February 2014 newsletter

Raw Trout recipeTake the fillets from a freshly caught rainbow trout and cut into small chunks.Mix with sliced red onion, add salt and pepper and cover with lime juice.(If no lime juice is available use lemon juice). The lime juice cooks the trout.Leave refrigerated for 24 hours and serve with crackers. Very nice!

President’s Flyline LinkThere is no doubt that trout fishing since Christmas has been difficult … in fact ithas been amongst some of the toughest fishing I have experienced in my 37 yearsin this district. Unfavourable weather conditions, especially with as much wind aswe’ve been having, coupled with ever varying river conditions have conspired tomake life for local anglers a challenge.However it is all an integral part of angling and for those anglers who don’t giveup in despair because there are few easy trout to catch, there are some greatlessons to be learned.In this district we are blessed with an incredible variety of water to fish andthere are still some well conditioned trout to be caught for those anglers willingto do the hard yards. Trout populations seem to be patchy, so be adventurousand check out places that you might not usually fish … eventually you will findsome feeding fish.On a positive note the cicadas are starting to sing on a wide range of rivers andalthough the trout have been slow to key in on them at this stage, I have had myfirst few fish up and rising to them. There have been several other reports fromclub members of intermittent ‘cicada success’ too.The first Passionvine Hopper appeared around home last week … it is usually afew weeks after they appear in Richmond that they start making their presencefelt on the Motueka River and so we can look forward to them figuring in thetrout’s diet shortly. I have also seen some good early morning mayfly hatches onthe Motueka River and although sporadic, trout have been found rising to themparticularly along the sheltered willow lines and a Parachute Adams Dry #16 hasproved effective. For the moment, river temperatures seem to be slightly coolerthan normal and I have only noted water temperatures rising above 20’C on a fewoccasions so far this summer. This is a positive as it means a longer fishing periodthrough the day. River levels are still quite high for this time of year, althoughlevels on many rivers are dropping which will help to confine and concentrate thetrout in more accessible areas.In recent years some of our best fishing has been from mid-February through intoApril, so rather than hanging up the waders and stowing the fishing gear,members should be looking forward to the next three months withanticipation…..it may be that the best fishing of the season is just in front of us… here’s hoping anyway!At our club night on February 19th, visiting guest speaker Barrie Hesp will makinga presentation on Fishing for Atlantic Salmon in the Thurso River in Scotland.This promises to be an interesting meeting so look forward to seeing you allthere. (As a useless bit of info, there is also a Thurso River in New Zealand,flowing into the Tasman Sea, north of Milford Sound).There is the casting clinic for ladies to be held at Garin College prior to the clubmeeting on the 19th, assembling first at the Fish and Game Rooms at 5 pm.Contact Maree Peter at 03 522 4166 or [email protected] Tony Entwistle PresidentCover Photo: Pam McLean with her nice trout – see story page 5.

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.Ladies Refine Your Casting NightA ‘ladies refine your casting night’ prior to our Feb meeting at the Fish and Game officestarting at 5 p.m. for an hour.We will have a couple of the men to show us there tips on casting.All ladies welcome you don't have to be a club member.Any questions please contact Maree 03 5224 166 or [email protected].

Inaugural Family Fishing Trip - Lower Wairau River - Feb 7-8 2014It was time to venture beyond the boundaries of the Nelson province and travelover the Whangamoas’ to test the waters of the Lower Wairau River. Our groupwas made up of the Scott, Anne-Marie, Alice & Stuart Ingram, Pam & BruceMcLean, James, Helen & Tom Jemson, and Mat, Lois & Aroha Williams.Most of us were booked into the Spring Creek Holiday Park, which was superhandy to many of the fishing spots that we intended to fish the following day.The kids loved the tame eels at the camp and the older anglers got prettyexcited sizing up the friendly 10lb trout hovering within netting distance, underthe “no fishing sign”! Pam & Bruce had stopped on the way at Pelorus, where Pam caught a nice looking trout there – that solved a dilemma for the following week where fresh trout had been promised for some visitors! Bruce was heard to remark on Pam’s uncanny good luck when she goes fishing………That Friday evening we met up at theJunction Hotel for an evening mealOysters looked good howeverwouldn’t recommend the roast pork(aka gammon steak).Over the course of a few bevvies anda good feed, the strategy for the nextday’s fishing was nailed down. Jameswould go with Pam & Bruce and fish some spots on the south side of the river,while the Ingram family would head to Gravel Pit Access #8 for a bit of easyaccess fishing.Meanwhile Mat and Aroha had already given the nod to up river as a potential hotspot.You wouldn’t have known that Mat and family arrived at the Holiday Park wellafter midnight. Both Mat & Aroha were up at 7am and looking keen as mustardfor some fishing action.The three groups headed off to selected spots.

