Fishing News index> November 2008

Weather Improving and so is the fishing!
Dean Kelly – Fish & Game Officer

November is still a changeable sort of month with frequent freshes in the rivers. December is nearly upon us though and with it comes a settling of the weather and longer warmer days. The result, increased water temperatures and in turn more active fish. That isn’t to say that the fishing hasn’t been good already and if reports received at the office are anything to go by then the sea-runners are about in force. With an abundance of food around in the lower parts of rivers there have been some extremely good conditioned fish caught, some around the magical10lb mark.

Reports from anglers frequenting headwater fisheries and spring creeks suggest the trout have been a bit fussy to date although they appear to be present in good numbers. Warmer water should increase activity from now on and the fishing should improve as well.

On the Fish & Game front staff and rangers have been busy checking anglers coastwide. So far this season two anglers have been processed and are awaiting prosecution for offences of regulations.

Research has continued in the Lake Brunner catchment on Trout Life History. This project will give Fish & Game and statutory bodies in charge of the environment a better understanding of factors affecting trout abundance and size in the lake so that appropriate management decisions can be made to protect the fishery. Interim results are expected early in the new year.

A plan by DoC to remove some huts and enlarge others in the Karamea catchment had the potential to decrease the fishing experience in this internationally renowned backcountry fishery. Advocacy by Fish & Game has resulted in a compromise where all existing huts will be left in the Karamea river. Monetary assistance from Nelson Building Society has been greatly appreciated and with some labour by Fish & Game all huts will be able to be kept in the catchment with significant upgrades to the high usage ones.

The media has announced consent approval of Trustpowers proposed Hydo Electric Power scheme on the Arnold River. To date this has not been notified by the West Coast Regional Council as they are awaiting the decision from the hearing commisioners. Fish & Game has a legal agreement with Trustpower that incorporates substantial mitigation regarding adaptive residual flows linked to fishery monitoring, and fish passage into Lake Brunner. These were to be incorporated into any consent issued so Fish & Game are keenly awaiting the details on the consent(s) issued.

Fish & Game have also been working on an ‘Introduction to Sportsfishing DVD’ which will be available in the new year. It covers the basics of spin fishing as well as some boat fishing tips and a lengthy instructional section on flyfishing’. 

The upcoming month will involve more compliance of anglers with some back country/ headwater compliance and survey work. Juvenile trout capture from Lake Brunner tributaries and fishery/wetland habitat work through input into the RMA process.

Regards.
Dean 

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