Issue 110 - The Fishing Paper & New Zealand Hunting News

THE

FISHING PAPER

FREE November 2014 - Issue 110

Page 4 story

SUMO STYLE SEVEN POUNDER!

&

HUNTING NEW ZEALAND

NEWS The Fairmead Experience pg 13

 Elliot’s Elephant Tips  Josh James Kiwi Bushman shows us his DNA

11 0, 00 0

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NOVEMBER 2014

2

THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

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MARINE ELECTRONICS With Sean Ryan sean@fluidelectronics.co.nz

AN OVERVIEW OF THE UNDER VIEW

NELSON’S SPECIALIST DIVING AND FISHING STORE

BAIT PACK IS BACK! all for 400gm squid 1kg pillies 1.5kg Southern Bait Berley

$

20

END OF SEASON WHITEBAIT SELL OUT

20-50%

OFF

FLASHER RIGS

as they can get damaged check your settings and turn off the fish ID – it is simply wrong to use this function if you are serious about catching fish. Show it to the kids or grandkids then turn it off.

Firstly check your transducer is not damaged and securely fastened.

Ensure it is correctly positioned away from any planing strakes or protrusions on the hull that cause aeration. If you are not sure take your boat out for a quick spin and get someone to look over the stern and mark a suitable place for mounting in the clean water. It isn’t imperative but generally best to mount it on the starboard side of your outboard at least 30cm away from the prop.

Speeds over 25 knots can affect performance on some vessels depending on the hull construction.

There is a gain - sensitivity control, if it has an automatic function and you are happy with what it shows, great. To adjust it manually, increase the gain until it starts to show interference then turn it back slightly. Remember, some fish like blue cod may only show up as dots on your screen so don’t tune them out. The noise setting operates in a similar manner.

TRIGGER X SOFT BAITS

3 FOR

20

The thickness of the bottom image is telling you how hard it is, a very thick image shows hard ground, medium image sandy and the thinnest is mud. If you

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want to be sure, head into areas you know have each of these types of seabed and look at the sounder image, it will help you when targeting certain species. On colour sounders an additional benefit is the deeper the colour the harder the bottom, adjust it to get the best result.

When you hook into the fish you need to look at the image on the sounder to show you what they look like on the bottom. To some people the images look the same but there are distinct differences between species.

Barracouta show up as horizontal lines or streaks, remember it isn’t always bad to have them under you, you just need to get the gear through them to get into the good fish below.

If you are not happy with the way it is performing then it’s best to give us a call. Be will happily fix any issues we can but sometimes the option is to simply upgrade.

Tight lines.

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Increasing ping speed can give you a more accurate bottom sounding. Be aware when you drive over a pinnacle at speed, it will flatten out much more at slow speed.

Once that’s all sorted and you are out on the water – it isn’t a good idea to run the transducers out of the water

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ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 3

4

THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

FISH TESTED, ANGLER APPROVED Fish Catching System r Recommended fo g fresh water fishin

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Front Cover Story

The Mouse Muncher

By Mark Hubbard Finally the day arrived, our annual back country trip for our first fish of the season was underway. As we headed toward our destination we talked of previous adventures and how we were always anxious to get off the mark.

only fish to wet the net, although a wee troll on the lake that evening produced a few fat fit little guys to bump up the tally.

My accomplice Euge fired up the boat as I reversed into the lake then parked up and waded through a thick film of sandflies to get to the jetty for pick up.

A good fish was spotted working a deep drop off at the head of a pool, moving side to side I could see the flash of white from his mouth as it fed furiously.

Snow capped mountains surrounded us as we boated across the lake towards our intended location. Gear stowed and it was time for a fish.

Into position, I take care to make this first cast accurate and present the fly as natural as possible. He likes what he sees and rises to take.

I strike to a solid consistent headshake as I set the hook. No time to relax as I’m given a full tour of the pool, top to bottom and back again.

I get the fish up toward the surface and realise this is a substantial brown in great condition.

Cautiously I play him out and getting the net under him, I lift to successfully claim another.

The sun was now high and the temperature had risen so the fish may be on the munch I thought. I was right. I spotted a fish busy feeding in the river mouth and with a rather sloppy first cast dropped the nymph a half metre to its side, no hesitation from this brown as he drifted back and to the side to take.

Crazy Leg 5”

No mistake with the strike and a few solid runs later the first of the season was to the net. A sigh of relief exhaled as he swims off to recover.

Nuclear Chicken

As I continued, even more fish showed themselves in the same run, with two to the net and one finding safety in a logjam. Further upstream a cracking five pounder rolled over my big dry fly to make the best of the day.

Next day was tough with overnight rain bringing river levels up and making them impossible to cross but I enjoyed my trip up the valley with a long, lean, six pounder the

Squid Vicious 6”

The sun was on the water early and the wind was staying away as I headed up a rapidly clearing river on the third day.

This guy was so fat, with a belly like a sumo wrestler, my first mice muncher for sure and going just shy of seven pound, an exceptional example of the species.

After much admiration and one or three photos it was time to let him get back to his rodent control. I was stoked to say the least.

More fish were brought to the net and all in great nick but none with the obvious mouse belly.

As the trip came to an end I thought of what I may encounter on our return in a few months, could it be more mice munchers? I’ll let you know.

MY BEST CATCH YET

By Julian Smit

It was a sunny and perfect day for fishing at Okiwi Bay, so Dad got the boat out and not long after as we went racing across the water, we saw the dolphins.

It was too good a chance to miss to take photographs. Then it was time to find a good fishing place and we anchored not far from the beach.

Nitro Jigheads

We lowered down our fishing rods and almost straight away my brother Quinten caught something. He reeled in his rod and he had a blue cod on the hook. Next Dad pulled up his fishing rod with another blue cod on the end.

Catch more FISH

After they caught what seemed a heap of blue cod I wondered if I was going to get any of the action, then it happened.

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“Dad,” I yelled.

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Julian’s ‘kingfish’

I pulled up my fishing rod and saw a quick black shadow in the water. The fish spluttered out of the water. It looked at least 50cm long. I thought it was a kingfish and too small so threw it back but was told later it was a kahawai.

We ended the day with 12 blue cod - my best catch yet.

g d e

e a t

d n d t r

f t

a h t h d

ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 5

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THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

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BEST BY TEST Black Magic ‘Originals’ Still The Best When selecting tackle, we all have our favourites, but if there’s one item that suits anglers of every skill level and age, and one that suits most fishing applications, it’s the Black Magic flasher rig.

Black Magic believes it set a ‘first’ when basing a sabiki rig design around circle hooks almost 20-years-ago.

The new flasher rig design featured a range of Black Magic KL hooks produced in Japan, using premium quality high carbon steel to ensure excellent strength. They are also chemically sharpened for added penetration, but the key advantage of the KL style is they ‘self-hook’ usually in the corner of the mouth - making them easier to remove and less harmful to fish; perfect for catch and release. Such is KL’s versatility, it is an excellent choice for slightly deeper water through to fishing the surf.

All Black Magic flasher rigs are hand-rigged in New Zealand, which provides for greater quality control and

allows Black Magic to use their own componentry, such as 60lb or 80lb tough trace and long-life Japanese lumo beads for added attraction.

The ‘flash’ material has been selected to provide a range of enticing colours to suit various fishing conditions and species. Black Magic flasher rigs are proven in the field to catch a wide variety of fish: snapper, kingfish, kahawai, trumpeter, tarakihi, trevally, elephant fish, groper, john dory and cod to name a few.

Elliot’s Elephant Tips

By Elliot Hendry

To give customers added confidence, Black Magic batch tests all the componentry, as well as the finished rigs, to ensure they meet the exacting high standards required: their ‘Best by Test’ motto no idle boast.

and, to the bottom, attach an appropriate sinker for the current you are fishing in. Don’t put too much bait on the hook; they work best with a smaller strip bait. If you’re using the KL hooks, don’t strike when a fish bites.

Just gently lift the rod tip and allow the fish to hook itself.

Black Magic flasher rigs with KL hooks come in sizes 1/0 to 8/0, but you can also now get them in a suicide pattern like the super sharp C Point® hook – and they’re easy to use. Simply tie your main line to the swivel at the top of the rig

Flasher rigs have become very popular throughout New Zealand and Australia. There are many other imported flasher rigs available in retail stores but in the end, Black Magic believes their rigs are the ‘Originals’ and still the best – by test!

www.blackmagictackle.com

Fishing from the shore can be challenging but exciting and, just occasionally, hours of effort and determination bring big rewards.

Toward the middle of October I was fishing a favourite stretch of beach near the Rakaia at night, when I caught my biggest elephant to date. After a solid battle I managed to beach this magnificent 14lber.

I like to fish deeply shelving beaches, so depth isn’t an issue, and some preferred locations near Christchurch include Birdlings Flat,

Baileys Beach, Taumutu and South Rakaia. I prefer fishing the last two hours of light and into dark, but elephant fish can be caught throughout the day. Tide doesn’t seem to have much, if any, effect; nothing I’ve noticed anyway. Northwest winds produce best results and my favourite baits, in order of preference, are: paddle crab, cooked or uncooked prawns, pipis, and squid. I prefer to use crab or prawns because it also the targets rig, which fight harder and are just as good to eat.

A Tidiness Tip THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR BEACH FISHING SYSTEM New Zealand’s Seahorse Electric Kontiki is the world’s most popular beach fishing system. Beach longline fishing is an economic and effective way to regularly catch fresh fish - either single handed or with family and friends.

The Seahorse has been designed to power through all conditions taking your line up to 1900 metres offshore. You can fish where and when you want.

Call now for the latest FREE DVD and brochure!

I was helping a fisherman rig up his line when I noticed the safety pins he had in one of the compartments of his fishing box. He had swivels and hooks and lure threaded onto them so that they didn’t all get mixed up. I am now doing the same thing too and I thought it might also be of interest to some of our readers.

We want your story Send us in your story and pic and if published you go in the draw to win a BLACK MAGIC Snapper Pack

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 C Point Strayline Rig Towel

Value $79.95

BEST BY TEST Phone 07 543 0266 | www.seahorse.net.nz

Email you story to editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz Stories should be 300-400 words

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ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 7

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The Originals - Still The Best

Flasher Rigs Our flasher rigs are hand rigged in New Zealand using high quality raw materials including our Japanese made hooks, tough trace and long life lumo beads. You can choose rigs with either “self-hooking” KL hooks, suicide hooks or our super sharp C Point® hooks (sizes 1/0 to 8/0).

We also produce a range of specialty rigs including: heavy duty livebait, whiting, john dory, bait catchers, straylining and our newly released surfcasting range.

Trust Black Magic rigs. WHY? Because we batch test both the components and the rigs in our lab at Black Magic’s head office.

Dylan Pak caught this massive 11.76kg snapper while fishing off the Mercury Islands on a Black Magic Snapper Snatcher 6/0 XL ‘original’.

This 12kg kingfish was taken by 5 year old Corey Kingston with assistance from his dad. They used a Black Magic 3/0 Tarakihi Terror rig while fishing off Boulder Bank, Nelson. Great job Corey!

A Black Magic Snapper Snatcher 5/0 ‘pinky’ was used by Fay Murray to take this 30lb kingfish while fishing at Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough.

10 year old Aimee Lynch caught and released this impressive 23lb snapper while fishing in Tasman Bay on a Black Magic Snapper Snatcher 5/0 ‘sunset’.

For your nearest retailer and our full range visit our website at

www.blackmagictackle.com

YOUR PHOTO COULD APPEAR IN OUR ADS! If we use your photo in our advertising you will receive a FREE BLACK MAGIC CAP AND PRIZE! Include your name, address, fish weight, where you caught it and which Black Magic or Wasabi products were used. Send a high resolution image to: photos@blackmagic.co.nz

8

THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

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Average Weather, Cracker Fishing!

Spottie-light on Luca Luca Johnson may only be four-years-old but already he’s a dab hand with a rod. He loves fishing with mum and dad and his big sister Eva, and on this trip to the Pelorus Sound, Luca bagged his first spottie.

Thumbs up to you buddy – we think it’s a ‘killer catch!’

By Ian Sutherland

We had expected the weather for the weekend to be pretty good, as the forecast had led us to believe.

Fast forward to fishing day and things had taken a turn for the worse. Launching from Okiwi Bay, it was a slow battle up towards d’Urville but we made it safely and started out on some snapper - some great fish to 23lb hit the bin once we had worked out how to get the jigs past the barracouta.

The kingfish had little regard for the distasteful weather up on the surface Not that the biggest snapper could be credited to myself; I am still yet to personally crack

the

20lb

mark.

Next up after the change of tide, was kingfish time.

The barracouta had followed us to the new spot, but after five drops I hooked up solid

Fishing with Toops!

on a tough 45lb kingi and a further three drops later, a 30lb kingi. Who cares about a bit of rough weather, I can’t wait to head out again!