Report from James, Pam & Bruce GroupSo I headed out with Pam & Bruce to a nice spot off Jeffries Road – good run ofwater, and a few fish rising. Pam got out the spin rod, and had a go. Bruce and Iranged up and down the bank, doing a bit of spotting. We saw one and Brucemade a few casts to it, but no go – just wasn’t interested, and eventually itmoved off. We moved further upstream and tried another spot just below the bridge. I fished a few pools below the bridge with a nymph, while Bruce walked upstream past the bridge, past quite a few pools with good water depth – but he saw no fish at all! So we walked back to the car, and headed back to our Jeffries Road possie to try it again. Man, there were plenty of fish rising when we got there, andquite a few swallows cruising above the water surface – picking up emerging fliesperhaps?? Bruce and I tried a variety of flies, but they just didn’t appear to beinterested in any of our offerings.Report from Ingram Family We headed to the northern side of the river, to an easy access spot that allowed us to park up on the water’s edge. As we pulled in a trout jumped clear out of the water – very encouraging indeed. Alice borrowed Dad’s neoprene waders and got straight into it, covering a wide area with the spinning rod - she now wants her own pair of kiddie waders. Anne- Marie used my other waders (not 100% water tight) – told her that after she went in the water! 6

The great thing about driving to the river bank is being able to cook up bacon & sausages for breakfast from the back of the car. Re-energised we all took to the river again for another innings but despite many signs of trout in the vicinity, no-one got even a nibble. Multitude of spinners, parachute adams, cicadas and even a few nymphs but no dice! The kids had a real blast and it proved to be a top-notch family weekend on the Wairau.Mat & Aroha’s ReportThe Wairau River to me is massive so many places to fish Aroha and I triedfour places on the lower River below the Renwick bridge. We had two hoursleft before lunch. I had made a decision to fish higher up the river whilelooking at the Fish and Game information on the Wairau River during the week sowe did.I parked the car, looked across the river bed and thought that's a nicepool. Grabbed my rod and left my pack and net behind. Aroha and I had ashort walk to the river. The east bank was elevated about 1.5 m above theriver we crossed over. The pool was long and about waist deep and had a niceeye. I worked my nymphs up to the sweet spot in the pool and on my third castthe indicator sunk and I struck. I was into a good fish. Well done I thought, I've got no net and I'm way above this fish with nowhere to land it. My only real option was to beach the fish on the other side of the river. I was getting ahead of myself after spooling all the loose line I fought the fish from the reel. It made many good runs up the pool and on one of these I took the opportunity to cross the river behind the fish.The fish made more good attempts at freedom before I had it beached. Arohareturned from the car with the camera.She photographed and I released what I would guess was a 3.5-4 lb. trout. 7

I always get a kick out of fly fishing with fly's I have designed and mademyself, it makes catching and releasing trout even sweeter.Aroha and I fished two more pools with no success. We returned to theholiday park then went out and had a fantastic lunch at Rock Ferry a greatchoice thanks for all your hard work organizing the trip Scott thoroughlyenjoyed the weekend.Christmas Barbequeby Sharon EntwistleWe all arrived at Rabbit Island on the warm Wednesday evening of December11th, for a well organized annual Fishing Club Christmas barbeque. The tags onthe posts made it easy to locate the selected spot.When we arrived, Ian Sowman was already hard at work doing a fabulous jobcooking up a storm on the BBQ, with other members setting out tables, chairs,drinks for sale … and the courses for the annual casting competition.It was great to meet new people, chat and share stories while we waited foreveryone to arrive. After a wonderful meal of expertly barbequed meats andfish, salads, breads and then delicious fresh berries, desserts and cakes, thecasting competitions got into full swing. 8

There was plenty of involvement with most members testing their skills. To my ‘uneducated eye’ there looked to be plenty of good casts … although achieved via some very ‘interesting differences’ intechnique. Secretary Bruce even cajoled me into trying my hand at the spincasting competition, with modest results.While the adults tested their casting distances and accuracy with spinning and flyrods, Lester kindly entertained the children (and me) with sled rides behind hisquad bike. Later, Maree played ‘Mother Christmas’ with a lolly scramble. Lee Dennis beating the cream 9

