Bruce McLean - January 16 newsletter new oneaa

Graham and Larry, on Lake Tarawera – see story page 15.

Club ContactsExecutive:President: Maree Peter 5224166 maree@ellisauto.co.nzPast President: Tony Entwistle 5444565 enty10@gmail.comSecretary: Bruce McLean 5480066 bjm1873@gmail.comTreasurer: Ray Day 5441245 rayday@snap.net.nzNewsletter Editor and Webmaster: Graham Carter 07 8551833 graham@fishingoutdoors.co.nz 021 02600437CommitteeRichard Breakspear 5419050 richard.annette@xtra.co.nzPeter Lawler 5489753 plawler@y7mail.comMathew Williams 5445996 loisandmathew@xtra.co.nzJames Jemson 7443123 nelsonjemsons@gmail.comBrian Richards 0274349165 richards.qtown@yahoo.co.nzMichael Stevenson 5469632 mpstevenson@orcon.net.nzMeet and Greet New Members Ray Day and Pete LawlerFishing trips James Macdonald c2skye@gmail.com 03 5403520Fly Tying Convenor no appointmentClub Librarian Cameron Reid 547 1197 camnvic@xtra.co.nzTrophy Master Richard Boyden 544 8028 rpboyden@actrix.co.nzClub Sponsorship & Newsletter Advertising Ray DayClub Speakers: Committee membersClub Night Tea/Coffee: Maree PeterNewsletter Distribution: Brian Richards richards.qtown@yahoo.co.nz 0274349165Life Members: 2007 John Willis 2012 Graham CarterPast Presidents: 06-08 Lester Higgins 08-09 Ross Walker04-06 Richard Boyden 11-13 Ray Day 13-15 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 5224166 if unsure. Any views or opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the committee, club or editor. www.thenelsontroutfishingclub.com

President’s FlylineWell here we are in to another year with the water levels dropping rapidly Iwonder what this year has hiding in the shaded corners for us all this year bestwe can’t see the future otherwise some days we should not even get out of bed.The Mother Nature has play her hand again for our Christmas BBQ at Isle park andwas moved to the club rooms for the second year in a row, which leads to a veryclose encounter with all members and partners. The food was amazing as alwayswith everyone pitching in. A big thank you goes to James Jemson chief BBQMaster and his band of merry little helpers, Leo and Ray for not handing overchard remains for us to eat, it was all cooked perfectly thank you.This time of the year can be very busy on the rivers and lakes with familiesspending time enjoying the outdoors. Remembering it is there for all to enjoy.I am pleased to say our mentoring programme is up and running with 8 wanting tobe mentored 7 offering to mentor you will have been paired up by now so now itis up to you to contact you mentor and arrange a time and day that suits youboth. Just remember they are volunteering their time to you.The support of the club members is and has always been impeccable they arealways willing to step up and help thank you all so muchAS always we are looking for the fish to be entered in the trophy competitions sotake that pic and weight that fish if time allows you)We have had a couple of new members come in to the club I the last month sowe look forward to meeting them.Since in January we do not have a meeting, the committee have decided to havea meet and great, we will meet at the Speight's Ale House near Mitre 10 Megafrom 6pm 20th January 2016 love to see you for a drink and chat.We have some interesting thing happening in the club next year so watch thisspace. On that note I will sign off for another month. Wishing you all a veryhappy holiday and safe new year (be carefully out there some idiots drive on ourroads). Send some quality time with your families you don’t know if they will behere this time next year.My you all have time to spend time on the river and have tight linesYour most gorgeous President,Maree PeterCover Photo: Graham Cater with his Tarawera trout. 4

