I was nodding off in the car en route to the Rakaia; work had be punishing of late. My brother Matt and I were
each the day before and a season shaping up to be one out of the box. With recent steady decline and possibly in collapse, salmon were swimming against the run of play this year, with plenty of
We put in a good walk downstream and eventually discovered an obscure pool that other anglers appeared to be overlooking—a couple of jet boats whizzed past without a glance. River over this vanishing bar was pool and I followed, using
very light tackle to match the conditions: light canal trout gear running 10lb braid with and 10g zeddy—all the tens! The river was so low you didn’t need big lures. I cast out towards the bar and let pool. Repeat. Sounds easy but the heavy southerly made casting almost impossible. Cast. Flutter. Repeat.
At the bottom of the pool I hooked up. Solid. Heavy.
shouted the obvious to Matt. We couldn’t stop laughing. We were literally hysterical. The salmon was all muscle, powering off upstream and trying to wrap me up in a tree at the head of the pool. I had to play it heavily and muscle it as best I could on such light gear. Victory came through attrition; pressure, skill and persistence. Eventually I had the salmon near the tail of the run and
Channel 01 – Mt. Stokes
coaxed it in with side strain.
The salmon was a thumper, weighing in at 17.5lb but it is worth noting the condition factor here. It measured 970mm and, according to Rasmus from Fish & Game, it should have weighed around 25lb. I have heard of others catching salmon of similar dimensions so it begs the question, why have these peak?
that climate change has seen a rise in sea temperatures and he suggests this may be causing salmon at sea to
Coverage from Cape Farewell in the south to Cape Egmont in the north, and the east from Cape Palliser to Cape Campbell. Most of the Marlborough Sounds, Golden Bay, Tasman Bay , Wellington and Cook Strait. At times. This channel may be workable outside these perimeters.
Channel 04 – Drumduan.
Covers Tasman Bay and the western d’Urville area. Permanently linked to both channels 60 and 65. This means that any transmission made on channel 04 is heard simultaneously on both channels 60 and 65 and vice versa.
Channel 60 – Mt. Burnett
Covers Kahurangi Point in the west, all of Golden Bay and the western side of d’Urville Island.
Channel 60 is permanently linked to channel 04 (and subsequently to channel 65) so any transmission made on channel 04 is heard on channel 04, 60, and 65 as well.
stop feeding earlier, so they are coming into our rivers having already started losing condition.
On a positive note, there seems to be an abundance of them this year but it’s not entirely a silver lining. Many anglers are frustrated at the
Some catch salmon to feed their families and a number go for years struggling to
sliding past is causing some angst.
on an absolute high.
Channel 63 – Mt. Kahikatea.
Covers Queen Charlotte Sound, Port Underwood, Cook Strait, south to Cape Campbell, Kapiti and Mana and also parts of Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds. This channel is good for Wellington approaches but not good within Wellington Harbour. (Mariners are advised to cancel Trip Reports at Barrets Reef buoy).
Channel 65 – Paradise Reserve Covers Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds, Havelock, d’Urville, western Cook Strait, parts of Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and large sections of Queen Charlotte Sound.
Channel 66 – Mt. Stokes
Coverage area is similar to Channel 01. This repeater is for commercial users only and is not operator monitored.
Channels 01 and 63 are linked for the marine forecasts only and one operator monitors both channels.
Channels are monitored 0700 hrs to 2200 hrs all year round
Once the word gets out that the elusive Tasman Bay albacore tuna are getting caught, it becomes a hot topic at Hunting & Fishing on where and how to catch these tasty ‘chickens of the sea?
Tuna are targeted by trolling skirted lures at a speed of around 7.5knots, relatively close in behind the wake of your boat. The more lures you have in the water, the more chances you have at hooking up. It also pays to have a range of colours in your spread as different days. Lures such as Black Magic Jetsetters, Maggot XT and Fleas have proven to be a popular variety this season and are available in many
If you do happen to catch a and continue trolling the same area to see if you can
where there is one there is often more!
Tuna are often caught in Tasman Bay from January to March. Keep an eye on the sea surface temperature as you are looking for 17.5 degrees and above and look for that deep blue, purpley looking water as that is where you are most likely to Rip-charts are great sources out.
An ideal setup for trolling for tuna is a small but grunty
overhead setup, similar to what you would use for
like Shimano Talica 12 are perfect for this, as they have good line capacity, lever drag and a nice loud clicker
Loaded with 50lb-80lb braid and a leader to match, attach a heavy clip swivel so you can then clip on your lures. Tuna hit hard and often do a fast, decent run on their
much tell when it’s a target species.
Tuna spoil quickly so, once landed, quickly dispatch the
and through the gill before placing into an Ice slurry
to cool it down as quick as possible. For optimum eating quality perform the shinkei jime method by severing the spinal nerves of
and the blood not to run into the meat. They make excellent eating so look after them well.
Although it’s hard to turn down the fantastic snapper season we have had in Tasman Bay, albacore tuna are only around for a short period of time so, if you’re looking at another species to add to the chilly bin, it’s time to chase the tasty albacore! For more info, come and see the team at Nelson or Richmond Hunting & Fishing.
ebris
•St ops irds esting
• •S t op osquito s and i ns ects breeding
•Collect clean drinking
wa t er
• 2.5 tonne braked towing
• great rock hopping ground clearance and super visibility
• 6 speed manual giving you total control
• anti braking system ABS
• ESP with hill hold/descent control
• 2WD & 4WD options PLUS all the safety features and mod cons you’d expect.
Local community-based
doesn’t’ make the news— they just get on with it. One of those companies that is fully integrated with their local community is Harbour Fish; a family-owned and operated seafood supplier working across the lower South Island, from Dunedin to Bluff and Queenstown, and being supplied by local
Harbour Fish was a small seafood retailer and wholesaler operating in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, when it was purchased by Damon Cooper in 2003, who had a wider vision on how the family-owned business could be expanded. Soon after the purchase Damon’s brother Aaron joined the team, taking over the day-to-day running of the business and running a stall at the Otago Farmers Market. More of the family have joined in the past 20 years.
The Port Chalmers site was sold and a processing plant in Sawyers Bay was opened, allowing for domestic wholesale and export sales of fresh and frozen seafood. For retail sales, a store was opened in central Dunedin and, later, another in Queenstown and more recently a processing plant in Bluff.
In order to supply high quality fresh seafood, the company works with 45-50
Coast South Island and across the Otago-Southland region, catching and supplying a wide range of
ling) using a number of the focus of the business other seafood products are
Dunedin, Bluff, Riverton, Carey’s Bay, Moeraki and Taieri Mouth, thereby optimising the number of species available and the freshness of the product. To bring the product to
the customer requires a workforce beavering away behind the scenes in the Bluff and Sawyers Bay plants, and others working face to face with customers in the retail outlets in Dunedin and Queenstown. The company can employ upwardly of 75 people at the height of summer season and less over winter. Retail outlets for fresh seafood nationwide are scarce so Harbour Fish plays a pivotal role to provide this protein source) in the southern region.
The outbreak of Covid-19 required the company to really think how to operate to ensure the survival of the company and the people that rely on them. To do this they pivoted into home delivery in Dunedin and Queenstown via online ordering and then more widely NZwide. Covid also caused issues with food availability for those less fortunate.