Christmas BBQ, Jenny Walker, Ian Sowman, Maree Peter, Bruce McLean, and Dennis Ealam. Chef Ian SowmanThank you to all who helped organize a great evening … you did a wonderful job,making it a fun night for everyone. I really enjoyed myself and look forward toseeing you all there again next year. 10

CASTING COMPETITION RESULTSFly - Distance Male:1st Henry Sulser - 28.3 metres (Cast-off with Hans Kreuer … 26.45 metres);2nd Hans Kreuer - 28.3 metres (Cast-off with Henry Sulser … 25.75 metres);3rd Don Clementson – 25 metres.Fly - Distance Female: 1st Maree Peter – 14.4 metres; 2nd Lois Rutherfurd – 12.1metres.Fly - Accuracy Male: 1st Don Clementson - 2 out of 3 over the plate … nearest 2cm; 2nd Gebhard Krewitt – 2 out of 3 over the plate.Fly - Accuracy Female: 1st Maree Peter – 1 out of 3 over the plate.Spin Casting Winners:Men's Distance: Matt Williams -32.4m.Men's Accuracy: Dennis Ealam.Women Distance: Lois Rutherfurd 28.3m.Women Accuracy: Pam Mclean.A trophy is needed for the woman’s spin accuracy section. Casting Competition, Louis Rutherford going for accuracy, with President Tony Entwistle judging 11

Casting Competition, Maree Peter going for accuracy Don Clemenson 3rd placegetter – 25 metres

A woman goes to the Doctor in Glasgow, worried about her husband's temper andthreatening manner.The Doc asks: \"What's the problem, Janet?The woman says: \"Weeell Doctor Cameron, I dinae know what to do. Every timema hubbie comes home from fishin, he threatens to slap me aroon'.\"The Doctor says: \"Aye, well... I have a real good cure for that. When yourhusband arrives home, just take a wee glass of water and start swishing it in yourmouth. Just swish and swish but don't swallow it until he goes to bed and is soundasleep.\"Two weeks later she comes back to the doctor looking fresh and reborn.She says:\"Doctor that was brilliant! Evrae time ma hubbie comes home from fishin, Iswished with water. I swished an' swished, and he didnae yell at me even once!Tell me Doc...wha's the secret? How's the water do that?\"The Doctor says: \"Janet hen, it's really nae big secret. The water does bugger all- it's keeping your mouth shut that does the trick....\"Seven wheelchair athletes have been banned from the Paralympics after theytested positive for WD40.A mummy covered in chocolate and nuts has been discovered inEgypt. Archaeologists believe it may be Pharaoh Rocher...An Englishman has started his own business in Afghanistan ! He is making landMines that look like prayer mats! It’s doing well! Prophets are going through theroof!!Japanese scientists have created a camera with a shutter speed so fast, they cannow photograph a woman with her mouth shut.Wilderness trout fishingIn the magnificent headwaters of the Whanganui river near Taumaranui.By Graham CarterOur trip starts from the Go Bush base about 15 minutes east of Taumaranui,where we park our vehicles and organize the fishing and hunting gear onto the4x4 Suzuki jeeps for the one and a half hour 22 kilometre trip, into the rivercabin, along some rather adventurous terrain, putting the vehicles through theirpaces.I’ve been joined by my cousin Steve Courtney from Tauranga and Terry Woodsfrom the Rotorua Anglers Club. On arrival at the camp site Danny Hemapo fromGo Bush Wilderness Adventures gives a briefing and shows you the workings ofthe cabins and lodge. 13

The cabin has all cookware, cutlery and bedding, along with a really wellpresented BBQ area that’s set up specifically for entertaining. There are alsosome separate cabins with double beds, flush toilets and hot showers.Danny also points out a few access tracks along the river, which give good accessto the pools and river margins. Terry Wood with a nice 3.25lb Whanganui rainbowHe then heads off leaving you to your own devices and comes back in when youare ready to leave. All you need to provide your own food, beverages, huntingand fishing gear. Terry and I looked at the river discussing our options. We agreed to go up river and see what was on offer. Steve was tasked to shoot some venison and he headed away. Terry Wood fishing one of the many crystal clear pools

