 60cm. They are fairly quick growing, reaching maturity around the age of two, but seldom live past ten.

Distribution Widespread throughout coastal waters around both islands, gurnard prefer flat, sandy habitats down to around 150m.

They are very common in shallow sandy bays where they feed mainly on small crabs and shrimps, although small fish sometimes fall prey.

The water was an expanse of flat black glass and I said to Matey it was a shame we had to launch the Osprey and spoil the tranquility with ripples.

Matey was just as keen as me, though, to catch some fish so we went ahead and targeted the most likely area, immediately attracting swirls and plenty of interest as fish came after the fly. We tried regular well-known patterns but the maddening creatures came out, created the magic bow wave or sudden ripple, then ‘stealthed’ off to parts unknown.

You can put up with that for a while but you soon start thinking about the fly you are using and the approach.

This is a dark bush-stained body of water, so fish are difficult to see where it’s a bit deeper and you don’t spot them unless they are moving near the surface. We cast into likely spots, nooks and crannies as we slowly rowed along the edges.

A few waterfowl lifted off across the other side of the lake, followed by an aircraft taking wing from the communities’ airstrip. The environment became quiet again to the point where the

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you fish for them. Drifting ledger or flasher rigs with small baits along the bottom and particularly along the sandy faces that slope into channels is a popular method. Fishing from sandy beaches into channels and guts is a common method from the shore. They will take a variety of baits, particularly fresh shellfish.

Gurnard will take small jigs and softbaits cast out and erratically skittered across the bottom. Many anglers don’t rate them as great sport, but on light 4-6kg tackle they put up an aggressive fight.

Targeting Gurnard

Food Qualities

Gurnard are a slow moving fish that stalks and sifts for food along the bottom. They are capable of short bursts of speeds once in close to their prey, which influences the way

The flesh is firm, low in fat and has a pinkish tinge to it.

It cooks white and has a delicate flavour. Suitable for all cooking methods, but best lightly fried or grilled.

I see red.

silence was absolute – not even a bird – almost eerie.

Fishing was quiet as well.

We’d been getting frustrated so began to ring the changes with fly patterns. Finally a fish took one of the offerings and was brought to the boat.

In the way we do things, if you catch a fish you change jobs from fishing to rowing, until the next fish is hooked and it’s a swap again. I swapped over and using my ‘lady in red’ variation, quickly nailed one.

“Carry on, you’re doing well,” was the generous cry, so I did. Of course my last ‘lady in red’ went the way of so many other flies – down in the water, embedded in a log.

With two fish on board, we decided time was marching so tried for salmon, trolling back towards the launching area. We were almost back when Matey said we should drop back to the first spot

where there were a lot of fish swirling but not taking.

A few years back a kind hearted and generous chap we both knew who is a good tyer had said, “Take these saltwater flies, they’re really good.”

In the intervening years I somehow didn’t get into salt water fly fishing but kept them as a treasured little collection in the fishing jacket. They had a bit of red on the head, so one was tied on and given a swim.

Almost immediately it was bang. Yahoo - they like this pattern.

It was a nice way to round off a short trip out.

An afternoon grabbed as the opportunity presented itself, featuring flies tied with red, two blokes and four very well-conditioned fish.

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THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

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Wired on the WEST COAST Mike Sharples

The father-in-law is a ‘sparky’, so when he announced he had a job wiring a bach at Lake Brunner, I figured he’d need a good apprentice. Besides, his new inflatable with 30hp outboard was begging a test run and those quiet West Coast waters seemed the perfect location to run things in. Of course, we threw in the rods… just to act as lightning conductors should the weather cut up.

The day turned out drizzly but we persevered, trolling and trolling but to no avail. We saw trout, in fact, plenty, but they were too cagey for these Cantabrians, so we changed tack.

Pulling ashore near a river mouth, we decided to work the water with lures. I flicked out a Yozuri lure on my little 1000 reel and was stunned to get a solid hook up on the first cast! This fish wanted no truck with tourists and straight away resorted to dirty West Coast tactics - grabbing your tackle in the scrum kind of stuff. It made a beeline for every submerged log or stick it could find in a bid to bust me off. Then it leaped high and mighty, trying to throw the hook - quite unusual for a brown. But in the end my East Coast tactics got the better of it - I hung on for dear life and hoped I wouldn’t lose it!

It weighed close to six pound and because it gave me such a run for my money, i released it.

The bach? We might go back this weekend to do the wiring!

Michael Ford struggles to control his ‘Kenworth’ rig.

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The end of March saw me setting up at Baileys Beach. I was using 25lb mainline with a 60lb trace, and Black Magic 5/0 hooks with a breakaway sinker. The bait was the ubiquitous cooked prawn, something that has proved very popular over recent years.

Just after mid-day, my rod loaded up and doubled over; straight away I knew something big was giving me its undivided attention. For over half-an-hour I was treated to a monumental workout as the fish powered into the surf, up the beach and back again. It was gladiatorial combat at its finest.

Finally I gained the upper hand and nearly fell over when I saw what was coming at me through the surf: a ‘Kenworth’ - a bloody big rig the likes i’d never caught before. At four-and-ahalf feet long it was a monster that provided us with a sumptuous feed that night; with plenty left over for friends and family!

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Captain’s Log: Beam me up spotty

Mondo Travel

The browning and the boy

Nothing polarises views like talk of ballistics and rifles. Ask, say, for opinions on a suitable first rifle for a youngster and you end up with brain freeze, such is the vehemence by which people stamp their profound expert knowledge and assert their authority. When I elected to set Daniel up with a .223 I was lauded by some and castigated by others. Forty odd years ago, my father suffered similar ridicule for equipping me with a .222 when my game of choice was stalking pigs. His reason for ‘under-gunning’ me was twofold: he didn’t want me put off by recoil and he wanted me to learn how to place my shots. He reasoned that when I’d mastered the basics and proved myself, I could then make up my own mind what calibre to graduate to.

It was simple logic that worked well and I don’t recall losing a wounded pig to a misplaced shot, because I spent a painstaking amount of time getting into position for ‘the shot that counts’.

Subsequently, I never was drawn into taking ‘Hail Mary’ shots and habits formed early tend to be binding. I had a lot of fun and shot a lot of animals with that trebly; the biggest boar fell to one well-placed shot after a wait of two hours

and weighed 163lb. I have applied the same logic to kitting Daniel out and, after a good deal of research, set him up with a Browning X-Bolt .223 topped with a Swarovski scope.

Once I’d settled on calibre, criteria in choosing make and model needed to tick four boxes: quality, fit, affordability and accuracy.

While there are cheaper and more popular makes than the Browning X-Bolt, it is a classy little rifle and nicely balanced for a youngster.

The synthetic stock is soft-grip as opposed to cheaper plastic grip, and the lines are a mix of classic and modern, giving it a distinctive style of its own. Being precision made it is more expensive than the likes of the popular Tikka T3, but quality comes with a price tag and it should hold its resale value better. While the Tikka boasts ‘out of the box accuracy’, I would expect that on any modern sporting rifle and certainly the Browning impresses here: easily achieving sub 3/4 inch groups at 100m.

The choice of a Swarovski scope fits with my policy of buying the best quality optics I can afford. So many young hunters let themselves and their rifles down by buying ‘package deals’ or scrimping on the scope after having paid top dollar for a quality firearm. Package deals are cheap for a reason and the most costly mistake you can make is to turn an expensive quality firearm into a cheap rifle with poor optics.

Like my father, I have now helped my boy into his first centre-fire rifle.

It will outlast him and be one that he can hand down to his children if he chooses to keep it. How does it stack up so far? I’ll let him tell that story. (see page 20) The perfect trio - Swarovski, Browning X-Bolt and prey.

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Fish scales to hit high notes Denmark’s Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir has become internationally famous and now travels the world because of The Fishing Paper.

The 46-strong choir including 30 boys aged 1316 years, is rated as one of the finest in Europe and placed alongside the Vienna Boys Choir and Kings College Choir. In Denmark the choir performs at major state and royal occasions, and featured at the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary in 2004, and at the christening of their children. It was here one of the boys accidentally stumbled onto a copy of The Fishing Paper in Prince Frederik’s loo, which lead to an amazing transformation..

Marios, Adrian, Karl and Adam (pictured) almost missed the prelude to the wedding, singing Guns N Roses Welcome to the Jungle at Freddy’s Stag Party, because they had become distracted by The Fishing Paper. The lads, whose favourite songs is Miley Cyrus’s ode to her dead blowfish, Pablo, couldn’t believe that all fish didn’t come in glass bowls and were

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caught in the Princess Mary’s garden oohing and aahing over the pictures of big fish. They were about to be punished and made to sing Justin Bieber songs, when conductor Ebbe Munk heard something magical.

“The pictures of all those big fish and happy anglers had the boys boy’s hitting high notes never attained before!”

He said the paper had such an amazing effect on the boys, he sourced copies for the whole choir to read and the transformation was incredible.

“They now sing like angel fish and we are in demand the world over!”

He said the choir now warms up before every concert by singing the headlines to all The Fishing Paper stories, forwards and backwards.

“We call it doing our fish scales,” he chuckled.

Prince Frederik has since put a lock on his toilet door to avoid it becoming a shrine for fans of the boys.

Whenever he travels the world to see the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir in concert, he books through Mondo in Mot!

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11 THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

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Crimpy’s Sensational Seafood Chowder

• 200g frozen squid rings (thawed)

cooked.

(Once cooled, drain any reserved liquid from the fish back into the stock).

• 2 medium (Agria) potatoes diced into 1cm cubes

Adjust seasoning of stock with a little salt IF NECESSARY.

• 1 small onion finely diced

Add potatoes and chilli sauce, and simmer until soft (20 mins) - it doesn’t matter if they completely break down as they are a thickening agent.

• 2 litres fish stock • 500g trumpeter or firm white fish fillet cut into 3-4 cm cubes (good bite-size) • 300g frozen prawn (thawed)

• 1 stalk of celery peeled and finely chopped • 1 tbsp butter • 1 tbsp oil (neutral flavour like rice bran) • 1/2 tsp hot curry powder

Add clotted cream, stirring and simmering until blended.

• 1tbsp flour

Mix flour with a little cold water in a shaker to form a runny paste. Stir into chowder and cook gently for a further 10 - 15 minutes - stirring regularly.

• Cold water

Take chowder off the heat.

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley • White pepper

Gently fold in seafood and remaining parsley. Allow to stand for five minutes to heat through.

Melt butter and oil over a moderate heat in a large saucepan and gently sweat onion and celery until soft.

Serve with fresh ciabatta or white bread with lashings of butter, and season with white pepper to taste.

