Fishing News index>March 2008

WEST COAST NEWS

With the appointment of a West Coast angling correspondent this column can now focus on recent Fish & Game staff activity.

The annual drift diving programme for monitoring trout populations on selected West Coast and Nelson rivers was completed in March. The surveys were almost a month later than usual, and what was especially noticeable in almost all of the surveyed rivers was the location of trout. After a season of angler activity fish often become more shy during the hours of full light and tend to occupy places where they could never be seen from the bank. At this time of year it is common to hear anglers talking of waters being “fished out” but more usually trout will be amongst boulders in deep holes, under banks, or occasionally sheltering amongst large substrate in fast white-water runs. Expect things to change in April though, because as the days shorten and water temperatures drop pre-spawning trout typically become more active and feed for longer periods.

A feature of the 2008 surveys was the exceptional condition of trout in most rivers. Also, while results are yet to be compared with previous years, initial impressions indicate a larger than usual proportion of juvenile fish in rivers such as the upper Grey and Rough.

A recent “Reel Life” correspondent has drawn attention to an issue with potential to perpetuate a problem that we thought we were on top of. West Coast Regional Council has a policy that states, amongst other things, that dairy farmers in Westland had until 31/12/07 to install bridges or culverts at the "most used” crossing, and that second or subsequent crossings had a further year's grace. Many farmers have now complied, however Fish & Game has recently received two resource consent applications to circumvent the rule which, if approved, would permit cattle to be crossed through sensitive trout streams for the next 35 years!

Fish & Game will be objecting to these and any similar applications. Westland Milk Products management have been approached and have indicated an intention to take a stronger line with less environmentally responsible suppliers, consistent with the company image promoted to the world on their website.

In the interim any other angler reports of unsustainable farming practice - preferably accompanied by photos – would be very useful.

Chris Tonkin

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