Issue 107 - The Fishing Paper & New Zealand Hunting News by The Fishing Paper

THE

FISHING FREE August 2014 - Issue 107

PAPER

HUNTING NEW ZEALAND

NEWS

NZ M ADE

Cray PRIDE

a hot page bumper winter issue

stor y pg 37

 GOOGLE Tools for Fishing  Spearos Strike  Whitebait 2014  Rig Right for Rig

0 0 0 , 0 11

y hl t on M s r de a Re

12 pg Sika News

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CHECK OUT THE STORE NEAR YOU..... NORTH ISLAND: Whakatane Ph: 306 0380 | Rotorua Ph: 345 7716 Gisborne Ph: 868 6000 | Tauranga Ph: 579 3700 Palmerston North Ph: 355 1788 SOUTH ISLAND: Nelson Ph: 548 2149 | Richmond Ph: 543 9080 Blenheim Ph: 577 2690 | Kaikoura Ph: 319 6350 Greymouth Ph: 768 4205 Christchurch - Colombo St MegaStore Ph: 983 3000 - Bush Inn Megastore, Riccarton Ph: 343 1300 - Northwood Megastore Ph: 375 9999 Ashburton Ph: 307 9110 | Timaru Ph: 687 9159 Oamaru Ph: 4331000 | Dunedin Ph: 466 4650 Alexandra Ph: 440 2050 | Wanaka Ph: 443 7032 Queenstown Ph: 442 4740 | Gore Ph: 203 9024 Invercargill Ph: 211 0010

AUGUST 2014

The fishing Paper - august 2014

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Marine Electronics With Sean Ryan sean@fluidelectronics.co.nz

Chirp - The Birdsong of Even Smarter Electronics

Catch those

winter REDS!

Jitterbugs

Hot D4 FORl $

130GM, 200GM

Whitebait scoop nets from $89 Whitebait set nets from $110 Nylon chest waders from $69 Neoprene chest waders from $129 Whitebait screens from $39

hardmans tees

Enquire in-store for the full ‘Hunters Element’ range

Visit us on Facebook for ﬁshing updates and our weekly specials! www.facebook.com/bigbluediveandﬁsh

Exciting times for us with the launch of the new Simrad evo2 range. The hard work of the Auckland based R&D teams have produced an outstanding result with even smarter and more intuitive multi-function displays packed full of cutting edge features. This month I want to concentrate on the built in CHIRP (Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse) module as increasingly people are enquiring about it. CHIRP technology is a bit like Dan and me, new but old. For decades it was the domain of the military and researchers but now it’s available for everyone. Navico first used similar technology in their FMCW Broadband Radar revolution in the 3G & 4G radars, but that’s next months topic. Traditional sounders rely on a single frequency transducer that repetitively sends a pulse (commonly called a “ping”) and interprets the feedback. This technology has, up until recently, been the weakest link in target discrimination. CHIRP repetitively sends a multitude of ‘pings’ in single bursts from a range of different frequencies, sometimes over 100 kHz in range! All depths are catered for with frequencies from 25 to 210 kHz. You simply select the right range on the unit for the depth that you’re fishing. Funnily enough the series of ‘pings’ makes a sound with a changing pitch, a bit like a bird call or chirp. The software inside the unit digitally analyses and interprets the returning echoes from each separate frequency burst, gathering multiple layers of information. It then merges the best images from the various frequencies into a single image on your screen. This results in a much higher detail of the bottom variation, easily showing thermoclines and provides unrivalled

crisp discrimination of the fish you’re targeting. Using some clever processing like TVG (time varied gain) the software automatically eliminates surface clutter and water column interference giving you the clearest possible picture of fish below your boat. Some people have compared the difference between this technology and traditional transducers to watching a standard resolution TV in the 80’s to a 50” High Definition modern screen. Differentiating your fish targets from other objects and the bottom is made amazingly easy. Navico have created an efficient 250w rms system that outperforms many 3kW systems at the same time using less power and generating less noise. CHIRP transducers ‘pings’ are more like a whisper in the water compared to others. You need to bear in mind CHIRP sounders cannot operate as they are meant to unless teamed up with a proper CHIRP transducer and visa-versa. For the old sea dog who is serious about their fishing this a must have to add to their arsenal to keep one step ahead of the competition.