By Chris Tupu Here I am off to drop the cray pot East Coast style with the SUP somewhere north of Gizzie. My preferred bait is tarakihi frames because the crays just seem to love them and the proof is in the pudding. Or should that read, the proof is in the beehive pot? Over five days of fishing, I scored 20 crays off this single beehive pot. The secret: leave your bait out in the sun all day!

Best Recipe: Thinly slice tail and dip in wasabi and Japanese soy sauce with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Toops with crays

Luca Johnson is thrilled with his first spottie WIFE WON’T LET YOU GO HUNTING & FISHING TILL THE GARDEN IS DONE? Get everything you need at your one stop landscape supplies shop.

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ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 9

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The Outboard Shop

OSPREY DIRECT

Den’s Tool Box

Why Purchase An ‘Osprey Boat’ Over Other Brands ?

4. How old is the fuel?

If older than three months and you haven’t added fuel stabilizer to the tanks, it is best to drain and start the season with fresh fuel.

Damage to a power-head caused by stale fuel could cost you thousands compared to a tank of fuel.

5. Run up the motor at home on flush muffs before getting to the ramp can save embarrassment – always check for a good telltale from engine.

Flushing at the end of the day with Salt Away or MACS flush will help combat corrosion and salt building up in engine.

The best plan is to have your boat/motor serviced by a professional so you can be confident that you are all set for the summer.

Call me now on (03) 5487858 to book in for a service and let me take those worries off your shoulders:

Summer is here; time to pull the covers off your boat and get out there, right?

Here are a few easy maintenance items that you can do before hitting the water.

1. Inspect the fuel/water separator filter and drain off any water in the bowl -(you do have a fuel/water separator filter between your tank and engine right?)

2. Check the battery is charged and terminals are clean and tight. Batteries should be kept charged otherwise they deteriorate rapidly - if left discharged they won’t last a year. An automatic smart charger keeps your battery charged and fresh.

3. Check the steering is free and not tight or seized. Stiff steering is dangerous and swinging on the wheel will damage the helm. Cables are usually non greaseable, but store the motor turned to starboard. This way the cable has less chance of seizing in the tilt tube and, if it does, is easier to free.

FREE TRAILER WARRANT*

with every service booked in the month of November

*Conditions Apply

Phone (03) 5487858 • Mobile (027) 7474566 The Outboard Shop, 105 St Vincent St, Nelson

OSPREY POINTS OF DIFFERENCE •

Osprey have deeper Vee and Dead-rise giving much softer ride

•

Osprey have finer entry and stem angles, which slices through the water creating less drag

•

Osprey do not add planing strakes to bow section of hull for added lift, because they are not necessary on Osprey hulls, and because they create hardness in ride and excessive spray

•

Osprey have a slower planning speed, requiring less horsepower

•

Less power and less drag equals more economy - from purchase to use

•

Osprey do not narrow pontoons, because this reduces reserve buoyancy severely

•

Osprey have 110kg of inherent buoyancy per metre of pontoon (each side)

•

Osprey boats hold their price well, meaning you will get good resale value

•

Osprey Boats are more attractive than any other brand

•

Osprey will customise your boat to what you want, giving that personal individuality,

•

Osprey offer a five-year hull warranty,

•

If the pontoons are narrower, the centre of gravity is moved further out, (when people are standing against the inner face of pontoon) thus making the vessel less stable at rest.

•

When pontoons are narrowed the hull plates have to be wider thus giving a larger wet area, more drag, less performance, more horsepower required, and less economy.

•

The price may be slightly dearer because we do not cut corners to achieve lower costs.

•

Ospreys are stronger, more durable and are ALL built to exceed survey specifications

Summer Boating SAFETY Specials for Nov / Dec 2014

!

A I MAN

All OSPREYs - Open (Dinghy/Console) and Cuddy Series Ordered During November & December for delivery 2015 will receive:

Free Life Jackets • Free Colour GPS Fish Finder Combo • Free VHF Radio (Conditions apply)

OSPREY 590C

OSPREY 450 SIDE CONSOLE

OSPREY 380S DINGHY

individuality, functional and practical customised extras Purchasing your new boat is a huge investment and the whole experience should be exciting and memorable. That’s why the staff at Osprey Boats strive to give your investment your own individuality with functional and practical layout and customised extras to suit your exact requirements.

Contact and deal with

OSPREY DIRECT for your next exciting experience

Producing Osprey Boats for over 20 years

Now that’s Experience!

More NEWS next month, so watch this space...

Osprey Boats Ltd – 105 St. Vincent St. Nelson Phone: 03 548 7887 or email: lloyd@osprey.co.nz

www.osprey.co.nz

10 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

Captain’s Log: Beam me up spotty

Boys

Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are legends of classic children’s literature and made Samuel Clemens, a.k.a Mark Twain, a household name.

Tom was created in 1876 and lived through the pages of Twain’s writings for twenty years, appearing in four novels. While the stories now seem dated, the underlying theme of boys having amazing adventures and solving far-out problems still underscores childhood today – at least

for those children allowed the freedom to explore the ‘wilds’ and come home dirty with ‘garked’ knees and tales of ‘daring doo’ to tell.

Adventure through the eyes of young is a realm where imagination mixes with reality to create a playground where they become heroes who struggle, battle and defend in order to triumph over adversity. A tussle with a barracouta becomes a fight to the death with a sinister villain from the

SHOULD BE BOYS

Snow Deer but Four Trout!

By Luke Simpson

‘Razor Gang’ and five gurnard in the one session is a ‘mission’ grown ups wouldn’t have a hope in hell of achieving.

Plus it’s a beautiful thing to watch – two boys having fun without a care in the world!

B

Luke Simpson’s early season battler To hunt or to fish… that is the question! With so many opportunities, what do you do? Both!

After a weekend on the hill trying to find a deer amongst the snowflakes, I headed for the Canterbury lowlands on the Sunday afternoon of trout Opening Weekend to fling a fly, hopefully with more success. It was overcast and shingle scrunched under my feet as I approached a lovely stretch of stoney bottom river where a trout was rising every few minutes to suck some morsel from the surface.

Many elements have to come together for a successful outcome and I was off to a good start, having got in position without spooking my

quarry. I went for a Dad’s Favourite #16, which happens to be my favourite as well; perhaps I should rename it Son’s Favourite! It works well for me and so I put the old standby into flight.

On the second cast it stuck and a solid strike exploded into a brief but spectacular sequence of jumps, flips and splashes that tend to get the heart racing.

At around four pound it was a nice solid fish, which was quickly released while I set my sights on another victim. I only fished a few hundred metres of water using the same dry fly but managed four good trout for my efforts.

So the weekend turned out okay; no deer but four trout.

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B F

i

While this may seem mildly amusing to adults who have lost their magic, it is a crucial aspect in the growth and development of boys. They need to be given the trust and scope to run barefoot, climb trees and scale cliffs, and they most certainly must be allowed to come home after dark, muddy, wet, reeking of rotten fish and starving.

A child should never be put at risk, but taught a little, managed occasionally and supervised from a distance – always. Adults should be heard but not seen. Through good honest play, boys will learn to become good honest men.

With a little support from mum and dad, nature is a wonderful teacher and besides, if you dig deep enough, there’s a little Tom Sawyer left in all of us.

Daniel Crimp and good mate Ezra ‘Henry’ XXXX return from yet another adventure

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

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Find us on

ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 11

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Big Fish

From Sinker to Smoker

By Ron Prestage

Hammering Out A Long Cast!

Expert long distance casters these days advocate a ‘hammering arm action’ when making a cast. This, coupled with body rotation, will take your bait out far further than the ‘overhead thump’ that many surfcasters never progress beyond.

in Tonga

When you swing a heavy sledgehammer you pull hard with one arm and push strongly with the other. Translate this action into your casting style. My style is based on the work of Australian Scott Selby, a hugely successful tournament caster.

By Imo McCarthy ‘These fish are not as big as you’ll get out here! But the gear is pretty impressive’.

This guy had come back from New Zealand... too cold. He told us how to run Bananaman the yacht we hired in Vava’u. It was a 36ft Jeanneau hired from The Moorings, and suited four of us well.

First day out we casually tossed over a couple of lures, a red and white Rapala and a tuna skirt. Before Waide had put the bungy on the Rapala -‘bang’ and then ‘bang’ again on the tuna lure. We had secured two yellowfin tuna.

Next problem was how to get them on board with no landing net, from a skinny boarding platform. Luck and Waide’s agility saw them landed, bled and gutted.

Where to put them? We headed back to Neiafu to give one away and managed to get the best bits of the other one stored in the little fridge. We feasted on sashimi and then

Waide Maisey with a yellowfin tuna caught trolling a red and white Rapala lure cooked up the wings…divine.

A couple of days later the men decided it was time to fish seriously again and were rewarded, again on the red and white Rapala, with a beautiful mahimahi. The colour is stunning but as soon as the fish dies it goes a boring gray.

Next was a needlefish. It is like a really big garfish, but with incredibly numerous and sharp teeth. It managed to self release so we never got to taste it. The locals say it’s good though.

Best catch of all, off the mooring at Port Maurelle, was a very big and tasty coral trout. Imo was fishing with a tiny hooked sabiki rig and had to very cautiously lift the fish over the side.

Apart from the fishing we

had whales visit us with their babies. The little ones roll on their sides and gaze at the boat while Mum stands by. You are not allowed to approach the whales but if they approach you, too bad.

The snorkelling is great over what seems to be pretty healthy coral. We did spot some nasty crown of thorns starfish which need seeing to.

On one lump of coral three different species of anenome fish valiantly guarding their homes and at another the biggest lion fish we have ever seen.

Eight days on this boat were affordable and provided all the experiences and accommodation that would have cost as much if not more if having a shore based holiday.

You start by facing the sea, a safe position.

Rotate your body so your rod is behind you with a drop of about two metres to your sinker. Get the lead swinging at 90 degrees to your rod and when it is fully extended to your left, if you are right handed, begin your cast and make a sweeping arc, pulling with your left arm and pushing with your right in a hammering motion as your torso and shoulders rotate towards the target area. At the end of the movement the rod tip should be pointing to where the big snapper are!

Other important factors in achieving a long cast using a fixed spool reel include the following: • A reel with a tapered long cast spool, filled to the brim.

• The thinnest line possible. I use 20lb Spiderwire Stealth braid which has the diameter of 6lb mono.

• A streamlined sinker 4-6oz.

• A clipped down ledger rig or pulley rig.

• A shock leader of 10lb for every ounce of sinker. Tapered shock leaders are best.

• A finger-stall on your casting finger.

• A modern rod, designed for long distance casting. A few to choose from. Kilwell 222 Long Cast, Abu Garcia Veritas, Okuma Solaris, AFAW (Any Fish Any Where) CD XD Surf, Sonik SKS Surf Rods.

Above: Rotate body, and use a sledgehammer action for long distance casting Above: Long Cast Aids – Slim line, reel with tapered long cast spool, streamlined sinker

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12 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

G N I T N U H NEW

ZEAL

AND

NEWS

The Fairmead Experience Crimpy enjoyed a thrilling stalk to bag this nice Fairmead meat animal

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NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS 13

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

The Fairmead Hunting Experience

By Daryl Crimp

A fallow buck peered nervously from behind the foliage, only its eye and part of one ear visible. Time stopped along with our breathing and the deer wondered, mused silently, decided we were no threat and wandered into the open. It had been preceded by a couple of does with young in tow and we now watched them nervously feed along the bush edge, but they were not our target so we crawled back from the lip of the grass bench, stood up and headed in another direction.

I was hunting in the back blocks of Wanganui with Richard Turner who, with wife Barbara, has developed ‘The Fairmead Hunting Experience’, of which I was getting my first taste of

we’d selected involved skirting feeding groups, individual animals, or pesky wild turkeys.

Once I had to pass up on a prime eater because there were just too many animals milling around to make a clear shot and further on a good stalk was thwarted by swirling wind.

Ah – the vagaries of hunting.

salute success with a quality drop of Highland amber, and to tell more lies! The hut is a replica of a rustic old mountain hut complete with a largehearth log fire, exposed beams, corrugated iron, hanging Tilley lamps, antlers adorning the walls, and all manner of back country memorabilia.

A small herd of high quality bucks live on the property, perfect for those interested in collecting a trophy, and the new Swarovski EL Rangefinder binoculars kept dragging me in their direction all the time.

Damn there were some fine heads there! The best time to hunt for a trophy is in March, just before the rut; once the bucks start scrapping tines get broken, chipped and damaged. However,

Richard is congenial, the perfect host, a great camp cook and an excellent guide: he’s polished and professional but also calm and unobtrusive. He also has a story or two to tell while gazing into the flickering flames and I have to say the warmth from the hearty fire was only surpassed by the laughter that descended with the darkness on Totara Ridge Hut that night.

son-aunty-same sex PC… oh hell you know what I mean) combos, old codgers wanting to relive their younger days, budding trophy hunters, the fit, unfit, and/or time-poor hunters needing to fill the freezer.

