There was trout on the line, an MP whose party returning to power is also on the line, and a friendly reminder that catching trophies from local waterways can’t happen by hook or by crook.
Fishing flies and lures got wet from Thursday last week for the opening of the Nelson Marlborough freshwater sport fishing season which runs to 30 April, with hissing reels and “once in a decade” river conditions coupled with fine weather.
Amid anglers trying their casting luck, the public soon get to cast their votes in the general election.
One of those after votes for his party is Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager, who dropped by at a section of the Motueka River on opening day last Thursday with his season’s fishing licence which he’d purchased at Coppins Outdoors.
Wishing he had a fly rod at “one of the best fishing areas in the country”, he outlined riverside his advice for Nelson Tasman’s recreational anglers and plans in the stream if re-elected.
“Have a good time, have fun, stay safe on the water, make sure you take all the appropriate precautions, and best of all, go out and get your licence so we can all support Fish & Game and the great work they do in our great outdoors,” he says.
“Our number one priority is to get as many people out hunting and fishing as possible, and part of that will be to continue to make sure we get our Fish & Game reforms through, we started and made the policy decisions on that last year, and we've got statutory reform coming in to make sure we get better operation out of Fish & Game.
“Make sure we can keep downward pressure on license fees, and actually get a lot more fisheries, habitat restoration, and a bit of wetland restoration, and improve access to our wonderful outdoors and fishing spots.”
Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game field officer Jacob Lucas, who fished the Wangapeka River for the start of the season, says the region’s opening days were “absolutely fantastic”.
“It’s not often you get to have an opening day with normal river flows with beautiful sunny days,” he enthused.
“The relatively stable winter that we've had meant trout were in a really good condition and didn't have to endure any huge floods like what happened the previous year.
“Reports from around the region were very good with most anglers succeeding.”
Jacob says spinning is likely to remain productive through the early part of the season while river levels stay favourable, and as summer progresses and water levels drop, fly fishing should hot up.
He says, Fish & Game will also run upcoming courses and workshops aimed at introducing newcomers to the sport and help experienced anglers hone their skills.