Simrad NSS evo2 Family

• • • •

Built in CHIRP & traditional sounder Built in Structure Scan Built in high performance GPS All new HEROiC software

• • • •

Wide screen multi touch 7”, 9”, 12” and 16” displays Low profile design More screen, less border

Order yours now or get more information by calling Fluid electronics, your marine electronics specialist and only Certiﬁed SIMRAD technical Dealer in the top of the South Island.

eaSY FInanCe aVaILaBLe

Ph 03 546 7411

Cnr Akersten St & Wildman Ave, Nelson Easy parking, plenty of room for the boat. Locally owned and operated

Sean Ryan +64 221574 241 sean@fluidelectronics.co.nz

www.fluidelectronics.co.nz

The fishing Paper - august 2014

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The fishing Paper - august 2014

Keep Sharpe for Winter Fishing

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

FISH TESTED, ANGLER APPROVED Fish Catching System r Try these for you winter gurnard.

Peeler Crab 5”

Crazy Leg 5”

Nuclear Chicken James Sharpe shows his winter Gulp! softbait success with this nice carrot.

Join the

When morning came the three of us got in the Smartwave and headed out of Cissy Bay to the mussel farms. Within an hour we had our quota of cod followed by kahawai, mackerel and spotties. That’s when we decided to target some gurnard. James sharpened his hook, put on his Peeler Crab Softbait and gently let the Nitro Jighead sink to the bottom. Carrots were on, but just for James and his bloody softbaits! Matt and I tried frantically with our squid and anchovy combos but to no avail. Conditions were perfect, tide was cranking high, not a breath of wind and the temperature was high. Winter fishing at its best. Especially when cod and gurnard are selling for $30 odd a kilo.

Scientifically proven to catch more fish. Gulp! imitates the natural odour and flavour of live bait. 100% biodegradable, Gulp! is loaded with scent, action and flavour. Nitros are the only jigheads purpose built for Berkley Gulp! a deadly fish catching combination.

• Saturated in powerful Gulp attractant • Reloadable at will

By Paddy Connor

When I found the keys to Crimpy’s bach in the office in early July I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to use it as they’re gone on their Crimpoon’s European Vacation. I thought about calling up and asking but never did. But I did call up some local fishos who brave the winter cold and go fishing whenever the opportunity arises. Enter James Sharpe and Matt Sangster. Both these fishos were up at the bach by the following Friday morning while it took me until Saturday arvo to get up to French Pass. I brought up warm clothes, beer and my fishing gear. My arrival was met with the aroma of blue cod on the barbecue and fresh mussels steaming. After a few loud ones we called it a night as we were keen to get fishing at first light.

Catch more FISH

Squid Vicious 6”

• 100% biodegradable and plastic free • Outfishes and outlasts live baits

Nitro Jigheads

Visit your local Berkley stockist for more information on all Berkley products.

www.berkley-ﬁshing.co.nz

The fishing Paper - august 2014

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Scallop season is here! See our showroom for everything you need to ensure you get your feed of scallops this season.

PICK UP & DELIVERY

Avoid the summer rush and get your boat serviced now!

Haines Hunter SF535 winter promotion is back Talk to us and secure your orders for delivery in Spring and Summer Stock arriving soon!

If you get your boat serviced at Bays Boating by August 31 you will go into the draw to WIN an “ACR Personal Locator Beacon” valued at $549! Specialising in Yamaha, Honda, Evinrude E-tec and Mercury outboard servicing... plus don’t forget our FREE pickup and delivery in Nelson, Stoke and Richmond. There’s never been a better time to get your boat serviced by our qualified team.

