March 2014 newsletter

MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITIONThorben casting a nice line – by Gebhard Krewitt

President’s Flyline LinkFishing continued to be a ‘tad’ difficult in early February when in the space of afew weeks our rivers went from ‘plentiful’ water to drought conditions. In mytravels around various rivers in the district, water temperatures regularly rose to21.5’C or higher by mid-afternoon as a result of some incredibly hot days.The hottest temp I recorded was 24.8’C at 4pm in the Pelorus River near HughesNo. 1 access … this is the hottest water temperature I have ever recorded whileout fishing. Needless to say, when the water gets this warm it is dangerous forthe trout who will hide away to find the coolest conditions they canHowever, for anglers who have been willing to make early starts there has beensome good morning fishing. There have been plenty of small (#16) brown mayflyspinners throughout the Wairau River from Renwick through to Dip Flat and whilenot red hot like last season, there has also been increasing cicada action on theWairau too. Passionvine Hoppers are showing up in force on the Motueka Riverand the trout are rising well in patches to this steady supply of food. The willowgrubs are about to start dropping.On many rivers however the trout continue to feed well on small nymphs, such asa #16 Mercer’s Micro Mayfly in brown or olive or a #16 Quasimodo Pheasant Tailand we have been getting good results right up in the riffles wherever they occurabove a pool with good holding water. In the Motueka, there are a pleasingnumber of smaller fish (½ - 1.5 kg) about, more than I have seen in recentseasons, which might indicate that the big floods through the winter and earlyseason didn’t affect a big kill of smaller fish. Maybe it is the warm watertemperatures, but it also seems on many rivers that the bigger trout (2+ kgs)which were around in good numbers prior to Christmas, have for the momentanyway, made themselves scarce over the last month. That said bigger trout aredefinitely there to be caught on most backcountry waters for those anglers whoare able and prepared to put the effort into getting ‘away from it all’.On a less pleasant note it is sad to see a return of didymo to the Motueka River. Ihaven’t seen didymo in the Motueka now for several years, since the big matsthat covered large areas following the initial incursion. However, from the mainroad bridge at Motueka through to above the Graham Stream, significantconcentrations of didymo are again evident, which we can only hope is a productof the rapid warming of the river and will disappear again soon.In the last month, the Club has arranged several outings that have been wellattended by members, including trips to the lower Wairau River and LakeBrunner …, which is great to see. An evening of fly-casting tuition for lady clubmembers coached under the watchful eye of Terry Kelso was also well attended.The club continues to attract new members.TightlinesTony Entwistle, PresidentCover Photo: One of Terry Kelso’s grandkids - Dallas Kelso, aged 6 - with afive and a half pounder from the Waimea ponds. He had trouble hanging ontothe rod and lifting the fish up for a photo was no mean feat.

Club ContactsExecutive:President: Tony Entwistle 5444565 [email protected] President: Ray Day 5441245 [email protected]: Bruce McLean 5480066 [email protected]: Ray Day 5441245 [email protected] Editor and Webmaster: Graham Carter 07 8551833 [email protected] 021 02600437Committee Scott Ingram 5441605 [email protected] Peter Lawler 5489753 [email protected] Maree Peter 522 4166 [email protected] Mathew Williams 5445996 [email protected] James Jemson 7443123 [email protected] Don Clementson 5448867 [email protected] and Greet New Members Ray Day and Pete LawlerFishing trips James Macdonald [email protected] 03 5403520Fly Tying Convenor Tony EntwistleClub Librarian Lois Rutherfurd 022 6010642Trophy Master Lois Rutherfurd [email protected] Sponsorship & Newsletter Advertising Ray DayClub Speakers: Tony EntwistleClub Night Tea/Coffee: Lester HigginsNewsletter Distribution: Dennis EalamLife Members: 2007 John Willis 2012 Graham CarterPast Presidents: 06-08 Lester Higgins 08-09 Ross Walker04-06 Richard Boyden 11-13 Ray Day 13- Tony Entwistle09-11 Dennis Ealam THE NELSON TROUT FISHING CLUBMeets once a month at: Fish and Game Offices, 66 Champion Road, Richmond. Normally the 3rd Wednesday of the month 7.00pm. Please phone 5440066 if unsure. Any views or opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the committee, club or editor. Website: www.thenelsontroutfishingclub.com