Harbour Fish worked directly with the Port Chalmers Fishermen’s Co-operative on the food bank initiative in 2020 helping to coordinate the capture of a quantity
donation to the food bank. This is an example of the community coming together to support each other. More information on this initiative can be found in the October 2020 edition of the Seafood
New Zealand magazine on the Seafood NZ website www.seafoodnewzealand. org.
As well as the Covid initiatives, the company also supports a number of organisations in their communities, which includes school fundraisers, sporting events and charity initiatives. It has also run the Oyster Bash fundraiser for a number of years which supports the Otago Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NZ and they are hoping they can get back on track with this event once the current restrictions from Covid make it possible.
Harbour Fish is approaching its 20-year anniversary and whilst there have been testing times along the way with regulatory changes and restrictions, as well as a pandemic, the company still continues to strive to supply high quality products and employment opportunities locally.
More information on Harbour Fish can been found at
Get online and support them or drop into your local outlet.
The toughest lake in the country. That’s how I’d describe the legendary Lake
are truly some of the biggest wild trout you are likely to
Island… and each day can be wildly different to the last. Renowned for its huge
one of the only places where rainbow trout rival browns in weight. Fish feed freely on the abundant insect life on offer.
It was another tough day for me on ‘The Big O’. I had lost four big rainbow trout already and I was getting frustrated. Hooking a freight train on 6lb line and hoping the microscopic hook stays in seems to have become an impossibility. However, patience through adversity is
Summoning all my still water experience gleaned in rivers, I plopped on an indicator rig, selected a couple of tiny #16 nymphs delicately as I could to the cruisers. My change to a tiny
the trout had become more comfortable with the line in
the water.
Lake O has hundreds of my little weed-bed was no exception. Two large browns and a rainbow were sharing smorgasbord of insect larvae. I watched for a while as the rainbow cruised past the general area, I quickly
Back along the mud the sit still as the shadow neared the indicator. Plop—it’s under. Strike!
The rainbow initiated its afterburner and my reel smoked to the touch. Straight along the weed to the left and straight back around quickly to my right. The trout tail walked into the air before find what it had been looking for—a nice patch of weed to bury its head in.
Knowing that I was on steadily out of the weed with as little pressure as I could now out and in the clear, I steered it towards the muddy
Lynne the Ruthless and I have been married for going on 45 years and although it will probably come as a surprise to most, considering my easy-going ways and even-temperament, we have had the odd disagreement, some pretty serious. Some are over trivial matters like me getting home late from the pub,
gear without checking the account balance and on one occasion, when a mate came to get me one afternoon to help him move a fridge, getting home late the following day. Like I said, trivial, nothing serious unlike the Ruthless’s wrong doings such as not cleaning the boat properly, forgetting to do the vacuuming or buying fresh mullet bait when she goes shopping.
If you think that’s bad, just the other day I got a pair of shorts half-way on and realised they were inside out. You should have heard her when I gently reminded her to be more careful when she’s putting my clothes away after washing them. Unbelievable, isn’t it?
While we disagree on the odd little thing, one thing we have in common and
Blair Whiting
Protesting
released.
Couttaare totally united on, is we respect the rule of law. We don’t break it. We respect rules, we don’t steal and, even when Lynne has been drinking, she doesn’t for more than a few days plan various ways to kill me. So, I’m probably going to upset a few people when I say this country is going, to use an old phrase, to hell in a hand-basket due to both; people who don’t give a rat’s arse about the law and those in high places who let these people get away with whatever the hell they want, without any consequence whatsoever.
I’ll start with those bottom feeders who are, at the time of writing, camped outside parliament. What they are doing is breaking more laws than you can poke a stick at. Why are they being allowed to stop law-abiding citizens from going about their business by blocking streets, harassing those wearing masks and camping in a prohibited area? It’s because this country has become so bloody liberal in its approach to law and order. A Police Commissioner appointed by the Prime Minister, who believes in policing by
4 kilograms.
lake has been spectacular over the last few years. The 30 hours of effort was worth couple.
consent. What the hell does that mean?
Picture this. I was chasing a criminal who would not stop running. Ceza, who I mentioned last month, is ready to go but I call out, “Excuse me sir, if you don’t stop, I’m going to release my
In reality, back then it was,
A scream, some scrote being handcuffed and put before the courts, where he received a sentence applicable to the crime he’d
committed. These days, produce a cultural report or some unproven story about a bad childhood and they get treated better than the victim. If some idiot is being chased while driving, all he/ she has to do is commit a further offence, like speed dangerously and the pursuit is called off. If, however, a person with an otherwise clean slate, has one glass of beer too many, he gets the book thrown at him. Not fair, is it?
If this type of shit is allowed
to go on, we really do need to fear for the society our grandchildren or going to live in.
For many years now I have been a user and fan of braid
spool reels. My early braid trials ended up with the line looking like a dollop of those days was designed for free spool reels and was of
discovered a braid with the and fused making it slightly stiff and good for casting
The only way I could get this braid was to import it from America in 1500 yard spools.
I use 20lb braid for surfcasting because it gives me a longer cast, is very sensitive to the bite
not get so affected by
sideways currents. Fortunately I can now get a superbly designed 300 metre spool of 20b braid in New Zealand, thanks to Back Magic’s Hyperglide 13X braid.
I used this product very successfully during the recent Mokihinui competition and had no problems. It glided out through the guides on the extra distance and there was minimal drag as the line sat in the water column. It was great to feel the head shakes of a snapper through
this braid. The sizeable 300 metre spool ensures your brim as it should be.
Black Magic Hyperglide 13X braid is a very tested product and the one I will be using from now on.
• 12 strands of 100% Japanese fibre woven around a strong central core, creating a round structure, fine diameter and a high level of sensitivity
• Designed to deliver less friction through the guides for a smoother, longer cast
• Less drag as the line sinks through the water column providing natural bait/lure presentation
• Available from 8lb (PE 0.4) to 80lb (PE 8.0)
“I was casting out the back of the boat and catching fish almost double the line weight”
Late summer and I’m after a good buck, one that has outgrown the velveteen fuzz and is now stripped and hard. A buck I’d seen in the spring but he had seen me
At the time he’d been browsing on native shrubbery amongst the pines, cleverly positioned to see and hear the approach of danger. Tall, dark and handsome, he was my kinda fellow though, obviously, I was not his kinda girl.
Today I left home prepared for rain, it was predicted by forecasters and a glance skywards seconded that opinion. My waterproof coat was laden and weighed the proverbial ton. Every roomy pocket housed something, binoculars, camera, PLB, a wad of tissue paper for wiping the rain-spattered bag in case I got lucky.
Now I’m in deep shite and the sun has come out. The humidity is in the high nineties and my coat is broiling me. Of course I could drop it trackside but then what would I do with all the ‘stuff’?
Suck it up buttercup; keep coat and carry on.
So I’m stealthing and I’m
sweating, zip down and sleeves hoisted up. I’m doing my best to move slowly and silently, to focus on every gap and glade and gully. There’s perspiration dripping off my eyebrows and into my eyes. There’s as drinking fountains and others doing pull-ups and somersaults in my nose hairs. There’s a trickle down my cleavage and a tickle in my throat.
Hours upstream and I’ve seen nary a thing. I am sodden and wilted all at once. Drained of both energy and enthusiasm, I call at the old hut. Bliss to strip the coat and rest the legs and joy to discover a can of sickly-sweet.