THE BARE NECESSITIES OF SALMON FISHINGby Terry KelsoI have been asked to write a fishing story with or without photographs. This oneis without a photo which is just as well. The lady involved is a long dead friend ofmy long dead parents. It is a true story and it happened in Northern Ireland about1940 when I was a kid of 7.This group of people leased the salmon fishing rights on a small salmon river andon this particular day a party of 8 were fishing the river which was holding agoodly run of Atlantic salmon. The river was picturesque and flowed over rock onits way to the sea. The pools were deep, the water was black, and massive oaktrees covered those pools and protected them from bright sunshine.Kay (name change for obvious reasons) was spinning for salmon along a flat rockledge 12 feet wide and hooked a salmon which ultimately weighed 13 pounds.She was on her own, the pool was 40 yards long and 8 yards wide. When thesalmon was spent and lying on top of the surface of the water, Kay realised shehad neither gaff nor net and the rock shelf was 15 inches above the water. Shecalled for help but she got no answer. Kay was 5 foot nothing in stockinged feet,she was about 50 years old and had a shock of silver white hair which was alllittle tight curls.She made a decision – the only one she could make – she stripped off all herclothes and still holding the spinning rod slipped into the freezing cold wateralongside the salmon. The next bit was critical. Kay grabbed the salmon in bothhands as she trod water and heaved it up onto the rock ledge as far as she could,throwing the rod after it.Now she had to get herself up onto the rock ledge. She reached up to get a gripon the ledge while searching for a foothold 5 feet below. She managed this andheaved herself up onto her tummy, her right leg found the dry surface of theledge and in a panic she clawed herself up onto terra firma alongside the fishwhich was now thrashing on the rock and getting dangerously close to the edgeof the ledge.Kay was now sitting on the salmon with her back to the river, literally riding itfurther away from the water. She now knew that the salmon was hers but shewas rather exhausted and was in no hurry to start looking for her clothes.At this precise second two male friends appeared through the bushes 10 yardsaway and froze dumbstruck at the sight they witnessed. Needless to say Kay won1st prize for her effort. I don’t believe any photos were taken which wasprobably just as well. 5

WORKSHOP CORNERSClub Meeting November 2015By Mathew WilliamsI would like to thank the following club members on behalf of the club for sharingtheir knowledge and speaking to us on the finer aspects of Trout Fishing giving usa chance to learn something new and ask questions.Thank youLester Higgins, Don Clements, Brian Richards, Michael Stevenson and CameronReid.30ish Club Members turned up to the meeting with two visitors.Once the formalities and the photo had been voted on, next month's coverchosen. We were invited to go to various areas of the hall which had been set upfor the main event.Michael Stevenson shared his knowledge and insight on Trout and Trout Flieswhere and when to use them. He bought with this knowledge a large collectionof Flies.Don Clementson had an extensive collection on Trout Rods with him and talkedabout how and what to use and the very different methods that there are.Lester Higgins spoke about all things spin fishing from his pimped out Rapala lurewith the single hook and two split rings and a swivel, to a wide range of colourfuland interesting lures. I spent a lot of time listening to him talking about the gearand the best methods. I am richer for it thank you Lester.Brian Richards talked to and demonstrated knots. This was well received by agood number of our newer members and Brain also had handouts for us withinstructions and diagrams of knots, from the common blood knot to improvedclinch knot.Cameron Reid, spoke to us about leaders how to construct you own to purchasingthem online from the United States. He also talked about the effect weather andmainly wind has on your fly presentation and how to choose the right leadercombination for the conditions. The importance of the tippet and the differenttypes of tippet, not forgetting where to place your indicator.If I could have I would have listened to each speaker for the entire evening.Once again thank you to all the speakers for a very enjoyable evening.Mathew Williams 6

Above: Brian Richards left teaching members useful knots used when flyfishing; below: Cameron Reid demonstrates the various make-ups of fly lineleaders and tippets. Photos by G. Krewitt.

DonClementson right with his collection of fly rods. One for every occasion, Photo by G Krewitt.