We blind fished several likely looking pools, certainly places where you wouldexpect a fish to be but alas nothing stirred.Everything looks great commented Terry, the rivers flowing well, the pools lookinviting but the fish are just not there. What’s going on he quizzed me. All Icould do was agree with him.After several fly changes and no luck, I decided to charge ahead and get abovesome of the faster water to check out a very lazy looking rather large quiet poolahead.There has to be fish in here I said to myself and sure enough I hooked into foursmaller 1kg fish that were particular annoyed with me having fooled them. Theywhacked into my hare and copper gold bead headed nymph like there was notomorrow. Boy these fish were hungry and for their size they put up amagnificent fight.One I hooked into was in a deep dark blue pool, and until he broached thesurface I was sure I had on a freight train. He put up a solid fight for several goodminutes before being released back to his haven in the deep pool.It’s pretty hard to take selfies when you’re on your own wilderness fishing andwhen you think about it – for me its not about the photos – its about just beingthere, doing what I love best. This place that Danny has is pretty close to being in heaven and if heaven going to be like this then that’s where I want to go, I’m thinking to myself. Terry and I headed back to camp for a late lunch, when we learnt that the area had beenThe well appointed BBQ areaflogged for three days solidly by a group of four fishers. That certainly made usfeel a little more positive and explained the absence of fish in areas where therehad to be fish. 15

We decided to head back upstream to start fishing where we had left earlier.This proved to be a good decision as Terry hooked into a typical wild Whanganuirainbow that was not slow in trying to strip him into his backing.After the photos session we continued to enjoy a great afternoon’s catch andrelease putting away another nine fish. By this time it was six o’clock and withboth of us feeling pretty hungry we called it a day and headed back to camp. Fish on All in all the trout fishing was superb and as we walked along one of the access tracks high above the river we could see the larger fish returning to their night feeding grounds. A pool in the upper reaches of the Whanganui riverWatching the nightrise was a thrill andwhets the appetitefor an early morningwalk back to thesepools.Steve was a littlelater turning up butthat’s another story. Sitting around the campfire, placed in a heavy metal truckrim was the night’s entertainment as we shared a beverage or two andreminisced on the days activities, listening to the moreporks chatting to eachother, while the river cackled in the distance. What a place, no possums, no ratsand very few other pests. Danny’s trapping methods were working well. 16

All trips are exclusive to one booking only so you won’t be sharing the facilitywith any others.Any enquires please email [email protected], check out their webpage atwww.gobush.co.nz or call them on 07 8966884 or 0273 195658. The boys spinning a yarn, from left Terry Wood, Steve Courtney and Danny Hemapo.Time to Quit DrinkingA lonely fisherman who is renowned for having a few too many gets up from thebar and heads for the bathroom.A few minutes later, a loud, blood-curdling scream is heard from the bathroom.Then, nothing.But, after another minute or two, another loud scream reverberates through thebar.The bartender goes into the bathroom to investigate why the fisho is screaming.\"What's all the screaming about in there?\" he yells. \"You're scaring my customers!\"\"I'm just sitting here on the toilet minding my own business,\" slurs the fisho, \"andevery time I try to flush, something comes up and squeezes the hell out of mynuts.\"The bartender opens the door, looks in, and says, \"You're sitting on the mopbucket.'' 17

FISH-A-SPOT:As cicadas can be such a large part of February fly fishing, here is a few different‘cicada-type’ fly suggestions that are available from fly shops in New Zealand.When cicadas are about trout seem willing to chase a wide range of ‘big bugs’floated through even quite heavy water. It is a way to tempt trout out of waterthat can’t be effectively fished at any other time of the season … so go get‘creative’!Suggested cicada patterns - best fished in sizes #8-#10, although for those braveenough to throw them in #6 they can sometimes produce spectacular results.Carty’s GT (yellow, green or black) Cicads Rubber LegsKaufmann’s Stimulators in various colours Carty’s GFFCarty’s RCH Russells’ Cicada(all useful additions to the Clark’s Cicada from last months newsletter)Interestingly, although cicadas can be heard singing in profusion alongside theMotueka River, the trout there seem strangely reluctant to hit them and in mostcases the small mayfly dry and nymph imitations detailed in previous newsletterscatch more fish. There have been reports that trout will take a ‘sunken cicada’at times though. Let me know if you successfully crack the code on the Motuekacicadas. 18



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