After a short break, I shrug myself back into my damp coat and continue. Drunk on sugar and heat exhaustion, I doggedly stalk till it’s time to turn about. The katabatic kindly turns with me so the stalk is effective both upstream and down.
I spy a hyper-vigilant boar and watch him through my binoculars. He is wary, worried about something in his environment. He listens rubber boots, treading ever-
Kim Swanso-quietly, have not triggered his alarm. Every few minutes his large snout lifts and he sucks in a draft of pure mountain air. Then, having deciphered one teeny-tiny particle of human scent, he raises his hackles and slides silently into heavy cover.
On and on, back over the little footprints that are mine. All the same gaps, glades and gullies but all from a different perspective.
Eventually I hear an anomaly streamside. Maybe a nothing, perhaps a something—time will tell.
Motionless I wait, listening. I hear a bumblebee foraging amidst foliage, a bellbird supping honey dew and cicadas rasping out a harsh tune. There’s a vague swish of a hairy body pushing through long dry grass and there’s the creek.
Yup, the creek— sssshhhhhh, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle.
Suddenly my bladder is as big as a horse and it’s full. So full it’s about to spill its contents whether I like it or not. Now I know this is not true, I didn’t register this ago. Talk about triggers!
The swish in the grass continues to move downstream. Stopping and
starting at random, it is an invisible animal feeding slowly into the breeze.
I can ignore the trickling
tender web between my my bladder’s call.
Damned if I’m giving in to it, not right now. I cross my legs, squeeze my thighs together, close my eyes and yeah, nah –sssshhhhhhh, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, whispers the creek.
The feeding animal
continues moving away from me so I follow. Sort of. With legs crossed like this I’m mincing along like a Grand Prix dressage stallion doing side-pass in an Olympic dressage arena.
After a side-pass exhibition worthy of a gold medal, I quarter away from the creek. The subconscious trigger incontinence crisis averted!
The animal has moved towards the road and I’m utilising the whisper of breeze to stalk real close. I see a glimpse of black but it
is not a fallow buck. It is not a fallow of any description. The hair is too coarse, the wheel-base too low.
I extricate my camera from my coat pocket, then sit cross-legged with elbows
Just metres away a skinny sow feeds into focus. I shoot her, several times but not with bullets. She has a dependent litter, they need her, I don’t.
Home time. No bang and no buck. A photo is today’s sole reward. It’ll do me.
The Simrad® NSX is available in 7”, 9” and 12” display sizes and is based on a new Operating System built from the ground up to redefine boating experiences.
NSX™ features an innovative and modern interface with a new, intuitive touch screen experience with crystal clear views. Charts include powerful C-MAP® navigation capabilities and compatibility with sonar, radar and autopilot systems. Simple Setup Wizards guide users through each step during device setup, and Simrad® app integration makes connectivity from your smartphone easier than ever.
“The electronics for boating navigation have evolved so much over the decades, but with this particular product we’ve really focused on making boating adventures and navigation both easier and more accessible than ever,” said Mike Fargo, EVP of Simrad® Yachting. “With the NSX, our development team re-imagined and redefined what a chartplotter and fishfinder can be for consumers, simplifying the experience from the moment you take NSX out of the box all the way to the furthest open water adventures.”
Packed with the full suite of Simrad® technology at your fingertips, NSX™ is designed to deliver a wide eco-system allowing users to expand the MFD with additional functionality, easier integrations and support for a wide range of third-party applications. Boaters who love fishing can utilize NSX™ to view high-resolution images below and to the sides with Active Imaging™ and CHIRP sonar, SideScan/
DownScan Imaging™ and FishReveal™—or search even greater depths with a wide range of compatible transducers. Users can integrate easily with their radar and get the most out of their AutoPilot systems by connecting to Autorouting.
“The NSX is designed towards adventurers of the water lifestyle… weekend cruising, family fishing, diving, watersports, getting to the sandbar and back— the NSX works great for all that. Having the new OS as the platform to build on has been a big part of making it a more seamless experience for boaters,” says Fargo.
The Simrad® NSX™ ships in March with product highlights available now at https://www.simrad-yachting. com/nsx:
Simple to set up & easy to manage with a Setup Wizard that walks users through the process to make it easier and faster including engine and tank setup, AutoPilot optimisation, radar dockside and on the water calibration, and much more.
A new, intuitive touchscreen experience with various display sizes and multiple screen configurations to suit the user’s needs.
Brings navigation to life with support for the next-generation C-MAP DISCOVER™ X & REVEAL™ X marine-optimized charts.
Full suite of Simrad® technology at the touch of a finger with networking and connectivity solutions including modem plug-in for additional connectivity to devices and an ethernet port for full networking capabilities in the future.
Extensive 3rd Party App Integration providing diversity in integration and ability to support multiple vendors.
Fully editable and customizable with smart drag-and-drop screen customization and fully editable instruments bar.
High Resolution
Bathymetry showing accurate contour lines down to a 1-foot level of detail with compatible charts.
Enhanced day and night modes. Be ready to go in all weather and lighting conditions.
Simrad’s fastest-ever Autorouting with improved planning and route plotting
Hassle-free software updates & data transfer. Stay up-to-date with the Simrad® App.
I was reaching the end of the tunnel and could see light. As I broke out into the daylight I felt like I was in Jurassic Park. Some of the largest, steepest and meanest mountains I had ever seen engulfed the narrow windy road down the valley. Sheer rock walls that no one would dare climb surrounded me. Huge native forest covered the valleys and hid the vibrant
the centre of the universe, Milford Sound.
For two years I had been told stories by my good mate Daymon of huge trout, awesome adventures, deer and chamois everywhere and the best native wildlife you’ll ever see. I eventually got fed up hearing about it and came down to see how much was true.
spent sightseeing, paddling bush bashing. I was in awe at the size of everything.
Native plants covered the mountains, providing a home for the abundant wildlife. Kea, kaka, kererū and more could all be found with just a short walk into the forest. It was incredible just looking around but I
Early in the morning Daymon threw a paddle and PFD on my bed, shouted vague instructions and headed off to work. I had a rough clue of where to go so I dusted off an old white water kayak and set have spent all day looking around if it weren’t for the hung around me. As soon as I beached the kayak I grabbed my stuff and started running to try and get away from the swarm. I had a 3km walk to the “honey
Finally, after some off-track walking, I made my way to a large rock garden in the river pool below. I launched
my black and gold softball across the river, perfectly placing it in the opposing eddy. I only got three winds in before my line went tight and a beautiful tannin trout leapt out of the water. I eased him into the shallows and up the bank. A beautiful three-pound trout and it was come.
Over the following hours, I hauled in trout: big ones, small ones, aggressive ones, and sleepy ones. No were between four and six pounds. After landing 13 back for lunch.
Upon arrival at the beach, I noticed that my kayak was gone. I immediately panicked as I was stuck with no way of contacting anyone. Thankfully after looking around, I found it. The tides had pushed it up and into the bushes. I was able to drag it out and make it home, full of stories to tell and it was only midday.
I lazily sat in the sun slowly falling asleep, recharging from my morning expedition. I could have sat there for hours but it was my last day in Milford and I couldn’t waste it. I wrote down my intentions on the and set off down the road.
