Offsite issue 3

ISSUE 3 OCT/NOV 2017

WORK HARD

PLAY HARD!

WIN OAKLEY SUNGLASSES

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I Inside

HUNTING GAME FISHING TROUT FISHING SCUBA DIVING

T I A B K STIC LIN MAR

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PG 8 P

RHEEM CHATHAM ISLAND ADVENTURE

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TRADIES OFF THE TOOLS

PG 4

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getting outside

EDITOR’s note .................................................. 3

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Stick-bait Marlin......................................... 4

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Rheem Chathams Adventure ................. 8

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Hunting Crays .............................................. 11

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Tradie Profile: Graham McKenzie ......14

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Win With Oakley ..........................................17

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Tongariro Raft-in Fishing .......................18

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Spring is here!

Any day now daylight saving will kick in, and with the longer days and milder temperatures, there’s no excuse for not getting out of the house and enjoying the great outdoors. ;OLYL»Z ZVTL MHU[HZ[PJ ÄZOPUN HUK O\U[PUN H]HPSHISL PU ZWYPUN The water is warming up, so diving for a feed of crays and even YHM[ PU ÄZOPUN HYL SLZZ [OLYTHSS` JOHSSLUNPUN In this edition Ian Miller gives readers the rundown on securing a few crays, including from areas where the pickings are fairly lean, while Steve Dickinson rafts the upper Tongariro, stopping along the way to catch heaps of trout.

And while on the theme of gathering wild food, Barry Sharplin VɈLYZ \ZLM\S HK]PJL VU O\U[PUN HUK WYLWHYPUN NHTL TLH[ MVY [OL [HISL .VH[ HU`VUL& 9OLLT VɈ ZP[L HSZV [YH]LSZ [V [OL MHISLK >HUNHULSSH )HURZ UH\[PJHS TPSLZ VɈ [OL 5VY[O *HWL ^OLYL 3\RL +H]PZ HUK friends target XOS striped marlin on topwater tackle using Z[PJR IHP[Z 0U V\Y ;YHKPL 7YVÄSL [OPZ TVU[O 5A -PZOPUN 5L^Z Managing ,KP[VY .YHU[ +P_VU [HSRZ [V ZWVY[ÄZOPUN PKLU[P[` .YHOHT 4JRLUaPL .YHOHT ZWLU[ OPZ ^VYRPUN SPML PU [OL [PTILY [YHKL HUK PU YL[PYLTLU[ PU[YVK\JLZ V[OLY WLVWSL [V ÄZOPUN HK]LU[\YLZ >L HSZV JVU[PU\L V\Y 6HRSL` :\UNSHZZLZ YLHKLYZ» WYVTV[PVU WHNL *VUNYH[\SH[PVUZ [V SHZ[ PZZ\L»Z ^PUULYZ (UK YLTLTILY we want your stories and pictures. Drop us a line or give us a call, VY KVI PU H TH[L `V\ [OPUR TPNO[ OH]L H Z[VY` [V [LSS ^L»SS KV [OL YLZ[ >L»K SV]L [V ZOHYL `V\Y Z[VYPLZ ^P[O V[OLY [YHKPLZ [OYV\NO 9OLLT VɈ ZP[L *VU[HJ[ KL[HPSZ ILSV^

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Welcome to edition three of 9OLLT VɈ ZP[L.

COntents

Spring Hunting For The Table .............. 21

*V]LY WOV[V: John Eichelsheim

John Eichelsheim, Editor Rheem Off-Site is published bi-monthly by NZ Fishing Media Ltd. Offices are located at 177B Marua Road, Ellerslie, Auckland, Ph (09) 579 4060.

MANAGING DIRECTOR Grant Blair MANAGING EDITOR Grant Dixon OFF-SITE EDITOR John Eichelsheim DESIGNER Lucy Davidson OPERATIONS MANAGER Sarah Ng EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES John Eichelsheim 021 775 789 johne@xnet.co.nz ADVERTISING MANAGER & ENQUIRIES Scott Taylor 021 862 579 sales@nzfishingnews.co.nz Advertising within this publication is subject to NZ Fishing Media Ltd’s standard advertising terms and conditions, a copy of which is available online at www.fishing.net.nz or by calling (09) 579 4060 VɈZP[LUa 3

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VɈZP[LUa 5

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VɈZP[LUa 23

CHATHAMS ADVENTURE When you arrive you drive along the gravel road from the airport to the main settlement of Waitangi and you can’t help noticing the stunted trees growing at an angle of 45 degrees with the tips parallel to the ground, and you realise that the wind is a constant companion.

Farming and fishing are the main businesses for the 700-odd residents, along with the support systems needed for government and management. Much is iwi-based and new social housing is the result of collaboration between iwi and the government

“

“Want a ride?” called the lady from the door leading to the tarmac.

”

This is how they announce boarding the aircraft at the Chatham Islands for the trip home, and it sort of sums up the mojo of the place.

While it may be 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand – as the islanders refer to the mainland – it is more like going back in time by 30 years.

For a group of 10 members of the plumbing industry a week on the island promised adventure, diving, hunting, fishing and getting to meet locals.

A couple of keen hunters spent a day roaming the scrubby, low hills as they searched for wild cattle and the rare curly-horned Arapawa sheep; while the rest of the group boarded a large tinny with twin 300hp V8 engines strapped to the back.

