Great day for young anglers

Opening day of Otago Fish & Game’s Take A Kid Fishing programme produced one of the most memorable days of fishing in its 16-year history at Southern Reservoir.

Around 95 children, along with parents and grandparents, turned up in sunny conditions on Saturday, September 19, for the first of four Take A Kid Fishing days this spring.

Pictured: Grace McIntyre (left) encourages her niece Holly Dungey (5) to touch the first fish that Holly had ever caught during Take A Kid Fishing at Southern Reservoir on Saturday, September 19. Asked if she liked fishing, Holly replied, “Easy-peasy, mac and cheesey!” Photo: Rachel Easson, Otago Fish & Game

Around 40 to 50 trout were gutted and cleaned for families to take home, while many tens more were landed and released — or released themselves.

Otago Fish & Game officer Steve Dixon said everything came together for a memorable day.

“This was one of those days when things just seemed to come together,” he said.

“The weather was good, the fish were active and there were plenty of young anglers who managed to catch a fish.

“This season’s hatchery two-year-olds are larger and feistier than usual.

“There were plenty of happy kids, and it was great to see so many families enjoying the fishing together.”

The reservoir was stocked ahead of the four days with 400 two-year-old rainbow trout and four large broodstock fish from the Macraes hatchery. The broodstock fish weighed more than 3.6kg each.

The second day on Sunday produced a very different result, with overcast, windy and cold conditions. About 70 children attended with parents and grandparents, with six fish gutted and cleaned.

“The weather made a big difference on Sunday,” Mr Dixon said.

“Fishing was slower, but there were still some good fish caught and plenty of kids out having a go.”

Left: Chelsea Wang (10) shows off her first fish caught at Take A Kid Fishing at Southern Reservoir on Saturday, September 19. Photo: Rachel Easson, Otago Fish & Game

Another 300 two-year-old rainbow trout will be released this week ahead of the final two days on September 26 and 27.

The programme is fully booked.

Mr Dixon thanked the volunteers who gave up their weekend to help run the days.

The fish are reared at Macraes hatchery, a partnership between Otago Fish & Game and OceanaGold. Southern Reservoir is managed by Dunedin City Council.

Southern Reservoir is closed to public fishing for Fish & Game events and will reopen on October 1.