A short drive later and I had found a promising valley that looked perfect for some animals. I picked my way up the steep hill, holding on to rocks and plants to pull myself up. I positioned myself behind a boulder that sat halfway up a rocky face, just below some of the gnarliest bluffs I had ever seen. I was no longer worried about shooting an animal as the view was outstanding; huge rocky bluffs that fell into wide valleys full of forests and clearings. The sun was low in the sky, just peeking over the tops. Two keas hopped around beneath me playing with each other. My daydreaming was interrupted by movement in the bluffs. I slowly turned my head. Two chamois bounded down the rocks.
A quick check with the binoculars revealed they were two mature nannies. They arrived at a small tarn, 300m away. Despite me not moving a muscle and being pretty well hidden, one of the animals spotted
me. She stomped around and whistled at me, alerting everyone about the danger beneath her. Fortunately, the other chamois was a stubborn one and didn’t care for what she had to something was up and wouldn’t come any closer, she leapt around trying to spot me but at that angle, I was too well hidden.
The distance was 221 metres, a long shot for me and my .223 but I knew it was in range and I had a good rest so I lined up on her shoulder, focused my breathing and, when the time was right, I squeezed off a shot.
The chamois leapt in the air and immediately tumbled down the hill, smashing its jaw in the process.
nanny chamois. I quickly gutted her and made my way to the car, just as the light disappeared.
The nanny was in great eating condition so I took every bit of meat I could for the guys I was staying with. What a perfect way to end my stay in Milford.
Hunting is becoming an increasingly popular pursuit for Kiwis. There are many appeals of hunting that vary for everyone. These include dramatic and diverse landscapes, the physical
away from it all, spending time with mates and, if you’re lucky, securing meat or a trophy to take home and share with family and friends.
In New Zealand we are lucky to have an array of game animal species that offer a variety of hunting opportunities on both private and public land spanning the country. The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association
focus on big game animals including deer, pigs, tahr and chamois. Generally, game animals have been managed at adequate numbers to provide exciting hunting opportunities while maintaining conservation values and hunters play a vital part in this management. Hunting big game can be undertaken in New Zealand with limited restrictions relative to other countries, making it an
accessible sport to a wide range of people.
The NZDA is the national body representing and advocating for recreational hunters. NZDA operates under a fundamental principle of ensuring that recreational hunters’ rights are protected, advanced, and advocated for in the best interests of hunters and that everyone has access and opportunity to hunt. The objectives of the NZDA are generally centred around the representation of hunters, advancement of hunting as a sport, preservation of
Joining
conservation values and the training of safe and ethical hunting practices. NZDA has over 10,000 members nationally spanning 49 branches around the country. NZDA is growing too, and of the growing interest in hunting and what NZDA offers.
The 85-year-old organisation has been built upon the hard work of volunteers but has recently undergone a professional makeover with the employment of a full-time CEO, Gwyn Thurlow, in mid-
2020. In the short time since his appointment, NZDA has achieved greater public visibility and exposure, and membership numbers have accelerated as a result.
There are numerous
NZDA. Local branches provide the opportunity for members with a range of experience to meet, network, and share hunting knowledge of the local area, take part in club hunts and activities, and stay
NZ Deerstalkers supporting hunters in the wilderness
up to date with local and national issues relating to hunting and shooting. At the national level, membership supports the representation and advocacy around key issues potentially impacting New Zealand’s hunting resource and the rights of regulations).
NZDA administers hunter training, known as the that provides new hunters
the knowledge and skills necessary to operate as a hunter in the New Zealand outdoors. The course has a primary focus on fostering safe and ethical hunting practices, and teaching skills needed to hunt our amazing backcountry environments. The HUNTS course is taught by a network of volunteer instructors at local branches. If you’re interesting in hunting, get in touch today and register for the next course.
After checking the multitude of weather apps multiple times, it was a weekend forecast of rain, sunshine, wind and a small
with the daunting prospect of towing the boat over the winding Takaka Hill to Golden Bay, we knew very
Crystal Gaigerwell the only time it may get wet was with the forecast rain, but we thought, bugger it, let’s just do it! So we set off for Pohara, Golden Bay, where we were to meet up the Dawnbreakers Fishing Club.
Upon arrival, the sun came out and it was hot! A few other club members had also ventured over the hill that morning with their boats and, with a few hours to spare before everyone else
was what we came for and that was what we would do. Boats unhitched, we all piled in the car and were back on the road with a
on the table that evening. Ten minutess down the road and we arrived at Anatoki Salmon Farm. Being the and being told there was the weekend being caught, everyone was straight into it. You could see the hundreds of salmon just swimming by, only interested when someone cast their hook and sinker into the pond, imitating the ripples and effects of bait pellets being fed to them. They’d take a sneaky swipe at the plastic bait on the hook and then swim away.
Every now and then one
would take the pellet, then spit it out again! We thought this was going to be the easiest catch of the season, but not so. After multiple more casts we all heard, “I
Now knowing it was not impossible, we kept on—Cooper, our youngest,
Once he reeled it in and
Hospice nurses and volunteers working together can help patients remain in their own homes.
Nelson Tasman Hospice is seeking “Hunting Shooting Fishing” volunteers to join our patient support volunteer team .
Dad Brent scooped it into the net, we realised he’d gotten the biggest one so far. Off the hook and measured on the board with his club card for competition points, he was keen to get right back and cast in again—Dad not so keen—you’ve got to pay
We called it quits and once we’d dragged in the last few stragglers, who just needed rain came in and it was time
was the biggest salmon of the day at 1.4kg! A request for Cajun smoke, and then it by the team at Anatoki. Over a cold drink and ice-cream for the kids we laughed about towing our boats all the way over the rain at the Salmon farm, but hey, at least someone else this time!
From midnight on Monday 28 February the pāua fishery in Kaikōura closed again.
The limited 3-month season, which started on 1 December, was welcomed by locals and visitors to the region enjoying the summer season along the Kaikōura coast.
The fishery was closed following the devastating Kaikōura earthquakes in November 2016, and this was the first time in nearly 5 years that people could gather this iconic Kaikōura kaimoana.
Ministry for Primary Industries’ Regional Compliance Manager, Howard Reid says most people gathering pāua over the season followed the rules and were very respectful of the fishery.
“Over 90 percent people our o cers saw were fishing within the limits and using the appropriate tools and methods to gather pāua.
Unfortunately, there were a few that didn’t follow the rules resulting in around 97 o ences with just over half of those receiving infringements.
At the more serious end of the scale, very early one morning a diver was caught with 249 pāua, nearly 50
times the daily limit. The pāua were found hidden in suitcases and one hundred and eleven (111) of these shellfish were undersize. While this is still under investigation the diver faces prosecution.
Fisheries New Zealand’s Southern Inshore Manager, Allen Frazer says a shared vision from many people from across MPI and Fisheries New Zealand, along with iwi, stakeholders, and the community, led to the temporary reopening of the fishery.
“The earthquake, which caused uplift damaging marine life and habitat along the coast, was a bit like pushing the reset button and starting from scratch to understand the impacts.
Fisheries New Zealand and the science community put significant work into research and monitoring. This included estimating the abundance of the pāua population, monitoring recruitment into the fishery, and keeping track of the size of pāua to estimate life-stages. This important information showed pāua in
the area to be improving.
In the commercial pāua fishery, around 20 percent of areas that were previously fished were significantly impacted by the earthquake, and the fishery was split into two distinct areas. Recognising this, and going through the usual statutory processes, the PAU 3 commercial fishery was subdivided into a Kaikoura (PAU 3A) and Canterbury (PAU 3B) fishery, supported by an approved PAU 3
Fisheries Plan to provide finer-scale management for the commercial fishery.