Fishing for crayfish and blue cod have long been the mainstay of the fishing industry, with some paua and kina export thrown in from time to time.

Local fisheries rules are generous with 30 blue cod, 10 paua and five groper and six crayfish allowed to be taken by each angler each day.

But the locals are more protective of their fishery resources and will allow visitors to take home only the equivalent of one day’s catch and some charter skippers impose their own boat limits which are much less.

And the fishing is like it was 50 years ago on the mainland. You only have to steam for 10 minutes from the main wharf and drop a bait and you will have a blue cod instantly. That is then chopped for bait, and it is all on. The skipper looked sideways at the rods and handlines which came across on the plane from Christchurch, and produced half a dozen handlines which comprised rope, not line, with a huge weight on the end and a couple of heavy traces inside plastic tubing with circle hooks which looked as if they could handle a marlin. But they work. And wow, how they work! He demonstrated the special technique – drop the terminal bits and just let the rope run out. When it stops, take up the weight gently then when a bite tugs on the end jerk the rope savagely to set the hook. Do that a couple of times then haul in the rope hand-over-hand as it slides across the gunwhale, then lift the whole lot including a couple of fish over into the boat.

He flicks off the fish with a special tool, re-baits the hooks, then slits the throat of each fish and they go straight into a bin full of cold seawater.

It’s a slick operation, and when a small groper comes in the smiles get even broader. For while you are fishing in only 20 metres of water, you can often hook school groper – as they call hapuku here and in the South Island – among the blue cod.

“What do you reckon? Blue cod or snapper?” asks one character from Dunedin. The two Aucklanders were seriously outnumbered so it was a tricky question.

“Snapper is so popular in the north only because it is so common,” we suggested. “But the colder the water the better eating the fish are, and the best come from the bottom. So the blue cod here and in the South Island are probably better.”

LEFT Crayfish like these are not hard to find.

TOP There is a rich maritime history.

MIDDLE Rods and handlines – they all catch fish at the Chathams.

BOTTOM Another blue cod comes over the side.

It was a political sort of answer, which is important when you are going to be sharing a vehicle, and meals, and evening drinks with a bunch of South Islanders.

But there was never going to be any doubt that the blue cod and the crays and a few paua would be warmly welcomed when they arrived in the north.

s r e n n i W 2 # E SU

IS

Wayne Fry

Nick Phillip

Paul Catterall

WE WANT YOU! THE AIM OF RHEEM OFF-SITE IS TO FEATURE SOME OF THE INTERESTING OUTDOOR STORIES PEOPLE WORKING IN THE TRADES HAVE TO TELL. :LUK \Z `V\Y ILZ[ O\U[PUN ÄZOPUN KP]PUN HUK V\[KVVYZ PTHNLZ HZ ^LSS ¶ ^L OH]L H WHPY VM [VW X\HSP[` 6HRSL` Z\UNSHZZLZ [V IL NP]L H^H` LHJO TVU[O MVY [OL ILZ[ PTHNL

OAKLEY SUNGLASSES

I Inside

HUNTING GAME FISHING TROUT FISHING SCUBA DIVING

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WORK HARD

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ISSUE 3 OCT/NOV 2017

AIT STICK-LBIN MAR

PG 8 P

RHEEM CHATHAM ISLAND ADVENTURE

John Eichelsheim ,KP[VY 9OLLT 6Ɉ :P[L

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TRADIES OFF THE TOOLS

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johneichelsheim@gmail.com 021 775 789

Hunting Crays MAXIMISE YOUR CHANCES

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VɈZP[LUa 11

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”

Once you master the ‘straight grab’ technique, it will account for 90% of your captures.

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5V^ PZ H ]LY` NVVK [PTL UV[ [V L_WLYPLUJL ºI\JR ML]LY» 0M `V\ Y\ZO PU `V\ TH` NL[ VUL ÄZO I\[ `V\ ^PSS HSZV Z[PY [OL HYLH \W ZV T\JO `V\ ^VU»[ L]LU IL HISL [V ZLL where the others are!

0[ UV^ ILJVTLZ H Z[YH[LN` L_LYJPZL! ^VYR V\[ ^OPJO ^H` [OL J\YYLU[ PZ Y\UUPUN HUK ^VYR IHJR \W PU[V P[ ;OH[ ^H` PM [OLYL HYL H ML^ JYH`ÄZO PU [OL NYV\W `V\ TH` LUK \W ^P[O your limit rather than one or two.

straight grab Part two of the strategy is working out how to actually NV HIV\[ JH[JOPUN [OLZL [OPUNZ ZP[[PUN HYV\UK ^H]PUN [OLPY MLLSLYZ H[ `V\ :\YLS` [OPZ T\Z[ UV^ IL [OL LHZ` IP[& )LSPL]L TL P[»Z UV[ ;OPZ PZ ^OLYL [OL M\U YLHSS` ILNPUZ There are several items of equipment integral to successfully capturing crayfish. A good torch is very OHUK` ZV `V\ JHU ZLL PU[V [OL IHJR VM ZVTL VM [OVZL OVSLZ ( NVVK JH[JO IHN PZ LZZLU[PHS [V LUZ\YL [OL JH[JO doesn’t escape after all your hard work.