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The fishing Paper - august 2014

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Spearos Strike in Whitianga By Jeremy Viall

AVAILABLE 4 AUGUST – 17 AUGUST

SPEIGHT’S, SPEIGHT’S SUMMIT, WAIKATO & LION RED 24 PACK BOTTLES

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STEINLAGER CLASSIC

big koheru strung up. The boat turned up and we picked up the rest of the boys and went looking for crays. We found an amazing cave which was filled with crays, most of them undersized or in berry, but we quickly found four nice big bucks which entered our catch bags. Swimming around the point we found a big gutter that lead to a huge crack in the wall. Making several dives we found that the walls were lined with cracks, and all the cracks were filled with crays (ideal situation). We stopped long before our limit, to make sure there would be more

The third Sunday in a row dawned with perfect weather. We were heading off to Tairua to the magic islands that lie just offshore. We made the call to head to Slipper Island in the hope of some big snapper and a decent haul of crays. As we arrived the water looked amazing - nice and clear and mirror calm, snapper time! Butterfish were everywhere, nice big fat ones, but my attention was on finding a big snapper. After snooping up on two big snaps and missing them both due to rookie mistakes, I changed my focus and soon had a couple of nice butters and a

18 PACK BOTTLES

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1 Kuaotunu Bay: Try your luck here surfcasting with salted tuatua for snapper and kahawai.

Suzuki Dr-Z70

South side of Opito. A few good ledges and guts will yield kahawai, trevally, blue maomao and snapper.

AVAILABLE 18 AUGUST – 31 AUGUST

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This Month:

Whitianga

Get your tanks on and head down at Centre Island for some of Whitianga’s famous big crays. Watch for strong currents in this area.

! T O SFOP R TOP FISH

RIN

ER VE

Suzuki Jr80

Suzuki DrZ125LL4

Strayline outside of Motueka Island on an incoming tide with whole koheru for big snapper and kingfish.

$2,495

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293 Cranford St, CHRISTCHURCH

25 Main Street, BLENHEIM

79 Austin Street, NAPIER

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238 High St, Motueka, Ph: 03-528 1113 2 Muritai St, Tahunanui, Ph: 03-548 6623 3 Salisbury Rd, Richmond, Ph: 03-544 6183

for next time. Turning our attention back to fish again we located a nice boulder bank with a lovely weed edge on it. Hunting along the edge, it quickly yielded me a nice big blue maomao, another koheru and a monster of a butterfish. Swimming back to the beginning of the weed edge I spied a big blue moki sitting on the sand, and whilst they are normally fairly sociable they don’t get big by being dumb and he knew what I was about, bolting before I could get a shot away. Finning over to another spot with a slightly deeper edge I was swarmed by a large school of trevally and blue maomao - not managing to get a shot off this time, however on the next descent I bagged a nice big blue maomao, and gave Jordan a bit of instruction on weed edge diving. He soon managed a small snapper, and then moved off to shallower water to try for a bigger one. I moved over to Reif to give him some advice. Finding a perfect rock to snoop over I gave Reif a bit of instruction on how it was done and away he went showing perfect form. It wasn’t to be though, with only a big drummer getting the heart rate up a bit! As the boat picked us up we all reflected on what had been a very productive day, all the guys managed to shoot more nice eating fish than ever before, everyone’s confidence is getting better and their fish hunting abilities are getting greater. Having a great bunch of guys to dive with makes each trip easy and enjoyable. Join Learn To Spearfish on Facebook to find out when we train and for trip updates!

