....... to the March 2008 edition of Reel Life.

The World Flyfishing Champs start after Easter in NZ, so good luck to the local team – competing against 17 other countries!

The future of our environment is critically important to angling in NZ - this month we have an update on the recently held Wai Wetlands Symposium, and on a number of World Wetlands Day events held around NZ.

Around the regions....

Cooler weather in Northland is a welcome relief for anglers, and some good clear water conditions have been interspersed amongst the odd fresh.

In Auckland / Waikato the message is plenty of fish, but no water! The rivers could do with a lot more rain, but that did not stop the Lake Arapuni fishing competition being a great success with some excellent fish caught.

Lakes Tarawera and Okataina in the Eastern Region have been producing well recently, whilst F&G staff have been working on a community project to help clear debris from the Ngongotaha stream.

They also have some new access pamphlets online and available for download.

Hawke’s Bay updates us on water quality in the Tukituki River, and explores options for autumn fishing.

Taranaki rivers are desperately in need of some water; lakes are proving a good alternative for anglers right now.

Although rivers are also low in Wellington, fishing continues to be excellent on both Manawatu and Rangitikei rivers.

Into the South Island....

Nelson Marlborough report back from some drift diving that Motueka River fish are in great condition. They also remind us about their angler study which will investigate how changing fishery conditions affect angling usage and value of our trout fisheries in the Nelson-Marlborough region. You can complete the survey here.

Drift diving surveys in the West Coast rivers also reports fish in great condition. They also report back on developments with the requirement for dairy farmers to install bridges and culverts at most-used crossings.

No update this month from a busy and short staffed office at North Canterbury where regional manager Ross Millichamp is ill in hospital – I am sure you will all join me in wishing him a speedy and full recovery.

F&G staff in the CSI region have been very busy with spawning enhancement work at Lake Clearwater, Aviemore and Scotts Creek. Salmon fishing is continuing its good run in the region.

Otago discuss the conclusions of their recently held River Flow workshop, where representatives from around the country (but mostly from the South Island) debated the issues and decided on a strong preference for a holistic approach to flow setting methods.

Southland are predicting an excellent April for anglers after some good freshening flows this month. “Trout fishing is what Southland is good at”, says regional manager Maurice Rodway!

In our regular columns, The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Editor relates further fishing frustration - this time at the hands of Mickey Mouse!

Good fishing

Jerry

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