Reel Life April 2022

BUTCHERS DAM FISHING COMPETITION

Calling all junior anglers! Otago Fish & Game is offering anglers aged 17 years or under the chance to win one of three Shimano rod and reel sets.

In March, we liberated 200 rainbow trout into Butchers Dam near Alexandra for a junior fishing competition.

Three of these fish are marked with an orange tag in the dorsal fin.

Each one is two years old and was raised in our Macraes hatchery.

If you catch one of these tagged fish, email a photo of the fish with the tag still attached to pvanklink@fishandgame.org.nz or bsowry@fishandgame.org.nz, including your name and phone number.

Prizes, kindly donated by Mike Teasdale Motors, can be picked up from our Cromwell office.

* If you catch a tagged fish and want to release it, please cut the tags off and release the fish as soon as possible after taking a photograph.

Good luck!

• Competitors must hold a valid fishing licence and be aged 17 years or under.

• Prize winners agree to have their photos taken for Fish & Game promotional purposes.

Charlie Shaw (17), of Alexandra, is the first winner of the Otago Fish & Game tagged fish competition at Butchers Dam.

Charlie sent us a photo of a tagged rainbow trout he caught.

Since collecting his prize, this new Shimano rod and reel, he's been back at Butchers Dam catching more fish, like this perch.

He caught the tagged rainbow trout on a Saturday afternoon.

"The night before, me and some mates had gone fishing, catching two nice trout brown and rainbow and 40 perch," Charlie says.

"We knew that there was a tagged fish in the dam, and that was the reason why we went.

"I went fishing three times over the weekend.

"Thank you very much for the rod."

Charlie and his mates have caught five trout and more than 60 perch.

And he's keen to go fishing more!

REVIEW OF OTAGO FRESHWATER ANGLING REGULATIONS

The Otago Fish and Game Council is nearing the end of its triennial review of the Anglers Notice (fishing regulations).

The Council is seeking feedback from anglers and the public on the following proposed changes:

* That the Glenorchy lagoons be open to fishing all year.

* That the fishing season for Hore's Control Pond be changed to November 1 to April 30, and that boat fishing be prohibited.

* That the lower Greenstone River be open to fishing all year.

* That the lower Manuherekia River be open to fishing all year.

* That the restriction that prevents adult anglers from fishing Mill Creek above Waterfall Park be removed.

* Simplify the regulations for the Clutha and Taieri rivers by rationalising the number of sections.

* Clarify the current rule regarding multiple hook prohibition in backcountry fisheries.

* Simplify the region-wide boat fishing regulations.

For more details, the consultation document and supporting information can be found at https://fishandgame.org.nz/.../review-of-otago.../

To provide feedback, click here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QMF5PHZ

The deadline for feedback is Friday, April 29.

TAKE A KID FISHING IN CROMWELL

Cubs and Brownies have been having a good time fishing at Cromwell.

Six Brownies had a fun evening at a Take A Kid Fishing event, but only one rainbow trout was caught.

Following rain and cooler temperatures, the fish were more willing to take the bait when 15 Cubs turned out.

They landed six trout and lost a couple of others. The fish were in fantastic condition and put up quite a battle for the youngsters.

Otago Fish & Game officers Paul van Klink and Ben Sowry went along to give them a hand.

Useful links:

• Otago Fish & Game Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Otagofishandgame
• The Otago Regional Council water monitoring website provides a wealth of information regarding flows, levels and rainfall around the region. The map allows quick access to flow information regarding your favourite spot.

https://www.orc.govt.nz/managing-our-environment/water/water-monitoring-and-alerts

• Walking Access Commission Maps (WAMS) – showing public-accessible areas in New Zealand.

https://maps.walkingaccess.govt.nz/OurMaps/

• Otago Regional Council pollution hotline: 0800 800 033

Tight lines.

Ben Sowry, Otago Fish & Game Officer