12 V 6Ɉ ZP[L

4VZ[ PTWVY[HU[ VM HSS PZ H NVVK WHPY VM ZU\N Ä[[PUN NSV]LZ ;OL ILZ[ VULZ HYL THKL MYVT H JVTIPUH[PVU VM ULVWYLUL HUK HTHHYH ;OPZ PZ H ]LY` Z[YVUN Z`U[OL[PJ SLH[OLY YLZPZ[HU[ [V W\UJ[\YPUN [OH[ Z[PSS WYV]PKLZ NVVK MLLS 6SK MHZOPVULK NHYKLUPUN NSV]LZ ^PSS ^VYR I\[ PU H JY\UJO ZP[\H[PVU `V\ ^PSS WYVIHIS` SVZL `V\Y X\HYY` 6]LY [OL `LHYZ [OLYL OH]L ILLU KVaLUZ VM KPɈLYLU[ JYH` ZUHYLZ UVVZLZ HUK OVSKLYZ VM L]LY` KLZJYPW[PVU (SS VM [OLT WYVIHIS` OH]L [OLPY WSHJL PU [OL YPNO[ ZP[\H[PVU I\[ VUJL `V\ THZ[LY [OL ºZ[YHPNO[ NYHI» [LJOUPX\L P[ ^PSS HJJV\U[ MVY VM `V\Y JHW[\YLZ

cunning and speed *H[JOPUN JYH`ÄZO I` OHUK PZ H JVTIPUH[PVU VM J\UUPUN ZWLLK HUK H ^OVSL SV[ VM M\U 0[ THPUS` JLU[YLZ HYV\UK OV^ KLLW [OL OVSL PZ 0M [OL IHJR VM [OL OVSL PZ VUS` H JV\WSL VM MLL[ KLLW [OLU [OL JYH` PZ PU [YV\ISL 0[ ILJVTLZ H TH[[LY VM W\[[PUN `V\Y OHUK PU ÄUKPUN IV[O [OL OVYUZ HUK ^YLZ[SPUN OPT V\[ 0M `V\ LUJV\U[LY YLZPZ[HUJL Q\Z[ QPNNSL OPT IHJR^HYKZ HUK MVY^HYKZ H ML^ [PTLZ HUK OL ^PSS SL[ NV 0M `V\ Q\Z[ RLLW W\SSPUN `V\ ^PSS ]LY` SPRLS` ZUHW OPZ OVYU VɈ 0M `V\ JHU ZLL [OH[ [OL OVSL NVLZ YPNO[ IHJR [OH[ ILJVTLZ H ^OVSL UL^ IHSS NHTL 4HRL Z\YL `V\ KVU»[ [V\JO OPZ MLLSLYZ VY [OH[ ^PSS IL [OL SHZ[ `V\ ZLL VM OPT 2LLW `V\Y WYLMLYYLK OHUK SV^ KV^U HUK ZSPKL P[ \UKLY OPZ MLLSLYZ \U[PS OL ILJVTLZ ULY]V\Z HUK THRLZ [V IHJR VɈ ([ [OPZ WVPU[ TV]L `V\Y IVK` \W HUK MVY^HYK \U[PS OL HNHPU NL[Z ULY]V\Z HUK YLHK` `V\YZLSM [V THRL H Z[YPRL @V\Y HPTPUN WVPU[ PZ HYV\UK OHSM H TL[YL ILOPUK [OL JYH`»Z [HPS ILJH\ZL [OH[»Z ^OLYL OL ^PSS IL I` [OL [PTL `V\ JSHTW `V\Y OHUK HYV\UK [OL IHZL VM OPZ OVYUZ +VU»[ IL [LU[H[P]L /P[ OPT HZ MHZ[ HZ `V\ JHU :OV\SK `V\ THUHNL [V VUS` NL[ OVSK VM [OL LUK VM H OVYU Q\Z[ OHUN VU \U[PS HSS [OL [HPS ÅHWWPUN JLHZLZ ;OPZ ^OLYL `V\Y NVVK NSV]LZ HYL ^VY[O [OLPY ^LPNO[ PU NVSK @V\ JHU UV^ ^HSR `V\Y ÄUNLYZ \W [OL OVYU [V NL[ H IL[[LY W\YJOHZL HUK ^P[O H Z[YVRL VM S\JR TH`IL NL[ OVSK VM [OL V[OLY VUL *HW[\YL JVTWSL[L

tail noose ;OL VUS` HY[PÄJPHS KL]PJL 0 ^V\SK YLJVTTLUK PZ [OL [LSLZJVWPJ Z[HPUSLZZ [HPS UVVZL HUK VUS` ILJH\ZL [OLZL KH`Z H JV\WSL VM JYH`Z PZ HSS `V\ TH` ZLL 6M[LU PU IPN JV\U[Y` JYH`Z HYL ZP[[PUN PU JYL]PJLZ ^H` KV^U V\[ VM HYT»Z YLHJO @V\ JHU [OLU ^H]L `V\Y OHUK VY L]LU [V\JO OPZ [HPS HUK OL ^PSS IHJR \W 7\SS [OL SVVW ÄYTS` [PNO[ HUK P[»Z NHTL V]LY )HJR VU ZOVYL P[»Z UV^ [PTL [V WYLWHYL `V\Y JH[JO MVY [OL MLHZ[ ;OLYL HYL THU` ZJOVVSZ VM [OV\NO[ VU [OL ILZ[ ^H` [V RPSS H JYH`ÄZO ;OL VUL [OH[ OHZ HS^H`Z ^VYRLK MVY TL PZ [V WSHJL OPT OLHK KV^U PU OHSM H I\JRL[ VM MYLZO ^H[LY 0[ [HRLZ [OLT TPU\[LZ [V NV [V ZSLLW HUK IL YLHK` MVY [OL WV[ VY ) ) 8 r