Taking a cautious approach, new catch limits and allowances for both commercial and recreational fishing were set.
The season may have come to an end but there’s plenty more mahi underway.
“An intensive survey was carried out over the open season to provide important information about fisher’s catch and e ort.
This information as well as in-water surveys of the paua stocks will help determine what the future of the fishery might look like, including what measures can be set to keep the pāua healthy and thriving,” says Allen Frazer.
Fisheries New Zealand will continue to monitor Kaikōura’s pāua stocks over the coming months and work with iwi, the community, and commercial and recreational fishers on future management of the
fishery. Any proposals to reopen the fishery will go through the usual statutory processes, including public consultation.
The closure extends from Marfells beach, around Cape Campbell and south to the Conway River.
To keep up to date with the fishing rules for your area download the NZ Fishing Rules app from where you usually get your apps or visit mpi.govt.nz/rules
My dad told me not to
was somewhere off Banks Peninsula. He owns half shares in a boat with Ben— we call it Game On Dad and I, Ben and his son Fergus, and Fergus’s friend all not allowed to talk about. I and using squid for bait. We hooked a few barracouta but only landed one. We also caught a wrasse and a nice blue cod big enough to eat. I was just sitting there—
there were no bites. Suddenly the kahawai was on and it put up a huge kahawai before, which made it exciting. Ben helped me get it under control and then I played it to the end. When it came to the surface we were all so excited we forgot the boat. It was massive: 62cm long. monster. and chips with it and it was delicious.
With good reports of salmon at the Rakaia river mouth over the weekend, Simon and I decided on a midweek sortie after work. Backed up by intel from mates, we anticipated the salmon would be holding 15—20kms upstream and its here we started our walk.
Trudging over the braided gravel beds, we pulled up at a likely looking run and slipped into a well proven casting pattern. Both of us were using light gear—same of the canals—a strategy that works well for us. However, if you plan to go
be somewhat calculated in what you do, so go quality rather than cheap. I run 7kg mainline on Shimano 2500
tippet. On this occasion, we were using Diana Chinook 17g lures.
I hooked up solid on my gutted when it didn’t stick and ultimately disappeared in a tail swirl in the murky water.
The season had been fair cranking up till now, which created a lot of speculation as why we were suddenly experiencing a run similar to those of the 90s.
It generated more questions than answers, one being why the Rakaia appears to be
runner, so there is still time seasons, salmon normally run in multiple rivers. It was still early so we crossed to the other side of the pool—it looked more promising. True to its word, I hooked up on my second take. Weight. The mantra playing in my mind, “Don’t rush it, don’t rush it, don’t
come in and had the muscle their oceanic counterparts, elements of the braided rivers to leverage off. With the light canal gear, I have my time.
When the fourteen pounds and were so excited we screamed like little girls:
“That’s how it’s done, that’s
Sometimes you cast all day for a touch of silver and here river after twenty minutes. It was a long time till dark.
In New Zealand we have three distinct species of pāua (abalone). Most people are familiar with the most common: blackfoot pāua (Haliotis iris). Characterised by its black foot and iridescent blue-green colouration of the inside of the shell, the blackfoot pāua is one of our most popular fisheries species and is a treasured kai moana. There is also the yellowfoot pāua (Haliotis australis), which is smaller and less common than the blackfoot pāua and is identified by its striking, yellow foot and mother-of-pearl coloured shell. The least common species is the seldom-encountered virgin pāua (Haliotis virginea), characterised by its small size (maximum 80mm) and grey-brown foot colouration.
However, from time to time, nature produces something completely di erent!
During recent postearthquake biomass surveys near Kekerengu (north of Kaikoura), an interesting pāua variant was found. It was identified in a sizeable aggregation of large blackfoot pāua and given away by its distinctive brown lip. When removed from the rock it revealed a remarkable orange-brown
colouration of the skirt tissue of the foot, while otherwise having all the normal characteristics of a blackfoot pāua (size, shape and shell colouration).
Pāua that look like this are harvested and landed very
occasionally in commercial catches, perhaps one in a million pāua. There is great interest in studying these variants, particularly from a genetics and breeding perspective, however previous discoveries of
these pāua have usually ended up shucked or frozen before anything can be done. This individual has been successfully kept alive and initial research plans have been made to help us understand what might have caused the colour variation. Our initial thoughts (after consultation with scientists) are that the colour variation has arisen from a random mutation to genes responsible for producing the black pigmentation in a normal blackfoot pāua, rather than any kind of cross-species hybridisation (e.g., between blackfoot and yellowfoot pāua).
Initial research on this pāua variant is being undertaken via a collaboration between Dr. Norman Ragg (Cawthron Institute’s Shellfish research team leader), Dr. Nathan Kenny (Rutherford Discovery Fellow, University of Otago) and Dr. Tom McCowan (Pāua Industry Council).
Preliminary genetic analyses will compare the transcriptomes (protein coding genetic sequences) of the variant to ‘normal’
blackfoot pāua to determine if there are detectable di erences in the pigment deposition pathways. In other words, seeing if there is an underlying genetic reason for the variation in colour, or whether it may be due to a cross-species hybridisation.
There is also interest in understanding what this unusual characteristic means for the pāua itself: is it healthy? Is it more vulnerable to sunburn? What would happen if two of these ‘one in a million’ variants tried to breed? This is where you come in: If you are ever out diving and see one of these unusual pāua variants, we would love to know or, even better, do your best to keep it alive and you may be part of a unique piece of science! Contact details for people to get in touch.
The Fishing Paper & Hunting News editor@thefishingpaper. co.nz
Paua industry Council Ltd. tom.mccowan@gmail.com
email all your letters to
Dear Ed,
In the months leading up to Christmas, we’ve observed doing a clean out before the
On one trip, we took a photo of a bottom trawler about the 23rd October 2021 that appeared to be hauling its net up after dragging roughly between the Trios and lower Chetwodes. I didn’t think they were allowed this activity in this particular area any more.
Plus, when we can’t catch blue cod, we net for Chetwodes. In this period before Christmas 2021, we have observed two different around the total islands shoreline.
We have estimated that
been decimated by at least 85%. In fact, when on a regular dive at the top end of the Chetwodes, the diver
where he would normally see at least 40. It’s now not uncommon to set the net 2 to 3 times with zero
allowed to take such a substantial percentage of the available stock? I don’t believe so.
Have you had any other being raped and pillaged in this locality?
It reminds me of the snapper devastation that was caused by trawlers in 1975, where they were carting truck loads of snapper to the Nelson dump.
Hopefully you can get some traction with the the necessary authorities. request).
If you choose a career you love—they say—you’ll never work a day in your life.
Technically though, Taupō predator-free apprentice Finn Giddy works bloody hard—according to his boss Jason. But the fact he gets to work in his favourite places, doing what he loves, makes his chosen career more than just work. It’s a way of life.
Born and raised in Taupō, 21-year-old Finn wanted to get into predator trapping work for as long as he can remember. But despite it being a dream job, Finn wasn’t sure how to crack into the industry.
His luck suddenly changed when a friend put his name
Heading to remote locations
forward to Call of the Wild Director Jason Day. It was the spark that brought his Jobs for Nature-funded apprenticeship to life.
“I’m out trapping and hunting every day of the week, which I love. Our work is in the bush, usually in places that I’d choose to spend my time in anyway,” says Finn. “When I started out in the role, I didn’t really know what to expect but it is every bit as good as I hoped it would be.”
