Brian Robinson
In the late 1960s and early 1970s I took up trout fishing, and spinning was my preferred method at the time. I fished mainly around Golden Bay, later in the Grey and Arnold rivers on the Coast.
As a newbie, I wasn’t particularly successful, while others did okay. From the late 1970s to the 1980s, family came along, among other interests, and trout fishing was put on hold, even though I did enjoy being outdoors.
Fast forward to November 2021, and my son asked if I could get time off work to go salmon fishing on the Tekapo canals. Of course, I said, ‘let’s go’.
We had a great week, hooking 13 fish and keeping 10 salmon for five days. When I got back home, I thought I should get back into trout fishing again.
My biggest problem was finding suitable fishing access places for someone with mobility issues. I then discovered the Waimea River Park Fishing Ponds near Richmond and Brightwater, and after trying it out, I was hooked, just like the fish.
The ponds allow me to get to the water’s edge using my crutches and either sit on a seat or in my wheelchair and fish. I have been fishing at Lake Argyle in Marlborough, but so far, no luck.
The biggest problem is not having easy or limited access for someone with a disability. I can fish from the road, but it is difficult to land a fish, unless I have assistance or a very, very long-handled net. I will return and overcome my problems somehow.
Now I'd like to share the tips and tricks I've learned with other anglers.
I support a young man who, a couple of years back, couldn’t bait up or cast a line. Now, not only can he cast, but he can also catch, clean, de-bone, smoke and cook his catch. I also help with the Sport Fishing for Youth Trust as a fishing guide. Just watching the kids catch their first-ever fish gives me great enjoyment.
A huge thank you to Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game and all associated people who created, manage and restock the fishing areas from the Marlborough hatchery so that I and other old codgers like me, who find it difficult to fish the rivers, can have easy access to our happy places to catch a fish.
Happy fishing, people, and tight lines. Hopefully, see you at my happy place.
