....... to the October edition of Reel Life.

With Labour weekend upon us, and the new season hardly started, it’s a great time to go fishing. Let’s hope the weather plays ball!

It could be busy this weekend – so Chris Dore’s timely article describing common courtesies on the river is well worth a read.

Have you had a look at F&G research programme for 2008/09? This month, details have been published on Trout Habitat and Energetics, and a report on the National Trout Health project – they need more fish heads from the Hurunui, Rakaia, Waimakariri and Selwyn Rivers to continue to develop their work, so if you can help, let them know.

Around the regions....

Northland reports a slow start to the season, with low angler pressure! The Kai-Iwi Lakes are continuing to fish well.

Auckland / Waikato has some big browns in the Waikato, with opening day around the region generally described as “OK”. They also publish their regional Newsbrief this month.

Opening day in the Eastern region is always a bit of a festival, and the trout played their part this year, with some monsters coming out of the Ohau Channel. Opening day surveys results are also available. Eastern also provide an update on angler access to the Rangitaikei river via the Kaingaroa Forest.

The weather and the angling combined to produce and excellent opening week in Hawke’s Bay.

Taranaki reports back from a very successful Kids day at Lake Wiritoa which also included some additional lake stocking.

Rain has played a role in the season opening in Wellington, but fishing has generally been good. They also highlight this weekend’s Pahiatua Trout Fishing Carnival.

Into the South Island....

Rain made opening day difficult in Nelson/Marlborough. They also provide some information about increase fishing access at Molesworth Station, and a very helpful piece on how to engage children with fishing.

Lower river fish are in abundance on the West Coast – so are rangers checking on anglers catching trout feeding on whitebait, so please make sure you are licenced.

As well as announcing the inaugural Lake Coleridge fishing competition, and providing their round the region update, North Canterbury provide some important information for anglers, including an update on pollution complaints in the lower Waimakariri.

Central South Island have had a good start to the season, and report back on various activities that have been taking place around the region. They also detail information on their Didymo Experimental Site at Otiake.

The Save the Nevis campaign continues in Otago and they provide an update on the process. There’s also news on local liberations, early season success and the addition of two rivers to the Backcountry Fisheries list.

Despite a couple of weeks of typically rough early season weather, fishing conditions in Southland are now looking pretty good, with the fishing forecast to keep improving into November.

Hugh Creasy’s At the end are the rainbows once again recreates the magic of the riverbank, whilst The idle thoughts of an idle editor improbably link the Good Life, a house on Waiheke and a burning desire to put more trout heads in the veg patch!

Local guides have contributed fishing reports and predictions for next week and can be accessed by the menu on the left, and our fast growing page dedicated to local angling club newsletters can be found at: http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Features/AnglingClubNewsletters.aspx

Enjoy the new season, and please continue to clean, check and dry.

Jerry

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