• 365 ml Wangapeka clotted cream (double cream as alternative)

• Salt

Stir in curry powder and cook a further minute.

Squid rings & frozen prawns available at Nelson store.

COOKING with CRIMPY

Add half the chopped parsley

• 3 tsp sweet chilli sauce

Many chowders are too busy, the flavours confused, and the seafood over-cooked, so the heart of this recipe is subtlety. It is more flavoursome if you make your own stock and the best recipe for this is simply blue cod heads boiled in lightly salted water!

Also notice how I poach the seafood lightly in the stock first, remove and then add at the very end so that it is not stewing in the chowder.

SERVES 6 -8

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Pour in stock, bring to a simmer and lightly poach seafood in batches, removing to a bowl with slotted spoon when only JUST

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Stick your oar in HAVE YOUR SAY…

Mail your letters to Stick Your Oar In The Fishing Paper, PO Box 9001, Annesbrook, 7044, NELSON email: editor thefishingpaper.co.nz

Salmon On-Line Dear Ed, The McKinnon’s Creek Salmon hatchery website is up and running, a must visit for all salmon anglers. at www.mckinnonscreek.co.nz Ken Lloyd - Christchurch

Aaron Hi Crimpy, how’s things? The fishing paper’s a great read, really enjoy reading it, especially the hunting section.

Is there anywhere in Dunedin where I can pick it up from?

Cheers

Message

Rebecka Bergkvist Happiness is When you receive a BIG envelope (with a lot of interesting reading!) from your hunting-buddy in New Zeeland!! btw, the drawings made my day!

Thank you Daryl! ‪#‎jaktkompisarka nmanintefåförmångaav‬ Like · Comment · Share

Crimptoon

Harbour Views

By Dave Dunca

Is your bottom clean?

Dave Duncan

10 NELSON ST, BLENHEIM ph: (03) 577 9933 sales@mikesmowers.co.nz

READ US ONLINE

Many of us have gone from place to place not thinking about what we may be carrying around on our bottoms. Well, figuratively speaking. The hull of a vessel can be a great carrier for several undesirable organisms (greeblies for want of a more scientific term), which can be very destructive to local aquaculture.

We all responded very responsibly to the horror of didymo and what it has done to our inland waterways. Saltwater greeblies can be just as destructive and, unfortunately, some unlikeable ones have taken hold in different parts of the country.

The solution = a clean bottom. During winter and spring ensure your vessel is

hauled out and has the hull cleaned and properly anti-fouled so that we don’t attract the greeblies to our region and don’t spread them to other parts.

Our mussel farms and salmon farms are all at risk if sybella, fanworm, starfish, and crabs colonise in the region. We all have our part to play. If you see your neighbour has a dirty bottom, don’t hesitate to suggest he gets it cleaned.

Many thanks and safe boating.

Take care over winter.

13 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

INTERNATIONAL

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SERIES

courtesy of

Swedish ammunition manufacturer, Norma Precision, has fired shots across the bow of the recreational hunting and shooting industry, signalling an innovative move to improve bullet design and performance. With the launch of the new Strike Series of precision hunting bullets, Norma is upping the ante. They promise better ballistics and greater knockdown effect, so Crimpy flew to Sweden to check out what all the hype was about.

G N I T N HU ALAN NEW ZE

D

NEWS

The might of Norma precision

N

orma’s factory in the small town of Åmotfors is getting spruced up but it’s more than just a fresh coat of paint.

Under the direction of new CEO, Paul-Erik Toivo, the company is being modernised with the introduction of new technology, better systems, clearer goals, improved training, and a big investment in R & D. The family owned business was bought by The RUARG Group in 2002, allowing Norma to tap into the industry giant’s huge resources and look to the future with greater clarity.

“RUARG has been able to take technology developed in its military, aircraft and and space divisions and apply it in other areas, such as with the development of the primer for use in nail guns and airbags,” says Toivo.

He said Norma decided to utilise RUARG’s bank of science, knowledge, and technology, and apply it to the challenges and demands that faced hunters today. The result was the Strike Series of precision bullets and cartridges.

Two have just been released, Tipstrike and Ecostrike, and both feature a polymer tip for improved ballistics and controlled expansion but there the similarity ends. Tipstrike is flat base soft point designed for medium to large game, so is likely to be of more interest to hunters here, while the Ecostrike is a solid copper bullet suited to African big game.

Tipstrike certainly looks appealing on paper. The polymer tip

is designed to slightly delay expansion, while a tapered jacket front will create a more uniform mushrooming and retain bullet weight better; the goal being to retain 95% of bullet weight after impact. Penetration is enhanced by the strong rear of the jacket combined with an internal mechanical lead lock. However, proponents of long range shooting here may question the preference of a flat base projectile over a boat tail. The initial release features .308 Win, .30-06, and .300 Win mag, with more calibre promised soon, but neither is available in New Zealand yet.

The Ecostrike is a lead free copper solid boat tail that features some nice innovations, including surface plating to eliminate copper fouling in the barrel. It’s precision turned from pure copper and has a unique waist design to reduce the bearing surface and increase velocity.

The science behind both projectiles is aimed at delivering better performance from the point of impact, so, in essence, it’s all about delivering more knockdown coupled with a greater permanent wound channel. Norma has trialled these extensively in the field, having collaborated with hunters, so is confident of the projectiles’ terminal effect.

4/38 Ellis Street, Brightwater

NOW STOCKISTS OF

Aspiration to lead globally The release heralds Norma’s move to a new level in ammunition design and manufacture, with more than just science and technology driving it. Toivo says a highly motivated, skilled and stable workforce is critical in Norma’s aspiration to become the global leader in premium high performance ammunition, which he says is driven through collaboration and visionary thinking.

“We want to equip hunters and target shooters to realise their dreams, so we promise to deliver precision through passion.”

It is not just corporate speak and seems achievable. Norma’s highly motivated staff of 202 already produce the biggest range of sports ammunition in the world, from the .17 through to mammoth .505 magnum Gibbs, and output is increasing rapidly, with 60 million cases, 35 million bullets and 35 million cartridges coming off the production lines last year.

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14 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

INTERNATIONAL

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SERIES

courtesy of

Investing in the future

by environmentally friendly wood, and any waste material from the manufacturing process is collected and recycled.

Norma is recognised for using arguably the best brass on the market, giving their brass and cartridges the best features: the right mix of soft vs flexible vs hard - soft at the neck for optimum projectile seating, flexible shoulder and case for expansion, and hard base for stability and rigidity. This also allows for accurate volume, weight, and tolerances or measurements in the cases. New Zealand importer of Norma, Paul Clark, said sales of components for hand loading in this country has greatly exceeded expectations, with supplies literally disappearing off the shelves faster than they can be restocked.

Norma is embracing change and tackling the ammunition future with youthful exuberance… and a might of expertise too.

“Combined hand loading and cartridge sales has been staggering and we are still trying to balance the supply and demand issue,” he said. “We have another large shipment of Norma due at the end of June but have decided to airfreight more cases in the short term so people won’t be left without.”

The factory is also undergoing strategic restructuring to create greater efficiencies and speed development: Norma no longer outsources tools but makes them on site, all involved in production have been moved closer together, and manufacturing is becoming more high tech, with a focus on speed and quality. In the case making facility, Norma currently operate seven productions lines running two shifts per day, with one line fully automated. By the end of this year, all lines will be equipped with high speed cameras to check

For a company that has been producing quality ammunition for

over one hundred years, age has not wearied them nor the years

condemned. Quite the opposite, in fact. Norma is embracing change and tackling the ammunition future with youthful exuberance… and a might of expertise too.

each step in the manufacturing process, and each camera will be capable of checking every case on the line. Coupled with this, the laboratory checks batches for hardness twice daily.

Norma is also meeting increased demand by upgrading machinery with new technology and streamlining systems. For example, most other factories can cycle 50 primer cases per minute, whereas the new machines at Norma can process 180 primers per minute. The introduction of an inline system where the cartridges are made, primed, and loaded in one go is another example of how efficiencies are being created. The next phase is to introduce packaging in the cycle.

Corporate image and responsibility Coupled with the use of better technology, Norma is incorporating

environmental awareness into the corporate ethos, as demonstrated

with the relaunch of the popular ‘Kalahari’ as a lead-free bullet.

Going too are the plastic cartridge inserts in the packets, replaced

15 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

16 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Sheet Dreams Kim Swan

I realise before I arrive at my destination I’ve made a boo-boo and earned free entry to a small group whose members are derided by their mates. They not only get the cold shoulder, they have the cold shoulder. The cold backside and the cold feet too. It’s the Forgot My Sleeping Bag Group.

My plan was to hunt a roaring red stag in the evening, to overnight in my tent then run the dogs in search of a wild pig in the early morning. Now I’m not sure whether to abort my plan after part one, or whether to make-do and freeze my toes off.

I’ve been known to freeze my toes off in this very same possie, despite being swaddled in a sleeping bag.

Mish for Young Bucks Luke Simpson The plan for a weekend mish into the Canterbury ranges with the boys, Cody, Lyndon, and Brodie, involved a walk to the hut in the dark after work and get a few hours sleep before heading to our fly camp early Saturday morning. Then we’d walk out Sunday with a red. Simple.

All went to plan and we got to our fly camp by midday, giving us enough time to set up shop for the night and have a quick nap before the evening’s hunt.

I woke up a few hours later to find one of the boys had spotted a spiker and a hind across the ridge but in a difficult spot to stalk in on. We decided to leave them till the morning in hopes they would be in a better position. Just as well because the fog soon rolled in and visibility was next to nothing.

Sunday morning we were up bright and early glassing for the two deer. It pays to do this thoroughly but after a few hours - no luck, so we decided to go for a walk and scout some country. Eventually we ended up walking onto some awesome chamois country, too good for there not to be one hanging around.

Two minutes glassing and we spotted a young buck feeding on the face opposite us. I slowly stalked my way into a 200m shot on this animal and waited patiently for him to give me a side on shot. The rifle cracked and down he went! While it wasn’t the target species, the lads and I were stoked with the outcome of the hunt. We even managed a second wee buck on the way out and took him for meat. none of us had ever tried it so thought we’d give it ago!

It was a good all round trip – good shit boys.

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I start early, confident the low mist shrouding the tops will give the red stags ample cover to venture forth in search of romantic liaisons.

eventually saunters into a small patch of bush.

He doesn’t saunter out the other side. It doesn’t require female intuition to deduce said stag is now holed-up.

First things first, get on with an evening hunt. I start early, confident the low mist shrouding the tops will give the red stags ample cover to venture forth in search of romantic liaisons. I’m not wrong.

