Reel Life December 2011

December 2011

Hit the water over the holidays

Welcome to the pre-Christmas issue of Fish & Game's Reel Life newsletter for anglers..

With the holiday period looming, why not take the opportunity to introduce a friend or family member to the joys of trout fishing – a licence even makes a great Christmas gift idea, and kids can fish for free if they were under 12 years at October 1, 2011. Check out the regulations and pricing on our website.

Another great gift idea – the NZ Fly Fishing team is running a series of clinics catering for all levels of ability, with the proceeds used to help get them to the world champs in Slovenia next year. Visit this site to find out more.

Without wanting to put a dampener on things, our outstanding fishery continues to come under increasing pressure from environmentally unsustainable industry. The NZ Conservation Authority published a report urging the Government to take steps to protect our remaining waterways from economic exploitation. Fish & Game's response is here.

On a similar note, it seems Fonterra has been fudging the numbers on the so-called Clean Streams Accord. An independent audit paints a poor picture of progress towards a key measure of the Accord – read more here.

And Federated Farmers is at it again, recently stating in a Sunday paper that trout and introduced waterfowl need to be eradicated…

These issues impact YOUR WATER, YOUR RIVERS, YOUR FISHERY. So, while you've got some time over the holidays, send an email to your MP or write a letter to the editor of your local paper expressing concern about what's happening to our freshwater resources.

There's still plenty of great fishing to be had in this country though – and we hope you get stuck in over the summer break – but if we want our kids to be able to enjoy the pursuit, it's up to ALL of us to fight to protect the resource.

And don't forget to sign up as a friend of Fish & Game NZ on Facebook & Twitter – it's an excellent way for you to stay in touch with all our news and alerts!

Until next month, have a fantastic Christmas and happy fishing!

P.S - This month's cover image comes from Aussie angler Brian Start who captured his son Paul fishing Lake Heron on a magic summer's day.

If you want to submit a photo to be considered for the Reel Life 'cover', email your image to hcarnachan@fishandgame.org.nz with the appropriate details – i.e angler's name and rough location (we're not asking you to divulge your secrets spots!).*

* Fish & Game NZ reserve the right to use any images submitted in other communications, publicity or promotional material so make sure you're looking your best!

Click here for NZ Council News

Creasy's Column - By Hugh Creasy

At Least The Beer Was Good…

We had problems when we turned off State Highway 1. The TomTom navigator, with a not-quite BBC British accent had coped reasonably well with Waimate and Kapua on Highway 82, but when we reached the turnoff to Hakataramea it choked on the last few syllables.

A change to a lilting Irish accent did not help, and a Kiwi twang was no better. From Ikawai inland we drove to Hakatarablurp.

The Waitaki River valley was verdant with spring growth and the river ran milky with glacial silt. The riverbed and the roadside verges were dotted with California poppies and foxgloves and broom bloomed in the gullies. All the way down the Canterbury Plains massive irrigators inched their way across the land, spraying millions of litres of water across dairy farms where bony-hipped cows trudged their way to milking sheds.

It took a day or two to settle in and get our bearings, and an evening shooting wallabies in the Hunter Hills put air in the lungs and an ache in the thighs.

To be successful on wallabies you have to climb high... Read More

Angling Club Newsletters

Fish & Game New Zealand is proud to support angling clubs from around the country. You can read their monthly newsletters through our website by clicking here.