‘The Fairmead Experience’ is also the perfect unique gift to mark that special occasion, birthday, engagement, wedding,

Totara Ridge hut offers warmth, charm and abundant character

Christmas or important event for the loved one in your life. Richard and Barbara will customise gift vouchers to make the event more memorable or special.

If an important event such as a tangi, wedding, party or summer barbecue requires quality venison – ‘The Fairmead Hunting Experience’ will give you the thrill and satisfaction of providing for the table by your own hand. It doesn’t come much better than that.

While the Hill Country hunting

Up close

Fairmead Hunting Lodge offers personalised professional guided hunting for fallow deer, trophy bucks and other game animals on a safe and controlled environment in Back Block, Wanganui.

Two fallow bucks on the alert and the flavour was already to my liking. Richard and I were after a meat animal and while Fairmead is a target-rich hunting environment, it can be no walk in the park either. First we had to find and select an appropriate beast and then the real challenge became to stalk into a position to take it cleanly, and believe me, there were obstacles.

Hunched like two old cronies, we serpentined out way to the crest of the ridge, slipped onto our backsides and rolled over the skyline to avoid our silhouettes scaring all and sundry. The wind was blustery, stealing our scent and whisking it away in the most spiteful fashion, so there was no straightforward stalking option; strategy had to be reassessed and changes made. We came upon or were in sight of deer often, but getting into position on the one

the rut is an exciting time to hunt and definitely not an experience to be missed, particularly for those new hunters eager to build their knowledge and skill sets.

However, spaces for this period are limited so it pays to book early.

“That one!” Richard was lying next to me overlooking a steep face dropping into a swampy gully. We’d slipped unnoticed past a herd of bucks previously and managed to isolate a threeyear-old that was fat as a piglet on the teat. We’d stalked in to 80m and I waited for it to turn slightly side on before tucking the Norma 150gr Nosler through the ribcage behind the elbow to take out the heart. It kicked off downhill but was dead on its feet, having suffered no pain – a very satisfying hunt.

Job done, we retired to Totara Ridge Hut to take in the vista,

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14 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

A Story About

Go Cheap & Risk Mission Failure

Pussy Eeek - I have a stalker. He has stealthed up to the ranch slider and is peering at me, silent and unblinking.

I study him as he studies me.

He’s obviously a fighter, he has a flattened nose and scarred face.

His eyes give me the heebiejeebies. One has a pin-prick small pupil in a big round eye, the other is opaque, perfectly formed but blind as can be. He’s thin, desperate and absolutely uncivilised.

My stalker - I’ll call him Tom - bolts when I approach him. He scarpers across the paddock and into the cluster of wild cherry trees. Come nightfall, when the curtains are pulled across the ranch slider and the home fires are burning, there is an ominous thump outdoors. He’s back. This time he proves to be a thief as well as a watcher. He steals pork, lots of pork. He eats it all at once, his appetite disproportionate to his size.

My stalker was a feral feline.

Our first encounter was two years ago while I was camped in the back country. I was temporarily residing in the peasant’s quarters of a safari lodge. He was a permanent resident and he’d learnt the arrival of hunter-humans correlated with the arrival of food. Meat - wild game meat. Be it the hanging and quartering of a sacrificial spiker or the guarded TLC of a trophy stag’s head.

By Paul Clark - New Zealand Ammo

What value do you place on your hunting recreation?

By Kim Swan

Typical of a back-country wildcat, he was a large leggy tabby whose hunting skills were equal to any big cat worldwide.

He was no stranger to inclement mountain weather, feast and famine, or fighting for his life or a wife. His home range was vast, and he’d cover it by day and night looking for any opportunity to cadge a feed.

New Zealand’s wild cats are not fussy eaters. I’ve seen them catch crickets or crunching on locusts, scrounging rotting carcasses or gorging on a game animal I’ve left to collect. They will sit patiently above a rabbit’s nursery and eventually catch every kit that emerges until the entire litter is killed. An unwary bird or its nest contents are a treat, as is a skink, a leveret or a moth. Feral felines are opportunist feeders, anything goes.

Tom is just the same. He is a finely tuned and constantlyhungry killing machine. He is capable of killing animals almost as big as himself and eating them all at once. He will also cold-bloodedly kill another cat’s kittens and rape a she-cat when she is cycling. There is nothing

No cute cuddles for this feral killing machine! lovely or desirable about Tom and his kind, not all pussies are for petting.

Once I knew Tom was ‘out there’ - stalking, thieving and slaying - I tried to eliminate him from the high country food chain.

I hunted him with spotlight and .22 rifle - my goal to shoot him directly between his good eye and bad one. For once it was he who was the hunted and not the hunter.

This week, two years after initially seeing that ugly striped face peering through the ranch slider glass, I was back at the peasant’s quarters. On the first night Tom did a pole dance. He athletically climbed a wooden pole, jumped from it onto a hanging goat carcass and clung there, gorging himself till he was sated. Then he went to his den at the cherry groves and slept - and slept and slept.

We played hide and seek. He did the hiding and I did the seeking.

He won for starters as he had home advantage. He scrounged my dog’s scraps as and when he could but lay low whenever I’d seek him out. I’d catch glimpses of him far afield eating goat guts or stalking birds during the day.

I’d catch a flash of reflected eyeshine at night. There was pussy galore but not a lot of banging going on.

That’s when I decided to play dirty. I wooed Tom with a bit of fluff - I baited him with bunny bits.

Bedtime - outside I glanced all about with my head torch and there near the cherry grove, was a one-eyed reflection as bright as could be. The bait was working.

There’s nothing like a bit of fluff to attract a cool cat!

Immediately the head torch was off Tom, removing any pressure he may feel. Indoors I quickly swapped head torch for spotlight, toothbrush for rifle, slippers for gumboots. Then, armed and dangerous, I was ready to look my stalker in the eye.

Tom died where he crouched, drooling over his dinner. He simply rolled over and expired, his tail thrashing and good eye open wide. He’ll no longer peer through windows or thieve or scavenge. He’ll no longer murder birds, reptiles, insects or other animals in an environment where he was never supposed to be.

With dawn less than an hour away, you are close to one of your favourite hunting faces where there is a damn good chance that, being late spring, there should be a couple of not too alert yearlings trying to get a gutsful of spring grass.

In the half-light you stumble and give the rifle a hard knock, muttering the usual choice words before rushing on. Carefully and quietly you move to an observation spot and start glassing the opposite face for four-footed targets. The high quality binoculars you spent over three thousand dollars on suddenly seem worth their weight in gold, as they enable you to cut through the gloom to reveal several potential targets and, as a bonus, a good stag with a promising set of velvet.

From previous experience, you know it is about 230m to the meat animals that you would like to take. The first shot rings out in the still dawn but the impact sound indicates a gut shot, which is confirmed by the animal’s reactions. Half-a-dozen rounds later you have one deer on the ground and another wounded somewhere in the shit-filled creek at the bottom of the face. You eventually find it 40 minutes later.

Reflection time. A careful look at the rifle reveals some movement in those cheap scope rings. Why, when the rifle/ scope combination cost the best part of $3000, did you try to save 80-odd-dollars by not buying high quality scope rings and bases. And to add insult to injury, why did you buy that cheap soft point ammunition? Its accuracy was only average, but the really telling factor was that it didn’t expand that well and transfer its energy to the target effectively, hence the wounded deer.

There are no free lunches, contrary to popular belief. Good hunters, regardless if they are professional or keen amateurs, didn’t get that way by cutting corners. You shouldn’t either.

Take a leaf out of the professionals’ book, like military and or police marksman. They know that sloppy habits and behaviour means that mission failure becomes a real risk, and who wants that?

HUNT

Marlborough

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NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS 15

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Bluffs Boars Beers & a Barbie-Q!

By Daniel Smith e d f A friend of mine had been itching to get out for a pig hunt and had been telling a workmate of his about the elusive pigs of . the South Island; the mate had not long moved down from the ,central North Island. The hunt was planned - and then work yinterjected and the hunt was cancelled. g After getting through work early on Saturday I called the guys to ysee if they were still keen. It was late but the guys still wanted to yget out on the hill. The options were few, but we decided to hunt a tplace that is hunted a lot and didn’t hold our breath for any thing aeasy or ‘boarsum’.

We had been hunting for around 20 minutes when two dogs took off with, some interest, into the gully. We let two more go, but a efew minutes later two dogs came back. However, the main dog put sup a bail about 400m away, after tracking a scent. Behind him the ,backup dog picked up the pace in his direction. We knew the pig was heading for some steep cliffs and the front dog, Mahi, was now n working hard to keep up with it. r The guys all jumped in the truck and we took off to the bottom off fthe bluffs a kilometre away but a lot longer drive to get to where the

dogs were giving chase. When we all piled out Rich was first to hear the dog in front catch up with the pig. e / “Mahi is barking up the creek!” o I grabbed the .44 magnum and ran up the creek: the pig was trying to get across the road and to main river to escape. I saw Mahi give s it a touch of ‘handbrake’ in the back end to slow it down. A second tlater he had it by the ear and a second after that the other dog, Tyson, ,had the other ear - all right in front of our eyes - what a hunt. I lgrabbed the tail and called for the guys to grab the knife to stick ethe boar.

We were all buzzing as the boar, sporting a good set of tusks, was quickly put out of its pain. We high-fived all the way home to a few dbrews followed by a barbecue into the wee hours, reliving our story. , Squinty and less enthusiastic, we egged each other on next .morning and tempted fate with another hunt. None were too keen to dget out of the truck in our post celebratory state, but at least we were d d

out on the hill with our lines in the water - so to speak.

Same place and, again, 20 minutes into the hunt Bear, the sister to Saturday’s hero, put up a quick bail. The other dogs had gone the wrong way on this pig’s scent, and so now it was down to the one dog to keep a very angry ‘tusky’ boar captive. A few times it went quiet and the guys thought the pig had escaped, but backup eventually arrived and the boar was held while I grabbed it and Toma finished it with the knife.

We couldn’t have been happier: two ‘tusky’ boars in two hunts and both within 20 minutes of starting the hunt! It felt like cheating, but the exhausted dogs had really put in a huge effort to find, chase and bail these boars in ‘bluffy’ country and avoid major injury. Neither came easy!

Above: That man deserves a beer

Right: Have you been flossing mate?

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16 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS

HUNT BACK WITH HARKER

By Peter Harker

Looking Back To 1968 Part 2 Foliage shaking furiously 50 feet above the grazing hind had me sitting bolt upright and careful observation proved that several deer were coming down the steep, bush covered hillside. In my sniperstyle vantage point I pushed the six inch legs of my rifle’s tripod into the log and brought the lever action into a cocked position. A simple glimpse of a head, leg, shoulder and so on was all I could see and it seemed that unless the group of deer came out onto the boulder to join the first hind. I was in rather a predicament as to what to do.

Target; my problem was solved when one, probably

the largest hind, found a high branch covered in leaves exactly to her liking and with head and shoulders showing for about five seconds at a time offered a tempting target. The red light of my single­point sight came up on the branch and as the head appeared for a fresh mouthful the dot swung across, centred in the middle and the bullet corresponded. All hell broke loose and above the noise of the water I could hear branches and sapling being broken as the mob beat a hasty retreat back up the slippery hillside. To me the noise of the rifle sounded muffled, but gazing up a long shingle fan to the high right I could detect a mob of about

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz seven deer moving steadily upwards with no hesitation. Pete Billington, who was still in the hut way down on the flat, told me later that the rifle shot was crystal clear in the valley.

Problem; the problem of reaching the deer was far greater than the job of shooting it.

Having a crook ankle with a set of boots that held no sympathy did not help and, as I descended cautiously down to the water’s edge, I had strong doubts as to my capabilities of being able to to take any far-out chances.

At the water’s edge and getting showered with spray, I was about to quit three or four times, but each time I reconsidered and my determination grew until the challenge could not be left.

As far as I could see upstream the terrain deteriorated, with the drop off becoming steeper.

Downstream the steepness improved, but the width increased with a deeper volume of water being fed by side channels. I vaulted to my first vantage point and held on.

With my tricounis biting for traction up the smooth boulder, I reached the top and saw that my next jump would have me on a boulder with about a foot of water flowing over the top.

To miss this jump would mean a surf-style chute over a waterfall and into a deep pool below.

After muttered prayers the leap was achieved successfully leaving the rest of the way open to a straightforward series of boulder hops and deep wading.

My deer was in beautiful condition, but wearing a very tatty pelt with rubs from top to tail.

Pitting Wits with a Sheep... ...And a Boy!