I soon catch a glimpse of a stag crossing the track ahead. He’s a big bodied 10 pointer, gaunt and battered. He’s maintaining a fast walk around the hill and through the matagouri, he’s on a mission.

My mission, considered and accepted, is to outwalk him, to cut him off at the pass so to speak.

While I endeavour to keep the wind in my face, my movements silent and my camo-clad self hidden from view, the stag outpaces me. He’s fast disappearing when I give a comeback-call, a roar.

I don’t have a deep throaty roar. I don’t have the testicles for it. Before I was born my testicles curled up and retreated within, I got ovaries instead. My roar is effeminate.

The stag, now 200 metres downhill of me, stops midstride. I don’t for one moment believe I’ve fooled him. He’s not thinking “who is that?”

He’s thinking “what was that?” He’s still looking distinctly puzzled when my bullet whizzes by. A clean miss. Worse, it’s such a clean miss the stag is barely concerned, he continues on his mission.

Disgruntled, I find him in the crosshairs, aim, touch the trigger - flinch - miss again. I’d flinched so bad, twice. I’d pulled both shots. If I had testicles I’d become angry right now. I have ovaries, so I sulk instead.

While I’m sulking I continue to watch the stag depart. He

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I stalk the patch of bush then stealth around till I locate big Red. He’s dozing fitfully, unaware of my evillyintentioned advances. He has three girlfriends.

They are unaware of me too.

Soon enough the trio of hinds and their smelly suitor pick their way out of the bush to graze. It’s evening, time to feed. He roars and paws and pees.

They eat.

The emasculated ‘faux roar’ and the two rifle shots of an hour before are long forgotten. Though the hinds’ ears and nostrils swivel and twitch, I am well positioned and invisible to any of their keen senses.

This time I manage to moderate the involuntary flinch. This time big Red rolls over dead. His girlfriends not grieving his loss. He is one of many.

Another will soon take his place.

As I plod, under the heavy weight of venison and the knowledge my shooting technique needs a review, I consider my options regarding tonight.

Of course I’ll stay and freeze my toes off if I must.

Tomorrow has too much potential to leave behind.

Eventually I turn in. I wear all my clothes, including my grubby canvas chaps and hunting vest. I bundle myself into a killing sheet. A killing sheet which in a past life was a duvet cover, it has come full circle. Towel and spare jacket go on top, along with a lightweight blue plastic tarp. My empty rifle bag is my pillow. Perfect. Night, night, sheet dreams!

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17 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

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18 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

G FISHIN THE

PAPER

& HUNTING NEW ZEALAND

NEWS

Published by Coastal Media Ltd

Rematch - No Kidding!

261 Paton Road, Hope PO Box 9001, Annesbrook, 7044, NELSON

Ph 03 544 7020

Fax 03 544 7040

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz Editor

Daryl Crimp 021 472 517 editor@coastalmedia.co.nz Sub-Editor

Mike Brown Administration

Annette Bormolini 021 996 541 annette@coastalmedia.co.nz Graphic Design

Patrick Connor

production@coastalmedia.co.nz Deputy Editor

Ron Prestage rgprestage@xtra.co.nz Printer

Guardian Print

Contributors Daryl Crimp Ron Prestage Sean Ryan Poppa Mike Dave Duncan Frank Cartwright Ivan Wilson Peter Harker Hugh Shields Aaron Houghton Dave Dixon Max Barclay Kaye Geddes Daymon Nuhaj Michael Stump Jan Derks

Luke Blom already looks like a seasoned hunter.

Mark Blom

My old stomping ground at Ngakawau on the West Coast proved a good training ground for a couple of budding young hunters. The goat numbers have built up over the years, so you don’t have to climb high or go far for a shot.

Sneaking up the back of Mum’s house at Nikau, I told my sons, Flynn and Luke, that it was important to be quiet. We came across a mob not far up the track and Flynn pulled off a good shot to score his first goat. Unfortunately, Luke didn’t get in behind the rifle in time to have a crack, as the goats wasted no time in heading for cover, so was gutted he’d missed out to his older brother. A rematch was instantly called for, so I knew a return to the Coast was needed not too far in the future.

With Luke only a fortnight from his tenth birthday, we returned and borrowed Grandad Rod’s triple-two. After a sighter to get Luke comfortable with the weapon, we set off up the track and came upon goats in a similar spot to the previous ones. Luke snuggled in behind the .222 and followed my instructions to breathe easy, relax and make sure the crosshairs were steady on the spot. The shot cracked out and the goat dropped on the spot to a well-placed heart shot. Luke wore his new title of ‘The Goat Slayer’ well and was over the moon to have bagged his first goat.

However, Flynn was now gutted that his younger brother had shot a bigger goat than him, so a rematch was instantly called for.

A return to the Coast is now needed… in the not too distant future.

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

A Little Payback Chris Brough

I first met Rog when I was 15, his son and I were best friends. During the school holidays he would take us on excursions to the Abel Tasman or d’Urville Island onboard his launch, the Naiomi, fishing, diving and hunting.

Nothing was ever a problem, eating crayfish cooked on a beach fire washed down with a cold beer, fresh scallops and blue cod. They were always good times. Then there were the weekends of motorbike riding, snow skiing up the Rainbow. In the evenings he would often fall asleep in his seat, with us young fellas giving him a hard time about being old. Back then he was younger than I am now and I now understand how he felt.

Recently I was in Blenheim for work reasons and had a bit of time to spare in the afternoon, so a quick call to my mate Herb, who had access to some great hunting in the Marlborough backcountry.

A surprise call was made to Rog who lives in Nelson and after a few changes to his busy schedule - polishing his vintage motorbikes and mowing the lawns - a plan was hatched.

Rog turned up in Blenheim later that afternoon with his old trusty .243 slug gun and we piled into Herb’s ute and were gone, no mucking around

Rog showing that he still has what it takes!

today as we only had this evening to get the job done and secure some venison.

We arrived at the block and after a short drive we found a red hind and yearling up a wee gulley. The range was 230 metres and was just far enough for an old fella but he wasn’t bothered by the range and got in behind the rifle and settled in for the shot. At the squeeze of the trigger there was a boom then that wump of a hit and the yearling went down. I gave the old fella a pat on the back, not bad for two months off 75. We climbed to the deer and I took care of the poos and wees bit and took some bragging rights photos for Rog to show at the

19th hole.

Well done me old mate, 75 and still doing it.

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Malcolm Halstead The Fishing Paper & NZ Hunting News is published by Coastal Media Ltd. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the staff, management or directors of

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19 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

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FIELD TEST:

AJ UNIVERSAL GAME CALLER Daryl Crimp

The AJ Universal Game Caller has gained a strong following from hunters across several disciplines, largely because of adaptability due to its multi-card system making it suitable for big game hunting, bird shooting and predator calling (making it a popular export to North America).

I tested one during the Roar, so can’t comment on its efficacy with the birds, or pests... or pesty birds! While I mistimed the red Roar this year and scored zero on rutting action, I did get plenty of action on the sika, so was able to get a glimpse of just how versatile and effective this unit is.

THE UNIT

A good deal of thought has gone into the design, marketing and adaptability of the AJ Universal Game Caller, making it a clever package on both sides of the cash register. It can be purchased as the ‘Full Monty’ or acquired piecemeal as finances or the need arises. The basic caller is an ergonomically designed hand-held unit that fits neatly into a large pocket and features a speaker, control button face, on-off-remote switch, and battery and card compartment. It is made out of a light-weight hard plastic, is very portable and directional, but not waterproof.

Cards can be purchased separately to suit individual requirements and each card has five different calls to choose from. In the case of sika and red deer, two cards are available for each species, which gives you a greater variety of call tones, types and levels of maturity. Calls include single call, hee-haw, stag mew, yak yak call, spiker call, hind and fawn calls for sika and a similar variety for reds. The benefits of these becomes apparent with use and it is definitely an advantage to have the set.

Crimpy’s first sika, a meat animal, responded to the AJ Game Caller.

An amplifier can be purchased to extend the caller’s capabilities: slightly larger, heavier and box-like, it attaches to the caller via a cable and is operated by a remote device. This allows you to be some distance from the unit while operating it.

The extra bulk and weight will really only create a selection issue when footslogging with heavy packs or traveling light for fly camps.

DESPERATELY SEEKING SIKA

The unit was used extensively throughout a tenday hunt with Bruce McKenzie and son, Bryan, in open, scrub and bush environs. It was also pitted against their two earlier AJ models and appeared to produce clearer tone and better volume that its predecessors.

The sika rut was just beginning so the

CALLING ALL GAME! Universal Game Caller

“Designed by hunters for hunting” Be more successful and enjoy your hunting with an AJ Electronic Caller.

Call in Red Stags, Sika, Wapiti, Fallow, Sambar, Whitetail, Rusa, Feral Pigs, Goats, Game Birds and more.

Can be purchased from sports, outdoor stores or go to our website.

SPYPOINT BF-10HD (BLACK FLASH)

10 MP resolution Black Flash trail/security camera. Supports video recording in HD (720p) and captures sound automatically when recording video clips. Takes colour photos and video by day and black and white after dark. Includes a Built-in 2.4” viewing screen, Time-Lapse recording mode and lots of other features.

animals weren’t very vocal, which provided a real challenge. A good example of the unit’s effectiveness involved a good eight-point wallhanger. It answered a territory call almost immediately and blasted a single call from across the creek. A few minutes later we issued a fawn mew and the stag ghosted in. For over twenty minutes we watched but it was cagey and didn’t present a good shot. Resting his territory for a few days, we returned but with a different calling card to avoid him recognising us. We also used the amplifier, positioning ourselves downhill from it, and got him in to within 15m but a shift of wind stuffed that opportunity.

On different occasions we had numerous stags come into as close as 10m but none were what we were after, so were given space to grow a more respectable score sheet. At one stage we were entertained by the antics of a novice Romeo from about forty metres. He’d come in to a territory call but sensed something was amiss, so proceeded to demonstrate the most incredible display of teenage angst I’ve ever seen: ears pivoting violent, squawking, and hot-footing around as though thwarted by a chaperone’s curfew.

By using the remote and positioning myself forty metres away, I was able to watch how animals reacted to and approached the different calls. It amazed me how accurately they are able to pinpoint the source of the sound from some distance and hold that focus for a long period. I had a yearling come running into a hind call and it had its gaze firmly locked on the source the whole time - until it spotted me at a distance of four metres!

I found less is more: overuse of the caller, particularly when animals are less active, can make them wary. This is where judicious use of both cards is handy.

• Hard plastic construction noisy if banged against foreign objects so care is needed when setting up within an animal’s territory, particularly when handling and setting up the amplifier and caller together. The sound of the two knocking together is quite distinct and could easily ruin a hunt.