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The fishing Paper - august 2014

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osPreY Direct

a new Direction For an established Brand the outboard shop

Den’s Tool Box

Hi, I am Dennis Ellmers, owner of The Outboard Shop. I have just opened for business and am proud to be associated with Osprey Boats Factory Direct. Most boaties in our region will know me from my 20 years experience in the marine industry, having worked during that time for a range of dealers and workshops in Nelson and across the Top of the South. I have vast experience with all brands of outboards and through The Outboard Shop can offer full servicing and repairs, rebuilds, wiring, electronics installations, trailer repairs, repowers, refurbishments and prepurchase inspections. Quality results, workmanship and happy clients are my aims - I achieve this through ensuring my customers can talk directly to a qualified technician. Servicing and maintaining your outboard motor, trailer and boat is important for safety, reliability and maintaining value in your investment. I am happy to discuss and price any work you require upfront, and advise on future work that I recommend in order to make your boat perform like it should, reliably. I am able to offer a mobile service when required but prefer to have the boat/engine at my well equipped workshop where I have all the tools, equipment and parts needed, which saves you money and time in the long run by avoiding return visits. Supporting this, I offer a free pickup and delivery service covering Nelson and Richmond. Call The Outboard Shop today to book your boat/motor in and be ready for the spring!

Osprey is a brand with a reputation for innovation, advancement and quality in alloy pontoon boats. Recent changes with Osprey boats have brought these three concepts together in a way that is going to mean great new things for boaties not only in Nelson, the home of Osprey, but all over New Zealand. Introducing Osprey Direct. After a huge amount of feedback from loyal customers, who enjoy the positive and constructive experience of dealing directly with the team who make the boats, we are pleased to announce customers can now deal with Osprey Direct when buying a new boat. After all, who can represent the Osprey product better than those that design and build them to customers exact specifications? Customers can now call in, phone or email Osprey Direct with confidence knowing you are talking with the guys that actually build your new Osprey boat. • Osprey Direct can help you decide the best size and layout for your intended use, amount of crew, growing family and more. • Customers are welcome to call in and go over the boat at various stages of the build and YES, you can make subtle changes as this progresses. • Power options, any brand, are supplied and fitted in-house by our new partner on site, The Outboard Shop, who also provide full workshop backup and servicing. • Osprey Direct will also be selling previously owned Ospreys on behalf.

Coming up next month: We sea trial the new Osprey 1800HT entry level hard top. We have feedback from some very happy Osprey owners.

Phone: 03 548 7858 Mob: 027 747 4566 or email: service@theoutboardshop.co.nz

AT OSPREY DIRECT

What a day with Osprey understand the ‘osprey Boats’ difference: • Osprey have deeper ‘V’ hull and ‘Dead-rise’ giving much softer ride • Osprey have finer entry & stem angles which slices through the water with less drag • Osprey are happy to customise your boat, giving that personal individuality • Osprey offer a 5 year new-hull warranty • Osprey do not add planing strakes to the bow section - they are not necessary on our hulls and they create a hardness in ride and excessive spray • Osprey have a lower planing speed requiring less horsepower • Less required power, less drag, all equals more economy • Osprey do not narrow their pontoons, maintaining reserve buoyancy • Osprey boast 110kg of inherent buoyancy per metre of pontoon (each side) • Osprey boats have excellent resale value and are highly sought after second-hand • Osprey Boats are designed with visual appeal, looking attractive from all angles If the pontoons are narrower the centre of gravity is moved further out, (when people are standing against the inner face of pontoon) thus making the vessel less stable at rest.

The experts

When pontoons are narrowed the hull plates have to be wider thus giving a larger wet area, more drag, less performance, more hp required, less economy. The price may be slightly dearer because we do not cut corners to achieve lower costs. Ospreys are stronger, more durable and are ALL built to exceed survey specifications.

experience

individuality, functional and practical customised extras

Purchasing your new boat is a huge investment and the whole experience should be exciting and memorable. That’s why the staff at Osprey Boats strive to give your investment your own individuality with functional and practical layout and customised extras to suit your exact requirements.

contact and deal with

osPreY Direct

for your next exciting experience

Producing Osprey Boats for over 20 years

now that’s experience! More NEWS next month, so watch this space...