CLUB MEMBERSHIPTo join the club: collect a form at a club meeting; download a copy fromthe club website; or phone a committee member to have a form mailed toyou.Mail the completed form to Fish and Game Offices, 66 Champion Road,Richmond, or hand it in at the next meeting with your subscription and joining fee.Below is a list of 5 ways to win an argument with a woman:1. -2. -3. -4. -5. - 5

Waimea kids fishing pondsThe second season at the kids fishout ponds on the Waimea river berm has gonereally well.The Trust stocked the ponds with larger fish this season and this has added to thekids experience. Over 300 rainbow trout of an average size around 750 gramswere stocked in November together with 60 salmon of around 400 grams.The fish have thrived in the ponds, which now have a good base of invertebratelife, and recent fish out day catches have averaged close to 1 kilogram per fish.An examination of the gut of fish caught indicates a diet similar to that of riverfish, with an emphasis on small snails which are now well established in theponds. Their growth has been assisted by the 2000 small salmon, 10 -20 grams,provided by the NMIT aquaculture course. These have had to grow quickly orlearn to swim very fast!Catch rates have varied over the season. In November and December the averagecatch rates on fishout days were a little over 50% for attending kids. What wassignificant was the variation in catch rates through the morning. Sometimes earlyattendees achieved close to 100% catch rates but it was also apparent that thefish would come on, and off, the bite at intervals. On one occasion it was hardfishing for the early attendees, but the fish came on the bite between 9.30 and10.30 with most kids catching a fish. On most days fishing became hard after11.30, probably a combination of fishing pressure and the sun getting higher inthe sky with shade trees still to grow.The larger fish gave the kids a great thrill to catch. This year we put in a few fishwell over the 2 kilogram size . They were not easy to catch, but gave the kids agreat thrill, even to see such large fish in the pond. Club member Terry Kelsotook his two grandsons to the ponds on the morning for sponsors and fishers whohad assisted kids on the days. They both caught fish and one grandson caught a2.5 kg (over 5 lbs in our measurements) rainbow trout. Terry was a very proudgranddad, and maybe just a little jealous.This year we tried a different approach to the tail of the season and opened theponds to family fishing without guides from early February. This has been verysuccessful. Fish and Game have issued over 50 special family licences for kids tofish. The weather has been good and most evenings there are 2-3 family groupsat the ponds , often with a picnic. On a recent Friday evening there were ninevehicles at the ponds, and 19 kids fishing around the fringes. Catch rates tend tobe low, particularly as the number of fish remaining is diminishing but the kidsare having a great outdoor experience.Some recent feedback included: “Just to let you know, my son caught two troutat the ponds last weekend, at 2lb and 1.5lb. He is loving it and is always askingto go back for more” and “Thanks for the permit. The Grandkids had a fantastictime at the fish ponds with some success. It is a great venue to teach a few lifeskills and we greatly appreciate the opportunity. Here’s a pic of a proud Hunteraged 6” (he had a nice fish about 2 lbs)This season’s experience has included a number of learnings including:Putting larger fish in the ponds is well worth the extra cost;

The ponds now have sufficient invertebrate life for the fish to feed and grow;The disabled fishing platforms, although the access has still to be completed,work really well;Fishing gets harder as the day goes on, but next year we may also try someevening fishout sessions;Using spinners in the ponds tends to put the fish down, and make it difficult forother fishing with flies or float bait. It is likely we will have a “no spinners” rulenext year;Opening the ponds for family fishing at the end of the season works really well,without too much abuse of the opportunity. We may have a small charge for thislicence next year.Many thanks to club members for their help as guides over the season.Disabled angler playing a fish assisted by club members Ian Kearney and Chris ClenshawThe ARU have announced that the Australian Rugby Team, ‘The Wallabies’, hadpractice delayed by nearly two hours today after a player reported finding anunknown white powdery substance on the practice field.Coach, Ewan Mackenzie, immediately suspended practice while police werecalled to investigate.After a complete analysis, experts determined that the white substance unknownto players was the TRY LINE.Practice resumed after special agents decided the team was unlikely toencounter the substance again! 7

