Fishing News index> May 2009

Fish & Game have been busy performing annual spawning counts for Salmon. The two main indicator streams, McDonalds Creek and Windbag Stream, are counted weekly to determine peak spawning numbers. The peak spawning number is used to gauge the relative success of the season. Mid May is usually when the maximum numbers of fish are in each system. At the time of writing there were approximately 150-200 fish in each system confirming angler reports that it was an average season in comparison with recent years.

Fiona Phibbs with a nice headwater brown

The Department of Conservation report that in late summer there was a beech mast, or seeding event, that was heaviest in the northern part of the region. The last time this occurred, approximately six years ago, there was an explosion in mice numbers which in turn ended up in trout stomachs. This results in the normally starved larger headwater fish packing on an extra pound or two. Rumors have it that there is already an abundance of mice around in the Grey and Buller catchments, so watch out next spring! Of course, there is still plenty of winter fishing in the West Coast region. All of the larger lakes are open all year for trout fishing and most of the larger river systems downstream of the state highway. The main exceptions to this are the spring creeks which are closed until October to protect spawning stocks.

Fish & Game have recently provided information regarding fishing values of certain spring creeks for prosecutions under the RMA for illegal discharges. Fines of $20,000, $50,000 and a community sentence were imposed on local dairy farmers by the Environment Court for illegal discharges of contaminants to waterways. It would appear the tide has now turned and this is a clear message that both the West Coast Regional Council and Environment Court judges won’t tolerate polluters treating public waterways as sewers. More prosecutions will follow in the coming months.

Fish & Game would also like to thank all the anglers that responded to the Karamea Back Country survey. A report is currently being collated which will provide valuable information for the future management of the fishery. Some responses were lengthy which highlights the passion some anglers have for these special places.

Regards

Dean Kelly
Fish & Game Officer
for Fish & Game NZ – West Coast Region

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