...... to the December edition of Reel Life.

Christmas is a time when the whole country goes fishing, so two key messages from Fish & Game. Make sure you buy a licence, and please, please be aware of and make sure you take all precautions over Didymo – always clean, check and dry.

Diary dates for 2008 – the “Wai Wetlands?” 2008 Symposium, and the 2008 World Wetlands Day. Just follow the links for more information.

Around the regions....
Northland reports back on the success of its first region-wide fishing competition – an event which highlighted the great fishing opportunities throughout the Northland region.

Flooding in some Auckland / Waikato waters has hampered fishing but other areas are going well. Further stocking should make Lake Pupuke an increasingly attractive option, and a local angler survey which takes place shortly will enable the region to negotiate effectively with power companies and other RMA issues.

Recently opened stream in the Eastern Region look promising, whilst the region says farewell to long serving manager Steve Smith. There’s also an update on access and planting work.

Low and clear conditions in Taranaki have not prevented plenty of positive comments from anglers in the ringplain, where rainbow trout liberations continue.

Rivers are also low in Nelson / Marlborough. With the dry spell forecast to continue, cooler parts of the day may be your best bet.

West Coast seems to be experiencing changeable weather – very wet, very dry, and now wet again – either way there is some great holiday fishing to be had on the Coast.

Recent dirty weather has interrupted what were fantastic back country conditions in North Canterbury; once this clears, salmon fishing should be productive.

Although rivers in the Central South Island are drying up fast, the Waitaki Lakes continue to be great providers and salmon runs are just getting going as well. Local F&G staffer Graeme Hughes has written a thoughtful piece about Living with Didymo which is well worth a read, and we also hear about the installation of a bio-acoustic fish fence.

A new purpose built vehicle for liberation in Otago is giving the local fish some first class travel!

Finally, down in Southland, dry weather has failed to prevent some excellent fishing – a bit of rain would be welcomed, but still every reason to get out on some of those southern rivers and streams.

A big thanks you to the guides who have contributed fishing reports this month and throughout the year: Joan Ryder, Grant Petherick, Graham Pyatt, Graeme Marshall, Richard Grimmett, Will Spry, Martin Langlands and the ever prolific Chris Dore – just click on the links to the left to read this month’s reports.

A big thank you also to Hugh Creasy who once again waxes lyrical in At The End Are the Rainbows, and continues to highlight the poetry of our countryside and the pleasure it gives us.

The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Editor has a simple message this month – if you want a new rod for Christmas, get your children practising with them.

Have an enjoyable and productive festive season, best wishes for 2008, and please remember, clean, check and dry!

Jerry

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