Above: Lester Higgins discussing the finer points and care of his favouritespinning reel; below: Michael Stevenson explaining various flies and when to use them. Photos by G Krewitt. 9

Tenkara in New Zealand. Should it be legal?Courtesy Wellington Fly Fishing ClubTenkara is a system of fly fishing, originating in Japan and involving along rod with no guides and no reel. The line is simply tied to the rod tip.Running fish must be turned, followed or be lost. Traditionally, the methodhas been used to target small fish in small mountain streams in Japanesemountains but with modern telescopic rods (around 3.6m long) tenkaranow has followers around the world targeting a wider range of fish.While traditional tenkara rods were largely used to fish dry flieswith odd, backward facing hackles, they can successfully fish nymphs,wets or combinations such as dry / dropper. Most fishing is upstreamalthough the long, soft rod is ok for swinging wets as well - but it doesn'ttake a very big fish to race downstream and snap you off, particularly aslight tippets are generally used.Anglers might like to fish tenkara in New Zealand.1. The system is simple. Just rod, leader, tippet and flies. A completetenkara setup can fit almost anywhere - a backpack, suitcase etc and set uptakes about 30 seconds. Simply uncoil the leader, extend the rod, put tippetand flies into your pocket and you are ready to go.2. Proximity. Because there is no reel, there is no potential for long castsand fish must be approached closely. Stealth is essential and tenkaraanglers spend a lot of time crouched or on their knees - and they aren'tlooking for divine assistance.3. Presentation. The long rod allows great presentations and drag freedrifts. Most of the time, there is no line on the water. However, the shortline forces the angler to cast effectively and there is little room for slackline. In this way, it is similar to European nymphing.Putting these factors together, any good angler knows that short, accuratecasts to a relaxed fish will be deadly. Tenkara forces an angler to plan theirapproach and make the most of any advantages that they have withoutsimply lengthening their cast.Tenkara also has a distinct role in introducing anglers to fly fishing.Casting is easily learnt and there are no line management issues. All of theemphasis is on presentation. This means that anglers get fast rewards andlearn the most important skills first. This contrasts with conventional flyfishing where anglers are likely to have trouble mastering the cast and giveup before they develop sufficient skill to catch fish regularly. Once fish arehooked, side strain and controlling the fish are essential. Finally, withcomplete Tenkara set up under $200 including rod, leader, tippet and lineholder. We may see a new group of anglers, including many children,introduced to our sport if the regulatory hurdles are removed.

For more advanced anglers, Tenkara reminds us that simple equipment anda careful approach coupled with great presentation are the most crucialaspects of our sport.However, tenkara has several limitations in New Zealand.Fish and river size. These are separate but connected factors. Tenkara canmanage big fish in small rivers and small fish in big rivers but, given a3.5m rod plus a 4.5m leader, if a fish runs more than 8 metres, the anglerhas to run as well. This works ok on narrow waterways but obviously, thepotential for following a big fish across the Tongariro, Buller or Mataurarivers is limited.Range. Leaders longer than 4.5m can be used, however, this means eitherbeaching fish by backing out of the water and up a suitable bank, handlining the extra line in, or having a friend with a net handy.Regulations. Tenkara tackle is illegal anywhere in New Zealand (includingTaupo) except in designated course fishing waters, where there are usuallyno trout. The first schedule of Fish and Game regulations are nationwideand define legal tackle as \"rod, reel and running line\" in all waters notdesignated \"course fishing\". In fly only waters \"fly rod, fly reel, fly lineand artificial fly\" are required. Because tenkara has no reel or running line,it is unquestionably illegal. In fly only waters, the absence of a fly linemakes it doubly illegal.The origin of this regulation is to prevent the use of hand lines and other\"non sporting\" tackle. Tenkara is the innocent victim off the rule. Flyfishing claims a long heritage which includes similar equipment - thetackle that Isaac Walton described would be illegal now and yet it wasrecognisably fly fishing.Should regulations be changed to make tenkara legal in NZ?Arguments for and against (from a variety of sources including Fish andGame staff around the country).Our fish and rivers are too big.Our streams are full of small rainbows, mostly under 3lb, and betterbrowns. These fish can't run far unless they grow legs and are equallyeasily handled by a 3-4 weight fly rod or a tenkara rod. Most regions havesuitable water - in Marlborough, it would be great in the Rai but not thePelorus. West coast - fine in Deep Creek but crazy in the Arnold. If youonly fish big rivers for big fish, this isn't the technique for you.There isn't much demand for the technique.Of course there isn't, it is illegal. However, internationally tenkara is morepopular. 11