• I wonder if there is a market for a deluxe, rubberised, waterproof model? I’d be a starter.

PLUSES

• The variety of calls and combinations provide great flexibility.

• All are real, recorded animal calls, so very authentic.

• Hand unit directional.

• Good volume range and control.

• The amplifier and remote greatly extends the range, capabilities and effectiveness of the unit, and allows better positioning and ambushing in tight situations.

• Seems to have good life span on standard batteries.

• Good price-point

• Versatile - multi-species use.

• Easy to use.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - clearly a market leader, a definite asset and a great investment.

NON-PLUSES

• Lack of waterproofing.

• Hand-held loses effectiveness in steep open country in windy conditions - hence the amplifier option.

UM565 GSM “BLACK OPS”

NEW

-12 MP GSM Cellular trail/ security camera. Sends photos to your email or cellphone. True Black Flash technology for night time recording. Features include SD card over write and selectable Start-Stop operating period or the default 24/7 operating period plus much more .

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Crisp and clear photos by day, black/white after dark, password protection, time-lapse and more.

WHY BUY FROM US? We know and service products.

We totally guarantee them!

www.ajproductions.co.nz Ph 07 854 6022 a.j.productions@actrix.co.nz

Crimpy in sika stealth mode putting the AJ caller to good use.

20 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

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Marie taking K2 to Summit

Finally… a Fairmead Fallow

K2 Antarctic Products was already an iconic Kiwi brand when Marie Mitchell went to work for the company in the mid-eighties and she immediately developed an affinity with the product.

Having served her apprenticeship as a canvas-machinist at Scott & Williams in Nelson, where she made a range of covers through to marquees and tent flies for the New Zealand Army, Marie relished in making the finer more intricate quality gear for the outdoors.

“It was always high quality gear and very popular because it was made by Kiwis for local conditions.”

Marie moved to Hamilton in the late-nineties and was followed shortly after by her sewing machine! Such was the quality of her work, the bosses of the family run business didn’t want to lose her so sent her a machine and couriered materials to the North Island for her to turn into K2 packs, tents and other products.

“Then all the ‘Brethy girls’ got married, so it was just me left in the business!”

The upshot was that she got to purchase the business in 2002 for ‘a really good price’ and, for many years, operated it from home.

They say that ‘behind every woman is a good man’ and in 2010, partner Shane came into her life.

He immediately understood her passion, was impressed with the incredibly high quality of the products and recognised the potential she was sitting on.

“We bought the old Tapawera Sale Yards south of Nelson and set up a factory/show room, and I went to work full time.”

Business has been brisk, with growth throughout New Zealand and international sales already into Japan.

Marie is a champion of the New Zealand Made ethos and her mission statement is really quite simple: “I produce packs, bags and gear that have been specifically designed for New Zealand conditions and created to last, so I want my customers to feel assured that they are purchasing exceptional quality and reliability.” (refer Field Test Marie taking K2 to the summit of Kiwi last issue)

whole week, the chance to shoot my first New Zealand deer - and with my brand new Browning X-Bolt .223 with a Swarovski scope. Dad had booked us a Father & Son Hunt with our friend Richard at Fairmead Lodge, Wanganui. But we had a wee way to travel from Nelson to get there.

After a long car ride, an extra long ferry ride, and an extra extra long car ride, we finally made it to Fairmead. Richard loaded his quad and took all our gear to Totara Ridge Hut, which was awesome. It was full of antlers, bullet cases, blackened old billies and lots of lanterns. There were two bunks with four beds; I slept on the top bunk because I like being higher than Dad. Richard lit the big open fire and cooked us venison sausages with peas, beans, carrots and potatoes for dinner.

Next morning it was dark when we got up, and cloudy and foggy. We left the hut at seven and straight away we were seeing deer everywhere. Slipping and sliding down the hill on grass still covered in dew, trying to be as quiet as we could, we crept over a ridge and right in front was a group of deer. Richard wanted me to shoot a two-year-old cull buck, but there were none in this group so we waited for them to leave.

On top of the ridge, we slithered along until Richard stopped us. He had spotted a young buck about 70m away, but it walked off before I could take the shot. I was gutted to miss my first chance at taking a deer, but there was still hope for another. We turned around and popped our heads over the other side of a ridge. There they were, a group of four young bucks with a monster as their leader.

Daryl Crimp

Daniel Crimp (11 years)

F

As the Wanganui fog clears, a buck comes into focus for Daniel and Richard.

Richard laid the pack on the wet slippery grass and I was just getting ready when they decided to go for a walk. Fortunately, it was just for a wee stroll - a couple of metres. I lay down, looked through the Swarovski and slowly dropped the crosshairs on him. My heart was beating like African drums. I could hear Dad’s voice in my head saying, “Breathe in... breathe out!”

I settled the crosshairs on his shoulder, breathed in then out... and slowly squeezed the trigger of the X-Bolt.

BOOM - Whack! The buck dropped to the ground - instantly.

My first New Zealand deer. I was ecstatic. It may have only been a two-year-old but it was a world record to me. And it was still only 8 o’clock in the morning.

I would definitely recommend the Fairmead Hunting Experience... and the new X-Bolt. What an amazing experience.

Give Richard a call today because he’s a neat guy and real fun to hunt with, and you’ll definitely have an exciting time.

I shot another buck later that day but that’s a story for another time.

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Daniel’s first NZ deer - a Fairmead fallow.

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Richard & Barbara Turner Fairmead Lodge, RD 8, Wanganui, NZ Tel. 06 342 8767

www.fairmeadlodge.co.nz

21 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

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Check for tagged wild pigs

Jack’s Hard Yards Stag Ian Hadland

“Bugger,” I muttered softly to my 13-year-old son, Jack, as I peered down over the precipice into the gurgling gorge below. This clearly wasn’t the right ridge that should meet with an easy crossing of the Waikaia River. Thirty minutes into the lad’s first Roar trip and we were already backtracking with heavy packs. I hoped it wasn’t a sign of things to come.

An hour after our false start, we were across the river and slogging our way up the hill on the other side. It was here that Jack heard his first stag roar. His eyes widened and I gave him a moment to soak up the occasion up before bellowing out a reply. That stag was the first of many we would fruitlessly stalk for no result over the next three days.

We stopped and set up camp just on dark. Jack, despite being knackered, was still taking it all in – the bush, the camping out, the dehy’ tucker, and sound of roaring stags in the darkness. I have to admit, it was rejuvenating to see hunting through youthful eyes.

Early next morning we packed up quickly. It wasn’t long before we heard a roar and, with a few croaky bellows, had a spiker come right in. I whispered to Jack, who was looking at it through the scope, not to shoot. We don’t need a spiker this far from the truck and should be able to find one with bigger antlers. The spiker had no sooner cut our wind and departed when a second stag ghosted through the bush in front of us and let out a low moan.

Two deer from the one spot? I could hear Jack’s heart beating as if it was on the outside of his skin. It was very exciting for both of us.

Over the next two days we roared at a number of stags and while a few came in, none presented the proper opportunity for

Jack enjoying a moment he’ll never forget.

a carefully placed shot; it was important for Jack not to make a hash of his first beast so a solid rest to hold the gun up was essential. But after three days, this was becoming a bit frustrating for both of us. We needed a change of luck.

Next morning we ate our porridge in a thick pre-dawn fog and considered the prospects. Down a long ridge and several gullies would see us out of the block and the trip over. It had to be today. The ridge provided one encounter with a good eight pointer but again, in the rush to find a rest for the rifle, he vanished into the dim fog.

Rain set in and visibility improved to 40m.

In the next gully we were surprised by a very handy reply to a roar. A second roar and the response was both immediate and closer than the first. Jack, already in position with a rest on a tree, was waiting.

All that was required now was proper identification of a stag and a bit of luck in its final approach. Ambling along in our direction emerged a young stag with

antlers – perfect. I reached over and closed the bolt. A curtain of large beech tree trunks obscured Jack’s line of sight and separated him from his first stag, but when it rounded the last one at 15m, he made no mistake with a well placed 7mm-08 shot to the lower front leg. After watching the stag wobble and collapse on the ground, Jack turned with a huge grin. He couldn’t breathe for a moment but finally gasped “I got a stag!” His legs were jelly and I have to admit mine were too – something that hasn’t happened for a number of years.

We took some photos and meat, and Jack insisted on carrying the head. Shouldering heavy packs and leaving the carcass to the forest, Jack turned to me and said, “I’m never going forget this day Dad!’ “I know Jack, me neither. Everyone remembers their first stag” Unforgettable.

In parts of New Zealand you may come across a wild pig with a tag in its ear. These ‘Judas’ pigs are fitted with transmitters then released to find out whether bovine tuberculosis (TB) is present in other wild animal populations. When the pig is recaptured, it’s checked for signs of TB. Pigs get the disease when they scavenge the carcasses of infected wild animals, namely possums. If the scavenged wild animal is infected, there’s a high chance the pig will also become infected. This makes them an excellent indicator of the presence of TB. For tagged pigs to become infected with bovine TB, they need to be in the wild for about six months. The pigs are normally released into areas where TBfree is attempting to prove that the disease has been eradicated from wild animal populations. Finding TB in a Judas pig does not mean that pest control will automatically be undertaken in an area. In most cases, the information gained from the pig simply adds to the local disease information already held by TBfree. The pigs are regularly released in small numbers of around 10 animals to reduce the risk of them being killed by extreme weather.

When you come across a pig with a tag in its ear, please try not to kill it. However, you may not be able to stop your dogs from attacking it. If the pig is injured and it would be inhumane to release it, you should put it down. If you do kill a tagged pig, it’s okay, provided you call the phone number on the tag. You may need to write the number down or take the tag and call the number as soon as you can. Ensure you record the location of the pig and the person you speak to will explain what will happen to the carcass. They may tell you to leave the animal where it is and someone from TBfree, or a research organisation, will pick it up.

Alternatively, you could be asked to take a sample from the pig’s head, put it inside two plastic bags, take it home and freeze it until someone collects it. Remember to keep the sample well away from any other food and place it in a plastic container before freezing.

All hunters should be mindful of the risks when handling potentially infected wild pigs. You should always practise good hygiene by disinfecting all knives and other gear after use and washing thoroughly after cutting up animals.

A tagged pig will also have a simple radio transmitting device on its collar or under its skin. Once the pig has been in the wild for a prolonged period, this transmitter allows a professional contractor to locate the animal and collect it for post mortem to check for signs of TB.

22 THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

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&

Presents

TRAILER TALES

Winter trailer tips by Mudgway Trailers Winter boat trailer maintenance can be a huge cost-saving exercise.

