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
RED HOT! SPECIAL
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SIROCCO FISHING CHARTERS MOERAKI ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕
Refuelling Requirements Redeem your FUEL UP Fishing Tackle vouchers with us Bait & Ice Hot Food & Cold Drinks Expresso Coffee Trailer Hire $15 for 2 hours 9kg LPG filling - Stoke store only (10am-6pm)
Check out our website www.siroccofishingcharters.co.nz OWNER OPERATOR Accommodation and Fishing Charters Phone Richard & Chris (03) 439 4818 or 027 223 3707
10 NELSON STREET, BLENHEIM ph: (03) 577 9933 | sales@mikesmowers.co.nz