Several Fish and Game regional staff have mentioned enquiries from overseasanglers wanting to fish tenkara here.Fish need too be played excessively on light tenkara gear.If this argument is valid, we should ban all light rods. Using theappropriate equipment for different waters is a challenge we all face everytime we go fishing. In fact, because no line can be released, big fish or poortechnique will see fish escaping within seconds of being hooked.Changing the rules to allow fixed lines might mean illegal introductionof coarse fish into trout waters. In my region, this is a real fear. Oneestablished method of coarse fishing involves the use of a telescopic poleof up to 20m(!), no reel and a fixed line. An unintended result of makingtenkara legal may be further introductions of coarse fish into new waters.However, there seems to be a simple solution here. Any change to theregulations could limit rod length and also specify that \"artificial fly only\"must be used, not bait. Not allowing tenkara rods on the basis that they arevaguely similar to coarse fishing rods is analogous to not allowing huntersto shoot deer with muzzle loaded firearms on the basis that mortars couldbe used. Any rule needs to be specific enough to prevent this.It is important to understand that the current rules were not set to bantenkara, rather they are made to ban other, less sporting methods such ashand lining.So; having made an argument for tenkara in New Zealand, assuming thatother anglers would like to see this technique allowed, what are thepossible ways forward?Option 1. Modify the first schedule (nation wide regulations) to allow afixed line and no reel everywhere in NZ. This needs to be done from thenational office and would require the support of the regions. It isproblematic as it would need to be done in a way that didn't allow coarsefishing with long poles and bait and also would need to get wide regionalsupport. Maybe this is a long term solution but would require agroundswell of pressure that can't occur while the practice is not permitted.Option 2. Regions can grant exemptions in the second schedule (localregulations) so that tenkara is legal in that region. This already occurs inseveral areas of the first schedule where something is illegal \"except wherestated otherwise in the second schedule\". This solution would preserveregional autonomy and allow regions to permit tenkara.Option 3. Rather than allowing tenkara in a region by right, the secondschedule could be modified to allow managers to grant permits and allowindividual anglers to fish tenkara in their region. This would certainlyaddress any concerns about coarse fishing rods and would allow interestedanglers to try the method. 12

Options 2 or 3, where tenkara is allowed under the second schedule, areprobably the only ways that will get enough anglers experiencing tenkarato evaluate demand. These solutions are not ideal as they limit anglers to asingle region and potentially add complexity to regulations but they areprobably the best option in the short term. Option 3 has the advantage thatmanagers can easily monitor usage.We are currently at an impasse where there is little demand for a rulechange and anglers can't create the demand because the equipment isillegal. If you are interested in tenkara, there are plenty of YouTube clips towatch. If that makes you even more interested, talk to your local Fish andGame manager or councillor to see what their attitude is.If tenkara sounds like a crazy but basically harmless fad by a small groupof evangelists to you, you are absolutely right. However it might pay toremember that you probably appear equally crazy but harmless to most othernon fly fishers. I mean, why catch a fish on a fly and let it go whenyou could catch a fish on bait and take it home to eat? For many, theattraction of fly fishing is the diversity allowed. Some like lobbing bombsinto the Tongariro, some love night fishing, others are dry fly nuts or backcountry freaks. Others of us like to fish a wide variety of techniques andtenkara is just another option that we would like to be able to use.While it remains to be seen whether a band of obsessive, minimalist,tenkara fanatics develops in NZ, I believe that many of us would add atenkara rod too our arsenal simply to give us another choice.Thanks to all the fish and game staff, both in the regions and in head officethat have generously provided much of the information used in this article. ___________________________Don’t Forget to Enter your fish in the Club TrophycompetitionsBy Richard BoydenWe want to encourage you to enter your fish in our Club Trophy competitions.All we like to do is enjoy our sport, the comradeship and the outdoors.For every fish caught and entered into a Club competitionthere is usually abenchmark length or weight that is recognized by the club that designates thatyour entry is deserving of the trophy for that particular fish and the locatiowhere it was caught.But a trophy fish doesn`t have to be the biggest fish, for some regions, rivers,lakes, and streams its not about size. The circumstances and the story behindevery fish is always worthy of an entry into your Club Trophy records. So makethis year 2015/16 the year that you will at least attempt to enter your fish intothe club competition, at least so others can admire your participation.

