....... to the first Reel Life for 2008.

The weather is glorious (generally) and there are fish in the rivers, so if you have not already done so, buy a licence and get after them! The long term forecast is great and it beats mowing the lawn. Remember to clean, check and dry!

World Wetlands Day is just around the corner. Events are taking place all around the country, including field days in Auckland / Waikato, North Canterbury and Eastern / Hawke’s Bay.

News from the regions.
In Northland, holiday fishing has been made difficult by changeable weather and discoloured water, although the region has been busy with visitors and first time anglers.

Low rainfall has led to low rivers and streams in Auckland / Waikato. Clear waters, especially on the Coromandel, have made enticing the fish to the fly quite tricky, although the Hydro lakes continue to fish very well.

Hot weather has made the cooler water around stream mouths on the Rotorua lakes very popular and successful – the stand-out fishery for the Eastern region over the holiday period.

In Hawke’s Bay, F&G have appointed a new manager – Iain Maxwell. He reports back on what’s going on in the region, including the restoration of Purimu lake and the constant heat!

Marlborough fish numbers have been the subject of recent study by Nelson / Marlborough F&G staff; back country numbers are particularly pleasing, and Didymo appears scarce in the region which is good news.

Salmon fever is building on the West Coast.  Good catches have already been reported and prospects are expected to continue improving.

The long dry spell in Central South Island has meant very low water levels.  Whilst Didymo continues to extend its range in the region, reports indicate that in some waters it appears to be dying. In the meantime, large numbers of salmon are around!

Otago is experiencing high angler numbers, hot weather and low waters, but this has not prevented some exceptional fish in the 10lbs range being landed from rivers such as the Greenstone and Caples.

In Southland, weather and water levels have combined to make things difficult for the novice, although skilled anglers have been producing well, and salmon are plentiful.

Around the regions local guides report back on fishing – you can navigate to these via the reports menu to the left.

Regular columnist Hugh Creasy takes another idyllic stroll along the river bank in At the end are the rainbows, whilst this month the Idle thoughts of an idle editor dwells on  a Christmas fishing present.

Happy New Year

Jerry

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