...... to the October edition of Reel Life.

With fishing well under way in most parts of the country - weather permitting - we have lots of news and reports from the different regions, and a whisper of some great catches for those who don't mind the wind!

We are currently offering a special bonus to anyone listing a classified on Reel Life Classifieds - each month we will draw the name of one new lister who will win a multi-media edition of Destination Trout NZ and a copy of the Spot-X Freshwater Guide to NZ!

News from the National office includes a response to the NZ energy strategy, an analysis of footwear choices available to anglers in the context of safety and vector control; the announcement of a North Island Becoming an Outdoor Woman course on 10-11 November and a South Island one on 17-18 November. 

Otago University are about to begin data collection for a national survey of river-based recreation in NZ and would greatly appreciate your help.The survey is aimed at all water-based recreational use of NZ rivers and they need a representative sample of users across a range of activities and locations to participate. You can read all about the survey at: www.riversurvey.otago.ac.nz
At the moment they are inviting people to pre-register for the survey and will notify pre-registered folks when the survey is live and online.

What's new around the regions? Northland are holding a regionwide fishing competition on 17 November; a chance to target some of the big browns that have been seen recently. Auckland / Waikato report good fish and high rivers, and assess the possible impact of a lahar on the Whakapapa fishery.

Eastern have had an excellent start to the season with encouraging stats on 2 year old fish - and after a couple of quiet years, Tarawera is firing! Hawke's Bay have announced the opportunity to apply for their managerial vacancy.

Taranaki have experienced good patches if you can dodge the rain; they announce a number of upcoming Kids Fishing days, and provide a good summary of the current Didymo situation. Wellington discuss the Horizons Regional Council One Plan and asses its implications for anglers.

Nelson / Marlborough have had a reasonable start to the season; they are reviewing the idea of stocking the Branch River. North Canterbury have published their 2007 Salmon Report. In Central South Island, scruffy weather and one very successful angler are reported from the Waitaki Valley. South Canterbury is experiencing unpredictable weather and they have news of a trout and salmon survey in the Opihi Catchment.

Hardy fishermen have beaten the weather to some good fish on the West Coast, whilst in Otago, wind, more wind and a bit of rain thrown in for good measure have dominated October. Southland have introduced clean gear certificates for some waters as part of the fight against Didymo, although once again floods appear to have cleared some rivers.

A big thank you to the guides who have taken time out of their busy schedules to send in reports from around the country - check your regional reports on the menu to the left to see the latest from the riverbank.

Regular columnist Hugh Creasy, buffeted by the wind, recounts another idyllic day beside the river in At the end are the rainbows.

This month in The idle thoughts of an idle editor we look at regular fishing experiences - the Tangle Snag day, the B**ger day and then of course the Bite-Free day.

By the way, if you want to check out back issues of Reel Life, they are now available here.

Tight lines

Jerry Flay
Editor, Reel Life
reellife@inbox.net.nz