By Daryl Crimp

Having enjoyed two successful hunts on Pitt Island for trophy rams, I was addicted and wanting more.

“Maybe not,” I replied, “I spotted a splinter group of rams further along the coast yesterday.”

I indicated with a nod, “Could be worth a look.”

Daniel had a spectacular head and wasted no opportunity to remind me his was better than either of my two. The little sod was turning into a cheeky monkey and I made a mental note to lock him in the historic old gaol carved into the bluffs below our host’s, Bernie and Brent Mallinson, lodge in Flowerpot Bay.

The wind was onshore so quartering directly into our faces as we cut across the pasture to the bluffs.

I had to assume the bachelors were still there because the terrain was so twisted and broken there was no way of seeing the sheep until we almost fell on top of them. There was little vegetation to hide behind so we used the steep contours to mask our approach, moving in Indian file and at no great pace either. I rolled over a ridge to keep my profile low and slithered on my back into the head of a steep gutter. Brent and Daniel followed suit.

I had talked Brent into another hunt to see if I could better my head, but it wasn’t a straightforward exercise. The main flock had been disturbed and retreated to the peninsula where they might hole up for a couple of days. They had been disturbed and were not the dozy critters we are accustomed to seeing in our paddocks at home; these wild Spanish merinos keep their own company and are alert and vigilant, so it is not just a matter of racing back out there and pinging another one for the pot.

As is the case with hunting the same block repeatedly, a good tactic can be to approach it from a different angle and that was the plan as we nosed the ‘mechanical clydesdales’ through the stunted forest of the scenic reserve. The quiet burble of the Honda 4-stroke motors didn’t carry and we used it to our advantage, potting a couple of nice hoggets for the larder. Once butchered and hung in the trees, they were left to retrieve later.

As we broke free of the forest, we skirted up huge swamp choked with flax and crested a hill that afforded a view of the coastline; the view was one you could never tire of.

“Bugger!”

Brent vented as he dropped his binos from his face.

The sun warmed our faces as we were now below the sting of wind, but it still worked its magic by deadening any sound we made. I quietly chambered a round and slipped the rifle onto halfcock, because below me I could make out the forms of several rams. Staying prone, I slid closer and closer, until only thirty metres from the ram I’d selected. There was no hurry, so I lay there assessing the heads through the binoculars, which can be a lengthy process, as you might have to wait some time for the animal to turn and offer the appropriate angle. Brent and I conferred at length and the scenario kept changing as more rams materialised below. There was some debate over which was the best head and in the end Brent said it was my call.

At the shot, the old ram rolled from view, swallowed by the steep terrain. It marked the full stop to my Pitt Island hunt but also placed a question mark on whether I had pulled the trigger on the right ram. He was certainly old and would probably not last another winter, which partially validated my choice.

When I finally rolled him over, I smiled with relief. He was indeed a beautiful trophy: large, good spread and symmetrical.

“They’re still on the peninsula. Looks like it’s a wasted trip!”

He now looks down on me from my office wall and is the portal through which I regularly slip to relive the magic of Pitt Island. Yet, sadly, he is not quite as good as Daniels!

Unbelievable fishing For an experience out of this world - you need to travel out of this world. Call us now and book an experience you just can‛t get at home

Flowerpot Bay Lodge Flowerpot Bay Lodge – Pitt Island, Chatham Islands Ph/fax 03 305 0212 • www.flowerpotlodge.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS 17

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Bowfishing Pesky Carp

By Ezra Oates

Grandad got a phone call from me the evening of 22 April 2014 to see if I could twist his arm to take me to Lake Whangapae the next day to go bowfishing for the pesty koi carp. He was straight round to our place to take me back to his house for the night and head off next morning.

I was up early next day and grandad and I decided to leave at 11 for our journey from Tirau to Lake Whangapae. No sooner had I got out of the car after the one hour 20 minute drive and

I looked out into the shallows and the water was pretty much orange from koi beaching. I got the bow out and immediately started bowfishing these pesty critters. I had to get my eye in first, as I’m not used to shooting open sight. I missed the first few fish and then I walked another 10 metres and there was a nice big koi. I pressed the button on my GoPro and begin filming the bowfishing. I drew back my bow string and looked down the arrow and aimed about an inch or two lower than the fish because of refraction.

When I released the string the arrow goes flying at full noise through the koi and it starts pulling the string attached to the arrow and reel. I started reeling it but then I pulled the fish in by hand and got the arrow and took off the top of the head, so the barbs collapse and I can get the koi off the arrow so it slides off hitting the ground.I pushed the barbs down again and tightened the head and walked another two to three metres and drew back and shot another one, then another and all on camera.

There are so many of the buggers here I keep walking and shooting fish and missing them until I see a massive one shin deep in the water.I drew back and released the string and thump, I hit this big koi and it just jumped out of the water and swam all my string out of the reel. I grabbed the string and dragged it onto shore and it weighed about 11kg.

Back in the water I kept shooting and hitting fish until I got to the stage where I thought I’d shot enough as it was going to be a hard walk with 21 carp on the rope around my waist.

Boy was it tiring hauling about 100kg of fish.Luckily I’d only walked about 500 metres so it wasn’t too bad.

Back to the car to put the carp in the chilly bin to take home to fillet for bait and making berley.

I was stoked to end up with 50kg of bait and 20kg of berley so a big thank-you to Grandad David Oates for a great day’s bowfishing.

One of several large koi shot by Ezra

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18 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Three for Three

BOOK REVIEW The Heart of Hunting

By Greig Caigou & Matt Winter Craig Potton Publishing RRP $49.99 Reviewed by Stuart Graham

By Craig Grant

Greig Caigou and Matt Winter have done the hard yards in the hills. Their lives, in large part, have been defined by their experiences in wild places and they have now combined their talents to produce The Heart of Hunting – a crisply presented coffee table book that ‘sets out to capture the essence of hunting in New Zealand, by reflecting not only on hunting itself, but on the experience of wilderness that is so much a part of this activity’.

Both authors have contributed stories and photographs, Greig penning the bulk of the writing and Matt providing the majority of the images. This is Greig’s fourth hunting book, which reaffirms him as one the county’s foremost hunterphilosophers. There are some brilliant moments of descriptions that should stir the hunter’s soul, while for non-hunters, Caigou’s eloquent prose, at times, beautifully defines the essence of hunting.

Clearly, in Matt Winter we have a talented new wildlife photographer whose quality images make the book. There are many excellent shots of game animals in their natural habitat, but it is the stunning images of birdlife that really captivate.

From exquisite close ups of rare birds like riflemen, banded rail and the fernbird, to brilliant sequences of white herons and kingfishers, Winter is definitely at home in this realm.

He also writes with a simplicity that is endearing and there are times when you can feel yourself lying in the mud with your quarry only metres away. His stories bring a nice balance to the book.

With the possible exception of the chapter on trout fishing, which seems somewhat out of place, the book is an enjoyable experience and has plenty to engage hard-core hunters or armchair enthusiasts of New Zealand’s outdoors.

This is off-genre for Craig Potton Publishing and they are to be complimented for tackling an increasingly misunderstood subject in this modern politically correct world, with this fine production.

This book is a valuable addition to the hunter’s bookshelf.

I’m not much of a dry fly fisherman, as I spend most of my time using wet flies at night, but I did have some success over summer by casting ahead of cruising fish and waiting for them to come to my flies.

Golden browns cruise the edges of the canal below Lake Pukaki. You can spot up to five fish per kilometre, depending on the conditions and the time of day. They are small to medium trout.

Some of them are dependable cruisers, with the odd racer.

Others are very random; they cruise the shallows and then disappear into the depths before they reach your fly.

They are inclined to do that if they see you, but if you walk along near the middle of the road they will only see your head and then it is easy to duck down and get ahead of them. It is also easier to spot fish if the sun is behind you.

Lake Pukaki was high and as there was often a high water flow in the canal when I was fishing, I would look for back eddies and slower water for my flies. Looking at the water weed was also a good way of gauging the direction and strength of the current.

As I’m not good at casting to fish during the day, I would cast out ahead of a cruising fish and position my fly a few centimetres from

Craig’s one of three the edge. For a start I used a large cicada fly with a surface emerger tied onto the cicada’s hook. I used the cicada to see where the emerger was, and as an indicator. They liked the cicada, but I missed the first fish because I struck too early.

I waited too long for another.

However, my persistence paid off and I finally landed one on the cicada.

That

evening

I

again, inserting a brown beetle between the cicada and the black emerger. I found it easier fishing in the fading evening light to rising fish and the brown beetle yielded another fish.

Then the next day, using the same rig I landed my third fish on the emerger to get three fish on three flies.

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ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 19

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Stick Your Oar In

Crimptoon

- sponsored by

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 Dear Ed, Has big business run rough shod over the conservation order on the Rangitata?

Serious questions need to be answered by ECan. It appears the Rangitata Diversion Race have supplied water to the Rangitata south irrigation to fill their storage ponds at a time when the river was below what is in the conservation order of no extraction below 110 cm. This is when smolt are making their way back down the river to the sea.

The wild salmon run is severely depleted already on this river due to smolt lost down the RDR and there is a strong suspicion they are not within the consent process in this regard, to lose more to another irrigator will be devastating.

must get rid of the indifference.

After all, it involves our legacy for our children and grandchildren.

Did you vote? Did you examine party policies on fishing and hunting?

CORANZ believes politics are unavoidable if we are to retain our egalitarian structure of fishing, hunting and the outdoors, plus restoring the environment in areas such as degraded rivers.

CORANZ wants to inspire individuals to similar vigilance and activity. If anyone is keen to get involved with CORANZ, or any group - national or regional - wishes to join CORANZ, then please contact me.

Andi Cockroft, Co-chair CORANZ Dear Ed,

One needs to ask if there is a conflict of interest with major players being on the Central Fish & Game Council and also nheavily involved in irrigation development.

In reply to Martin Barlow’s letter about the fishing industry’s waste of undersized fish, Martin should be aware that the TAC - total allowable catch for New Zealand - has factors for mortality of small fish incorporated into it.

eproduced its usual election year dcharter and spelt out 17 important tissues covering areas such as

Ministry for Primary Industry sets the mortality rate for all fish. The commercial side is investing a lot of time and money in reducing bycatch and undersize fish and we have methods other than trawling which has a far lower rate of mortality for small fish far more than the recreational side. Martin has very one-sided comments and I don’t think he wants to share the fishing at all, considering the huge amount of undersize blue cod killed by recreational fishing in the Marlborough Sounds.

a IKen Lloyd, Christchurch nDear Ed, o The election is over. The n Council of Outdoor Recreation .Associations of NZ – CORANZ -

1080, foreign sales, river quality, trout and deer as assets, access and population management.

This was advertised (full page) in The Fishing Paper.

CORANZ ensured there were no political influences or bias in analysing political party responses. The scrutiny is needed.

In the lead-up to the 2017 election or earlier, CORANZ will again produce an election charter. Right now CORANZ’s vigilance and scrutiny will continue. It doesn’t matter which party is in government - CORANZ is apolitical.

Unfortunately in the last election, the true democratic process was undermined by a German immigrant, his agenda and the antics. A tabloid-style media feasted on the melodramas. Sadly issues and party policies were over-shadowed.

Voters were distracted by the media focus. Let’s not forget Kiwis tend to be afflicted with apathy one million voters did not vote.

The fishing and hunting public

Fish caught on a hook have a poor chance of survival once released.

You only need to watch a lot of the recreational fishing shows and see released fish streaming blood from them as they swim off mainly caused by poor handling, usually before the camera cuts the scene. Maybe all blue cod should be caught by cod-pot only, which is the method mainly used by commercial fisherman and has an extremely low mortality on small cod.

I also think there should be no difference between commercial and recreational size limits.

Matthew Hardyment, Port Nelson Fisherman’s Association Dear Ed, This has recently been reported about trout in our local waters.

“The Food Safety Authority deemed that the concentration was above acceptable levels, so Fish & Game has warned anglers not to eat trout caught in areas where 1080 has been dropped.”

It is important to hold this thought and to warn anglers the New Zealand trout fishery is likely to be contaminated by 1080 poison.

Statements about remote areas are not only correct, as these aerial drops are next to and sometimes on our farmland and close to our towns and cities. Similarly hand deployment occurs in all areas often right up to the water’s edge.

More recent statements from the perception management of the Department of Conservation, “you may need to eat many tonnes of trout,” are both misleading and dangerous.

Individuals are affected at different levels of poison, with children and pregnant women most likely victims. 1080 can at only parts per trillion affect our endocrine system and no work has been done on constant or several exposures of small amounts of this poison and how it may affect our human population but it is recognised as a human fertility issue, especially for men.

