....... to the April 2009 edition of Reel Life from Fish & Game NZ.

For fresh water anglers the summer season is now well and truly at an end, and many are now looking forward to the autumn / winter fisheries of Taupo and Rotorua, and the excellent southern winter fisheries.

A couple of points to consider as you ease into the winter season:

Firstly, our triennial Fish & Game Council elections will be held later this year.  Fish & Game New Zealand is a ‘user pays, user says’ organisation working for, and on behalf of, anglers and hunters.  The policy and direction of the organisation is provided by the elected members of the 12 regional Fish & Game councils, with each regional council providing an appointee to the New Zealand Council.  Any full season licence holder can stand for their council, and successful councillors are elected by those licenceholders that choose to vote.  All this to say that the future of Fish & Game, and the future of your recreation is in your hands.

Secondly, we work hard on communications and dialogue with licenceholders, and are always looking for ways to increase the effectiveness of this.  We are keen to hear your comments on how we can improve this dialogue, what you think, and your suggestions on what you want to hear or see and how you want it.  Your phone calls to (04) 4994767, letters to PO Box 13141, Wellington, and emails to reellife@inbox.net.nz are always welcome.

As fishing eases towards a gentle close in many parts of the country, and anglers reflect on another season, it's also time to consider our resource. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is the government agency that leads our country’s biosecurity movement - one where every person plays a part in protecting our mountains, lakes, rivers, seas, native forests, farmlands and way of life.

One of our areas of focus over the last three years has been encouraging users of fresh waterways to adopt behaviours that will help reduce the spread of freshwater pests such as didymo.

To evaluate whether the messages are getting through and if people are adopting the desired behaviours, they conduct an annual survey of people who regularly use freshwater areas for recreational purposes.

To participate in the survey, follow this link and complete the questionnaire:

www.acnonline.com/Freshwatersurvey?P=FGNZ

Around the regions....

Spawning runs are about to begin in Northland - they offer some advice and guidelines for those who want to witness this, and report that some anglers are catching good hauls.

Auckland Waikato reports back on the fishing in the Waipa – once the region’s most popular fishery.  Work by Environment Waikato means that it once again provides a great fishing opportunity.  They also remind you to enter the Lake Pupuke competition on May 10, and highlight the upcoming spawning runs.

Nice conditioned rainbows are being caught in the Rotorua lakes right now, say Eastern Region.  You will be able to meet some of the team at the Auckland Boat Show this year. This month’s round-up also includes some news on poaching, access, recent and upcoming surveys, and the Waikaremoana Water Quality Buoy project.

In Hawke’s Bay, the cold snap is a reminder to buy a winter fishing licence and take advantage of some of the North Islands most under-fished waters. Lake Tutira is looking up as well with trout spotted cruising the shallows.

Trout are on the move with the onset of the spawning season in Wellington. They offer some good advice on how to make the most of this, and an update on many local waters.

Into the South Island

North Canterbury have published a very comprehensive and detailed analysis of what staff have been up to this month – highlights include drift dives, fish rescue, trout releases and young angler training.

Central South Island review the 09 salmon season which has now closed, and discuss winter fishing in the region. They also report that according to results of the most recent National Angler Survey, Lake Benmore is now the second most fished lake in the country after Taupo!

In Otago, the last remaining stock of Atlantic Salmon have been released from the Wanaka Hatchery, ending two chapters of Fish & Game history simultaneously. They also remind us that the Nevis River Hearings commence in May and that any submitter who wishes to be heard but has not advised the tribunal should contact the tribunal via alex.miller@mfe.govt.nz or (04) 439 7432 as soon as possible.  Those who already plan to present their submissions in person should check with tribunal to make sure they are already on the schedule, particularly if they haven’t heard from the tribunal.

Angling clubs around the country have published their most recent newsletters, many of which can be found at: http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Features/AnglingClubNewsletters.aspx - if you publish a club newsletter you would like hosted on this page, just let me know.

Fishing reports this month come from Joan Ryder in the Eastern Region, Graeme Marshall in South Canterbury and Will Spry in the Mackenzie Country.

Hugh Creasy once again gives us an insight into his idyllic life by the river, catching trout and stewing rabbit washed down with Riesling, in At the End are the Rainbows. The question "are you a good fisherman?" prompts The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Editor to relate the legend of Old Bob!

Cheers

Jerry

Jerry Flay, Editor, Reel Life
reellife@inbox.net.nz