A typical morning for Finn begins with a briefing on the day ahead from Jason. Then he’s o . Jumping into his ute, Finn heads to the
‘o ce’: native bushland, forests, the banks of pristine lake Taupō, to the beautiful but harsh terrain of the Kaimanawa Ranges.
Usually, the work involves trapping possums or rats, though the brief for the day is sometimes more exotic—requiring hunting a wild pig or a wallaby. These are Finn’s favourite jobs, due to the skill and hunting prowess needed.
After over a year into his apprenticeship, boss Jason is now confident leaving Finn to take on a variety of solo jobs.
Giving back to the local community
One of the joys of the job for Finn is working for a company that truly puts back into the community it serves. The team uses their technical knowledge to conduct training for Taupō’s Rural Education Activities Programme and the Blue Light youth empowerment programme.
Given Finn’s particular passion for deer hunting, he immerses himself into helping out the local Sika Foundation, volunteering days at a time to help the group with predator trap lines. Important work, given the Kaimanawa Ranges predators (such as rodents and mustelids) pose a significant threat to the local whio (blue duck) population.
Part team, part family
Despite being a small team of four, Finn has yet to be awarded employee of the month.
“I keep getting pipped at the post by Dozer,” laughs Finn.
Dozer being the team’s four-legged team member—a bull terrier dog. It’s this kind of good-natured ribbing that shows the team’s strong bond.
It’s an exciting time for Finn and the Call of the Wild team. With the Predator Free 2050 goal, there’s been huge growth in the industry.
“We’re seeing heaps of new technology crop up and my business is moving with the times as new innovations become available,” says Jason. What’s the Predator Free Apprenticeship Programme?
The Predator Free Apprenticeship Programme kicked o in late 2020, as a result of Jobs for Nature funding from the Department of Conservation. The programme aims to grow the number of predator control operators by pairing apprentices with experienced professionals.
“If you enjoy being out in the bush and protecting native species, this will be perfect for you,” Finn says.
was hardly stellar but certainly memorable. A tournament in March 2016. I spent a lot more time being sick over the side than
there must have been some calm patches between the heaving because I ended up winning the average snapper all bad.
Fast forward: my partner and I purchased our own boat in 2021 and this picture is from my second and last family, us and our three kids, piled into the boat and headed offshore near Kapiti, along Wellington’s west coast. It was a beautiful day, with clear skies and a gentle
one who managed to catch anything all day—perhaps it was the absence of ‘berley’ this time! The snapper was in perfect condition and put stuff.
We never weighed him but if you measure by feeding the family a delicious meal— it was a whopper.
Hayden Woolley
@HooknwildNz
a few crays so we left Waikawa Bay launch ramp on board Sea Hunter and cruised down Queen Charlotte Sound at a good clip. Jim and Dana made up the rest of the crew and anticipation built with the pre dive chatter.
We pulled into the defunct and derelict whaling station to tog up before dipping
Tory Channel. Nestled at the head of Fishing Bay on Arapawa Island, this was one of three whaling stations established by the Perano family of Picton but the most important. Established in 1924 by Joe Perano, the early whalers initially used handheld lances and
harpoons to hunt down the whales tracking south through Cook Strait. Must have been a brutal existence. Suited up in my Moray Camo Revolution 5mm wetsuit, I was keen to get my hands on a bug. The but unproductive so we elected to try a spot known to hold decent crabs. Over the side and a couple of kicks—this was shallow water. Unbelievably, it was ‘feeler city’; a forest of feelers gently swaying and testing the current for a sense of danger. Without much effort I managed to grab a couple of good bucks from what was on offer—not too tardy for 6m of water.
•
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• High barriers to entry
• Excellent location and lease
• Full e-commerce site and stock system in place
• Robust security systems
• Sound supplier relationships
• Closed Sundays and Public Holidays
Pulsar have lead the global market in the design and manufacture of high quality, affordable night vision and thermal imaging optics since 2011. During the 2022 Shot Show, Pulsar launched three new thermal
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imager was the Pulsar Quantum HD38, a product that changed the way many Kiwis hunted forever. In New Zealand, 100’s of these early models are still in use today. It is reliability that sets Pulsar apart from the competition, choice among professional users.
The very desirable Pulsar Axion 2 LRF XQ35 is just one of their new generation products, designed to be different, made with the fastidious manufacture. It is an upgrade to the very successful Axion LRF XQ38,
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is easy to use and very accurate. Whilst a stadia useful when used correctly,
rapid measurements to within one metre at ranges up to 1000 metres. The
true horizontal distance and angle of elevation; handy for shooting up or down steep hillsides.
Many of the operational
We got skunked last time we were here Matey reckoned.
How these appalling Americanisms have never know – perhaps it’s down to Trump.
Anyways, there goes another one, we approached the lake with enthusiasm still bubbling quietly underneath our misgivings, simply because we were important thing.
‘Mr Skunk’ was not yet we were in the boat, he contrived to cause me to slide very suddenly down a muddy bank and bang, I fall! Matey didn’t convulse in laughter this time, as he was parking the vehicle and trailer. Muddied but unbowed, we continued to launch, where I discovered the boat.
Enthusiasm overcame and not being able to spot
and quelled a thumper. Four and a half, perhaps
Ah well, time to swap places to my turn on the rod while he rowed, which is how we always do things. Then the
splattered with drops of rain, so out came the wet gear. Minutes later it stopped, the sun came out and it became hot. It did this from time to time during the day.
Matey rowed, rowed and rowed but we spotted nary suggestion was made and to the other side, where we’d done well in other times. This proved useful and after some concentrated casting, had the lack of skills to miss two more.
Into a nice nook, where the sammies were broken out
wonderful these places are and how privileged we are to
have lunch in such beautiful places. We certainly don’t take our environment for granted, you listening Eugenie?
After lunch we continued drifting along the shoreline bush down to the waterline, then got onto several more nice ones. I had one that spat the dummy, Matey picked up another good one then I lost lake release!
Time marched on as it does back to the ramp where various campervans began to settle in for the night.
We tidied things off with the boat and slowly pulled away for the run home, making a stop for a bit of NPD diesel fuel and another to get some refreshments.
While making the milkshake purchase I met a wonderful former colleague who looked at me and said, “You look as if you have
Think she summed the day up perfectly.
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Visit your our website for more information, or drop into your local Pulsar stockist to see one for yourself.
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More about Pulsar’s new
The Fishing Paper & Hunting News.
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Day one: of the ten-day Mokihinui
Fishing Competition was to be a day of reconnaissance. With high tide at 4.07am, I didn’t venture out before daylight as I wanted to scope out my chosen spot safely in daylight. Hence I arrived at the spot on Gentle Annie beach at 1.00pm and
It was a sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen day, with
placid sea conditions. A prawn caught me a rig and a change to squid bait at high tide snared a small snapper. A good start to the competition. Ron and Helen Bennet and family on duty at the weigh-ins and doing a marvellous job twice a day.
Day two: Up at
Conditions ideal and gurnard caught on kahawai bait. A rare catch at Mokihinui.
Brian Bishop
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Sparrowhawk Range just out of Fairlie. Boy do they have a setup and a big piece of land away from most everybody, with a great backstop so nothing
and his team made us very welcome and showed us around.
