Fishing News index> October 2008

Molesworth Station Improves Fishing Access
 
Anglers and others will now have limited vehicle access to spring fishing opportunities in the lower Acheron River catchment of the Molesworth Recreation Reserve between Saturday the 1st of November until Sunday 16th of November inclusive, as part of a trial worked out between Fish and Game, DOC and Landcorp Farming.  Vehicle access will be available from the Acheron Accommodation House end of the road up to a locked gate on the Yarra River confluence some 28 km upstream during daylight hours only, with walking access to the Acheron River adjacent and upstream.  Fish and Game asked for more vehicle access to the Severn River confluence but this is all that is currently available at this time of the year.  Landcorp Farming has asked that anglers not disturb calving cows in the Alma and Severn River catchments at this time.  No vehicles will be able to enter from the Awatere catchment (Molesworth Homestead) end of the Acheron Road because of cattle movement in that area.  DOC and Fish and Game staff will be in the area to ensure that the trial works effectively.  Camping sites will be available near the Acheron Accommodation House.

Details of the access arrangements will be posted on the Nelson Marlborough regional page on the Fish and Game website or contact the Nelson Marlborough Offices of Fish and Game or DOC South Marlborough Area Office in Renwick.  Access to this area will also be available as normal when the road opens to through vehicle traffic after Christmas until April, weather permitting.
 
Molesworth Station is now administered as recreation reserve by the Department of Conservation.  Landcorp Farming has a lease to operate the cattle station over the reserve, which is New Zealand’s largest farm with 10 000 head of cattle on 180 000 ha of land.  The property provides the heart of the largest Canada goose hunts in the South Island, with up to 250 hunters spread around accessible parts of Molesworth and adjacent properties.  It also provides a wealth of angling opportunities both accessible by the day from roads and for the more adventurous angler, 4-5 day trips by raft or canoe down New Zealand’s ‘grand canyon’ of the Clarence River to the sea, or back country angling in the upper Clarence or Acheron River catchments, or alpine lake fishing at Lake Tennyson or the Tarndale Lakes.
 
Molesworth is relatively inaccessible, but most readily accessed from the south via Hanmer Springs over Jack’s and Jollie’s Passes to the upper Clarence River.  There are effectively only three methods of access, and some roads are closed or unavailable for much of the year.  The upper Clarence River valley is accessible (weather and snow permitting) all year around, but the fisheries are closed to the angler over the winter period.  The Rainbow Rd via the upper Wairau River valley is normally closed, but opens over the summer period on payment of a toll to the pastoral lessee.  A recent slip at Hell’s Gate may also limit vehicle access via the Rainbow until the slip is cleared.  The Acheron River Rd between the Acheron Accommodation House and Molesworth Station Homestead in the upper Awatere River is also normally closed but opens after Christmas until April, when conditions permit. 

Details of the proposed trial have only recently been agreed after considerable negotiation.  Fish and Game requests that any anglers taking the opportunity to access these back country fisheries during November from Hanmer understands and respects the reasonable farming needs of Landcorp Farming to run their extensive cattle farming operation.  Activities such as pest control may be occurring on Molesworth in areas adjacent to the Acheron River so any visitors will need to heed any warning information.  Anglers will need to take particular care to ensure that didymo is not transported from the Clarence River catchment into the Acheron River.  Any breaches of the access agreement may put future angling access to this part of the recreation reserve in jeopardy.  Fish and Game will likely survey anglers as to their success and satisfaction with the effectiveness of the trial.  Contact Fish and Game or DOC for further details nearer the time.

Ends

For further information contact Neil Deans from Fish and Game 03 544 6382 or Dave Hayes at DOC 03 572 9100.

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