VɈZP[LUa 13

INLAND UPBRINGING NO HINDRANCE @V\ ^V\SK [OPUR [OH[ NYV^PUN \W PU HU PUSHUK [PTILY [V^U ^V\SK SPTP[ `V\Y VWWVY[\UP[PLZ [V NV ÄZOPUN I\[ [OH[ ^HZ MHY MYVT [OL JHZL MVY .YHOHT º)V\SKLY» 4J2LUaPL HZ NZFN 4HUHNPUN ,KP[VY .YHU[ +P_VU KPZJV]LYLK¯

G

rowing up in Tokoroa was not a handicap for THK RLLU HUNSLY .YHOHT 4J2LUaPL ^OV [HNNLK HSVUN ^P[O OPZ KHK ÄZOPUN SVJHS SHRLZ HUK YP]LYZ as well as hunting in the forestry that surrounded the town.

His late father Don was a foreman at the local mill and [OPZ NH]L OPT MVYLZ[ HJJLZZ WYP]PSLNLZ ML^ LUQV`LK ZV WPN and deer was regular table fare in the McKenzie household.

-VY TVZ[ VM OPZ MVYTH[P]L `LHYZ [YVSSPUN MVY [YV\[ VU SHRLZ ;H\WV HUK >OHRHTHY\ THKL \W .YHOHT»Z ÄZOPUN Ä_ \U[PS summer rolled round and the family headed to Te Kaha for their annual saltwater pilgrimage.

For three weeks, the McKenzies camped near the water at Schoolhouse Bay, on a site McKenzie family members still occupy. ¸;OL KHPS` YV\[PUL ^HZ H ZPTWSL VUL ¹ .YHOHT YLJHSSZ ¸@V\ ^V\SK NL[ \W OH]L H X\PJR IYLHRMHZ[ HUK [OLU OLHK V\[ HUK JSLHY [OL JYH` WV[Z ILMVYL [YH]LSSPUN H SP[[SL ^PKLY

14 V 6Ɉ ZP[L

to the snapper grounds where we would always do well.

On our return to camp the catch was shared around with anyone who wanted a feed. ¸4\T ^V\SK JVVR \Z \W MYLZO ÄZO HUK ^L ^V\SK OH]L an afternoon snooze before heading back out to the cray pots to rebait them with the snapper frames and perhaps OH]L H KP]L ( X\PJR ^HZO PU [OL ULHYI` Z[YLHT HUK [OVZL old enough would head to the pub for a cold beer followed by dinner. This would be repeated daily until the weather L]LU[\HSS` PU[LY]LULK ¹ Graham says it was on these Te Kaha excursions he KL]LSVWLK HU HWWYLJPH[PVU MVY ZHS[^H[LY ÄZOPUN ;OL ÄZOPUN ^HZ KVUL V\[ VM H MVV[ T WS` KPUNO` powered by a 4.5hp Seagull outboard. ¸0[ ^HZU»[ H IPN IVH[ I\[ THU KPK ^L JH[JO ZVTL ÄZO » /PZ KHK OHK HUV[OLY PUÅ\LUJL VU `V\UN .YHOHT»Z SPML and that was an introduction to timber.

;OPZ ZOVY[IPSS ZWLHYÄZO JVTWSL[LK H IPSSÄZO ‘slam’ for Graham that PUJS\KLK H ZHPSÄZO IS\L ISHJR HUK Z[YPWLK THYSPU HUK H Z^VYKÄZO 7OV[V! )Y`HU ;VUL`

While he has travelled L_[LUZP]LS` .YHOHT has never lost his passion for targeting 2P^P RPUNÄZO

forestry work

”

”

Pa^g mhe] mh inm ma^ `ng [Z\d a^ ]b] lh% \hg\^gmkZmbg` hg ghm fZdbg` Zgr ln]]^g fho^f^gml

On leaving school Graham spent a year in the Forestry Service as a cadet, but an altercation with a tutor resulted in a parting of the ways. Graham went back to Tokoroa where he found forestry employment, which he enjoyed.

This eventually led to work on Matakana Island, which was accessed by a barge each day. In a roundabout way, it re-introduced Graham to sea fishing. The barge skippers worked at the weekends on several of the charter boats, including the Nancy Belle and Raetihi, and Graham was taken on as crew.

selling timber

“I went to work with Dad whenever I could and learnt H SV[ HIV\[ [PTILY ;OL TPSS ^HZ HSZV ^OLYL 0 ^HZ ÄYZ[ introduced to ‘tax’.” .YHOHT ^HZ LTWSV`LK HM[LY ZJOVVS ÄSSL[PUN [PTILY on contract where he earned the princely sum of two shillings and sixpence (2/6).