Cave Creek Pistol Club is on the same property but at long range. They have a number of different areas that can be shot from, with
Overcast with showers threatening. Fished again on afternoon high tide. Northerly winds pushed emerald green water in close to shore. Nothing caught despite the ideal conditions.
Day three: Pouring with
This gave me plenty of time to set up a rod for my sonin-law Paul, who was joining me from Nelson. I also put thought into strategies for
tide at 6.30pm. Strategies included choice of baits and rigs. I settled on prawn baits for the pulley rig and squid for the one hook clipped down rig, targeting snapper. Paul arrived safely and we left for the beach at 4.00pm. Conditions were not great, with a powerful surge and
We gave it a crack, lost a bit of gear and Paul opened his account with a fat kahawai.
Day four: Weather clear at 5.00am so we headed for the beach. Conditions still rough, lost more gear and at 5.00pm to improving
Early start again. Paul caught red cod and sharks. Sea quite docile and
conditions. Paul caught solid rig. Good snapper pulled in next to us. Plenty of rig about.
Away at daylight
Plagued by red cod and carpet sharks.
Day seven:
calm but discoloured. One
Day eight. Sunny with light winds. Lindsay and Jim Stuart joined me for the scored with a sizeable rig.
Day nine: Another perfect day for surfcasting. Lindsay and Jim returned. Lindsay landed two rig and Jim one. I settled for a small snapper.
Day ten:
I had cottage to clean. Attended prize-giving at 1.00pm. Prize-giving superbly run by Bruce Stringer and the Murphy brothers. Followed by a tasty barbecue using the Pub n Grub’s excellent facilities.
steel targets set out at all sorts of distances.
We had a play with some little bolt guns, a shame we no longer have any semiautos. Anyway, if it is going to be a bolt gun, let’s make it a 50 cal and make some real noise. FUN in caps is what they are; the concussion from each shot that hits you even when standing back just adds to it. Even if not shooting, it’s good watching others have a go. I had used a 50 cal before but it’d been some time and this was the space to really reach out for the range they are meant to be shot over.
As we were a mixed group, some with more experience than others, a couple hadn’t the caring and sharing group we were, everyone had to try the 50 cal. There was a selection of smaller calibres
they sounded a bit like air
boys, of which we had three. Good coaching was given and the range was well run. As we had a varied group of skills, they had their work cut out for them. My years of pistol shooting sure as hell didn’t help me any, more a liability truth be told, as I usually live by the motto, ‘when there is lead in the air there’s hope.’
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t playing fair; while it was beautiful and clear
cloud rolled in. We did have a bit of fun even seeing the targets at times, as they were out a bit. A stop was forced on us occasionally but, more often than not, another target was used instead.
Everyone enjoyed it, hit or miss didn’t really matter but
Blue cod is the largest Island waters. It is the most popular recreational
attributed to it. The estimated annual value of the South Island commercial blue cod harvest is $6.5
valued by Maori customary
Currently, there is a dearth of data on the level of recreational catch and
To sustainably manage the improved data must be collected on recreational
Fish Mainland’s policy on South Island recreational adequate and appropriate data on recreational to effective management decision making. For this purpose, Fish Mainland has successfully secured funding from the Ministry for
improve the data collected
being used to develop a Self-
Reporting System to collect recreational catch and effort data on blue cod and bycatch to better manage
considering the National Blue Cod Strategy does not stipulate the data needed to warrant a change in the
The Self-Reporting System can also provide data to address the unintended consequences of recent regulatory changes that
at sea and transiting through an area with blue cod on board that was taken in another area with a higher bag limit.
MPI recognises that the SelfReporting System’s development and implementation are the next best steps in the evolution of the Blue Cod Strategy.
The data is collected via an App used by recreational Mainland Catch. Starting the overall Self-Reporting System:
provides samples of data that provide broad signals, or indicator statistics, regarding trends in catch and effort for both targeted blue cod and bycatch within the different South Island management areas; and supports gaining
of the National Blue Cod light system.
The success of the Mainland Catch is squarely in the hands of South
can provide the muchneeded data to improve the management of the largest
compared with the other sectors’ data, will be the best way to substantiate when a ‘red’ area warrants becoming ‘amber’ or ‘green.’
The aim is to expand the Self-Reporting System to include other shared
Accordingly, Mainland Catch will lead to much improved, timely data that will provide the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries with more informed advice and
recommendations about
The data can be used to support decisions on sustainability measures, including allocations of the available yield between the and temporal access to mitigate localised depletion. Similarly, those involved
such as the commercial sector and Mandated Iwi Organisations, will have a better understanding of each and cultural contribution and the trade-offs that could be made between the sectors.
The available data should encourage the other sectors to work with Fish Mainland to establish intersectoral discussions about management processes that will help form collective recommendations to the Minister in ensuring shared reducing environmental
Soon, Fish Mainland will release videos on Mainland Catch, starting with an instructional video on how to use it. What this space.
My mate Barry and I were anchored in 21m of water off the Boulder Bank near Nelson, lines in the water and waiting. I had one stray line drifting a pilchard in
baited with squid hanging over the side. Barry opted for the same but had to forego the stray line when he discovered a missing eye on his rod. It was quiet. At least for an hour.
up to the party was a 10–12 rig. Promising sign. Then a rabble of 3—4 pounders joined the fray and dinner was taken care of.
Then a steam train hit with such force I’d hate to have been the poor sucker tied to the tracks! The 5/0
to good Shimano gear but lightweight: TDR 2000 reel strung with 30lb braid, on a Shimano 6kg Raider rod. And man did that rod bend.
Clive ChapmanDoubled over. Smack. No nibble. No bite. Just THUMP!
Of course I handled it calmly and in a measured way:
“Aaargh, THIS IS HUGE THIS IS HUGE THIS IS HUGE… expletive
Barry was ever helpful; grabbing my pants for fear of me going over the side.
I honestly didn’t think I was going to land it; the line was singing, I had the tension wound right up and I was sure something was going to break. The fish battled away, peeling line like melting butter. It was quite a scrap that went to and fro for a good fifteen minutes. It was a powerful fish.
Then, suddenly, it popped to the surface and broached,
of the tail.
I didn’t waste a second; passing the rod to Barry, I grabbed the net and
I managed to get the head and shoulder into the mouth of the net and, by grasping the handle and net rim with two hands, managed to hoist it aboard.
It was a bloody monster and it just goes to show you don’t need expensive gear or
Previously I have caught a couple at 27lb, a 26lber, some around 24lb and a few
just over 20lb, but at 28.76lb
snapper—and a horse at that. Little tip: I am very particular about my knots though, and tie them all myself.
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4 medium snapper fillets; skin on and cut in two
½ packet of dried spaghetti
1 red capsicum de-seeded and finely diced
8-10 large anchovy fillets roughly chopped
1tbsp capers
2-3 tbsp olive oil
25g butter
Lemon juice
Amazing lifestyle opportunity
The
&
Cook spaghetti as per instructions on packet and drain.
Heat oil in a frying pan over a medium to high heat with a dob of butter until nutty brown. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to stop the butter burning. Pan-sear fillets in batches, flesh side first until coloured. Flip over and sear skin side until crispy. Remove to a warmer.
Once all fillets have been cooked, add remainder of butter, anchovies, capsicum, and capers to the pan, frying lightly.
Toss in spaghetti and combine ingredients using tongs, until spaghetti is nicely coated and heated through.
Serve with crispy snapper fillets on top.