TWO FLIES AND AN INDICATORBy Peter WilliamsThere they were, the two flies neatly wrapped around the overhanging branchand the indicator swinging in the breeze. And this time they were not mine!Reaching into the far recesses of my wading jacket I pulled out the trusty flyretrieval system; a small sinker and a length of bright string. This was soon on itsway over the branch and the sinker on the ground. With one hand on the sinkerand the other on the end of the string, my potential prize was soon in my hands.Now I say potential, because many times I have made such a catch only to findthe hooks rusty. Not this time though, for it must have been lost only a day or soago. The bomb was a beautifully tied No 14 hair and copper with a red bead headand the tail fly a very neat No 16 pheasant tail. But it was really the indicatorthat had my attention. This was located, so to speak, way down near the flies onthe very fine tippet. This fine line would have broken on the first tug given bythe frustrated fisher, which explains why it was up in the tree.The indicator was of fine yarn, perhaps glow bug yarn, and attached using asystem I have not seen before. I used this indicator for the rest of my recentsouthern trip and found it had a couple of advantages over the usual loop-yarnthrough-pull tight system.This system involved a piece of soft fine clear tubing, about 2.5 mm long andthinner that the innards of a ball point pen. To attach the indicator, a loop ofleader is pushed up through the tube and a certain amount of yard placedthrough the loop. The tube is then pushed up tightly onto the base of the yard,such that the yarn just begins to appear through the end of the tube, jammingthe line inside. The indicator is then trimmed.I have since discovered that the amount of yarn has to be in proportion to thediameter of the piece of tube.In addition to the fact that such a system does not make such a permanent kinkin the leader, it also has another advantage in that in a flash it can by slid up theleader when required.It did have the tendency to slide down the leader, but for me, this did no matterbecause I use a micro-ring on the end of a commercial tapered leader and thenattach the required length (about 1.5-2m) and weight (4-5 pound Maxima) oftippet to the ring. So obviously the indicator could slide down no further than thering.Anybody got any 2.5 mm diameter clear plastic tubing? 14

Fishing with our Editor in RotoruaBy Richard BoydenSaturday 12 December. Time: 7:00am. Place : Stony Point Landing. LakeTarawera. Weather Cloudy and a little light Rain Coming. Boat Skipper GrahamCarter (Editor) and a third person – Larry. Please note: My daughter has a housejust 500 metres from Stony Point so walking distant for me.Set Conditions agreed on – Graham provided the Boat and all fishing gear and forme Lunch for the three – it’s a deal. The lunch decided on (Wife making ofcourse) would be Ham and Tuna Sandwiches with lettuce and a special brand ofDukes Mayonnaise. Plus a bag of Chocolate chippy cookies and apples. To drink(not beer) the best **Stoke MacCashins Ginger Beer.At 7 am walked down to Stony Point landing with our lunch in hand. No Grahamor Larry but I know Graham lives in Hamilton so he had a mission to get here andpick up Larry. Just 5 minutes after 7am a 20 foot Streamlined boat and vehicleshowed up. It was Graham and Larry.They both said “ G`Day”. We shook hands and across from Graham was LarryWare ex-President of the Rotorua Anglers Club, a long time friend. The firstproject for the day was to launch the slick boat from the trailer and using amethod of a single rope on bow and stern to adjust back and forward next to thejetty – so easy. Graham and Larry