BEWARE OF POISONED TROUTBy David Haynes, President, NZFFAFunny how two seemingly unconnected events can combine to make a potentialperfect storm - in this case it's DoC's Battle for the Birds and the mouse year, youknow the year in which the trout grow big....very big......trophy size big!The New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers is launching a nationalpublicity campaign to raise awareness of this perfect storm when it may hit nextSpring.With the forecast beech mast this Autumn (and judging by the trees in manyparts of the South Island it is looking good) we will be expecting thecorresponding increase in the mouse population and as every good angler knows,lots of these mice, whether by accident or design, end up swimming across ourrivers and lakes and become a prime source of protein for trout, as well as eels.Unfortunately and uncoincidentally, DoC are mounting the Battle for the Birdscampaign which entails the biggest aerial 1080 poison drop ever mounted in NewZealand and, indeed, the world.Whilst 1080 is an eco-toxin that kills any creature that consumes it, DoC arebetting on rats and mice being the first, last and only creatures to sup from thepoisoned chalice. DoC also hope that the poisoned rats will be subsequentlyeaten by mustelids (stoats, ferrets, weasels) and likewise be killed, albeit bysecondary poisoning (eating a poisoned animal), and herein lies one of the troutfishing community's biggest threats - if stoats can die by eating poisoned rats, bythe same token why won't trout die by eating poisonedmice?\"Dr Jan Wright, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment noted in her lastreport on 1080 use \"By-kill is almost inevitable with any pest control method.1080 is a broad spectrum poison and can kill native animals including birds,reptiles, frogs, fish and insects. It can also kill dogs, deer, pigs and otherintroduced animals.By-kill is generally easier to limit for ground use of 1080 than aerial use. Baitstations containing 1080 (and other poisons) are attached to trees and haveopenings designed so that animals such as dogs and deer are not able to reachthe bait inside.\"And whilst DoC publish clear guidelines advising hunters to refrain from eatingany animal within set times and distances from an aerial 1080 drop, no suchprotection is afforded the humble angler or customary river harvester.Whilst there is no data on the amount of mice needed to be consumed by a troutin order to kill it, there's plenty of trout autopsies showing stomachs stuffed(literally) to the gills with mice and hence a very high likelihood that at leastsome trout will die.More germane is that many, many more trout that eat poisoned mice will haveresidual 1080 in their muscles and therefore, under current food safetylegislation, would be deemed unfit for human consumption.With this in mind the Federation is recommending the following:

1. That no trout or eels are harvested until a year after the Battle for the Birds aerial poisoning has been terminated. 2. That DoC commit to fund and resource scientifically rigorous pre- and post- 1080 drop monitoring on trout and eel kills.The NZFFA warning of the risks of secondary poisoning of trout by ingestion of1080 poisoned mice was triggered by four things:1. DoCs highly congruent assertion of how carnivorous stoats are killed by 1080 -they eat rats that have ingested 1080.2. mice eat 1080, albeit research would indicate not as readily as other animals.3. mice need to ingest around 17 times more 1080 than possums (per kg of bodyweight) to be poisoned i.e. they carry more of it.4. Trout eat a lot of mice (23 found in stomach of one trout) during a beechmast, many becoming trophy trout.DoCs response was swift and forthright with press statements citing a wealth ofscientific evidence which showed an extremely low or negligible risk of suchsecondary poisoning, accusing the Federation of ignorance and scaremongering.Now the message from DoC has done a complete reverse ferret in the face of ourrepeated requests to show us this scientific evidence, confident that there isnone. Assistant DG of DoC, Kevin O'Connor, conceded in a note of 27 February,to an NZ Herald journalist, that \"Whilst studies have not specifically beenconducted on trout consuming mice contaminated with 1080,detailed studies have been carried out involving eels which have beendeliberately fed 1080 contaminated carcasses. These papers indicate that onlylow levels of toxin were absorbed by the eels and that the risk to humans fromeating affected eel meat was extremely low. The researchers calculated that atthe levels detected, an 85 kg adult would need to eat more than 7 tonnes of eelmeat, in one sitting, to have a 50 percent chance of receiving a fatal dose.\"Kevin is referring to what is called \"the Lyver Study\" (Sodium fluoroacetate (1080)residues in longfin eels, Anguilla dieffenbachii, following exposure tocontaminated water and food neglected to mention, Lyver et al, LandcareResearch 2005). What he neglected to mention, however, was this extract fromthe conclusion in that same study \"...the New Zealand Food Safety Authorityregulations state 1080 residue should be no more than the detectable limit(0.001 ?g/g or 1 ppb) in food products (New Zealand Food Safety Authority2005....). We detected 1080 residues in eel tissue that were on average 12 timeshigher than the provisional maximum acceptable value, 1 day after eelsconsumed contaminated tissue. This suggests a withholding period for eel harvestafter an aerial 1080 operation should be implemented. Calculating the length ofthis period is difficult based on the results from this study.\" Continued page 12. 9

Above: Smile Hans that's a good fish - by Peter Baker; and below: Fish Lake brown, by Peter Baker 10

