New trout season perfect school holidays opportunity

The new trout fishing season opens this weekend throughout the country, providing parents with a great family school holiday activity.

For months, freshwater anglers have been eagerly anticipating the start of the new trout and salmon fishing season on Sunday 1 October.

Licences for the 2017-18 season have been on sale for six weeks and already, thousands have been sold.

The two week school holiday break also begins this weekend and Fish & Game Communications Manager Don Rood says the timing of the fishing season opening is great for families.

“The start of the new season always provides the opportunity for families and mates to get-together.

“This year, it means that from Sunday, the whole family can head out together for an outdoors adventure,” says Don Rood.

“It is a great opportunity to get the children into the outdoors and introducing them to the joys of fishing.

“With any luck, they will catch their first trout and head home with some fresh wild food for the barbecue or smoker.”

Don Rood says families have been catered for with a special licence.

“Fish & Game has made it easier to take the family fishing with the family licence, which allows parents and their children to fish together.  It also allows grandparents to take their grandchildren fishing.

“As well, children can get a free fishing licence, while teenagers up to the age of 18 can get a licence for the whole season for $27 – much cheaper than the adult licence.”

Licences are available at sporting stores or online through the Fish & Game website www.fishandgame.org.nz

“Buying online is straightforward - all people have to do is choose the licence option that’s best for them and a few clicks later they will have bought it,” says Don Rood.  

“I urge everyone to get out there and give it a try.”