Above: Graham pulling in his fish, below: unwinding the line from around the prop

Our next step - they both were looking at me and said “Richard, you know thislake, take us to the hot spots you fish. So our first place of call was the StonyPoint which I had been Flyfishing from shore for many years and had very goodluck.The fishing gear Graham provided was leadlines Rod and Reel for fishing deep. Itwas not my favourite way of fishing but with three in the boat it was the bestoption. After a half hour along Stony Point with no luck off to Rangiuru Bayanother good spot but still no luck and now my reputation was on the line.Next stop Twin Stream area – Well ! Still no luck- Bugger !!!- 2 hours gone.Graham decided to move across the lake to Stump Bay which is deep water.He said “put out all your leadline we are going deep”. The fish finder showed arange of 100-200 feet. At 9 am I hooked the first fish-I think !!! . It was downdeep and a lot of leadline had to be recovered - my poor old arms were feelingit.At the surface the Rainbow Trout was undersized and back it went. Another 20minutes I hooked into another fish down deep, but this time more fish pull, buton the surface it also was under sized and returned. Larry with one of his trout

Now ! It was Grahams and Larry turn and my turn to steer the Slick Boat which Ienjoyed (ex-US Coast Guardman). Sure enough Graham hooked into a fish andplayed it well from the deep-poor Grahams arms.At this stage I was told by Graham “Quick Richard pull back on the stick” which Idid all the way - my mistake!! I was to put it in neutral not in reverse. Big errorand Larrys line found the propeller. I finally got smart and turned off the motorand Graham landed a beautiful Rainbow Trout - maybe 5-6 pounds.Next job removing the leadline from around the propellor and it was serious sowe went ashore (hand paddled) for Graham to remove it. No problem. He justjumped over after lifting the motor and unwound it.The day finished with Larry landing 2 trout from the Humphries Bay area, weightin 2-4 pounds. Two of the five fish between us were taken home for the smoker.At 4 pm we ended up at the Stony Point landing and home.Graham, Larry and Richard had a great day with lot of laughter. Please note:They enjoyed Pam’s lunch and the South Island Ginger Beer too.Thanks GrahamRichard BoydenCicada fishingBy John WillisCicada can be great fun to fish, the trout can have very aggressive takes whichmakes for exciting fishing. The best time for Cicadas on Lake Brunner is lateJanuary early February.Last year the cicada season was a non event, there were very few cicadas.I like to fly fish a cicada from a boat about 15 metres off shore. The technique isto fish into the shore, particularly those areas where access is difficult due torocks, vegetation or cliffs. The place where water skiers or picnicers can't go. Ilike the Mitchells end of Lake Brunner, around the Western shore, or along theSouthern shore to Mt Te Kingi.If the cicadas are not co-operating a black woolley bugger fished the same wayinto the shore and retrieved briskly is effective.I regret I know very little about perch. Lake Mahinapua has a very largepopulation of perch and I understand that soft baits are very effective.Salmon Fishing in Lake Mapourika in March would be good. 18