Boat trailers are fairly simple pieces of equipment, consisting of: frame, axles, bearings, hubs, tyres, runners, rollers, winch, lights, and sometimes trailer brakes. They’re also subjected to harsh treatment: repeated submersions in water, followed by long periods of inactivity. The result: faulting electrical, compromised wheels or bearings, and rusted frames, which all threaten the safety of that valuable asset - the boat.

Trailer specialists, Mudgway Trailers, tackle a common problem - replacing rusted brakes.

Give the experts at Mudgway Trailers a call for your next service or custom built trailer – designed and build to last.

Ph. 03 319 5481 • www.mudgway.co.nz

TRAILER WINTERISING

CHECKLIST



1. CHECK TYRES: make sure tyres have the correct air pressure - this is important: cold weather can decrease air pressure in tyres. Low tyre pressure can accelerate wear, which can be costly and dangerous. Look for sidewall cracking caused by over-exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as excessive sunlight. If you have concerns due to the severity of the sidewall cracking, consult a certified tyre inspector or mechanic.

Save your money

2. GREASE THE BEARINGS: for trailers with EZ Lube Hubs or Buddy Bearings, it is important to grease the bearings with proper wheel-bearing grease. The wrong grease may not circulate enough and can end up starving the bearings.

3. CHECK BRAKES: constant salt water immersion is a killer. If you find that your brakes are old and rusty, contact a trailer maintenance specialist. Your safety could depend on it.

4. CHECK LIGHTS: make sure all lights are working by doing a proper circle check with lights connected to towing vehicle and on. Check signal and brake lights are working.Check you have the correct connector, or appropriate adaptor.

5. CHECK FOR RUST: look for signs of corrosion on the frame and remove any with a stiff wire brush. If it is serious, either replace the trailer or have it regalvanised.

6. CHECK ROLLERS: make sure they are not cracked or out of shape, and are rolling freely.

Replace any cracked or distorted rollers.

Did you find this helpful or is there something else you’d like to know? Share your trailer tips with us at editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz • TXT 021 472517

Re-galvanise your Trailer for longer life.

Call the team at Nicholson’s for all the protective coatings you need 92 Beatty Street, Annesbrook, Nelson Phone: (03) 547 7407

Give your trailer a longer life When you think about it, our boat trailers are put through very harsh situations. Each time you go out in your boat your trailer is subjected to two dips in the salt water and left to sit in the elements, while we are not using it. So its fair to say that there will come a time when the old girl looks tired and rusty and you’ll need a new one, which is an expensive option.

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED REGALVANISING YOUR TRAILER? At Nicholson Protective Coatings we can bring your old trailer back to life with our industrial re-galvanizing process. The trailer

will be stripped from top to bottom, sand blasted back to fresh bare steel, and then recoated with our thermal arc spray galvanising.

If the base metal of your trailer is in good condition, this process will bring your trailer back to new!

If you want to keep your trailer for a long time we recommend getting it re-galvanised so that the steel underneath doesn’t rust when exposed to the salt water. So before you need to invest in a brand new trailer, come in and talk to us about giving your old trailer a new lease of life.

Nicholson Protective Coatings, 92 Beatty Street, Annesbrook, Nelson. PH 03 547 7407

23 THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

COVERS KEY TO WINTER PROTECTION Just as the sun can do damage, so can being left in the cold. Nothing is more annoying than wanting to use the boat, but finding it full of autumn leaves and bird poo at the last minute.

A GOOD COVER WILL PROTECT YOU FROM THIS. You have a few options and they range in price: • A good old blue tarp from the hardware store. Cheap, but you need to be a magician to secure it down to keep out wind and leaves, and they deteriorate really quickly with weathering.

• Generic covers from any marine store:

try to make sure you can get it as close fitting to your boat or you will end up with pooling. Check fabric quality and guarantee (if any!).

• Custom-made cover: the most expensive but you are assured of a tight fit and there is a raft of all-weather fabrics to choose from. Some fabrics come with up to 10-year guarantee and most custom manufacturers will have a guarantees on thread and components.

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

USES FOR YOUR TRAILER

• Firewood

• Garden bark

• Move your quad bike

• Plants

• Moving your friend’s goat

• Load all the push bikes in it

• Carrying your pig

• Pick up the fridge

• The dinghy

• Moving the BBQ

• Move the goat

• Camping

• Carrying rocks

• Move some sheep

• Road trips

• Moving furniture

• Rubbish removal

• Setting up picnics at the beach

Email in your most bizarre or weird use of a trailer to editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz Everyone wants a trailer even when you don’t own one you ask your friend who has one.

• If you are going to store your boat outside for the winter, having it properly covered can be expensive, but not having it properly covered can be far more costly. A cover is a good investment.

MORTIMER: under cover and looking good A smart yet functional boat canopy can make or break a boat. There’s no point in having the best looking canopy in the world if it doesn’t work, or a canopy that performs brilliantly but looks like a dog!

the harsh New Zealand sun and winter, while at the same time, breathe, ensuring there are no nasty moisture build-ups. Ian and Caleb also work with a range of other fabrics to meet customer needs.

No two boats, or owners, are the same. That’s why Ian and Caleb from Mortimer’s treat every job individually, be it boat canopies, covers or canvas accessories. You’ll be impressed with their eye for detail.

For fastenings and fittings they use top quality stainless steel and alloy, along with UV resistant nylon products.

Customers know exactly what they’re getting well before the first tools are touched The process of having a new canopy made starts with a design on paper. The boys discuss what you need, to ensure the perfect fit.

“Customers know exactly what they’re getting well before the first tools are touched,” says Caleb. The key ingredient of their service is flexibility.

They recommend acrylic canvas, which comes in a wide array of colours, has a fiveyear warranty, and is guaranteed to withstand

Mortimers make canvas backdrops for hardtops, either running from the roof, right back to the transom, or straight from the roof to the deck with a door zip included so you can get access to the cabin.

There are motor covers as well as custom designed tightly fitted road covers for protection while in transit, or you can choose a storage cover which fastens down to your trailer.

Ian and Caleb pride themselves on a quick turnaround, with most jobs completed in two to three days, and they guarantee the job will be done right every time, without exception.

NOT A PROBLEM, it’s what you want to hear!

This is always the response I get at Nelson Tyre Centre.

Colin can you fix my puncture?

We need new tyres for The Fishing Paper truck.

Can you get a cage fitted on the trailer?

“IT’S ALWAYS NOT A PROBLEM.” Colin and Peter at Nelson Tyre Centre are friendly, work quicky, and offer very competitive prices.

We enjoy doing business with them.

Annette & Crimpy The Fishing Paper & Hunting News

Mortimer Auto Upholstery, they have your boat covered!

Colin and Peter. Two great blokes.

BRIFORD A NAME YOU CAN TRUST.

the

“We don’t claim to be the lightest trailer or the newest design. What we build is the strongest trailer”

PROTECTORS WE SPECIALISE IN Boat Covers & Canopies, Ute Tonneau Covers Seat Repairs, Motorbike Seats, Awnings & Shade Structures.

USE FOR • Firewood • Camping • Rubbish • Moving House • Transportation of - quad bikes - jet skis - small boats Your Nelson agent for

Phone 544 6352 Email mortauto@xtra.co.nz Unit 4, 72 Oxford St, Richmond

www.mortimerautoupholstery.co.nz

BRIFORD trailers

NELSON TYRE CENTRE

59 Quarantine Road, Nelson • Ph: 03 547 7010

24 THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

TIDE CHART - JUNE

&

JUNE 2015

Cast Back in Time

HUNT BACK WITH HARKER - 1976 Peter Harker

I woke suddenly to find George’s feet covering my face. The end of his bunk was level with the head of mine and it only meant a movement of six inches and the bottom of his sleeping bag engulfed my ‘sugar bag’ pillow. The early morning air was as sharp as a knife, but the promise of a glorious day appeared evident by the patches of clear blue sky visible in the head of the valley.

Half-an-hour later, a billy of baked beans hung over the fire and Pete Bailey, George Lyndsay and I sat on our bunks sipping hot tea.

George and I intended to travel across the Mokihinui river flats, up Maori Gully and then detour up the Hemphill River. It was a certainty several river crossings had to be tackled and, in the chill of the morning, we never looked forward to a pair of soaking shorts to start the day.

Very little time was spent crossing the first two fords and then George suddenly whispered, “Down.” He had spotted a stag crossing a small shingle beach opposite us. Peering over a ridge of boulders, the stag could be seen slowly ambling towards us. If it kept the present course it would stumble right into our hiding place.

The morning was still an infant and to get a good photo we would have to wait until it was about 20 yards away and motionless. If we waited too long, he would catch our scent and automatically go into top gear. At 30 yards we slowly stood up and aimed our cameras. The stag paused with one front leg lifted ready for his next step, then let out a muffled bark and cantered across the river flats.

Two pictures were all we were offered.

Continuing up the valley we arrived at the junction of Maori Gully and the Hemphill River. For the first hour we kept on a high bushy terrace that followed the edge of the Hemphill up the river.

The travel was easy, as the bush was very open with visibility of at least 100 yards. As the valley narrowed, we left the bush and boulder hopped, crossing the river quite easily when obstacles were encountered.

We paused for a few minutes at the lip of a small clearing where the smell of deer hung heavy in the air. The sound of branches being broken and muffled snorts and groans indicated a stag was on the prowl. Tip-toeing around the edge of the clearing, we were in time to see a stag, supple-jack tangled in his antlers, wander across the open space and pause to glance back at us. We slowly back-tracked and left him to his ‘song of love’.

Further up the Hemphill, the mouth of a gorge confronted us and after climbing over a few large slime-covered boulders, we chose a high level route. If the mist had been several hundred feet higher we would have been deterred by the terrain: sheer bluff faces, bush clinging to near vertical terrain and series of precipitous slips only a sparrow could find a toe hold on.

The first series of rocky outcrops were a barrier we were just able to bypass. The bush past this point had us at times almost flat on our bellies at an angle of 45 degrees. It was simply a tightly woven wall of every vine the West Coast has to offer. Finally we were brought to a halt, hemmed in between two vertical bluffs and a very steep section of bush that fell directly to the edge of a waterfall.

“To hell with you, Harker,” said George. “If you think it’s possible to carry on from here, you’re on your own.” They were my thoughts exactly.

I think even at this stage a fly would have reversed in its tracks.

Extremely disappointed, we wormed our way back around the mountainside and finally paused on a huge outcrop of rock. It was pleasant to stroll back down the Hemphill and pause for a spell in a grassy clearing to munch away on stale bread sandwiches.