Given what is known about 1080, if NZ is stupid enough to continue to ignore warnings regarding this ecotoxin and continues using it, will Fish & Game be handing leaflets to all tourists entering New Zealand or will it produce warning signs for every lake, stream and waterway likely to be

Have Your

SAY…

The Fishing Paper & New Zealand Hunting News encourages readers contributions and points of view.

We ask that all contributions come supplied with contact details. All letters must be emailed, type written or printed legibly, signed and not more than 300 words. The Fishing Paper states that opinions put forward are not necessarily those of the publisher. We reserve the right to publish in part or refuse to publish on legal grounds if the content of the letters are in any way legally contentious.

THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TOOL, MADE IN THE USA. 25 YEAR WARRANTY fished?

We will ask all of our members to inform fishermen of the risks they face and some of our members consider the finding so serious that they will be closing their access to fisheries accessed through their land.

No one wants this but in fairness to all, signage and notification to all tourists is essential. Protect this fishery and the people involved.

Mary Molloy, spokeswoman, Farmers Against Ten Eighty Hari Hari Dear Ed, I read with interest Glen Carbine’s article in the October edition

regarding the blue cod fishery in the Marlborough Sounds. He makes good points about the need to safeguard vulnerable habitats from commercial dredge and trawl fishing.

I believe there is an even bigger villain in the piece - the mussel farmer!

Some years ago I foolishly towed my scallop dredge as near as I dared alongside a mussel farm, mistakenly thinking it would be an easy way to obtain a feed of mussels fallen from the mussel lines.

All I got was a dredge full of inky, black, stinking ooze and some dead shells! It appears the seabed beneath mussel farms is dead,

smothered by the residual waste products of the feeding mussels.

With the proliferation of mussel farms in the Sounds, I assume hundreds of thousands of hectares of prime juvenile blue cod habitat has been destroyed!

No habitat = no blue cod!

I always believed the mussel industry is great for New Zealand, ticking all the boxes for sustainability and clean green.

Unfortunately there is no free lunch - it appears there is a price to be paid for everything!

John Fellowes, Tahunanui

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20 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

Coarse Fishing

By Dave Dixon

News from Christchurch is that the tench have woken up from winter hibernation and are on the feed!

Unlike locally, where the door remains firmly closed to coarse fishing, there are a number of designated coarse fish waters in Canterbury with the most important Lake Rotokahatu on the outskirts of Christchurch.

This venue is under development by the Christchurch City Council as a recreational park and while not fully open for vehicular access, does allow entry to

their interest.

Nelson-Marlborough Fish and Game’s recently developed ‘fish-out ponds’ have been hugely successful and are a great attempt to introduce kids to fishing but the relative ease of pulling out a ‘stockie’ trout is not truly reflective of the fishing in the wild environment.

My own attempts to teach my kids to spin and fly fish failed miserably but they both have a ball when we go coarse fishing, The older of the two went on to win three New Zealand junior match

for hours. Worth noting is coarse anglers don’t usually fish for a feed. Admittedly, perch are very tasty and regulations do allow them to be kept but more important is the pleasure of just catching fish in the first place, so coarse anglers will return their catch to the water to preserve stocks for another day. In a match fishing situation, the catch is retained in a keep-net at the water’s edge before being weighed and released.

Tackle and tactics are different to trout or sea fishing so it is important newcomers to coarse fishing receive a bit of instruction before setting off for the bank. Members of both the Nelson and Canterbury Coarse Fishing Clubs are always willing to help.

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

The Jigs Up for Liam

By Daniel Jackson

Liam Jackson turned jigging on its ear to produce this nice Golden Bay kingfish

A good tally of tench from Lake Rotokahatu on the outskirts of Christchurch authorised keyholders and members of the public on foot. Originally stocked with tench 20 years ago, the fishing is now unequalled anywhere in New Zealand. The fish are fairly small by tench standards, averaging about 2lbs but they are prolific and this makes the coarse fishing experience so rewarding, particularly for youngsters new to angling who need to be kept busy and achieve success to maintain

fishing titles and represent his country at 14 as a member of the adult coarse fishing team!

Older anglers appreciate being able to sit and fish, with coarse angling usually taking place from a comfortable chair or seat-box positioned on the bank side. Being shoal fish it isn’t necessary to move to another spot after catching one and with careful introduction of ground-bait, a shoal can be held in the area

Club trips are arranged from time to time and anyone interested can make email contact via coarsefishnelson@ gmail.com . Remember tench are classified as sports fish in New Zealand so a Fish and Game licence is required before targeting them.

Hopefully this month I’ll get Crimpy and his son Daniel out on the bank. We’ll keep you posted and might even get a tench photo onto the front page of The Fishing Paper!

Pictured is my son, Liam Jackson, with his first kingfish, a magnificent 20lber caught in Golden Bay on a slow jig. He was using 10kg braid and the fish took about 40 minutes to land. Of course the understated skill of his father who knew where to fish and who offered 40 minutes of free (and generally ignored) advice on how to land the brute probably helped! I like to think it was a team effort but for some reason he disagrees.

He also caught nine other smaller kingfish, which where all released. Conventional wisdom is that these are slow fished off a stationary boat. In this case he threw the

lure over the side and trolled at about 7 knots; this accounted for all of the fish.

We were targeting kingfish because in the secret spot we visited that’s all we could see – literally thousands of them boiling on the surface – just about gave the me a heart attack! In fact, my hands are still shaking!

The fish was pan fried that night and served to friends and family, who heard at least seven different versions of how it was caught – the size of the fish seemed to strangely grow over the evening, although Mr Speights and Mr J Daniels may have helped there!

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ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 21

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Introduction to Softbaiting With Bryce Helms

Softbaiting would be one of the most versatile and effective techniques available to modern anglers. Softbaits can be used to target virtually every species in almost every situation, from flicking 1/4oz heads around in the shallows, to bombing 6oz cyclops rigs 90m down in Stephens Passage. The technique varies hugely depending on the situation, and a range of different gear and approaches is needed to cover your bases.

SHALLOW WATER

Shallow water softbaiting is an exhilarating way to target big snapper. Lightweight 7’+ high modulus carbon fibre spinning rods are essential to maintain contact with your lure and ensure maximum casting distance with light heads. A small, lightweight spin reel spooled with 6-10lb braid is an ideal match and 1520lb fluorocarbon leaders will avoid spooking shy fish while maintaining abrasion resistance.

My current setup is an Okuma Nano Matrix rod matched to an Okuma RTX35 carbon fibre reel. The whole set cost less than $300 and is super light with a ton of stopping power and is responsible for my PB 28lb snapper. A selection of 1/4oz3/4oz in 3/0 jigheads and 5” jerkshad style lures will have you covered from waist deep water through to roughly 20m, depending on the conditions.

Once you have found a likely looking area, start your drift upwind of the area you want to target. Cast your lure as far as you can ahead of your drift and allow your softbait to sink to the bottom. Make sure you keep in contact with your lure as it sinks, as a large percentage of hits will occur on ‘the drop.’

Once your lure reaches the bottom, engage your reel and begin twitching the lure along just above the bottom. I generally do three sharp twitches of the rod tip before winding in the slack

created, lowering the rod tip, and repeating the process. If you feel the slightest pause or hit, strike hard to punch the hook home.

DEEP WATER

Bombing down heavily weighted softbaits is my favourite way of targeting big snaps over deep foul or in big open expanses such as Tasman Bay and the outer Hauraki Gulf. The techniques and tackle used vary significantly from the shallow water approach described above. While you can get away with using light spin sets in deeper 30m+ water, using small overhead reels and graphite 5’6” - 6’6” baitcast rods is a more effective approach. I personally prefer low-profile baitcast reels in a 300 size and am currently using an Okuma Citrix 364 which has dealt to 20lb + snapper and 50lb + kingfish.

Heavier jigheads are also required to effectively fish deeper water and the ‘cyclops’ style heads are ideal for this. In 3040m depths in areas like Tasman Bay and the Hauraki Gulf, 2oz heads are a good way to go and will allow you to keep in touch with the bottom. In deeper, high current areas like the d’Urville/ Stephens area, heavier 4oz and even 6oz heads are required to fish effectively. I match these heads with bigger profile baits with more action, such as 6” grubs and big paddle tails.

The fishing technique also varies in deeper water. Simply lob your baits a small distance ahead of the drift and allow it to sink to the bottom. Once it hits the bottom just slowly lift and drop the rod tip so that the lure ‘bounces’ just above the bottom. If you feel the lure has risen too far off the bottom, freespool back to the bottom and resume the action. Once again, any slight pause or hit may signal a fish, so don’t hesitate to strike as quick as possible.

A lot of trial and error is involved when learning to softbait but once you start to master the technique it becomes a hugely productive and enjoyable method of fishing. Almost any species will fall victim to softbaits and I have landed snapper, kingfish, kahawai, trevally, gurnard, tarakihi, john dory, blue cod, flounder, trout, salmon, tuna, groper, mao mao, moki, rig plus many more. Over the last few years I have landed more than 50 species on softbaits both here and abroad. While traditional bait fishing certainly has its place, softbaiting is an incredible way of fishing and I certainly won’t set foot on a boat without a softbait set ever again.

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OKUMA NANO MATRIX RODS

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22 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

The Tasman Bay Cruising Club & your boat to the ir invites you

30 November 2014

Open to 8m boats and over Registration 1.00pm at the Cruising Club

2014 Aimex Yacht & Launch Time Trial Challenge Sunday 30th November

Open to ALL vessels of 8 metres & over Registration & Briefing 1.00pm at Tasman Bay Cruising Club (Red Shed) Event Start Time - 2:30pm Prize Giving & BBQ around 5.00pm Trophies and Categories • Eklipse Trophy - Winner, Fastest Time, Power boat division • Nelson Marine Centre Cup - Winner, Motor launch, nominated speed • TBCC Launch Shield - Runner up, motor launch, nominated speed • TBCC Fishing Boat Shield - Winner, Commercial vessel, nominated speed • Union Stevedoring Services Cup - Winner, Yacht Division • TBCC Yacht Shield - Runner up, yacht division

The Tasman Bay Cruising Club & your boat to the ir invites you

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

&

NOVEMBER 2014 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

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

2:23 3:25 4:30 5:35 0:19 1:14 2:07 2:56 3:44 4:29 5:13 5:57 0:33 1:19 2:07 2:59 3:54 4:52 5:47 0:22 1:08 1:53 2:37 3:21 4:06 4:52 5:40 0:19 1:12 2:09

Russell

2.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 2.3 2.2 2.2

8:37 9:40 10:44 11:46 6:36 7:32 8:25 9:14 10:01 10:46 11:31 12:15 6:41 7:27 8:15 9:08 10:04 10:59 11:52 6:38 7:25 8:10 8:54 9:39 10:25 11:12 12:01 6:30 7:23 8:20

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

Registration 1.00pm at the Cruising Club

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

Port Taranaki

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

4:51 6:04 0:57 1:58 2:52 3:42 4:28 5:12 5:54 0:20 1:01 1:44 2:30 3:21 4:19 5:22 0:15 1:12 2:03 2:48 3:30 4:10 4:51 5:32 6:15 0:45 1:35 2:29 3:28 4:32

2.9 3.0 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 3.4 3.2 3.1 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.7 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 3.0

11:06 12:19 7:13 8:14 9:08 9:56 10:40 11:23 12:04 6:35 7:16 7:57 8:42 9:32 10:31 11:37 6:26 7:25 8:16 9:00 9:41 10:19 10:58 11:39 12:21 7:00 7:48 8:41 9:40 10:45

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

6:05 0:56 2:01 3:00 3:53 4:42 5:28 0:02 0:45 1:28 2:11 2:56 3:44 4:38 5:38 0:27 1:24 2:16 3:03 3:46 4:27 5:08 5:48 0:19 1:03 1:49 2:40 3:36 4:38 5:45

0.9 0.9 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.2 1.2 2.7 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.6 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8

17:25 18:36 13:26 14:26 15:18 16:06 16:51 17:34 18:17 12:44 13:24 14:07 14:55 15:51 16:53 17:56 12:43 13:40 14:29 15:12 15:52 16:31 17:12 17:54 18:40 13:07 13:57 14:53 15:56 17:02

Westport 2.7 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 3.3 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.5 2.4 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.8

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

21:18 0.6 22:20 0.6 23:21 0.5 18:58 19:51 20:42 21:31 22:19 23:04 23:49

2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2

19:18 20:07 20:58 21:50 22:43 23:34

0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7

18:45 19:32 20:18 21:04 21:51 22:39 23:28

2.1 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3

19:07 0.5 20:03 0.5 21:01 0.5

3.0 3.1 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4 3.4 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 1.2 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1

12:16 7:15 8:19 9:17 10:09 10:58 11:43 6:13 6:55 7:37 8:20 9:03 9:51 10:46 11:49 6:39 7:36 8:28 9:15 9:58 10:39 11:19 11:59 6:30 7:13 7:59 8:49 9:44 10:46 11:55