Annette Bormolini
Are you ready to be your own boss and secure your own income?
Fishing media rarely mentions the seafood lovers
social media often features the laments of seafood lovers who pine for the days were purchased straight off commercial vessels at the wharf. There is genuine confusion as to whether that is still allowed. The answer
ports there are a few small seafood markets run off but, perhaps less obvious to many people, individual
randomly provide freshly caught and seafood as requested—it’s what is referred to as ‘wharf sales’.
In the South Island, and slowly emerging in some North Island ports, there are also several online opportunities for consumers to have fresh seafood delivered directly to their door. Reasons for wharf sales are many and varied— people convince themselves that fresh is best and that it does not get much fresher than off the deck of the boat.
and supermarket premises has come off a boat too, albeit some of it may have stopped off at a processor
before being presented for sale. Buyers may want the raw material—the whole
which they can take away and process to their own preference and serve in their own unique style. Some don’t live close to a retail outlet but can get down to a wharf or a landing site—
access to wharf sales is very convenient to them. Many people believe it important
industry and prefer to buy direct from the boat for that reason alone.
What is ‘fresh’ when it comes to seafood? Anything that is still alive tops the quality list: live lobsters,
from a vessel at the end of a trip will be fresher than a supermarket tray, but only marginally. Independent consumer magazines say the standard rule of thumb is that
fresh, so long as it has been carefully handled, including promptly iced down when hauled aboard and has been kept in a cold chain since.
So staying with the preference for ‘freshest’ rather than just fresh, in the context of the QMS a Wharf Sale means a sale or applies sell or otherwise dispose of taken by the commercial
And sub-section 2 goes on to record thatmay sell or otherwise dispose of, in any one transaction, not more than— or
information:
class Crustacea); or dredge oysters; or of class Crustacea; or (d) any combination of within those limits.
who sells or otherwise
transaction, make such records of the transaction is required to make under regulations made under this Act.
Multiple copies of a mandatory reporting record must include the following
• The date on which the person;
• The landing point or point
•
• The client number of the
• The species and landed
• The greenweight in kilograms and the unit
All that palaver might help explain why the lobster or boat ashore might politely decline to sell any of his catch directly to you, but he or she can do so if they wish to.
up in the Covid shutdowns and market disruptions through 2020, wharf sales became an important source of income despite the administrative compliance associated with each transaction. Others saw a useful and ongoing business opportunity in dealing direct to the customer.
Fish Local has been created by eCatch New Zealand Ltd, a small South Island based company that focuses on recording commercial
philosophy is to encourage increasingly sustainable Zealand.
One way to do that is by enabling sales direct customers. Same day ‘boat to plate’ sales enhance
sustainably as well as possible to local consumers.
Generally, the Fish Local on the boat and sell directly to consumers rather than through a third party. This means more of the customer dollar is going to the boat, so buyers are helping to keep a small, local business going.
Based on the south Wairarapa coast, the Tora Collective has progressively built a reputation in some
seafood restaurants as well as with many home
consumers with their attractively presented supplies of sustainably toracollective.co.nz/). Their sales pitch is strong on their care for the environment, quality, and absolute freshness.
But seafood lovers in the main centres are killed for choice when it comes to the availability of fresh seafood. If your inclination is to wharf sales enable that. But if the traditional sources of seafood are more convenient
and retailers must, by law, abide by strict food safety protocols. A live lobster from the tanks of your local to be every bit as good as anything that came straight off the boat as a wharf sale.
no fuss, no waste and ready to cook. The seafood retail sector knows that fresh is best when you want to serve
Every time I fly to the Chatham Islands my eyes become fixated on the vast ocean of coloured sea below, seemingly stretching endlessly in every direction. Thank goodness for GPS I think, as the islands of Rekohu (Chatham) and the smaller Rangihaute (Pitt) come into view and we soon find ourselves on firm ground again. Always a relief!
My thoughts on these trips always go back to a time of about 1500AD when it is thought the first humans, known today as Moriori, first
arrived on these islands. How they got here and where they came from are questions that still remain definitely unanswered, but somehow they did and New Zealand’s history is all the more colourful as a result. It is generally accepted those who first arrived came from somewhere in East Polynesia, today known as French Polynesia, possibly the Society Islands. It also seems likely they
arrived here by good fortune, having earlier been blown o course during inter-island voyaging.
Many years later, in 1835, Māori came to Rekohu and immediately took advantage of the smaller more peaceful Moriori. So severe, well documented in reknowned historian Michael King’s book, ‘Moriori: A People Rediscovered’. Today there are no full-blooded Moriori but the 2006 census indicated 945 people with some Moriori ancestry
connections.
Compare this to the voyage of Brendan about 600AD, when the Catholic monks of Ireland decided it was time to spread their religion to a wider audience. In a boat built entirely of natural materials found locally, wooden framing covered with leather hides, powered by oars and a sail, a crew of Catholic monks set sail from Cork heading north to take advantage of the well-known North Atlantic Drift.
A 12 month re-enactment now known as the ‘Brendan Voyage,’ took place in 1976/77. Following the known currents, Brendan visited Scotland, the Hebrides, Faroe Islands,
Iceland, Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland in Canada. A similar distance to that covered by the Moriori, much colder but within regular contact with known currents and land locations. Parts of it sailed by others, such as the Vikings in earlier years.
The voyage from East Polynesia to Rekohu was at least warmer but, in reality, a frightening journey into the unknown.
How such a craft and its small crew survived the journey and then eked out an existence on an island in the middle of nowhere can only lead to amazement, bewilderment and admiration by the modern day traveller, as they prepare to land on Rekohu or Pitt.
On the back of a worse than lacklustre last season, Canterbury’s salmon season this year has been stand out, so four of us from Ballingers Hunting & Fishing in Christchurch decided to capitalise on the opportunity. Hamish Billcliff (the front cover picture) Dave Deakins and Jeremy Burke joined me in the jet boat. I nudged it into the current, gave it a squirt and headed downstream.
By late January, the Rakaia River had twin mouths for a period, doubling the options.
southern mouth so parked up
It was a morning high tide but a cold southerly wind was pushing a good swell ahead of it. We are all ‘gear sluts’ and like quality set ups: Loomis rods, Shimano
braid. On this particular day the silver zed spinners were the go.
We were quickly into the action and it soon evolved into a magic session, which proved a double-edged sword; on the one hand its in such spectacular fashion, but it did present us with a dilemma—keep or release. With the new season limit can release as many as you whacked on the head and then it’s season over Rover!
When the idea of a season
thought may be four to six good—it certainly would’ve worked for our family. However, when only a brace of salmon was permitted, I was in two minds: perhaps
Simon McMillan
a bit light but given that last season was shit house, probably prudent. Now that an unbelievable run has dropped out of nowhere, there is grumbling afoot that the bag limit is a bit miserable. I choose to be a bit more magnanimous— it’s good that Fish & Game reacted to a problem and have taken steps to address it.
session, amongst the anglers on the bank, 13 salmon hooked and 10 landed. The Ballingers crew accounted for 10 hooked, eight landed and seven released; Jeremy kept a nice slab of silver for the tucker box. Our specimens, tipping the scales between 12—17lb.
The season is by no means over and the Waimak’ is yet to come on stream, as it normally does in March. For those wanting to experience
into Ballingers Hunting & Fishing in Christchurch. We’ll get you kitted out, point you in the right direction and let you in on the secrets to some salmon magic.