A Timely Reminder from Fish & GameWith the 2015 season well underway, we hope that you have been enjoying somedecent fishing so far!This summer, Fish and Game staff and our team of voluntary rangers are going tobe out in the field carrying out compliance work.In general we have a high compliance rate from our regions anglers, with around97% of people doing the right thing.Quite often, however, anglers will hold a licence but cannot produce it onrequest as it is located in the car, or at home.While a ranger can technically seize gear for failure to produce, more often thannot we will accompany the angler back to their vehicle where the licence can beshown.Sometimes, this can mean a fair distance, which means less precious time on theriver fishing.So, in order to avoid this, here is a gentle reminder to carry your licence on youat all times.Tight lines, and see you on the river.CLUB’S CHRISTMAS BBQ orHOW TO HAVE A BBQ IN A THUNDERSTORMYou can always rely on the December weather, can’t you? So the committee musthave thought when they organised the Christmas BBQ for Wednesday 16thDecember at Isel Park, but Mother Nature had other ideas!Meantime Brian Richards organised to get the key from the Nelson City Council toallow access to Isel Park, and Gebhard Krewitt posted ‘Reserved’ signs over thetables early on the Wednesday morning so everything was set to go for the bigannual event.At 3.30pm Ray Day and Brian Richards arrived at the Park, unloaded the BBQsand set them up. Then 15 minutes later Bruce McLean arrived and jokinglycommented that it was supposed to have been a 3.30pm start – but at least hehad got out of the heavy work!So far, so good. These three guys were sitting around thawing fish when theyheard the first distant clap of thunder, but being big brave fishermen theydecided to ‘tough it out’. Then came another couple of thunder claps, the lastone being very close overhead.About this time Ray’s wife Erin arrived and she was decidedly unenthusiasticabout proceeding, so the big brave fishermen finally saw sense and at 4.40pm

they packed everything up to be transported to the Fish and Game club roomswhere the BBQs were set up at the main door. This had always been Plan B.Well a drop or two of rain has never deterred a keen fisherman so 38 peopleturned up laden with food and a good time was had by all regardless. Ouramazing chefs, Ian Sowman and Richard Breakspear did a sterling job on the BBQsably assisted by Brian Richards, and the variety of food on the table wasincredible.The hard part was trying to decide what not to put on your plate! Our PresidentMaree made a speech of welcome and wished us all a Merry Christmas, and Brucegave us an update on the mentoring system which fortuitously happens to haveeight people willing to be mentors and another eight wanting to be mentored.This will start happening early in 2016 by mutual agreement between the partiesconcerned.All in all it was a great social night out, despite the inclement weather. Theclubrooms were somewhat small for 38 people but in a way it is more sociable ina confined space, so that was a bonus. Many thanks to all those who made thisevent possible.There is always a lot of behind the scenes work that often goes unacknowledged,but we know who you are and we are grateful. Let’s hope that 2016 will be agreat year for all the club’s members, especially in the fishing department.

Above: Pat and Mike Standish-White, below: Dinner’s ready!

Above: Ian Sowman & Richard Breakspear, below: Stewart Kelsall & Owen Dennis.

Above: Lester & Diana Higgins; below: Maree Peter, Tony Entwistle and Andrew Dyer

Nelson Lakes Trip, December 11-13, 2015by James Macdonald & Chris Sherwood Spaghetti Dinner (photo by Brian)This is a brief trip report of the three days spent in the St Arnaud/Nelson Lakesarea by Mike Standish-White, Brian Richards, Chris Sherwood, Jonny Fannin(visiting from Vancouver, Canada) and James Macdonald, and can be summarisedthus: Bad weather, no fish, superb dining, excellent company and a great time.Next trip: Lake Brunner, end of January; let us hope the cicadas are on song\"The dock atLake Rotoiti