0.8 2.8 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.1 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7

18:37 13:26 14:29 15:25 16:16 17:04 17:49 12:26 13:07 13:49 14:31 15:17 16:08 17:07 18:10 12:52 13:49 14:40 15:25 16:07 16:47 17:27 18:07 12:40 13:23 14:09 15:01 16:00 17:06 18:16

2.8 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 3.3 3.2 3.1 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.5 2.5 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.9

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

2:14 3:15 4:20 5:24 6:25 0:54 1:46 2:36 3:23 4:09 4:52 5:36 0:30 1:15 2:02 2:53 3:48 4:45 5:40 0:02 0:48 1:33 2:17 3:01 3:46 4:31 5:19 0:12 1:04 2:00

Auckland 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 3.0 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.7 2.7 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 3.2 3.1 3.1

8:16 9:21 10:28 11:30 12:28 7:21 8:14 9:03 9:50 10:36 11:20 12:05 6:19 7:05 7:55 8:50 9:48 10:45 11:37 6:31 7:18 8:03 8:46 9:30 10:15 11:02 11:51 6:08 7:02 8:00

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

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

23:49 0.8 19:39 20:35 21:25 22:11 22:56 23:38

3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.5

18:59 19:42 20:28 21:18 22:14 23:14

0.5 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.1

18:55 19:47 20:32 21:14 21:54 22:34 23:16 23:59

2.8 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.4

19:28 20:21 21:18 22:20 23:25

0.5 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8

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+0:20 L+0:29

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

30Open November 2014 to 8m boats and over

15:01 16:02 17:03 18:02 12:45 13:40 14:33 15:22 16:11 16:58 17:44 18:30 12:59 13:45 14:34 15:24 16:16 17:08 17:57 12:42 13:28 14:14 15:00 15:46 16:34 17:23 18:14 12:52 13:46 14:42

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+0:47 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

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.3 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 0.4 0.5 0.6

TIDE CHART - NOVEMBER 2014 R

19:45 20:45 21:40 22:30 23:17

2.9 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3

18:32 19:16 19:59 20:44 21:32 22:26 23:26

0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.0

19:10 20:03 20:51 21:35 22:17 22:57 23:38

2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.1

18:50 19:35 20:24 21:18 22:19 23:26

0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6

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

14:52 15:54 16:55 17:54 18:50 13:22 14:12 15:01 15:48 16:34 17:21 18:07 12:50 13:36 14:26 15:17 16:10 17:01 17:51 12:26 13:11 13:55 14:39 15:25 16:12 17:00 17:51 12:42 13:37 14:34

Wellington

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

6:05 0:47 1:41 2:37 3:35 4:33 5:30 0:17 1:13 2:08 2:59 3:48 4:36 5:21 6:05 0:39 1:22 2:05 2:49 3:35 4:24 5:13 6:03 0:38 1:31 2:23 3:14 4:06 4:58 5:51

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

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

5:44 0:31 1:27 2:24 3:20 4:17 5:12 6:06 0:42 1:32 2:22 3:11 3:59 4:47 5:35 0:19 1:06 1:52 2:38 3:24 4:09 4:55 5:42 0:13 1:02 1:52 2:44 3:38 4:32 5:28

12:22 6:57 7:52 8:48 9:48 10:48 11:49 6:26 7:21 8:14 9:05 9:55 10:43 11:29 12:13 6:48 7:30 8:14 8:59 9:47 10:38 11:31 12:27 6:53 7:44 8:36 9:27 10:20 11:13 12:07

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

18:45 13:16 14:11 15:07 16:06 17:04 18:03 12:49 13:48 14:43 15:36 16:25 17:10 17:53 18:33 12:55 13:37 14:20 15:06 15:54 16:46 17:39 18:32 13:22 14:16 15:09 16:00 16:50 17:39 18:29

20:56 21:58 22:59 23:58

0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5

19:44 20:35 21:25 22:13 22:59 23:45

3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.1

18:55 19:44 20:36 21:29 22:22 23:13

0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9

18:39 19:25 20:12 20:58 21:45 22:33 23:21

2.9 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.2

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

18:44 0.5 19:40 0.5 20:38 0.6

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

12:03 6:41 7:40 8:39 9:37 10:34 11:28 12:21 6:58 7:49 8:38 9:27 10:14 11:02 11:50 6:23 7:13 8:02 8:51 9:38 10:25 11:11 11:58 6:30 7:19 8:10 9:02 9:56 10:51 11:47

Akaroa H-0:42 L-0:43 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

2.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4

18:22 13:00 13:56 14:52 15:48 16:42 17:36 18:29 13:12 14:02 14:52 15:42 16:31 17:20 18:08 12:37 13:24 14:10 14:55 15:40 16:25 17:11 17:59 12:46 13:35 14:27 15:20 16:14 17:09 18:04

0.4 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

1:59 3:00 4:04 5:08 6:09 0:44 1:37 2:28 3:17 4:03 4:49 5:33 0:15 1:01 1:48 2:38 3:30 4:24 5:18 6:10 0:35 1:21 2:07 2:53 3:39 4:25 5:13 6:03 0:50 1:46

Tauranga 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.8 1.8

8:08 9:08 10:10 11:12 12:12 7:07 8:00 8:51 9:40 10:26 11:12 11:57 6:17 7:02 7:48 8:37 9:28 10:22 11:14 12:06 6:59 7:46 8:32 9:18 10:04 10:51 11:40 12:31 6:56 7:51

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

19:34 20:26 21:21 22:19 23:18

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

19:00 19:55 20:47 21:38 22:26 23:12 23:56

1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6

19:11 19:49 20:29 21:12 21:59 22:50 23:44

0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7

19:25 20:16 21:07 21:57 22:48 23:39

1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.7

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

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

0.4 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4

3.1 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.8 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 3.3 3.2 3.2

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

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

0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.5 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.8 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.4 0.4 0.5 0.6

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

4:41 5:55 0:46 1:48 2:42 3:32 4:18 5:01 5:42 0:16 0:57 1:39 2:23 3:11 4:05 5:05 0:05 1:03 1:53 2:39 3:22 4:04 4:45 5:26 0:04 0:48 1:36 2:27 3:22 4:23

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

14:37 15:37 16:37 17:36 18:33 13:09 14:03 14:55 15:44 16:32 17:19 18:06 12:42 13:28 14:15 15:03 15:52 16:42 17:31 18:20 12:55 13:43 14:31 15:18 16:07 16:56 17:46 18:39 13:24 14:20

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

20:47 21:47 22:48 23:47

0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2

19:27 20:19 21:09 21:57 22:44 23:30

1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8

18:52 19:39 20:27 21:16 22:06 22:57 23:46

0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4

19:08 19:55 20:42 21:29 22:17 23:06 23:57

1.7 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

19:33 0.2 20:30 0.2

Gisborne H-1:18 L-1:12 Tolaga Bay (Cooks Cove) H-1:04 L-1:10 Wairoa River Mouth H-1:37 L-1:28 Whitianga H-0:04 L-0:11

Nelson

3.4 3.4 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 4.1 3.9 3.7 3.5 3.4 3.2 3.2 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.5 4.1 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.5

10:47 12:07 7:09 8:15 9:12 10:01 10:46 11:27 12:07 6:21 6:58 7:36 8:16 9:02 9:57 11:06 6:11 7:16 8:14 9:03 9:47 10:28 11:07 11:47 6:08 6:52 7:37 8:27 9:22 10:27

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

1.2 1.2 3.5 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.3 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.5 3.2 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9 4.1 4.2 4.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.1

17:09 18:27 13:21 14:22 15:15 16:01 16:44 17:24 18:02 12:44 13:22 14:01 14:43 15:33 16:35 17:47 12:22 13:29 14:21 15:04 15:44 16:21 17:00 17:39 12:27 13:09 13:54 14:44 15:42 16:48

3.5 3.6 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 4.2 4.0 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.2 1.5 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.5 4.3 4.3 4.1 4.0 3.8 3.7

23:33 1.2 19:36 20:34 21:24 22:10 22:53 23:35

3.8 4.0 4.2 4.3 4.3 4.2

18:40 19:19 20:02 20:51 21:51 22:59

0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.4

18:54 19:50 20:38 21:20 22:00 22:40 23:21

3.3 3.4 3.6 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1

18:20 19:05 19:55 20:51 21:55 23:06

0.5 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.1

ElaineBay H-0:29 L-0:40 Havelock H-0:14 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.

19:18 20:13 21:08 22:03 22:57 23:50

0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2

19:21 20:13 21:04 21:54 22:43 23:31

2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1

18:55 19:41 20:26 21:11 21:55 22:39 23:25

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5

18:49 19:41 20:35 21:29 22:24 23:19

2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.4

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

Ashburton River Entrance H-0:42 L-0:44 Moeraki H-1:53 L-1:18 Rangitata River Entrance H-0:58 L-1:00 Oamaru H-0:52 L-0:54

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

5:51 0:00 0:58 1:54 2:47 3:39 4:30 5:20 0:32 1:20 2:09 2:58 3:47 4:36 5:25 6:14 0:33 1:17 2:00 2:42 3:24 4:08 4:54 0:08 0:57 1:48 2:42 3:37 4:34 5:32

Dunedin

0.2 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

11:30 6:50 7:48 8:44 9:39 10:31 11:22 12:11 6:09 6:59 7:49 8:40 9:32 10:25 11:17 12:07 7:03 7:52 8:40 9:28 10:15 11:02 11:49 5:41 6:30 7:21 8:15 9:12 10:11 11:11

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.

2.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1

18:26 12:30 13:27 14:22 15:14 16:05 16:54 17:42 13:00 13:48 14:36 15:25 16:14 17:05 17:55 18:45 12:54 13:39 14:22 15:04 15:46 16:30 17:15 12:37 13:26 14:18 15:12 16:09 17:07 18:05

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

Supplied by OceanFun Publishing, Ltd.

0.2 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.8 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

19:24 20:19 21:12 22:03 22:53 23:43

0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

18:31 19:20 20:10 21:03 21:58 22:52 23:45

2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7

19:33 20:19 21:04 21:49 22:34 23:20

0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2

18:02 18:51 19:44 20:40 21:40 22:41 23:41

2.1 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.1

L-0:58 L-1:03

www.ofu.co.nz

www.tidewiz.com

NOVEMBER 2014

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

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 Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

G

G

G

G

G

B

B

B

B

B

G

G

G

F

B

B

B

B

B

F

F

G

G

B

B

B

B

B

G

G

ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 23

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

REGIONAL FISHING UPDATE

By Rhys Barrier, Nelson Fish & Game

of October and November during the fry emergence phase.

We are therefore hoping that November flows will be similar to what has been experienced so far in October, and that our fisheries all receive a much needed recruitment boost after the serious flood damage they have had to endure over the last five years or so.

Kids fishing events

Nice conditioned fish from an Upper Buller tributary this October Some good fishing has been experienced in our region this month, according to feedback from anglers who Fish & Game rangers have been conducting licence checks on. Good numbers of well-conditioned trout have been observed in the Upper Wairau and tributaries, Upper Buller tributaries, Maruia, and Wangapeka/ mid Motueka areas. Rumour has it some large 10 pound plus fish have also been caught already in some of the fisheries.

Other than early season snow melt swelling some of the larger rivers, anglers have been blessed with less October flooding than past seasons. Not only has this been good for anglers, it may also bode well for future juvenile recruitment into all fisheries throughout the Nelson/Marlborough region. Cawthron research on the Motueka has showed that the critical months for subsequent recruitment into the fishery in the following few years are the months

The Sports Fishing for Youth Charitable Trust and Fish & Game would like to announce to anglers the following dates for Kids Fish Out days: Sunday Nov 16, Saturday/Sunday Nov 22/23, Sunday Dec 7, and Sunday 14 Dec (8-10am only for this day). Contact Fish & Game via phone (5446382), or email nelsonmarlborough@ fishandgame.org.nz to book your kids in for one of these popular events.

Aerial 1080 drop updates We are still awaiting the Cawthron report on lab trial results and seeking clarity from the Ministry of Primary Industries on food safety guidelines for 1080 residue in trout flesh. We still suggest catch and release until advised otherwise from within reasonable proximity to aerial drop zones. For details on exactly what has been dropped where, visit the Nelson/Marlborough section of the Fish & Game website.

TIDES OF CHANGE

By Poppa Mike

BOOK REVIEW

NO FRONT LINE

By Claire Hall Penguin Books Reviewed by Poppa Mike RRP $45 Take a moment to think where you were in 1967.

Were you even born?

Were you a post WWII baby boomer, as so many of us were? Fresh out of secondary school looking for a road to take in life ahead? For those who joined the military in the mid 1960’s the road ahead led to Vietnam, a country most in New Zealand had never heard of before.