“The contract actually paid 12/6 a packet and when I asked Dad about the ‘missing’ 10 bob (10/0) he told me ‘that’s tax son, and the sooner you learn about it the better!’”

Getting to go to Mayor Island was a real bonus that came out of his logging association.

Eventually returning to Tokoroa, Graham’s knowledge VM [PTILY HUK TPSSPUN ZH^ OPT VɈLYLK [OL WVZP[PVU VM manager at the Taupo Totara Timber Company’s local branch. The TTT, as it was referred to, was the forerunner of the Benchmark brand.

3VVRPUN MVY H SP[[SL TVYL HK]LU[\YL .YHOHT ^HZ VɈLYLK a job in Papua New Guinea, so he packed up his family HUK OLHKLK PU[V [OL 7HJPÄJ 0[ ^HZ UV[ [V IL [V OPZ VY

VɈZP[LUa 15

his family’s liking, so he returned to New Zealand, taking up a position with TTT as one of its Whangarei branch managers. ¸4HYZKLU *V]L 9LÄULY` ^HZ Q\Z[ NL[[PUN NVPUN HUK there was great business to be had. We sold them drill bits H[ H [PTL" ÄSLZ ^LYL VYKLYLK PU SV[Z VM KVaLU (1728); three- and six-metre ladders in 200 lots each; and JVPY YVWL \ZLK [V SHZO VɈ [OL ZJHɈVSKPUN I` [OL [Y\JRSVHK ¸0 JV\SKU»[ PTHNPUL ^OLYL P[ ^HZ NVPUN T` QVI ^HZ [V ZPTWS` ÄSS [OL VYKLYZ ¹ SH\NOLK .YHOHT ;OL VWWVY[\UP[` JHTL MVY .YHOHT [V I\` PU[V [^V Independent Timber Merchants (ITM)stores, the bigger of the two situated at Onehunga.

0U [OL LUK .YHOHT LUKLK \W ^P[O HU PU[LYLZ[ PU seven ITM stores scattered throughout the north, including Redwoods, Wellsford, Maungaturoto, Mangawhai, Opua Estate and Kerikeri. ¸6UL KH` H THU MYVT *HY[LYZ JHTL HSVUN HUK VɈLYLK \Z H JOLX\L [OH[ ^V\SK TLHU 0 JV\SK YL[PYL HUK NV ÄZOPUN ZV ^L took it. To be honest, I had been thinking about getting out of the game for a little while. ¸>OPSL 0 LUQV`LK [OL PUK\Z[Y` 0 ^HZ ILJVTPUN MY\Z[YH[LK with the health and safety issues, product liabilities and the SPRL ZV [OL VWWVY[\UP[` ^HZ [PTLS` ¹ OL L_WSHPULK 0[ ^HZ K\YPUN OPZ [PTL ^P[O 0;4 [OH[ .YHOHT OLSWLK MHJPSP[H[L the company’s alignment with Matt Watson and what was to become The ITM Fishing Show. “Matt and the association with the programme has ILLU NYLH[ MVY SPM[PUN 0;4»Z WYVÄSL ¹ ZH`Z .YHOHT

boulder guiding

:PUJL YL[PYPUN UPUL `LHYZ HNV .YHOHT OHZ ILLU HISL [V work on his ‘bucket list’. /L OHZ LZ[HISPZOLK )V\SKLY .\PKPUN HUK PZ HU HNLU[ MVY 1PNNPUN 4HZ[LY HUK 1PN :[HY [VW LUK QPN ÄZOPUN [HJRSL .YHOHT HYYHUNLZ JOHY[LY [YPWZ MVY H YLN\SHY JSPLU[LSL \ZPUN only the best operators.

0U YLJLU[ `LHYZ .YHOHT OHZ ÄZOLK [OYV\NOV\[ [OL ^VYSK VM[LU ^P[O ;VU` HUK )LH 6Y[VU 6ɈZOVYL (K]LU[\YLZ *LU[YHS (TLYPJHU KLZ[PUH[PVUZ Z\JO HZ 4L_PJV HUK *VZ[H Rica are among his favourites and he recently completed a personal ºIPSSÄZO ZSHT»! IS\L ISHJR HUK Z[YPWLK THYSPU H ZOVY[IPSS ZWLHYÄZO IYVHKIPSS HUK H ZHPSÄZO ¸*LU[YHS (TLYPJH VɈLYZ H ^PKL ]HYPL[` VM ZWLJPLZ HUK P[ is warm and safe – I feel safer in Mexico than I do here in 4HUNLYL ¹ He put this to the test recently when he stood next to a female Mexican police woman ‘armed to the teeth,’ OVWPUN MVY H WOV[VNYHWO /L ^LU[ [V JOLJR V\[ OLY .SVJR WPZ[VS HZ OL ZH^ [OL OVSZ[LY ^HZ \UJSPWWLK ÄUKPUN OPTZLSM facing down the barrel of four automatic weapons in the hands of her colleagues. >OLU [VSK [V ¸W\[ [OL N\U IHJR¹ OL KPK ZV JVUJLU[YH[PUN VU UV[ THRPUN HU` Z\KKLU TV]LTLU[Z .YHOHT PZ RUV^U [V IL º]LY` L_WYLZZP]L» ^OLU KYVWWPUN H ÄZO UV IL[[LY PSS\Z[YH[LK [OHU VU H [YPW [V =HU\H[\ [V JH[JO OPZ ÄYZ[ IS\L THYSPU ÄSTLK MVY HU LWPZVKL VM The ITM Fishing Show. ([ [OL 0;4 -PZOPUN 4LKPH (^HYKZ L]LUPUN Y\U ZL]LYHS `LHYZ HNV .YHOHT YLJLP]LK HU º,TT`» MVY the ‘Best Dummy Spit’ after dropping his eighth marlin PU H YV^ /L Z\IZLX\LU[S` [VVR V\[ [OL º)LZ[ (M[LY -PZO *LSLIYH[PVU» HM[LY ÄUHSS` SHUKPUN [OL UPU[O ÄZO OPZ ÄYZ[ IS\L >OPSL .YHOHT OHZ OHK [OL HIPSP[` [V [YH]LS L_[LUZP]LS` in recent years, he still likes nothing better than chasing [^V PJVUPJ 2P^P ZWVY[ÄZO ¶ ZUHWWLY HUK RPUNÄZO ¸0 Z\ZWLJ[ 0 TPNO[ V\[SP]L T` ÄZOPUN M\UKZ I\[ UV[OPUN JHU [HRL H^H` [OL NYLH[ TLTVYPLZ ¹