A fisherman from the city was out fishing on a lake in a small boat.He noticed another man in a small boat open his tackle box and take out amirror.Being curious, the man rowed over and asked,\"What is the mirror for\"?\"That's my secret way to catch fish,\" said the other man. \"Shine the mirror on thetop of the water. The fish notice the spot of sun on the water above and theyswim to the surface. Then I just reach down and net them and pull them into theboat.\"\"Wow! Does that really work\"?\"You bet it does.\"\"Would you be interested in selling that mirror? I'll give you $30 for it.\"\"Well, okay.\" After the money was transferred, the city fisherman asked,\"By the way, how many fish have you caught this week\"?\"You're the sixth,\" he said. ____________________________________A blonde heard that baths in milk would make her beautiful.She left a note for her milkman to leave 25 gallons of milk.When the milkman read the note, he felt there must be a mistake.He thought she probably meant 2.5 gallons.So he knocked on the door to clarify the point.The blonde came to the door and the milkman said, \"I found your note asking meto leave 25 gallons of milk.Did you mean 2.5 gallons?\"The blonde said, \"No, I want 25 gallons. I'm going to fill my bathtub up with milkand take a milk bath so I can look young and beautiful again.\"The milkman asked, \"Do you want it pasteurized?\"The blonde said, \"No, just up to my tits ...I can splash it on my eyes if I need to!\" ____________________________________A hunter enters a barber shop for a shave, after having spent some time in thebush, his face is well covered in bristles and he wants to look good for his lunchdate with his girlfriend.While the barber is foaming him up, he mentions the problems that he hasgetting a close shave around the cheeks.“I have just the thing,”says the barber taking a small wooden ball from a nearbydrawer.“Just place this between your cheek and gum.”The client places the ball in his mouth and the barber proceeds with the closestshave the hunter has ever experienced. After a few strokes the hunter asks ingarbled speech.“And if I swallow it?”“No problem,” says the barber. “Just bring it back tomorrow like everyone elsedoes.”

A young man with his pants hanging half off his butt, two gold front teeth, and ahalf inch thick gold chain around his neck; walked into the WINZ to pick up hischeque.He marched up to the counter and said, \"Hi. You know, I just hate drawingwelfare. I'd really rather have a job.. I don't like taking advantage of the system,getting something for nothing.\"The social worker behind the counter said \"Your timing is excellent. We just got ajob opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a chauffeur and bodyguardfor his beautiful daughter. You'll have to drive around in his 2015 Mercedes-BenzCL, and he will supply all of your clothes.\"\"Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You'll also be expected toescort the daughter on her overseas holiday trips. This is rather awkward to saybut you will also have, as part of your job, the assignment to satisfy her sexualurges as the daughter is in her mid-20's and has a rather strong sex drive.\"The guy, just plain wide-eyed, said,\"You're bullshittin' me!\"The social worker said, \"Yeah, well...You started it.\" ..... _____________________________________A fisherman, who just moved from Victoria to Nelson,walks into a bar and orders three pints of beer.He sits in the back of the room,drinking a sip out of each one in turn.When he finishes them, he comes back to the bar and orders three more.The bartender approaches and tells the fisher,\"You know, a glass goes flat after I draw it.It would taste better if you bought one at a time.\"The fisher replies, in a thick Australian drawl, \"Well, you see, I have twobrothers, one's in 'Tassie', the other one's a 'sandgroper'.When we all left our home in Echuca', we promised that we'd drink this wayTo remember the days when we drank together.So I'm drinking one beer for each of my brothers and one for myself.\"The bartender admits that this is a nice custom, and leaves it there.The fisher becomes a regular in the bar, and always drinks the same way.He orders three pints and drinks them in turn.One day, he comes in and only orders two pints.All the regulars take notice and fall silent.When he comes back to the bar for the second round,The bartender says, \"I don't want to intrude on your grief,But I wanted to offer my condolences on your loss.\"The fisher looks quite puzzled for a moment,Then a light dawns in his eyes and he laughs.\"Oh, no, everybody's just fine,\" he explains,\"It's just that my wife and I joined the Salvation ArmyAnd I had to quit drinking.\"\"Hasn't affected my brothers though.\"



All mechanical Repairs All service by qualified Technicians New tyres W.O.F for cars, trailers, motorbikes, tractors, dumpers Restoration work undertaken - Courtesy car available Also selling Retro Tin Signs Ellis Street Auto Repairs 104A Ellis Street Brightwater 03 5424035