We arrived back at the hut slightly before dark and the first task was to tear the tabs off two tins of beer; after a day like we had experienced, I feel the beer was well deserved.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

0:10 0:56 1:41 2:26 3:12 4:00 4:49 5:40 0:17 1:11 2:07 3:05 4:04 5:02 5:59 0:45 1:38 2:28 3:16 4:03 4:48 5:32 6:17 0:39 1:24 2:11 3:00 3:51 4:42 5:34

Russell

0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.1

6:12 6:58 7:44 8:30 9:17 10:05 10:55 11:46 6:34 7:29 8:26 9:25 10:23 11:20 12:15 6:54 7:46 8:36 9:23 10:08 10:52 11:35 12:19 7:02 7:49 8:37 9:27 10:18 11:08 11:58

Burgess Island (Pokohinu) H-0:24 L-0:24 Mangonui H+0:33 L+0:45 Ngatehe Point H+1:40 L+1:41 Tryphena H-0:29 L-0:29

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

12:34 13:18 14:01 14:45 15:30 16:16 17:05 17:55 12:40 13:37 14:37 15:40 16:42 17:41 18:36 13:08 13:58 14:45 15:30 16:14 16:57 17:40 18:24 13:05 13:54 14:47 15:42 16:36 17:29 18:18

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.2

Port Taranaki

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

2:37 3:17 3:57 4:39 5:22 6:08 0:35 1:27 2:23 3:25 4:29 5:33 0:27 1:27 2:22 3:12 3:59 4:44 5:27 6:09 0:32 1:13 1:57 2:46 3:39 4:35 5:32 0:22 1:16 2:05

0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.2 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 3.3 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 1.1 1.0 0.8

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

3:31 4:11 4:51 5:32 0:04 0:49 1:37 2:31 3:31 4:37 5:42 0:28 1:29 2:26 3:19 4:09 4:56 5:41 0:15 0:56 1:38 2:21 3:08 3:59 4:54 5:50 0:31 1:25 2:14 3:01

8:39 9:19 10:00 10:43 11:27 12:14 6:57 7:50 8:47 9:47 10:51 11:54 6:35 7:33 8:27 9:17 10:04 10:48 11:30 12:11 6:51 7:33 8:18 9:06 9:58 10:53 11:50 6:27 7:19 8:08

3.2 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.2 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 2.9 3.0 3.1

14:56 15:36 16:16 16:58 17:41 18:27 13:04 13:59 14:57 16:00 17:07 18:13 12:56 13:53 14:46 15:34 16:19 17:01 17:42 18:22 12:52 13:35 14:21 15:11 16:07 17:06 18:06 12:46 13:38 14:26

2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4

18:50 19:48 20:49 21:51 22:52 23:50

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

19:28 20:17 21:04 21:49 22:32 23:14 23:56

2.4 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2

19:11 20:02 20:55 21:49 22:42 23:34

0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 3.1 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.8 0.9 0.8 0.7

9:41 10:22 11:03 11:45 6:16 7:02 7:53 8:49 9:50 10:55 11:59 6:46 7:45 8:41 9:34 10:23 11:10 11:55 6:24 7:07 7:51 8:36 9:23 10:14 11:08 12:03 6:44 7:36 8:25 9:13

Anita Bay H+0:26 L+0:27 Hokitika H+0:10 L+0:10 Whanganui Inlet H-1:05 L-1:05

3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.1 3.1 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9

15:52 16:32 17:13 17:55 12:30 13:17 14:09 15:06 16:08 17:13 18:17 13:01 14:00 14:54 15:45 16:33 17:19 18:02 12:38 13:20 14:02 14:46 15:33 16:24 17:20 18:16 12:57 13:49 14:38 15:24

0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 3.1 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.9 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

6:05 0:36 1:20 2:05 2:50 3:38 4:27 5:18 0:08 1:03 2:00 2:58 3:57 4:55 5:51 0:24 1:16 2:05 2:53 3:39 4:25 5:09 5:54 0:33 1:18 2:05 2:53 3:44 4:35 5:27

Auckland 3.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.3 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.9 2.9

12:15 6:52 7:38 8:24 9:11 9:58 10:47 11:37 6:11 7:07 8:04 9:03 10:03 11:00 11:56 6:46 7:39 8:29 9:17 10:03 10:47 11:30 12:13 6:40 7:27 8:16 9:07 9:59 10:50 11:40

Coromandel Harbour H-0:21 L-0:15 Mansion House Bay H-0:15 L-0:04

21:05 21:44 22:24 23:05 23:48

3.3 3.4 3.4 3.5 3.5

19:16 20:10 21:09 22:14 23:21

0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8

19:15 20:11 21:01 21:47 22:31 23:12 23:52

3.2 3.4 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.4

19:02 19:44 20:30 21:22 22:20 23:22

0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

19:02 2.9 19:52 3.1 20:38 3.2

Kawhia H+0:24 L+0:00 Opononi H+0:05 L+0:02 Patea H-0:10 L-0:10 Pouto Point H+0:41 L+0:36 Whanganui River Entrance H+0:19 L+0:28

Westport 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.9 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.5 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.6

18:52 19:36 20:19 21:04 21:49 22:37 23:26

Houhora Harbour Entrance H+0:39 L+0:28 Marsden Point H+0:00 L-0:04 Port Jackson H-0:37 L-0:36 Tutukaka Harbour H-0:15 L-0:14

Ahipara Bay H-0:15 L-0:15 Onehunga H+0:49 L+0:46 Otaki River Entrance H-0:20 L-0:20 Porirua (Mana Cruising Club) H+0:03 L-0:11 Raglan H+0:24 L+0:07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

2.1 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.0 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

18:39 19:26 20:17 21:14 22:17 23:23

0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6

19:19 20:17 21:11 22:01 22:48 23:32

2.9 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.2

18:44 19:25 20:07 20:52 21:41 22:35 23:34

0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0

19:11 20:02 20:51 21:36

2.6 2.7 2.8 3.0

Greymouth H+0:00 L+0:00 Karamea H-0:35 L-0:35

18:45 12:58 13:42 14:25 15:10 15:55 16:43 17:34 12:30 13:26 14:26 15:28 16:31 17:30 18:25 12:48 13:38 14:25 15:09 15:53 16:35 17:18 18:04 12:59 13:47 14:40 15:35 16:29 17:21 18:11

Wellington

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

3:28 4:18 5:09 6:00 0:50 1:43 2:34 3:24 4:13 5:03 5:53 0:27 1:23 2:19 3:16 4:13 5:08 6:02 0:50 1:44 2:34 3:21 4:06 4:48 5:28 6:06 0:35 1:19 2:05 2:54

1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

3:09 3:54 4:40 5:27 0:13 1:02 1:52 2:44 3:38 4:32 5:26 0:07 1:03 1:59 2:54 3:49 4:42 5:34 0:15 1:04 1:51 2:38 3:24 4:10 4:57 5:42 0:15 1:01 1:48 2:34

9:31 10:21 11:12 12:04 6:51 7:41 8:31 9:21 10:12 11:04 11:58 6:44 7:36 8:31 9:26 10:22 11:17 12:11 6:55 7:45 8:35 9:22 10:08 10:53 11:37 12:20 6:45 7:26 8:09 8:56

0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7

15:55 16:42 17:30 18:19 12:55 13:46 14:38 15:30 16:23 17:17 18:11 12:53 13:49 14:45 15:41 16:35 17:28 18:20 13:03 13:54 14:44 15:32 16:19 17:04 17:48 18:32 13:03 13:47 14:32 15:19

19:28 20:11 20:55 21:40 22:27 23:16

3.2 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.4

18:29 19:28 20:31 21:34 22:34 23:31

0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7

19:17 20:07 20:54 21:39 22:23 23:06 23:49

3.4 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.1

18:52 19:44 20:39 21:34 22:26 23:16

1.0 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6

9:21 10:06 10:51 11:39 6:17 7:09 8:02 8:56 9:50 10:44 11:40 6:22 7:17 8:12 9:07 10:01 10:53 11:44 6:26 7:16 8:04 8:52 9:39 10:25 11:11 11:58 6:28 7:14 7:59 8:46

Akaroa H-0:43 L-0:44 Kaikoura H+0:17 L+0:16 Rakaia Mouth H-0:46 L-0:46 Timaru H-1:13 L-1:15 Waimakariri Mouth H+0:10 L+0:10

0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5

15:38 16:23 17:08 17:55 12:27 13:18 14:09 15:03 15:57 16:54 17:52 12:36 13:33 14:29 15:25 16:18 17:10 18:00 12:34 13:21 14:08 14:55 15:41 16:29 17:18 18:09 12:45 13:31 14:18 15:04

2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.3

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

5:51 0:27 1:14 2:00 2:47 3:35 4:24 5:14 6:06 0:51 1:47 2:44 3:42 4:39 5:36 0:17 1:10 2:02 2:51 3:39 4:24 5:09 5:53 0:26 1:09 1:55 2:42 3:30 4:21 5:12

Tauranga 1.7 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7

12:04 6:38 7:25 8:11 8:58 9:46 10:35 11:26 12:19 7:00 7:57 8:54 9:53 10:51 11:47 6:31 7:24 8:14 9:03 9:49 10:35 11:19 12:04 6:37 7:21 8:08 8:56 9:46 10:36 11:27

East Cape H-0:45 L-0:41 Tairua H-0:03 L-0:03 Waipiro Bay H-0:52 L-0:58 Whakatane H-0:23 L-0:06

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

22:11 0.7 23:03 0.7 23:57 0.7 19:09 20:00 20:52 21:44 22:38 23:32

1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7

19:07 20:04 21:02 22:00 22:58 23:55

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6

19:11 20:02 20:51 21:38 22:24 23:09 23:52

1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5

19:15 20:00 20:47 21:37

0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7

Cape Kidnappers H+0:18 L+0:17 Cape Turnagain H-0:11 L-0:12 Napier H+0:38 L+0:37 Portland Island H+0:23 L+0:22

Lyttelton

2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1

3.1 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.9 3.0

Mahurangi Harbour H+0:02 L+0:12 Thames (Rocky Point) H-0:17 L-0:11

Bare Island (Motu 0 Kura) H+0:21 L+0:20 Cape Palliser H+0:10 L+0:10 Castlepoint H+0:20 L+0:18 Porangahau Riv.Entrance H+0:00 L-0:01

22:03 3.0 22:43 3.1 23:23 3.1

0.8 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.8

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

2:27 3:05 3:43 4:22 5:02 5:46 0:34 1:21 2:13 3:13 4:18 5:25 0:21 1:22 2:15 3:03 3:47 4:29 5:09 5:48 0:28 1:07 1:49 2:36 3:29 4:28 5:29 0:10 1:07 1:55