The arrival of New Zealand infantry to Vietnam in 1967 was part of the ANZUS alliance to help stop a communist push by a joint Chinese and Russian initiative to take over South Vietnam. For so many of us this period of history was far removed from our shores

and from our daily lives here in New Zealand.

Not so for those who served in this war, they suddenly found themselves in the thick of things. One soldier stated, “We were told the enemy dressed in black pyjamas and coolie hats. Everywhere we looked there were people in black pyjamas, so naturally we were all nervous. The battleground was everywhere. There was no clear defined line – it was the whole country.”

The book NO FRONT LINE is an amazing collection of first hand accounts, recollections, incidents, experiences and emotions from those who were part of New Zealand’s 12-year presence in Vietnam. On every page the reader meets new faces and their words seem to capture you as you walk in their shoes.

Included also are ‘many years later’ interviews and those of wives and children of those who served. Sadly many did not survive, the Roll of Honour on page 112 a poignant reminder war is for keeps, for both the dead and the living.

Of particular interest is the number of photographs featuring those who served and I was able to recognise several Nelsonians, including Barry Pont so well known for his work with RSA. One of the saddest moments in the book was to see a group of three soldiers from Whiskey 2 Company, page 40, two of whom are named, the third listed as ‘unknown.’ Surely we cannot forget those who served our country in such difficult circumstances?

Claire Hall and her colleagues from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage have done an amazing and thorough job in putting these ‘memoirs’ together, a wonderful record which has clearly taken much funding, time, energy, commitment and synergy to complete.

The photographic collection alone is a treasure of its own. If you can identify the ‘unknown’ soldier, then I’m sure Claire Hall would love to hear from you at hanah@ devalda.com .

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24 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

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ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 25

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PRODUCT PREVIEW NEW Tasmanian Tiger Tactical Gear Tasmanian Tiger is a range of tactical heavy duty gear designed especially for the military and police, but features products that hunters will also find incredibly practical and useful.

Made by German brand, Tatonka, the packs incorporate the German engineering and high-performance harness systems, with extremely tough fabrics designed to withstand the harsh conditions service personnel often face.

Along with packs, there are also tactical pouches, belts, bags and a tactical shooting vest in the range. Many of the products are compatible with the MOLLE system, so you can attach additional pouches and accessories if required.

Tested by soldiers around the world, you can rely on Tasmanian Tiger products to provide superior comfort in even the toughest conditions.

DIY Kontiki Kitset If you enjoy fishing but don’t have sea legs or want the expense of owning and running a boat, then an electric Kontiki could be your answer. Waverider Marine Limited design and manufacture their own Kontikis and would like to introduce to you their Waverider DIY Kontiki Kitset.

Your kitset comes with, plastic kontiki shell (plastic moulded) with watertight quick release lid, 30lb thrust Mercury electric motor, 30 minute timer, 30 amp motor relay, base plate with motor tube, prop guard, tacking plate, two dry cell batteries, night activated strobe light, flag and flag pole. This is everything you need, except the glue, screws and wire.

Full assembly instructions are included but it’s pretty simple. Cut holes in the Kontiki body for the lid and motor tube. Glue on the base plate. Wire the electronics. It’s that easy. Why buy an expensive Kontiki when you can make it yourself with the Waverider DIY Kontiki Kitset for only $750 plus freight? Waverider also stock complete kontikis, plastic trace rack, traces and supply all Kontiki parts.

Available from Waverider Marine Limited, PO Box 4028, Rotorua Ph : 027 6166907, waverider@xtra.co.nz, or www. waverider.net.nz. Check us out on TradeMe.

The Sportsman’s Kit has all you need to lubricate, clean and maintain the small components of your sporting goods, tools, automobiles, etc. Packaged in a compact, easy to carry container, these kits can be with you wherever and whenever you need them. Whether you are hunting, fishing, biking or driving ... you will always have the right Super Lube product with you!

Give someone in your family a slice of vintage heaven!

Ellis Street Auto in Brightwater are now stockists of these fantastic icons of the past.

PAPER

& HUNTING NEW ZEALAND

NEWS

Published by Coastal Media Ltd

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 Reagan Poynter reagan@coastalmedia.co.nz

Everywhere But No Wear

Vintage Tin Signs

THE

Sales & Advertising

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To see the full range available, please visit www.tightlines.co.nz

G FISHIN

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

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Made from tin and designed with the original sign in mind, these signs make you feel as if you had only seen them yesterday.

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From only $30, these signs make amazing gifts but hurry, they are going fast.

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Amateur Swedish Rally Cross champion, Amund Skoglund, takes a break from high pressure, high-speed snow driving to catch up on his favourite read, The Fishing Paper & New Zealand Hunting News.

Amund, who took up competitive rally driving before he learned to drive, this year won the ‘Running Moose in Circles’ Swedish Classic with a record time of three days and no minutes.

His mother, Norma Skoglund, said she always knew he was going to be a famous rally driver one day because his first words as a baby were, “Brmmm, brmmm!”

“And he still drives his father, Kenneth, mad to this day,” she told The Fishing Paper and NZ Hunting News.

In the off-season Amund, his father and his hunting buddy, Anders ‘Quick-fire’ Brolund, run the successful dog-driven moose hunting operation, ‘Three Lone Wolves’ and have a reputation for achieving incredible results.

“We generally guarantee our customers will walk away with a moose because we shoot them ourselves,” Amund said in a candid

Ian Sutherland Chris Tupu Luke Simpson Imo McCarthy Ezra Oates Mark Johnson Josh James Daniel Smith Jim Flack Paul Clark Stuart Graham Dave Dixon Dave Duncan

interview. “The moose - we shoot the moose, not the clients!”

Daniel Jackson

Sweden is very big, with a lot of trees and snow everywhere.

“Visiting hunters have no idea where they are so Kenneth is telling them, ‘The Moose - he leaving the country so I had to shoot him!’”

Amund explained. “I shoot the moose and then bring in the client and say, ‘Hey look... a sleepy moose - shoot, shoot!’ But Anders - agh, he don’t care - he just shoot the moose and; say, ‘So what - it is dead ... KICK me!’”

Then we go back to the sauna, jump in a very cold lake and sing drinking songs. Everybody is happy! Waidmannsheil!

At Mondo we’re passionate about travel and are avid travellers ourselves. If there’s somewhere in the world you’d like to go, chances are one of our team has been there and can share their knowledge and personal experience with you - making the world of difference when it comes to booking your next holiday.

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Rhys Barrier

The Fishing Paper & NZ Hunting News is published by Coastal Media Ltd. All

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will only be returned if you include a stamped self addressed envelope.

26 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

r o f g n i k Loo eal? d r e t t e ab

Fishery patrols full on at Labour Weekend

By Jim Flack

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Ministry for Primary Industry officers inspected the catch of over 450 recreational fishers in the Firth of Thames, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty over Labour Weekend, discovering a range of infringements.

Eighteen MPI officers were active in the area on Sunday and Labour Day Monday (26 and 27 October) and handled the following issues: 14 infringement notices for taking too many paua or kina, or taking undersized paua. These infringements resulted in instant fines totalling $5500.

10 warnings regarding undersized snapper, scallops and crayfish.

Charges are likely to be laid over one incident of taking too many paua and undersized paua.

Charges are likely to be laid over one incident of taking too many pipis and cockles.

Further north in the Hauraki Gulf, MPI officers seized a boat when the fishers were found with three times their daily limit of mussels. These fishers will face charges in Manukau District Court.

MPI officers were busy on the Hauraki Gulf inspecting catches and reminding

people about the recreational snapper regulations. One group of fishers are likely to face charges for keeping undersize snapper.

Ministry for Primary Industries District Compliance Manager North Harbour Mike Simmons says, “The warmer months are a popular time for fishing and a great time for MPI staff to be out there talking to fishers and reinforcing the recreational fishing rules. It’s a fisher’s obligation to know the rules for the area they are fishing. Ignorance is not a defence, as there are many ways to be informed.”

Information of all limits and sizes including closures and other rules can be found on the MPI website www. mpi.govt.nz Fishing rules pamphlets are available at MPI offices and at many fishing shops, or text 9889 to have the NZ Fishing Rules App sent to your smart phone.MPI encourages people to report any suspicious fishing activity to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224).

All calls are confidential.

‘Bait Burglar a Bully

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Glen Happer of Rangiora got more than he bargained for when he dipped his whitebait net in the Waimak’ this season. After some poor catches due to lack of time on the water, Glen was surprised by a pint-sized visitor to his net, which was bent on nabbing his catch. Spotted the weekend before harassing whitebait along the river edges, this fish bully turned out to be none other than

gobiomorphus gobioides, or, in plain language, a giant bully. Measuring about 20cm, this monster cockabully is an inhabitant of our estuarine and lowland waterways, most commonly found in sandy streams or near beaches. The largest are known to grow to 240mm.

WHITEBAIT NETS

Glen suspects it had a bellyful, but released the ‘bait burglar after a brief photo session.

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ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 27

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Harbour Views

It is with considerable dismay that I see some silliness already and we are not even into satisfactory boating weather. Spring is always a time of variable and strong winds, with some cold snaps. This spring is proving to be no exception, yet still we observe boaties heading out to sea poorly prepared or not prepared at all. While it is heartening to see more and more yacht racers wearing their lifejackets, more and more fisher-folk also wearing their lifejackets, there are still many who do not. Why is that?

Given their modern design and shape it can hardly be because they are bulky.

Is it uncool? I know drowning is uncool; the person ends up a horrible colour and goes through an uncomfortable choking process, I believe. Give me a lifejacket any day.

Then there is the rest of the preparation.

Whenever most of us go anywhere we generally carry a phone. However, I wonder why we take the same useless piece of electronics with us on a boat.

My experience is there is little or no cell phone coverage in Tasman Bay or other

By Dave Duncan

areas. Why would there be? A VHF radio is a perfect way to constantly receive weather forecasts and updates (Channel 22) stay in touch with a caring responder, Channels 28, 6, or 16 depending on your preference. And if the ‘you know what’ hits the fan, you can call multiple assistance on the same channel (16).

Mmmmm, I was just wondering how old the fuel in my tote tank is. Do you know clogged up fuel pipes, dirty spark plugs, poor timing (literally and figuratively) are common causes of breakdown?

Here is a little story...

We were up at 5.00am and on the way to the boat ramp. Damn, the extra lifejacket for Tim was still sitting on the lounge suite at home. Oh well, he will just have to use mine. The boat launched and four lifejackets between five of us we were on our way. Damn again, the engine is sounding a bit rough; sounds like I feel.

She’ll be right, should run better as it warms up. We just snuck past the Harbour Master with a quiet wave. Looks like he is on his way home.

Drowning is So Uncool!

dark clouds looming from the west. Wish I had checked the weather forecast.

I remember thinking the lifejackets are stowed up under the bow. How am I going to get to them now? Hell, I didn’t realise the tide was going out so fast. It’s going to take me forever to swim home.

It took all five forever. Be prepared. Take the right equipment, wear your lifejacket, check the weather, know your capabilities and know your boat. Get home in the same safe condition that you left. Have fun on the water this summer.

Safe fun.

I was on Brunner by around 12.45pm and heading back to the ramp at 3pm.

Not long in anyone else’s terms but the weather was holding nicely, we’d had five hookups, so it was perfectly satisfactory to this angler.

The window of opportunity was welcome in the middle of a rare-for-the-Coast patch of cold stuff - it became calm and mild with a bit of sun and me having to remove clothing in the welcome warmth.

Fizzed out to my target area and started to put a fly up under dead, skeletonic willows the signature of continued poisonings by a well known agency. Second cast, bang,

INDUSTRY NEWS

Winds of Change for Sirocco

Richard and Chris Hanrahan have recently taken over Sirocco Fishing Charters, Moeraki, from Martin and Sharon Finnie, who have left the district to pursue other interests. Sirocco Fishing Charters have been chartering out of Moeraki since 1999.

Industry

FOCUS

By Ivan Wilson

Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright Unexpected moments can bring focus to our lives.

A Sunday, late morning, coffee on the back deck with my wife when it suddenly hit me – fishing! It was a reasonable day and I could be on the lake in half an hour, nothing’s stopping me.

ANSWERS ON PAGE 29

“Take it easy till we are well out,” says Jake, almost as if he could read in my mind that I didn’t really want to go out there. A wistful glance at the fishing rods and I start out into the bay, quietly confident I can do this. Surely the weather is going to get better. I didn’t even see the wave that tipped us over, but I can still hear the language as we slowly toppled.

Whoa... arrived at The Cut to see the 1-to-2m swell outside and the

Coastlines

Sudoku

Richard has many years of recreational and commercial fishing experience around the Otago coast, and, until recently, the couple owned the inshore trawlers, Katrina and Te Anau, which operated out of Taieri Mouth and Port Charlmers.

an aerial somersault and it was gone. Darn things’ done that before I thought.