Don't ask where because we put it back - by Peter LawlerOzzie Ozzie Ozzie Oi Oi Oi - byPeter Lawler 11

continued from page 9 -In the same note to the NZ Herald Kevin stated that DoC will work with Fish andGame to monitor the impact of upcoming 1080 operations on trout. The devil willbe in the detail but the message is clear - there has been no research andsecondary poisoning of trout is no more or less likely than for eels.Further confirmation of our repeated calls to address the Federation's concernswas given by Penny Fisher, another Landcare scientist, whose research has beenconsistently quoted by DoC as confirming the fallacy of secondary trout poisoning(her research was, in fact, confined to trout swimming in 1080 solution, notingestion). On 19 February this year, she wrote to Waikato Regional Councilabout trout poisoning, suggesting a more practical solution to \"further research\"would be \"considering withholding period and buffer zones for anglers takingfish\".The Federation is pleased that DoC have finally acknowledged a gap in itsresearch, have validated our concern and agreed that monitoring is required andwill be undertaken in conjunction with Fish and Game. The devil, as always, willbe in the detail.FEEDBACKPerhaps the real question is, does the average Kiwi actually care what DOCmanages to do with the budget it provided.Peter Storey NZ Troutfisher magazineSome more food for thought.Nine hand reared Blue Ducks were released in Arthurs Pass National park afteraerial poisoning assuming all predators had been killed, all died from starvation.Seven hand reared Blue Ducks released in Kahurangi National Park, five died ofstarvation the other two were recaptured. Did the 1080 which rapidly breaksdown in water kill all their tucker before it broke down and their tucker supplydidn't recover in time to sustain those birds. I don't know does anybody know?Do trout lose condition after poisoning in the water catchments of fish habitat.Lewis HoreIt's good to hear people commenting here have an open mind.In fact, a very credible, Hamilton-based medical doctor points out the risks ofeating water-sourced foods from 1080 poison drop zones. His testimony isincluded in the film clip below. So is another scientist's - Mike Meads. Hediscusses the impact on insects. Other scientists are included, too.1080 poison, when aerially spread, is cast into the streams at the same rates asthe land areas around them. (all streams up to, and often over, 3 metres in width- if you doubt this, just visit a drop zone). The poison is quickly eaten by koura, ifthey're present, and other aquatic life - it also is up-taken and imbibed into plantlife. (So, in fact, mice are just one pathway to poison trout). I think the big point

is - there's no knowing where the poison ends up. It's a broad-spectrum (all kindsof things) insecticide - pesticide, has no taste no smell, has no antidote, andcarries on poisoning the next feeder up the food chain (both insect eaters andmeat eaters).The DoC and the AHB state that 1080 poison is rarely (just over 3%) detected indrinking water (30% of stream tests were positive during the 1990s - source -Parliamentary library). This is probably true - but the reason so is because thestreams are being tested after the poison has been absorbed, up-taken by otherlife, and passed through the test points.Landcare Reseach states that when testing water for 1080 poison the correcttime to test is between 4 - 8 hours after the drop, and not just one test, butmany. However, DoC and AHB conduct their testing up to 48 hours after thedrop, when the poison has long since been up-taken or moved through.If you are a supporter of aerial 1080 poison drops, then please watch this film -and right the way through. It's important. It's vital information in the argumentaround the use of 1080 poison in New Zealand. Just click on the link ...http://youtu.be/yQRuOj96CRsP.S - if you doubt its accuracy - the Crown Law Office requested two copies ofthe film, about 3 years ago. To examine it to test for litigation, or to vito theproduction. No such action ever eventuated, and no warnings were ever issued.Clyde GrafI've just come back from upcountry and would like to add some comments.There's some basic facts some are losing sight of.1. 1080 is not an animal poison that will kill just possums or rats. It is aninsecticide that happens - unfortunately - to kill anything and everything thatcomes in contact with it from invertebrates to birds to animals. The mainargument is the method too--i.e. aerial.Aerial topdressing public lands with it is undeniably indiscriminate.2. Denying 1080 is harmful, directly or indirectly, to fish and game has no basis.Well if koura, eels, nymphs are attracted to it, what is the result? Frankly no oneknows. Research is meagre.And the research on 1080 in eels showed toxin levels 12 times the permissiblelevel set out by the NZ Food Safety Authority. Why would trout be different toeels?3. Research has shown mallard ducks with a sub-lethal dose of 1080, sufferedfrom 1080 as an \"endocrine disruptor\" (i.e. makes males infertile.) Does it havethis effect on other life that ingests it? Would eels that took in 1080 but notenough to kill, become infertile? Koura? Who knows?4. 1080 is a \"secondary poison.\" For example a 1080 killed possum's carcassremain toxic (cyanide doesn't). An eel or koura feeds on it and takes in1080.What effect the food chain?5. Is 1080 is harmful, directly or indirectly, to fish and game. Well if koura, eels,nymphs are attracted to it, what is the result? Frankly no one knows. Research ismeagre. 13