2015

0.4 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4

18:29 12:50 13:34 14:19 15:05 15:52 16:40 17:30 18:24 13:16 14:16 15:17 16:18 17:17 18:13 12:40 13:31 14:19 15:06 15:51 16:35 17:18 18:02 12:50 13:38 14:28 15:20 16:12 17:04 17:55

1.8 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.8

19:15 20:00 20:45 21:31 22:18 23:07 23:58

1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9

19:20 20:19 21:20 22:21 23:20

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

19:06 19:56 20:44 21:30 22:15 22:59 23:42

1.9 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8

18:48 19:35 20:25 21:17 22:09 23:02 23:53

0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5

Gisborne H-1:18 L-1:12 Tolaga Bay (Cooks Cove) H-1:04 L-1:10 Wairoa River Mouth H-1:36 L-1:28 Whitianga H-0:04 L-0:10

Nelson

1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 4.1 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.7 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.8 3.9 3.8 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.3 1.4 1.2 1.0

8:42 9:23 10:05 10:47 11:31 12:17 6:33 7:24 8:22 9:26 10:32 11:38 6:29 7:27 8:20 9:10 9:58 10:43 11:26 12:08 6:29 7:11 7:56 8:46 9:40 10:37 11:35 6:26 7:19 8:09

Croisilles Harbour H-0:18 L-0:02 French Pass H-2:00 L-2:00 Picton H-0:46 L-1:21

3.7 3.8 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 3.8 3.9 3.9 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.9 3.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 3.4 3.5 3.6

14:46 15:28 16:09 16:51 17:34 18:18 13:05 13:56 14:52 15:52 16:59 18:08 12:40 13:39 14:33 15:23 16:09 16:50 17:29 18:06 12:49 13:31 14:15 15:02 15:55 16:54 17:58 12:32 13:26 14:17

0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.6 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.3 1.2 1.1 0.9

21:11 21:51 22:31 23:10 23:51

3.9 4.0 4.2 4.2 4.2

19:04 19:55 20:53 22:00 23:12

0.7 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.1

19:15 20:13 21:04 21:50 22:32 23:12 23:50

3.7 3.9 4.1 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.1

18:43 19:21 20:04 20:54 21:54 23:04

0.9 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.5 1.5

19:00 3.4 19:55 3.6 20:43 3.8

ElaineBay H-0:29 L-0:40 Havelock H-0:15 L-0:35 Stephens Island H-0:30 L-0:30

French Pass times are Nelson less 2 hours, and are known to be unreliable.

Boaties use them as a rule of thumb to determine the best times to navigate the pass.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

21:56 0.6 22:40 0.5 23:26 0.5 18:44 19:34 20:26 21:19 22:14 23:10

2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4

18:52 19:51 20:48 21:43 22:35 23:26

0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.4

18:48 19:35 20:21 21:07 21:54 22:40 23:28

2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1

18:59 19:48 20:36 21:23

0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6

Ashburton River Entrance H-0:42 L-0:44 Moeraki H-1:54 L-1:18 Rangitata River Entrance H-0:58 L-1:00 Oamaru H-0:53 L-0:54

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

2:30 3:12 3:55 4:40 0:02 0:51 1:42 2:36 3:32 4:30 5:28 6:26 0:32 1:26 2:18 3:08 3:57 4:45 0:02 0:48 1:33 2:18 3:04 3:52 4:41 5:31 6:20 0:27 1:14 1:59

Dunedin

1.9 2.0 2.0 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.8 1.9 1.9

9:15 9:59 10:45 11:33 5:27 6:17 7:10 8:06 9:06 10:06 11:06 12:04 7:21 8:15 9:07 9:57 10:47 11:35 5:33 6:21 7:09 7:58 8:49 9:40 10:30 11:18 12:05 7:09 7:58 8:46

Bluff H-2:03 L-2:37 Port Chalmers H-0:12 L-0:49

Not for navigational purposes.

All times corrected for Daylight Savings.

0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.2

14:51 15:35 16:19 17:06 12:21 13:12 14:05 15:01 15:58 16:57 17:56 18:55 12:59 13:53 14:45 15:35 16:24 17:12 12:21 13:08 13:53 14:38 15:24 16:12 17:02 17:54 18:46 12:51 13:37 14:23

Brighton H-0:25 St Clair H-0:52

Supplied by OceanFun Publishing, Ltd.

2.0 2.1 2.1 2.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 1.9 2.0 2.0

21:43 0.3 22:29 0.2 23:15 0.2 17:54 18:45 19:39 20:35 21:34 22:35 23:34

2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1

19:52 20:46 21:38 22:28 23:16

0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

18:00 18:47 19:33 20:21 21:09 22:00 22:50 23:40

2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

19:38 0.4 20:28 0.3 21:17 0.2

L-0:58 L-1:03

www.ofu.co.nz

www.tidewiz.com

JUNE 2015

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

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25 THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

COARSE FISHING Dave Dixon

slides away and the strike is met by the thump of a hooked fish. Trout anglers just think dry fly! Other positive aspects of coarse fishing are that fish are returned rather than eaten. This not only teaches the concept of catch-and-release, but means that fish stocks are naturally maintained.

Tackle and bait are inexpensive, and fishing is usually done from one spot on the bank using groundbait to draw the fish to the angler rather than having to go searching for them on foot or by boat, and if the weather’s bad and all the trout rivers are in flood or the sea’s cut-up rough, it’s still possible to go coarse fishing just get one of those big green umbrellas!

It was interesting to read Zane Mirfin in the Nelson Mail recently bemoaning the lack of fish and game opportunities near major urban centres. In Christchurch, this situation has been addressed by the development of a world-class tench fishery right on the city fringe, and we could have the same here in Nelson. The location would need careful consideration to comply with Fish and Game’s criteria for a coarse fishery but I can think of a couple of very realistic options. Of course, there is an understandably strict legal process around such a venture, but Fish and Game have demonstrated, both in Christchurch and at Appleby, that this can be worked through.

I think there is a much better understanding now of the difference between ‘acclimatised’ coarse sports fish, such as tench and perch, and ‘pest’ fish like koi carp and rudd. Sports fish are in equilibrium with the environment and they add recreational value without risk to habitat or the nationally important game fishery. Sensibly regulated, coarse fisheries can be a valuable resource for our community.

Coarse fish sensible alternative Wandering in to Steve’s Fishing Shop in Wellington a couple of weeks ago, I was greeted by a Fishing Paper distribution rack and a friendly Steve Reed who, amongst other things, told me stories about a hugely successful initiative by the Wellington Surfcasting Club to encourage kids into fishing and a local trout fishing event similar to the Appleby fish-out ponds developed by Nelson-Marlborough Fish and Game. In return, I described how that the Hutt Valley Coarse Fishing Club once held coaching sessions for kids and that the Canterbury Club had recently secured funding for a mobile kids’ fishing school. To my mind, projects such as these are hugely valuable in our modern world of electronic entertainment and youngsters increasingly afflicted by ‘nature deficit disorder’, but it takes more than just introducing kids to fishing - they must have ongoing opportunities to keep at it and, most importantly, to be rewarded for their efforts.

In New Zealand we have scarce opportunities for coarse fishing but, where they exist, they can most certainly be rewarding. Because our target species are often shoaling fish, it is usual for several to be caught in a session, and get it right, as Aaron Houghton described in last month’s edition of The Fishing Paper, and the sport can be ballistic! Any youngster, in fact any angler experiencing a session like that will want to go back for more. In addition, the float fishing techniques commonly used are totally absorbing: attention is easily fixed to the fluoro tip dimpling the water’s surface and hours shrink into minutes. Then as the float trembles and dips indicating an unseen fish below the anticipation rises until the magical moment it

Fiordland fishing paradise

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On patrol in paradise Few places in New Zealand rival southern Fiordland for remoteness and effort to get to.

The stunning scenery and fantastic fishing and hunting make it a sought after destination for those with the time and inclination. You’d think once you’d arrived there’d be no chance of anyone checking your day’s catch, vessel hull or a ranger asking for your hunting permit.

You’d be wrong.

Compliance staff from the Department of Conservation (DoC), Environment Southland (ES) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) were patrolling for four days in April. Agency staff were checking that all boats were free of marine pests, commercial and recreational fishers were keeping to the rules and that hunters had permits.

Staying on board DoC’s Deep Cove-based vessel Southern Winds, staff from the three agencies: • Inspected 30 vessels • Spoke to 156 commercial and recreational fishers • Did 26 biosecurity dives on vessel hulls and high risk sites • Spoke to 13 hunting parties

• Detected three fisheries infringements.

The multi-agency patrol supports the work of the Fiordland Marine Guardians to maintain and enhance the quality of Fiordland’s marine environment and wider fishery experience.

MPI District Compliance Manager Southland Reece Murphy says any boat on the water from Doubtful Sound to Preservation Inlet during the patrol was very likely checked.

“It’s a special area, above and below the water, and the Fiordland Marine Guardians have recognised that by advocating and implementing tailored regulations that protect the environment and sustain the fishery, particularly in the inner fiords.

We’re very happy to support the Guardians, and it’s important to remind users that it doesn’t matter where and how remote you are, there are still rules and people around to check them.”

MPI officers came across a few fishing breaches mainly to do with parties having scuba gear and paua together on a vessel, which is a no-no, but the rest of the recreational and commercial fishers were playing by the rules.

Further patrols are planned, so when you’re next in Fiordland, you may just run into one.

An MPI compliance officer climbs aboard to check the catch records of a commercial cray-fishing vessel while divers in the dinghy prepare to inspect the hull for marine pests.

TIDES OF CHANGE Poppa Mike

ST BATHANS GOLD

They say the feeling you get from catching the big one is similar to the one you get when winning the lottery. This is the feeling you will get when you come on a fishing charter with Fiordland Expeditions!

Many areas of New Zealand suffer high pressure from various fishing sectors; Fiordland suffers virtually none! The commercial sectors hardly touch the wet fishery and the weather can play a part in access to the good fishing grounds for all; so this virtually untapped area is famous for providing excellent fishing opportunities and results!

Blue cod, some in excess of 60cm, are common when fishing coastal areas. On a good day we can also fish the depths for hapuka and the occasional bluenose. In the warmer months blue fin and albacore tuna come for a visit and kingies are everywhere. And these visiting species are found more and more since commercial fishing ceased in the internal waters in 2005.

Lobsters abound everywhere! If you are not able to fill your needs in quick time you should take up knitting! And that goes for all species! If you don’t get enough to satiate the appetite on you visit plus a few to take home for the family to salivate over then you should stay at home next time and watch the gardening show or home renovations.