A few quiet oar strokes along to a fish feeding in shallows just out of boating range, but not out of casting distance.

However after a couple of approaches it ‘stealthed’ off, leaving me aground in the thin water.

Getting free took a bit of effort – pushing off tree trunks and using an oar in much the style of a Venetian gondolier – even broke into a snatch of high pitched reedy tenor there for a moment. Impressed the local wildlife? Hardly.

Once extricated, casting continued up against the edges and sedges where fish seemed to be hanging in extra holding water after the bit of rain. A small swirl, thudding weight – in again.

With the help of the butcher’s thumb it was a reasonable 4.5 pounder to net and release.

Wow, this was the goods.

Moeraki provides consistent weather and some of the best sea fishing in the South Island, with target species including blue cod, perch, trumpeter, tarakihi and groper (in season).

Sirocco is powered by a 700HP Fiat engine, giving a cruise speed of 14 knots and a top speed of 20 knots, which delivers a fast comfortable cruise to the best fishing spots. With a length of 55ft and a 17ft beam, there is 33ft of deck space for your comfort.

Sirocco Fishing Charters also offer accommodation at ‘The Lodge’ as part of the operation.

Next the Osprey beak was pointed to some open water along a beach, but there was nothing, so we nosed on into the mouth of another inlet - wallop! Connection time again. Further in and a brilliant bow wave homed in on the fly. The fish nailed the offering, taking it around and into a patch of weed where it stashed my Lady in Red and neither fish nor

fly were seen again. Flight of fancy perhaps, but there must be a factory of flies down there. The replacement Lady in Red provided another small catch and release, then with a sense of satisfaction, back to the ramp we went.

The unplanned day turned out very well indeed.

Sometimes you just have to seize the moment. “Don’t think twice, it’s alright.”

It is Richard’s and Chris’s intention to continue the operation with Richard as skipper on the boat, Chris managing the bookings, running the lodge and both committed to providing an excellent day out on the water or overnight stay.

Check out our website wwwsiroccofishingcharters.co.nz

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28 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

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ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 29

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Seafood Tomato Broth 2l fish stock 500g white fish fillets cut into bite sized portions.

1 dozen scallops 1 dozen mussels steamed open & in half shell Tub of tomato paste Salt White pepper Cook mussels, discard beard and set aside in the half shell.

Sear scallops in a lightly greased pan until just cooked.

Panfry fish until coloured on both sides.

Divide the above into serving bowls.

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may the paws be with you

30 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

KAIKOURA

Kayaking with Chris West Picking A Paddle Part 2 Last month I looked at various materials paddles are made from and how these contribute to the feel and performance of a paddle. This month, I will go through the other factors that make paddles unique.

Length - Paddles are available in variety of lengths. Longer paddles suit taller people, as well as being necessary for those with wider kayaks and/ or taller seating positions.

A longer paddle will suit a slower paddle stroke.

Blade shape - There are many different shapes and sizes of blades available. Larger blades suit stronger paddlers and those looking to get a lot of power from each stroke but a larger blade will tire you more quickly.

A smaller blade will be much easier to keep a good cadence with but will not offer as much ‘bite’ or ‘grip’ on the water.

The shape of the blade will affect how the paddle feels in the water. A longer skinner blade suits a more relaxed paddling style - a slower cadence and where the paddle shaft is less vertical during the stroke. This style of blade is referred to as

a ‘low angle’ paddle. Those who prefer more aggressive paddling style will go better with a ‘high angle’ paddle.

This has a slightly shorter and wider blade and works well with a faster paddle stroke and where more power is required.

designed two-piece paddle will perform as well as a onepiece paddle when in use but the ability to change the offset and length can be very handy. Most importantly, a two-piece paddle can be much easier to transport in your car.

Straight vs bent shafts Some paddles feature shafts not straight but instead have a bend where you hold them.

These are called bent or crank shafts and they allow your wrists to be in a more natural position when holding your paddle. Bent shafts are usually only available on higher end paddles but if you have had any wrist problems they can help.

Moulded in grips - Most paddles available have some form of locator on the paddle shaft. This locator is a small ‘lump’ where you hold the shaft and this helps you to feel where the paddle blades are relative to your hands. Cheaper paddles will have a section of heat shrink on each side of the shaft and on the right side there will be a locator under the heat shrink. More expensive paddles have a shaft that incorporates this locator and some paddles have a locator on both sides to further increase the feel you have. Heat shrink is prone to getting small nicks in it and these will be rough on your hands. Moulded in grips are much more durable.

Two-piece paddles - Many paddles are available with a join in the centre of the shaft.

Each system is based around a smaller tube fixed into the paddle shaft on one side and then slides into the other side of the shaft, forming a paddle as we know it. The two halves lock together using a lever or twist locking mechanism to secure the two halves together, or a simple push button. Some systems offer the ability to change the offset of the blades as well as the length. A well

NEW 2014

As you can see there is a lot to consider when buying a paddle. A good paddle will be an asset and it is one area you see an increase in performance when spending more money.

Bruce triumphant with his trophy ding-a-ling

Oh My, Ding-A-Ling!

By Bruce Hills – Mitre 10 Kaikoura It was one of those Saturdays you wake up to a great sea and just know you should go fishing. There was a pending southerly so I didn’t want to mess around.

Keen to show off a recently purchased secondhand boat, I rang my mate Donny, who had a 9.00am hair appointment to sort first. I couldn’t help but think of the advantages of a shiny head - no appointments needed, just go fishing!

Danny had a mate Paul staying with him, so we all got away at 9.20am with the boys admiring my new boat... but their lips dropped when I explained it had no gear: no sounder, no fish finder and no radio (but I had a handheld radio). We were just going out ‘somewhere’ to fish. We

did have two electric reels, so we knew how deep it was after they hit the bottom.

We fished out from the Sharks Tooth, and caught a good feed of perch: catching 18 and releasing about the same. With the new regulations, we measured each one to the 26cm limit.

Then I decided to go out deep and of the three rods, mine was the only one to hit the bottom at 256m! Sadly, I only managed to pull up a small ‘bowacka’ (perch), so we backtracked to shallower water. As my line hit the bottom at 70metres there was a big thud, so I hit the button on the electric reel and knew straight away that it was something big: the reel groaned and struggled, and I had to give it a hand.

Just below the boat I saw the outline of a large fish and as it surfaced Paul cried out, “What the hell is that?”

“Bloody hell!” gasped Don as he stuck his head over the side.

They had never seen a fish like this before, but I knew immediately it was a large ling.

“Grab the gaff,” I said to Paul “Where is it?” he replied.

And then I remembered it was in the box of stuff I removed from my old boat at home, so we grabbed the trace and hauled it over the side. What a ripper!

We took a trophy photo and headed in to weigh it.

My hand scales weren’t up to the mark to hold this one, so I weighed it by getting on and off the bathroom scales, with and without it!

It weighed around 11.75kg.

Have you ever tried to fillet one of these slippery suckers?

It kept slipping off the bench!

I called my prospective sonin-law, Aaron, a professional fish filleter, and he had the job done in no time. I smoked it, Roz fish-pied it, and it was beautiful with plentiful meals all round!

ISSUE 110 - THE FISHING PAPER 31

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Pete Manson used scallop berley to good effect in the Sounds WEBSH

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Pulse Feeding Big Water Berley is easy to use in shallow water or when at anchor, but in water 20m plus such as in Tasman Bay and the Marlborough Sounds, it can be a fickle witch to master, because it can drift for miles before it settles. This is when a homemade brew comes into its own and the secret is to hand-feed it at regular intervals. You can use this method at anchor or when slow drifting.

The basic principle is to throw out large handfuls every five minutes or so, giving the berley (crushed up fish meat) time to drift slowly towards the bottom before the next handful goes out. The aim is to have the Rob Clarke perfects berley arriving in pulses rather the art of pulsing than a steady stream. Here are some important points to keep in mind:

Something TO AIM FOR

Make berley using ‘good’ leftover bait – stinky muck is yuck Ice cream containers store easily in freezer and can be added to Scallop/ excellent

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32 THE FISHING PAPER - NOVEMBER 2014

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Josh James - Kiwi Bushman

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

shows us his Ever since I was a kid and I heard the line from The Wind in the Willows where Ratty says to Mole, “There is nothing- absolutely nothinghalf so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats” I have been hooked.

Be it a toy boat navigating through a fierce storm of bubbles in a bath, a kayak punching through whitewater in a river or a yacht creaking and groaning its way into the wind, threatening to release the rudder from the water’s grip and send the sail slapping down into the whitecaps boats are simply wild. So it was only natural that I started collecting boats of all sorts and shapes from a young age.

Most of these have been wooden boats I made as a kid and as I got older I got into whitewater kayaking and 8 years ago started a rafting business, and now, finally, I have a boat with an engine in it that can carry me and a few mates out into the wild blue to bend rods, spear fish, grab crays and make up stories. I have been fortunate enough to have had a few boat companies offer me various boats to use in my online hunting and fishing videos. It was a hard choice but I ended up going with the DNA Engineering 4.2 metre we cuddy, powered by a 40 horse Honda. It was a toss up between that and the DNA Beach Launcher-which are real

handy if there are no launching ramps or the rivers are too low to get out and over the bar. Jason from DNA Engineering is right into customising the customer’s boat and dive platforms off the back were a must-have. As well as a bait board, knife and rod holders fore and aft and storage shelves running along both sides to keep the speargun and fins out of the way and room on the dashboard to stash the cameras, bino’s and lunchbox. Also installed is a Simrad navigation/fishfinding unit and VHF radio supplied by Fluid Electronics.

Its first mission to the Marlborough Sounds with Smitty tagging along in his 7 metre boat to cart the family out was a good test, gale force winds, two metre swell and a one metre chop. Smitty reckons he has never seen conditions like that in the Sounds but no worries, It handled the jandal sweet as and made the 35km journey out to the island where we were staying, without incident. Oi, my dog, was crapping her dacks whenever we ploughed through a big wave and launched down the other side. It was an exciting ride alright. The weather settled down overnight and we headed round a few corners and nailed a heap of moki and butterfish as well as a few paua and scallops. The kids caught more blue cod than we could poke a stick at (which

we had to throw back as it was closed season) and a great time was had by all. Our second mission was down the West Coast where we launched at Jacksons Bay and went looking for some tarakihi. It didn’t take long to find some structure and after catching ( and releasing ) more than our limit of parrot fish and banded wrasse a crayfisherman told us to head out deeper where it flattened out. Turns out the tarakihi like the flat sandy bottom and first drop using the Tarakihi Terrors made by Black Magic tackle had all three rods bending as soon as we hit bottom. With three of us in the boat she was a bit tight and we were splashing around in blood and beer but once we figured out the seats can be spun around and we had a system going it went real smoothly (get some drink holders in the boat when you order one) and we filled the chilly bin up real quick. It was getting dark quickly and we had to head in as none of us had head torches. Backtracking on the nav unit got us around the headland safely and from there we could see the lights of the dock to guide us back in.

The boat is a beauty and handles the chop real well. It tows real nice on the Watercraft trailer and it is also unsinkable as we discovered on its first outing ( I cross threaded the bung in on its first overnight mission into the Sounds ) The

By Mark Johnson

Honda engine is real quiet and very economical and Jason is currently making up a ladder to go off the dive platform and also sending a few drink holders down so I don’t spill my tea all over my lap and the boys can save a bit of beer from going through the bilge pump.

Fly fishing is my passion, but in the middle of winter when the rivers are dirty I like to spin-fish the hydro canals. After 45 years chasing the fabled 10-pounder to no avail, it came as a shock to hook a 20lb rainbow. I know it’s cheating but I’ll take a 20-pounder any time. You don’t catch rainbows this big on light gear very often, or maybe you do at the hydro canals. Now I’ve caught the big one I can pass on some tips: try softbaits or shrimp for something different on a sunny winter day.

Where I live most of the good fishing spots require launching down a river and over a bar so the tight turning radius is also a huge bonus as it gives you the option of fanging it back up the river if you cock up your timing on the wave sets.

If you’re a keen hunter and fisherman check out my multi day ‘Rod and Rifle Rafting Expedition’ options on www. ecorafting.co.nz and also have a look on my Youtube channel for a heap of hunting and fishing videos.

Cheers, Josh James - The Kiwi Bushman.

Huru!

420 Cuddy

PERFECT FOR THE KIWI BUSHMAN Standard Features Heavy duty rubber fendering, high sides and storage, raised transom, outboard bracket and rear boarding platforms, side pedestals and swivels seats, sealed treadplate floor, drain bung, 2 x rod holders, curved windscreen, dash handrail, fair lead roller, self draining anchor bin, anchor, chain and warp, steering wheel and helm, non skid walkaround bow access, marine grade battery, battery isolator switch, 4 way switch panel.

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