24 THE FISHING PAPER
www.thefishingpaper.co.nz
Season Shaping Up For One of the Best
New Trout Fishing Season
By Rhys Adams (Field Officer)
The 2013 sports fish fishing season is shaping up to be one of the best years to take up, or get back into trout, salmon and perch fishing. With numerous opportunities to cater for the different types of fishing, the West Coast is an anglers dream. The added bonus for the 2013 summer will be the return of a largest salmon release to date. In particular, the Taramakau and Hokitika Rivers will be worth a cast and Lake Mapourika is a sure bet. Monday 1 October brings the start of the summer fishing season. Anglers that have been sustained by lower river and lake fishing over the winter will be able to venture into the backcountry and spring creeks to get their fix. The months of September, October, and November herald the annual influx of prey fish to the major river and lagoon fisheries. Seasoned anglers know that it is at this time of year that large sea-run browns frequent these areas and an angler can pick up the fish of a life time. The turn of the tide coinciding with the change in light is a good time to fish these spots. Locals are at a distinct advantage early in the season due to the ability to fish around weather events, which are frequent at this time of year. Spring weather can be a little trying for visiting anglers on a tight timeframe so for those intending to visit the coast at this time of year either plan a lengthy break or plan
West Coast
your fishing trip around a favourable weather forecast. For those would-be anglers who are tempted to get the rod out of the whitebait hut at the river mouth, the rule is; if you are fishing in fresh water and using gear that could reasonably be expected to catch sports fish (trout, salmon and perch), you need a valid sports fish licence. Fresh water is defined in the Conservation Act 1987 as any river, stream, lake, pond, lagoon, wetland or any other body whether naturally occurring or manmade. Freshwater also includes the mouths of rivers and 500m along the
seashore from where the river meets the sea at low tide. There are no changes to the West Coast fishing regulations for the 2013/14 season but anglers are reminded that 2012/13 licences expire at the end of September so don’t forget to get a new one before fishing in October. This year’s Kids Fishing Day will be held again at the Gun Club Ponds near Greymouth. We are looking at a late November date but will announce this closer to the time. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, website and local newspapers for the announcement.
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A recent social survey of New Zealanders undertaken by Horizon Research, revealed that 250 600 New Zealanders over the age of 18 went fishing in New Zealand lakes or rivers over the last 12 months. Many of these Kiwis will be looking forward to the opening day of the new trout fishing season on 1 October , when all the rivers within the Nelson/Marlborough region are once again open. There is a massive list to choose from contained within your regulation booklet that you will have received upon purchase of a valid 2013-2014 sports fishing licence. So how do you decide on where to go from this plethora of choices? Many anglers have a favourite headwater fishery they like to head to and compete with the other early season anglers if the weather is kind. A lack of fishing during the closed winter months means fishing can sometimes be a bit easier for those who make the effort to get in first, although low water temperatures sometimes limit fish feeding activity. Don’t forget the lower rivers, however – if you want river space free of competition, the lower Motueka and Wairau rivers are a reasonable option if flows are not too high (check out www.tasman.govt.nz/ environment/water/rivers/river-flow/ and www.hydro.marlborough. govt.nz/environmental for the latest flows). At this time of year there can be some pretty exciting sea-run action on superbly conditioned hardfighting trout busily taking advantage of the abundance of whitebait and smelt in the rivers at present. Large winter floods also affect the health of fisheries and it it’s pleasing to note that neither the Wairau or Motueka rivers got any major floods through them this winter (unlike the Riwaka and Anatoki), so the fisheries in both these large river catchments should remain in the good shape they were in at the end of last season. Anglers and fishing guides reported some excellent late season fishing in both the Motueka and Wairau this year, with good numbers of medium sized well-conditioned fish present. Fish & Game drift dives also revealed a growing number of small to medium rainbow trout in the lower Wairau this summer, and these guys should be in tip-top shape by now if you catch one.
Nelson Marlborough A chunky lower Wairau medium brown – they behave like missiles on the end of a light tippet!