And we haven’t even touched on the history or stunning scenery. This place is the most awesome fishing spot in Kiwiland. I kid you not!

Your charter with Fiordland Expeditions will show you around this amazing place; take you to some of the hottest fishing spots in NZ and send you home with memories that will last a lifetime!

So jump on the phone or get on the web; find any way you can but get in touch today and book your next fishing charter. (see our special offer in the directory) Ph 0508 888 656 www.fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz

It is commonly believed the first worthwhile gold rush was at Gabriel’s Gully, Central Otago, but gold was first discovered earlier that same year at Lindis Pass. However, by the end of 1861 over 6,000 miners were established at Gabriel’s Gully, but space had become so scarce, many went prospecting for fresh claims. Rich finds in the Cromwell Gorge prompted prospecting up the Arrow and Shotover Rivers, triggering the Dunstan gold rush.

Small and large mining settlements emerged all over Central Otago.

One of these was Dunstan Creek, where gold was found in 1863. A year later the town population hit 1,000, with another 1,000 in the surrounding area. In 1866 it took on the name of St Bathans and had 15 hotels and many businesses. Most were Irish, but 50 Chinese also mined there.

A school was built in 1866, opening roll 25, but within a decade a larger building was needed. The longest serving teacher was Robert Cowan, who served 28 years from 1888, and it was not uncommon for teachers to conflict with the school committee or inspectors. On one occasion, Cowan objected to an inspector disciplining a child during a visit so invited him out into the corridor where a fist fight took place,

much to the delight of the pupils who were listening. Damaged by an earthquake in 1943, the school continued in the Post Office until it closed in 1949 through declining roll.

One enterprising miner, John Ewing, established himself at St Bathans in 1864, but developed a number of claims in the wider Central Otago area. He invested heavily in land and modern, efficient equipment to process large quantities of ground, which earned him the title, The Gold Baron. In 1871 he caught Chinese miner, Ah Cheow, stealing and and shot him. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, while Ah Cheow served three months for theft.

Today St Bathans has seven permanent residents. A few of the original buildings remain, including the still operating Vulcan Hotel, but many are now holiday cottages.

26 THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

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Craig Burney used good skills to land this trev.

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Craig Burney

Mate Damon Mason and I wanted to be in position before the sun came up so we hit Grove Arm in Queen Charlotte Sound in the dark, set up and cast our lines into the ink.

I was fishing a two-hook ledger rig above a 3oz sinker and using squid for bait. Snapper were the target and our hopes were high as day dawned, but began to wane as the sun gained strength.

After four hours in the one spot for zero, we were losing hope and starting to question our decision. Things were looking desperate and we were on the brink of packing it in, when my rod got smashed. It buckled under attack and line peeled off at a great rate, cutting the water in a line parallel to the shore. Then it came up short and all I could feel was a dead weight on the end of the

line. Stingray?

Damon, who is very experienced, suggested I ping the line.

“When stingray clamp on the bottom they can be encouraged to move with a little line strum,” he said.

Well, I persevered for a bit and was amazed to feel the power of the fish again. This time it lit up and I knew it was no stinger on the line. High speed power runs and the odd nodding had my attention and I was stunned to see this monster come ashore.

“It’s a trevally,” Damon explained, “and a bloody good one!”

At 9lb it was indeed a thumper, my first trev and a PB to boot.

Lucky we stuck it out.

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Tip of the Month: Slow Jigs Slip You The Edge Bottom Ship and slow jigs are proving very effective at present, particularly on big fish. They catch most species and are particularly effective on snapper and big blue cod.

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Drop the jig to the bottom and very slowly wind it in for ten or twenty turns, before dropping again to the bottom and repeating. Alternatively, wind two or three turns off the bottom and gently lift and drop your rod tip to simulate a yo-yo motion. You can even use a slow mechanical jig action.

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27 THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

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28 THE FISHING PAPER - JUNE 2015

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TFP welcomes Aaron Houghton Welcome this month to Wellington correspondent, Aaron Houghton, president of the Wellington Surfcasting and Angling Club.

Having graduated from wharf fishing for sprats and kahawai to wharf fishing for kingfish, Aaron then progressed through the many facets of fishing: LBG, fresh and saltwater fly, surfcasting, competition fishing and has even ticked off West Coast giant bluefin.

“I have travelled North a few times and trolled

plastic around half the country trying to find ‘ye ol stick face’, and it is here that I met a talented fisho we call ‘BIRD’, aka Jason McMahon.

‘Bird’ introduced Aaron to coarse fishing through the Hutt Valley Angling Club and he’s taken to it like a carp to water.

“I have attended every Coarse Fishing Nationals since and am considering travelling to Australia with the Trans-Tasman team in the future.

CHALLENGES + IDIOMS OF COARSE FISHING Lying buggers, loose feed & lollipops

- Aaron Houghton

There’s more to coarse fishing than meets the eye.

Given the world of coarse fishing in New Zealand is predominantly made up of Englishmen abroad, it is indeed a foreign world in our country.

Going forward, I will try to explain the trials and tribulations of coarse fishing and how they can be easily overcome.

How to identify and overcome the flow of a river or the wind tow on a lake by adjusting from a shirt button shot pattern to a bulk style shot pattern, using a body up, body down, or lollipop float to combat difficult river or lake currents and tow.

Baits, what do they want? You need to be able to adapt your approach and identify the subtle indications to lead you to the answers such as asking your mate what he’s smashing them out on and calling him a lying bugger when it doesn’t

work.

Do they want ground bait or loose feed and what are ground bait and loose feed? How much do I feed and how often do I feed?

I will begin next issue to discuss approaches to float fishing which is the most common approach in which most coarse species can be caught, how to set yourself up to succeed and have a brilliant day out on the local lake with no mess, no fuss and minimal clean up. Coarse fishing is the ideal platform for younger anglers to develop their skills and have fun away from the TV or couch.

For the serious anglers out there the challenges it presents will test your skills and thin out the hair, so if you are looking for a new challenge it’s out there on the bank waiting for you - are you up to it?

From Sinker to Smoker Ron Prestage

Time to reflect Why do some people do a lot of fishing?

This is a question I often reflect on as I look back on countless hours over the past 50 years or so spent fishing.

The simple answer is, “because I enjoy it!”

I guess I also have an enhanced hunter-gatherer instinct, am competitive, like a physical challenge and appreciate the ever-changing shoreline and sea.

I have been guilty of organising many ‘family holidays’ that were thinly disguised extended fishing trips! When time and disposable income has been available, fishing has trumped all other possibilities. With everything up-to-date and no pressing issues to attend to, my fishing barometer rises and away I go. Much of the joy and fun of fishing has to do with the sharing of the good times and the good results with others.

I recall being in the bar of the Mokihinui Hotel one New Year’s Eve and a patron saying to me, “are you contemplating going fishing?”

My quick reply was, “I’m always contemplating going fishing!”

Photo albums over the years and now digital downloads seem to be cluttered with fishing photos dating back to my early days on the West

Family fishing fun in Samoa.

Coast, where ‘good fishermen’ got a lot of recognition and respect in the small towns.

I posed the question on the Tackle Tactics Message Board and got some insightful replies.

Hangler posted this: Ron, you have probably asked the best question ever to be raised on this site; which means you will get the most unrewarding answers! Most people will phrase their answer with the challenge and the result. My answer would be with over 60 years experience, simple enjoyment. Whether it be a specimen, or simply a fish such as the humble kahawai, if it fits in the frying pan, the expedition has been a complete success. I suggest there is more bullshit written about surfcasting than any other sport. Sure we occasionally latch on to a specimen but most times we don’t. The

complete joy of surfcasting is solely participation. Should we rely purely on results, most anglers would have given the game away within weeks of starting. You don’t believe me? Count the anglers who hit the beach with a packet of squid for bait and a pie from the local dairy, plus a six-pack.

They don’t expect to catch fish. They hope and frequently live up to expectations, time after time after time. Does an empty bag discourage them from going again? Not on your life. That’s called fishing and on a personal note, long may it remain.

Bobmac adds: Agree with Hangler but would add in the enjoyment of anticipation and planning. It has never lessened over many years.

AndyG concludes: To put simply, it’s something I enjoy, so why not spend time doing something I enjoy.

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“He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum and said, 'What a good boy am I!” Stuart Smith was hoping to emulate little Jack Horner’s success when, on Tuesday 2 June, he and the other half of this comical double act, Nick Smith, announced the launch of the Blue Cod Consultation Document.

The MPI Spin Doctors tried to sell Tuesday’s announcement as a ‘Consultation meeting’, but it was nothing more than a photo opportunity for Smith & Smith, neither of whom have had any involvement in the Blue Cod Management Group process in any way.

In much the same way as a circling Harrier Hawk can identify roadkill as a ‘free lunch’, so too can politicians recognise an opportunity to grandstand on the work of others to further their own political careers. With that objective in mind, Alias Smith and Jones boarded a plane for Blenheim to the melodious tones of the Barbra Streisand classic, Send in the Clowns.

We all know ‘fisheries management’ does not exist in Aotearoa without political interference. The two are so interconnected as to be unrecognisable the one without the other. Political donations given, rules changed, quotas increased, recreational bag limits cut.

Which of these are management, which are mismanagement, which are genuine efforts towards sustainability and which are simply career advancement of Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) staff or politicians?

The release of the Blue Cod Consultation Document and rule changes, which Fisheries Minister Nathan Guy has said will come into

effect on 1 October 2015, is a combination of all of the above, following six years of voluntary service on the part of community representatives on the Blue Cod Management Group. Having completed their task, albeit with no certainty of what final outcomes MPI will layer over their work, National Party MPs Nick Smith and back bencher, Stuart Smith, have hijacked their efforts to announce what ‘they’ have achieved.

Tuesday’s launch was just political grandstanding; For those genuinely interested in sustainable fisheries management without the political hype, you will have the opportunity to have your say in the form of written submissions between 2 June and 30 June.

Important meetings for the public to attend are the Drop in Sessions, which will be held in Wellington on Thursday 11 June at the Mana Cruising Club, Nelson on Tuesday 16 June at the Rutherford Hotel and Blenheim on Wednesday 17 June at the Marlborough Convention Centre between 4.30 – 7.30pm.

The public will have ample time at these sessions to discuss the discussion document recommendations with members of the Blue Cod Management Group and representatives from the Ministry for Primary Industries.

If you are frustrated at the lack of transparency and genuine consultation throughout this process, come along and ‘bang heads’ with senior MPI Inshore Fisheries staff. Incidentally, the discussion document does contain further cuts to recreational daily bag limits. See you at the meetings.

JUNE 2015