osprey Boats ltd – 105 st. Vincent st. nelson Phone: 03 548 7887 or email: lloyd@osprey.co.nz

www.osprey.co.nz

The fishing Paper - august 2014

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Tools For Fishing By James Cameron WEBsh

Hey, check out these beauts! NEW

Something TO AIM FOR

A Hunter’s Quest

Daryl Crimp

Signed hardcover collector’s edition

so you can easily judge from above when the coastline, margins or the access roads go up or down (something that can be easy to miss when planning routes). Making Notes Google Earth has a handy ‘pin’ tool that you can drop and save over any places of interest. When browsing terrain, information overload can be a reality, so what I like to do is drop a pin and a note over a mark that I can refer to later, or for another trip. For example, with likely surfcasting beaches, you can sometimes clearly see breaks in surf or around rocks, that indicate deep holes or guts - I’ll drop a pin over these as I go and make a note to explore this section of beach when the surfcasting season arrives. On many sand beaches holes often fill in or move, so check imagery dates.

34.99

Planning a fishing trip can sometimes be as rewarding as the trip itself, and with the advent of modern GPS based technology and Google Earth, you can save money and time before heading out on your next adventure. Google produces two separate tools that are of huge value to the fisherman who is reasonably savvy with computers or mobile - Google Earth and Google Maps. Both have similar functions, but Google Earth allows you a little more freedom and also the ability to annotate and save useful ‘pins’ for future reference. Google Maps is more accessible being browser based, but does not have the same extensive feature set that Earth offers. Both services are being improved all the time so my advice is to download Google Earth or launch Maps in your browser and start playing!

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NEW RELEASE! Crimpy’s modern twist on wildfoods

Soft cover

1 Left

Red lines indicate the tidal channels at the Delaware Inlet entrance.

This DVD is a must for all hunters, and for anyone planning on venturing into the bush. Limited number available, be quick!

Sinker Lock NO MORE: • Swinging sinkers • Chipped paint • Stress on terminal tackle • Impact damage on rod guides, blanks and reels • Tangles

Great to use while travelling with ﬁrearms, during storage in the home and on the range where they are particularly helpful, and in some cases, mandatory.

$ Salmon Fever by Ross Millichamp

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Finding Fishing Spots With its bird’s-eye view, Google’s tools allow you to peer down from the heavens and gain a perspective that is quite distinct from the ground level view. As can be seen in the accompanying graphic of the inlet at Delaware Bay in Nelson, you can quite clearly see the channels that feed the inlet as the tide flows in and out. The lines marked in red show perfect places to cast a bait or lure, as channels in and out of tidal inlets act like small ‘highways’ for bait fish and predators. As the tides drop, bait fish are concentrated along channel margins, which is also the area of lower tide flow making it easier for predators like snapper or kahawai to feed in. Be aware of image dates because channels can move in these dynamic environments. Finding Access Once you locate a target area you would like to fish, you can back trace the access roads from above to work out your approach. This works equally well for saltwater, land based and freshwater fishing spots. Often, rivers have harder access so a bird’s-eye view can show the best places in and out for reaching target riffles, runs or pools. Google Earth has a handy tool for measuring distances - select the ‘ruler’ or the ‘path’ tool and map out walking or boating distances in metres, kilometres or even nautical miles. Hovering your mouse over terrain in Google Earth also shows elevation in metres,

Stealth with a Fly DVD is for the ﬂy ﬁsherman seeking insight into converting angling opportunity into greater angling success.

A new edition of this classic NZ Salmon Fishing Book

All from this great place www.shop.thefishingpaper.co.nz

A yellow pin and note is dropped on a likely looking gutter on the Karikari Peninsula.