And the research on 1080 in eels showed toxin levels 12 times the permissiblelevel set out by the NZ Food Safety Authority. Why would trout be different toeels?David was well justified in raising the question.Tony OrmanFor those who are interested here's some more thoughts:-• There is a lack of research about its wide side effects as a \"broad spectrum\"toxin.• 1080 is an insecticide. It kills invertebrates as DSIR scientists Mike Meads' andPeter Notman's studies found. DOC not surprisingly, rubbished Meads andNotman, subjected their research to a puppet peer review and made themredundant. Meads and Notman warned of long term destruction of the forestecosystem through aerial 1080.• Science. the Landcare Research science DOC uses is \"paid science.\" Scientistsare in an awkward position contracting to do work. If a scientist dares to comeup with the true picture - as Meads and Notman did - they are not given anymore contracts. It's a matter of not biting the hand that feeds you.• Film showed eels with 1080 and koura too and if memory serves me correctly, amayfly (?) nymph on a 1080 bait.• John will recall the debate on trout farming in the 1970s. One ofthe weakest aspects of the pro trout farm case was the lack of value, lack ofjustification.So just what is the problem that requires aerial 1080?Possums? There never were 70 million - that figure was fiction as Landcareresearch scientist Graham Nugent told DOC in 1994. Even 70 million possumswould consume only 15% of the daily foliage consumption (Nugent). Rats? Well1080 will stimulate a population explosion in rats after 1080 that results in ratsbeing up to 300% more within 3 years.• I have problems as any humane person should have, with a poison that takes 2days to slowly kill. Brodifacoum, another poison DOC uses takes 22 days!Cyandide on the other hand is virtually instant.• I suggest some need to take a greater lateral look at this matter by reading BillBenfield's excellent book \"The Third Wave\" available through bookshops or thepublisher Tross Publishing. Google Tross Publ. I sincerely urge anyone who hasn'tread Bill's book to do so.Tony OrmanIts wonderful that people are allowed opinion and thoughts free of emotional andpositional coercion. Its a important where there is uncertainty and doubt aboutany subject, that all thoughts are on the table and eventually with time, somewill be dismissed and some will be established as correct. It is not worth loosinglong held friendships and enjoyment by being oppositional.The crux of all problems is that sometime there is not enough informationavailable , and sometimes the truth is being manipulated for unknown reasons,sometimes political and sometimes commercial.

With time the truth always prevails, but sometimes a terrible cost is paid beforethat occurs. Every one needs to be working together in order for the unfetteredtruth will prevail.Steve VeailI'm a life-long angler and I've been a member of NZFFA through an affiliated clubfor as long as it's been in existence. I've generally strongly supported thefederation's aims and its campaigns. I was professionally involved in sportsfisheries management for 46 years before retiring and, for the last 27 of thoseyears managed the Taupo trout fishery. I have always believed in a science-based approach to fisheries management and an objective analysis of factualevidence in making decisions.But I am now seriously reconsidering my support after the emotive, speculativerubbish in the 14 February media release from David Haynes about the supposedrisk of poisoning from eating trout in areas where 1080 is being used for pestcontrol. I also find it offensive that he dredges up an unsubstantiated mythabout the risk to native falcons. Over the last 2 years I have been a volunteer ona research project on NZ falcons in Kaingaroa Forest - one of the country's largestpopulations of this species. One of the objectives was to study the effects, ifany, of 1080 applications in compartments used by nesting falcons. I'm not atliberty to tell you the result as it's not my intellectual property and the study hasyet to be written up. But suffice to say I'm very happy with the implications forthese magnificent birds. Rather than rebutting every statement with thescientific facts and engaging in a \"your-story vs my-story\" argument, I'll leave it toyou to do your own research on the science. Keep an open mind; in particularlook at the fate of 1080 in water and its effects on mammals vs cold bloodedaquatic animals. It's only a key stroke away and I'll give a bottle of good whisky toanyone who can prove David Haynes' allegations of the \"high likelihood of massivesecondary poisoning\" of trout and eels, along with supporting evidence from areputable public health professional of unacceptable risks to people eating fishfrom these areas. In sorrow rather than anger.John GibbsA thing I do really appreciate about David is his willingness to express an opinionon behalf of anglers and his enthusiasm for the sport – even though we may notpersonally agree with his views. It’s better than having an association Presidentwho is so terrified of upsetting whoever and who therefore does and saysnothing.We are all going to have differences opinion and, as presumed believers indemocracy, we accept that debate over a wide variety of issues is healthy. AsWinston Churchill said: “Democracy is the worst form of government – except forall the others that have been tried.”I was very interested in your own opinion on 1080 in view of your lifelongexperience, but I wouldn’t think cutting my association with you – or anyone else– if I did disagree with your opinion, for example by withdrawing“communications” by email. 15