charter fishing

While he has owned several boats over the years, .YHOHT YLSPLZ VU [OL ÄZOPUN JOHY[LYZ [V NL[ OPZ HUNSPUN Ä_ ¸*OHY[LY ÄZOPUN THRLZ SPML ZPTWSL ;OLYL PZ UV THPU[Lnance and insurance bills or cleaning down afterwards. @V\ WH` `V\Y TVUL` LUQV` H YLSH_PUN KH`»Z ÄZOPUN HUK [OLU ^HSR VɈ H[ [OL LUK VM [OL KH` ^P[O ]LY` SP[[SL LSZL [V KV [OHU ÄSSL[ [OL JH[JO HUK JSLHU `V\Y NLHY ¶ WLYMLJ[ ¹ He also suggests the planning and anticipation that NVLZ PU[V H [YPW PZ L]LY` IP[ HZ LUQV`HISL HZ [OL L]LU[ P[ZLSM >OPSL OLHS[O PZZ\LZ THRL SVUN OH\S [YH]LS KPɉJ\S[ `V\ JHU IL[ `V\Y IV[[VT KVSSHY [OL` ^VU»[ Z[VW .YHOHT THRPUN [OL TVZ[ VM HU` ÄZOPUN VWWVY[\UP[PLZ VU VɈLY PU OPZ OVTL waters… r 16 V 6Ɉ ZP[L

e f i L See y l t n e r e f Dif

SEND IN A SHOT OF YOU AND YOUR COPY OF OFFSITE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Include a caption of of who, what, when and where the picture was taken. You could win one of three Oakley Polarised Caliber Sunglasses valued at $299 per pair. The winners will have their photos published in our next issue of Rheem Offsite.

Post a pic at www.facebook.com/offsite

Tongariro

raft-in fishing

by Steve Dickinson, Adventure magazine.

18 V 6Ɉ ZP[L

º:JOVVS» PZ UV[ H ^VYK `V\ \Z\HSS` OLHY PU YLSH[PVU [V trout; kahawai, yes; snapper, yes; trout, no. There were ZV THU` ÄZO H[ VUL Z[HNL 0 [OV\NO[ [OH[ [OL IV[[VT VM the river was shifting only to realise that it was in fact the backs of so many trout moving as one to get out of the way of our raft.

They were not only numerous, they were also big: as we cruised through the shallows from one bank [V HUV[OLY 0 ^LU[ [V W\[ T` MVV[ VU H SVN VUS` [V ZLL P[ ZWSP[ PU [^V HZ [^V ]LY` SHYNL [YV\[ ZJVV[LK VɈ PU KPɈLYLU[ KPYLJ[PVUZ 5V^ [OPZ TH` ZLLT SPRL H ÄZOLYTHU»Z Z[VY` HUK 0 N\LZZ P[ PZ I\[ \USPRL T` \Z\HS ÄZOPUN [HSLZ [OPZ VUL PZ [Y\L Sometimes referred to as the top end of the Tongariro, [OPZ ZLJ[PVU VM [OL YP]LY PZ JSVZLK MVY ÄZOPUN MVY H WVY[PVU of the year from July 30 until December 1 to assist the trout with spawning (a bit of privacy for those intimate moments). We were lucky enough to get up there on +LJLTILY ÄUKPUN H MYLZO HSTVZ[ \U[V\JOLK ]PYNPU ÄZOPUN NYV\UK Z[HJRLK M\SS VM \UIV[OLYLK ÄZO 0[ PZ UV[ HU LHZ` WSHJL [V NL[ [V ¶ `V\ JHU [YHTW PU I\[ that limits the areas you can reach and the access to the river is down fairly steep banks. So we opted to raft

our way down with a guide from Rafting New Zealand in Turangi – their details are hereabouts somewhere. @V\ JHU KV [OPZ [`WL VM ÄZOPUN [YPW TVZ[ VM [OL `LHY (just the upper part of the river is closed for spawning), but to be there within a day of the upper section opening MVY ÄZOPUN ^HZ HTHaPUN 0 OH]L UL]LY ZLLU ZV THU` [YV\[ HU`^OLYL 0[ KPKU»[ OV^L]LY TLHU [OL` ^LYL HU` LHZPLY to catch, but the odds were in our favour.