Exploring Offshore Google Maps and Earth have awesome (although not highly detailed) depiction of the seabed and geo features around our continental shelves. This image of the Jackson’s Bay area clearly shows why it’s a great fishing location. You can see deep gouges and depressions in the shelf close to land. These areas hold huge volumes of uprising water and consequently bait and feed. Predatory fish such as groper, bluenose and tarakihi school up to take advantage of the meals on offer, which in turn attracts the fisher folk. Using Google Earth broadly, you can also plan other locations around our coast with similar features - the coasts of Wellington, Kaikoura, Dunedin, Gisborne and Wairarapa spring to mind here.

The deep contours off Jackson’s Bay in South Westland can clearly be seen as dark blue just offshore.

Let Other Fingers Do The Walking When you browse on Google Earth, you zoom into an area and often notice a swarm of small yellow squares starting to fill up the area of interest. These are photos by others that have been GPS tagged to the location you are looking at. I like to click on and browse these images as they show a photo record of places you are interested in and can yield exciting nuggets of information - often not the intention of the camera person but useful to the fisherperson. For example, an ubiquitous ‘beach shot’ could show you rocks, reefs or detailed beach features in the background you might miss from satellite view.

The fishing Paper - august 2014

Beware of Knock-Offs

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

From Sinker to Smoker By Ron Prestage

Fishing on Facebook!

By James Cameron

“You need more drag, put more drag on it,” was the call as the crazed winter king headed for the bottom - towing 50lb braid laced with a 200g long jig in pink and white. As the lever drag was applied smoothly, my little Okuma answered and braked the big king in time for me to gain some crucial ground. Turning its head, the winch war began and I leant into the rod and used the advantage of lever to short stroke it to the boat. Two more sharp runs from high drag settings were despatched in a silky fashion, without a hint of lockup or drag-catching. The big king hit the surface and was beat. This fish was finally mine! Personal best fish don’t swim along every day, but when they do - it’s such a great feeling to know you have quality gear to rely on. Gear that is up to the job. Contrast this to a similar situation I witnessed over summer, when I went fishing with a friend. He had recently ordered himself an ‘all round jigging rod and reel’ set directly from China, free post to New Zealand included - it was shiny and looked similar to good quality gear, only much cheaper. He was mighty proud he saved about $250 over name-brand gear. When I told him we should shoot to some deeper water and try for a kingi, his response went something like, “Oh great, I have wanted to try my new rod out on a kingfish.” Looking at his rod, I knew it wasn’t anywhere near up to the task - the raspy feel of

the star drag and crude monofilament was asking for a hiding. “Why don’t you use my backup rod - these beasts are pretty tough on gear” was my reply. “Nah mate, when I ordered it, the description said it’s suitable for kingfish, tarpon, tuna and other game fish. It’s got 30lb line on it. Should be sweet.” The surface lures went out and 15mins later, he got dealt to. The first run saw the reel seat blow to bits from the sheer loading, the mono was under such tension it flew off the reel in unruly sprung hoops, and the poor drag chunked and bit its way to submission as the kingi tortured its flaws. The kingi probably suffered a rough death as it towed around a busted off Rapala CD18 and 200m of messy mono till its demise. Embarrassed and pissed off, my buddy was further in the red when none of the local tackle retailers could help repair his gear for him. “Sorry pal, we don’t deal in knock-offs,” was the response.

Save your money Re-galvanise your Trailer for longer life.

Call the team at Nicholson’s for all the protective coatings you need

92 Beatty Street, Annesbrook, Nelson Phone: (03) 547 7407

Computers, the internet, the digital age, apps, social media; the list goes on of the things that have very rapidly changed our world over the past few decades. Facebook is one aspect of today’s world that I have managed to get my head and fingers around! Fishers contribute and share a lot on Facebook and can access many stimulating and informative sites there including the following: Southern Angling NZ #1 This closed group of 532 members post a lot about their exploits that mainly happen along the South Island’s east coast. Members sometimes offer gear for sale or give away and arrange fishing related get-togethers on this site. Questions are asked and advice freely given as members help each other out. Prominent contributors include Donald Searles, Greg Gilbert and Zarne O’brien. It also has a complete list of members making it easy to contact individuals. NZ Surfcasting Magazine A page for people who enjoy surfcasting and land based game fishing to post photos and comment of their successes. It is the brainchild of champion fisherman Chad Prentice and contains some spectacular photos, especially from Chad and friends. Some events are arranged through this very popular and friendly site.

