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

There is a chill in the air – frosty mornings on the river bank are not too far away!

F&G National Office updates us on three key issues currently being addressed relating to public access to public resources – the Overseas Investment Act, Pastoral Leases: Declaratory Judgment and the Walking Access Commission.

There are also 2 media releases this month on the subject of the Clean Streams Accord and Fonterra’s effluent compliance targets.

Do send us an email if you would like to comment on any of these issues.

Fish & Game also want to annouce the launch of their Introduction to Gamebird Hunting Pack - if you want follow all gamebird hunting news, make sure you are signed up to receive Both Barrels.

Around the regions....

Lakes have provided the best option this summer in Northland. They would like to remind locals to keep an eye out for pest fish, and also provide an update on flood damaged rivers.

Decent numbers of large fish were spotted during recent drift dives in  Auckland / Waikato.  Regional news also includes a report on the Arapuni fishing competition and some local Hydro scheme applications.

Cooler weather seems to have got the fish moving a bit in the Eastern region. They have some news on the ever popular kids fishing days dates for 09, and a tip on the potentially productive “heave and leave” technique!

Winter is definitely on the way in Hawke’s Bay, and with it, hopefully, the disappearance of the algal bloom in Lake Tutira. For those of you who fish the Mohaka, some recent drift dives revealed the presence of some big brownies.

Water temperatures look about right in the Taranaki ringplain for a good months fishing. They have a few suggestions and tips to make the most of the coming months, and some news about the decision to close Virginia Lake.

Fishing in Wellington still seems to be going well, with the bigger rivers providing the best returns. Recent drift dives have revealed that trout in good numbers are present around urban bridges in the region!

Into the South Island

The Motueka River is reported to be fishing brilliantly at present. Time to head to the Nelson / Marlborough region then! They also keep us posetd on the recent Trust Power fish salvage operation.

For the wilderness fishers out on the West Coast, some great news – work on the Karamea river valley huts has progressed with the Thor hut being the latest to get a makeover.

Some disappointing news from the Central South Island – didymo is making a bit of a comeback in the Waitaki river -  a reminder to us all to be extra vigilant in doing all we can to prevent the spread of this dreaded algae. Elsewhere in the region there’s plenty of news about salmon fishing, seasons and releases.

A flurry of recent trout liberations to reservoirs around Otago should provide some excellent late season angling. There have also been some fine salmon hooked in the Clutha. If you catch one, can you keep the head for F&G, please.

Fishing sounds productive down in Southland right now, with a continued hatch of mayflies giving anglers a chance of taking them on the dry, especially on the Mataura.

The latest editions of several local angling club newsletters 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  a fit-again Charles Teasdale on the West Coast, Joan Ryder in the Eastern Region, Graeme Marshall in South Canterbury and Will Spry in the Mackenzie Country.

Hugh Creasy ponders the onset of winter and the change in fishing techniques and opportunities that come with it in At the End are the Rainbows, whilst, if you have read everything else in this edition and still you want more, The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Editor describes the dangers and delights of a recent raft fishing trip. 

Cheers

Jerry

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