I recall strongly disagreeing with DOC when it reduced the takeable limit size onTaupo trout a few years back; and allowed the Taupo “trawlers” to have threeflies on their trawl lines instead of two; and allowed the use of lead shot forfishing in rivers (while banning it from shotgun cartridges) and allowed boats onTaupo to lose giant cannonballs of lead from downriggers into the lake’secosystem; and encouraged jigging to the bottom of the lake with three flies etcand etc.However, I did not contemplate for one minute, canceling my DOC issued Taupolicence or of cutting communications with DOC rangers etc.I think we all have to be bigger than “spitting the dummy” over a disagreementwith a fellow angler and be content with being able to offer a logical, reasonedand authoritative opinion to the debate as you have done. And which I amincapable of doing because I don’t have the background experience of either youor David.Colin TaylorBeen wondering about this myself but am simply not qualified enough tocomment. So many thanks and well said, John. What John has not mentioned isthat Kaingaroa wildlife would be more exposed to 1080 than most. Timberlandsdrop tons of baited carrot year after year, putting signs up to warn the publicwhenever they do so. Logically 1080 has been getting into lakes and rivers aroundhere for decades. It therefore seems to me that freshwater anglers are treadingvery dangerous ground here. Public opinion is fickle and our sport representsdeliberate cruelty to many - especially with regard to C&R. Let's not shootourselves in the foot PR-wise.Peter Storey, Nz Trout FisherYes, well said by both of you. I, too have been troubled by these “theoretical”assertions, but like Peter am not qualified to make definitive statements.While I’m anti-1080 in principle, I can’t see the scientific logic in David’sargument.Neal Hawes, F&G Councillor, EasternAn elderly man was stopped by the police around 2am, as he was returning from a nightfishing trip around the Rotorua Lakes.He was asked where he was going at that time of night?The man replied, \"I'm on my way to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has onthe human body, as well as smoking and staying out late.\"The officer then asked, \"Really? Who's giving that lecture at this time of night?\"The man replied, “That would be my wife.\"There was a family gathering, with all generations around the table.Mischievous teenagers put a Viagra tablet into Grandpa's drink, and after a while, Grandpaexcused himself because he had to go to the bathroom.When he returned, however, his trousers are wet all over.'What happened, Grandpa?' asked his concerned children.'Well,' he answered, 'I don't really know. I had to go to the bathroom. So I took it out andstarted to pee, but then I saw that it wasn't mine, so I put it back!'

FISH-A-SPOT:As the end of the season approaches and cicada time passes,our trout’s interest returns to eating ‘small fry’ which isavailable in plenty in the likes of Passionvine Hoppers, WillowGrubs and of course a variety of small mayfly and caddisnymphs.Anywhere on our more easily accessed rivers where willows orother foliage overhang the water, expect there to be aregular ‘drop’ of both Passionvine Hoppers and Willow Grubs. Willow Grub wart on willow leafNatural Willow Grubs Passionvine HopperTrout can be highly selective on these two food sources, which require theangler to source some reasonable ‘imitations’ to present to them.The other critical factor is casting accuracy, often requiring the anglerto present the fly very accurately only a matter of 20 – 30 cms above a rising trout.In my observation it is better to present the fly close rather than allowing it todrift in from a couple of metres above.When the trout are focused on these food sources ‘dropping the fly intotheir vision’ is the best way to get their attention … and providedthe presentation isn’t too heavy won’t spook many fish.Here’s a look at some patterns that might be worth buying or tying …usually in sizes #16-18. Passionvine HoppersStu's Floating Willow Grub Willow Grub Stu's Bionic Willow grub 17

Above: Hooked but doesn't know it yet! By Peter Baker; and below: Come back - not the rapid - by Peter Baker



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