Our guide, Jimmy Jarvie (senior rafting guide at Rafting 5A HUK HSZV H OLSS VM H NVVK ÄZOLYTHU W\[ \Z VU HSS [OL right spots all day.

The walk down to the put-in at Poutu Dam set the scene: there were the usual Deliverance jokes and fake banjo noises, but most of all we shared a feeling of anticipation. >L YLHSS` KPKU»[ RUV^ PM P[ ^HZ NVPUN [V IL HZ NVVK HZ everyone said it would be, but the moment we entered [OL ^H[LY P[ ^HZ L]PKLU[ [OLYL ^LYL H 36; VM ÄZO The put-in below the dam is under a pretty spectacular, OPNO I\ZO JV]LYLK JSPɈ SHWWLK I` JVSK JSLHY ^H[LY ;OH[ alone would have been worth the trip. But as we watched [OL ÄZO ZJH[[LY ILMVYL [OL IVH[ [OL ZTPSL VU T` NVVK TH[L ;VU` 3LUUVU»Z MHJL ZHPK P[ HSS ¶ [OPZ JV\SK IL UV[OPUN but a good day.

Rafting New Zealand 027 579 7838 www.raftingnewzealand.co.nz VɈZP[LUa V VɈ VɈZ ɈZ ɈZP[ P[LUa P[L [[L LUa Ua 1 19 9

;OL ÄYZ[ ZHUK` IH` ^L W\SSLK PU[V ^HZ VU H SVUN SVVWPUN ILUK [OL ^H[LY H KLLW KHYR NYLLU >L JV\SK OLHY [OL JVUZ[HU[ ºWSVW WSVW» VM ÄZO IYLHRPUN [OL Z\YMHJL V]LY [OL UVPZL VM [OL YP]LY >P[OPU TVTLU[Z [OL ÄYZ[ ÄZO ^HZ SHUKLK HUK YLSLHZLK HUK ^L ÄZOLK MVY HIV\[ TPU\[LZ ILMVYL TV]PUN VU [V [OL UL_[ WVVS ;OPZ ZL[ H [VUL MVY [OL KH`! YHM[ ÄZO JH[JO TV]L >L JV\SK OH]L Z[H`LK PU VUL ZWV[ HSS KH` I\[ WHY[ VM [OL M\U VM [OPZ ÄZOPUN [YPW ^HZ YHM[PUN [OL YP]LY HUK ^L ^HU[LK [V THRL Z\YL ^L OHK [PTL [V ZLL P[ HSS 0[ ZLLTLK [OH[ HYV\UK LHJO ILUK [OLYL ^HZ HUV[OLY YLTHYRHISL WVVS VY SP[[SL IHJR^H[LY 1PTT` RUL^ [OL YP]LY SPRL [OL IHJR VM OPZ OHUK HUK ZHPK PU OPZ MV\Y `LHYZ HZ OLHK N\PKL OL [OV\NO[ OL ^V\SK OH]L ILLU KV^U P[ V]LY [PTLZ /L RUL^ HSS [OL SP[[SL L_[YH WSHJLZ [OH[ `V\ JV\SK LHZPS` TPZZ" H ML^ ZWV[Z ^L OHK [V YHM[ WHZ[ HUK [OLU ^HSR IHJR PU[V [V NHPU HJJLZZ I\[ ^OH[ L]LY` \UPX\L HYLH ZOHYLK PU JVTTVU ^HZ SV[Z VM ÄZO 0 OH]L [V NP]L M\SS R\KVZ [V 1PTT` H[ [OPZ WVPU[! UV[ VUS` KPK OL W\[ \Z VU[V [OL ÄZO I\[ OL RLW[ \Z HUK HSS [OL NLHY V\[ VM [OL ^H[LY /L HSZV ZOV^LK NYLH[ ZRPSS HUK KL_[LYP[` ^OLU P[ JHTL [V UL[[PUN [OL ÄZO ([ VUL Z[HNL HM[LY ^L OHK UV[ JH\NO[ HU`[OPUN MVY H ^LL ^OPSL ;VU` OVVRLK PU[V [OL ÄZO VM [OL KH` ;VU`

“THESE P>K>G M SCHOOLS OF FISH, THEY WERE WHOLE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS OF THEM!”

