Fishing News index> October 2008

Trout Fishing Opening - October 1st
Things you need to know

Although the region’s rivers are currently running high, prospects for the up and coming sports fishing season look promising.  Those tributaries that usually suffer from low flows are likely to hold more trout early in the season than they have in recent years.  Didymo is also unlikely to be an issue early in the season with the recent spate of freshes, but anglers are reminded that they need to treat all their equipment that comes into contact with water to limit didymo’s spread.

This season there have been some changes to the regulations that anglers need to be aware of:

Felt Sole Ban
Due to the potential risks of felt soles carrying didymo and other unwanted pests, felt soled waders or footwear incorporating or having attached a sole of felted, matted or woven fibrous material when sports fishing are banned as of 1 October.

Scented Soft Baits
In recent years questions have been raised over the legality of scented ‘soft baits’ for trout fishing.  Any scented lure constructed of or treated with elements that have chemical attractant properties have now been clearly defined for all Fish and Game regions as ‘Bait’.  Therefore any scented ‘soft baits’ or other lures which have been treated with a preparation to attract fish will only be able to be used where bait fishing is permitted.  In the Nelson/Marlborough region these generally are the lower reaches of the main rivers that are open to fishing year round.

Salmon
There was a good salmon run last year in the Clarence & Wairau Rivers.  Anglers are reminded that anyone fishing at the mouths of these rivers (or any river where sports fish are present) and using equipment that could reasonably be expected to catch trout or salmon are required to hold a Sports fishing licence.  As a result of aerial spawning counts undertaken during 2008, salmon fishing is now prohibited in the Acheron River and the Clarence upstream of the Acheron Confluence, to protect spawning fish.

Tagged / Fin clipped Trout
Anglers are asked to keep and eye out for fin clipped trout, or trout that are tagged this season.  As outlined elsewhere, research work is being carried as part of the Branch Hydro Consent and as a result a number of fish will be tagged/fin clipped that may be caught by anglers in the Branch Catchment including Argyle Pond or the Wairau River.

Fish have also been PIT tagged and had their adipose fin clipped as part of research undertaken in the Rainy River in recent years.  Recently a PIT tag was handed in from an adult trout caught downstream of Ngatimoti that was tagged over 12 months ago in the Rainy River during spawning.  A travel distance of approximately 64km.

As a result of a number of factors such as the world economy in recession, increase in licence fees, the ban of felt soled waders etc it is likely there will be fewer anglers out and about this season.  Those that venture out this season will have plenty of opportunities and not a lot of competition. Get out and make the most of it!

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