20 V 6Ɉ ZP[L

H YLSH[P]L UL^IPL [V [YV\[ ÄZOPUN ^HZ H[ H IP[ VM H SVZZ VU OV^ [V IYPUN [OPZ ]LY` SHYNL [YV\[ [V [OL IHUR VU HU SI SPUL HUK H[ VUL Z[HNL [OLYL ^HZ H SV[ TVYL SPUL V\[ HUK KV^U [OL YP]LY JVUULJ[LK [V [OL Y\UUPUN [YV\[ [OHU [OLYL ^HZ SLM[ VU [OL YLLS )\[ K\L [V 1PTT`»Z YVJR OVWWPUN WS\Z OPZ KLLW ^HKPUN HIPSP[PLZ [OL IPN IV` ^HZ UL[[LK ;OL WOHZL \ZLK ^HZ ¸0[ ^HZU»[ WYL[[` I\[ P[ ^HZ WYL[[` LɈLJ[P]L ¹ >L ZH^ VUL VY [^V V[OLY HUNSLYZ VU [OL YP]LY [OH[ KH` HUK ZVTL VM [OLT TH` OH]L JH\NO[ IPNNLY ÄZO I\[ UVUL VM [OLT OHK IPNNLY ZTPSLZ >L SVZ[ JV\U[ VM OV^ THU` ÄZO ^L JH\NO[ I\[ [OLYL ^LYL IPN VULZ ZTHSS VULZ YHPUIV^ HUK IYV^U [YV\[ HSS ZL[ HNHPUZ[ VUL VM [OL TVZ[ HTHaPUN IHJRKYVWZ PU 5L^ ALHSHUK ;OL ÄZOPUN ^HZ NYLH[ [OL YHM[PUN ^HZ M\U HUK [OL JVTWHU` ^HZ L_JLW[PVUHS ( O\NL [OHUR `V\ [V 9HM[PUN 5L^ ALHSHUK ^OVZL WYVMLZZPVUHSPZT HUK J\Z[VTLY JHYL ZL[Z H Z[HUKHYK PU [OL PUK\Z[Y` 0M `V\ KVU»[ ^HU[ [V ÄZO Q\Z[ NV YHM[PUN ^P[O [OLT" PM `V\ ^HU[ [V ÄZO HZ ^LSS [OH[»Z [OL JOLYY` VU [OL JHRL 9HM[PUN [YPWZ NV L]LY` KH` I\[ THRL Z\YL `V\ IVVR -PZOPUN PZ H ZWLJPHS VJJHZPVU ZV Q\Z[ YPUN \W HUK JOH[ [V THRL Z\YL [OL` JHU Ä[ `V\ PU r

SPRING HUNTING

FOR THE

TA BLE by barry sharplin

VɈZP[LUa 21

S

o, the days are getting longer and it’s time to pull those shorts out and attempt to drop that winter/all year beer gut.

Spring is one of my favourite times to hunt. It’s one of the most rewarding and it’s usually easy enough to get H OHSS WHZZ [V NV V\[ HUK ÄSS [OL MYLLaLY ^P[O TLH[ [OH[ tastes good. Makes a change from smelly, rutted up stag from April! Spring days are still cool so meat lasts a while hanging in the bush, which is great.

If you really want to wow your guests this summer get the meat prepared by a professional. I drop my animals in at Counties Custom Killing in Bombay.

They have so many options as to what you can have it turned into. I’m a huge fan of their cracked pepper and merlot sausages. I normally get the good cuts as steak and the rest as mince and sausages.

Using a pro saves me time and they do a hell of a lot better job than I could – and the meat comes HSS IHNNLK HUK MYVaLU ;OL` HSZV OH]L HU HM[LY OV\YZ

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THE BEST TIP I CAN GIVE YOU FOR SUCCESSFUL SPRING TIME HUNTING IS TO

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!

The best tip I can give you for successful spring time hunting is to get out of the house! There are always deer in the hills – and it’s hard to go past a nice venison steak on the BBQ – but always keep your options open.

Try goat – you might be surprised. I have often cooked it and had people thinking it was lamb. The trick is to be selective with what you take home. Don’t try and shoot [OL IPNNLZ[ NVH[ PU [OL TVI HUK L_WLJ[ P[ [V [HZ[L HTHaPUN Personally, I go for the ones a little smaller than nannies.

They are normally under a year old and taste great.

Turkey is another underrated meal. Recently I had it cooked for me and I thought it was chicken. The cook used the breast and cut it thin and against grain and JVVRLK P[ SPRL ZJOUP[aLS PU IYLHKJY\TIZ ;Y` P[ 0 KHYL `V\ With all the rain this winter, the spring grass growth is NVPUN [V IL HTHaPUN ZV [OLYL ^PSS IL H SV[ VM HUPTHSZ HYV\UK NYHaPUN [OVZL Z\UU` MHJLZ PU [OL LHYS` TVYUPUNZ

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chiller, so you can drop of your animal, with or without the skin, at any time of the night or morning.

I love introducing people to game meat, but I cringe when people say they have tried it and won’t try it again.

I bet it was a lump of venison that was not prepared well from the time it was shot to the time it was served.

If in doubt throw it out! I don’t like to waste meat, but I have no interest in turning eating game meat into a chore rather than a privilege. Mince is always a great option: it can be used in nachos and bolognaise and is always a hit with the kids.

Spring can be a rewarding time of year for a hunter. >OH[ `V\ OHY]LZ[ UV^ JHU THRL [OL KPɈLYLUJL IL[^LLU ILPUN [OH[ N\` ^OV Z[HUKZ V]LY [OL ))8 ÅPWWPUN TLH[ HUK rotating sausages his wife harvested in the supermarket HUK [OL N\` ^OV[ Z[HUKZ V\[ HZ [OL O\U[LY NH[OLYLY HUK provider for his family r

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