Chad Prentice, one of New Zealand’s top landbased fisherman and founder of the Facebook site NZ Surfcasting.

Surfcaster’s Journal Online Magazine Expert writers give you a lot of detailed information in this free magazine dedicated to surfcasters world wide at www.surfcastersjournal.com Surfcasting Clubs Many clubs have Facebook sites including Gisborne Surfcasting Club, Pania Surfcasting, Wellington Surfcasting and Angling Club and Marlborough Angling and Surfcasting Club. South Island Sea Fishing Solutions This site reports on a lot of very useful locally produced fishing guides for recreational fishers. Online there is also plenty of help for improving your casting distance at the beach. Google can be a big help with videos and points of technique. Between Google and Facebook you’ve got your surfcasting needs covered. Or you could be like the wag that recently posted, “I’m still catching fish using the same gear and bait that I used fifty years ago. This new fangled stuff is a lot of BS!” The Fishing Paper And of course The Fishing Paper Facebook page is a great place to share and view fishing funnies, catches, stories and videos from around the country.

10 The fishing Paper - august 2014

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Captain’s Log: Beam me up spotty

Kayaking with Chris West

When the Capt’s away Bob Dylan once harmonised about how the times are a changin’. I have always enjoyed Mr Zimmerman’s lyrical musings. I don’t know if it’s because life is hectic, or it is because I’m nearly thirty-one and it seems my own times are also a changin’. I notice the seasons tend to now amalgamate into one big lump of busy mess called a year. When I was a child, I defined the year into four school terms. When I was in my teens, I defined the year as summer and winter, tog weather or snow weather. Now it seems a year is simply one 12 month lump, and I’m dreading having to follow this pattern of change into my forties - it means by then I might be looking at things in terms of decades. Heaven help me! As I navel gazed this the other night and mulled over the awesome catches and hunts going to press in The Fishing Paper, it struck me that all is not so bad with these changin’ times. It has, from my perspective, reshaped the fishing seasons and formed my fishing calendar for the better. The quality fishing seems to now be year round, with opportunities to go out during nearly any month and put a feed on the table or a bend in the rod. Age, commitments and flashes of mortality have made me prioritise time and rethink my ability to ‘get out and do it’ rather than sit and wait for prime times to come at me. Looking back to when I was a teenager, I remember dreading the end of summer as it meant the gear would hibernate and it was not till September when the whitebait runs

By James Cameron

fishing

signalled trips to the West Coast or Marahau were on the cards. At the point of May or June, this seemed incomprehensibly far away. I didn’t have the ability to explore winter options, transport and funds were meagre. Winter existed as a dark abyss that I had to bear, not embrace. Flash forward to 2014, coasting down the back of the winter solstice, it’s no longer anticipation for ‘dusting off the rods’ rather more so an overlap of opportunity, reflecting back on the quality fishing enjoyed throughout the months of May, June and July. We are quite fortunate to enjoy life in a place that presents so much action on a year round basis. It’s nearly at the point where I have to take stock, focus on making real time to fit the year’s fishing goals into an already tight schedule and even look back at the last couple of months with a little regret for not fitting all of my winter fishing goals in! What an awesome predicament to be in. May the times not keep changin’ too far from this, Mr Zimmerman.

Mondo Travel

Presents

Preparation for paddling – kayak and gear While winter is a great time to be out in your kayak, a few months (or more) can easily pass without a single paddling trip happening. Spring can be a good time to look over your kayak and your gear to make sure everything is functioning as it should. Here are a few things you should do as part of your equipment check-up. Kayak Kayaks are an easy craft to maintain. With so few moving parts, there is not a lot that can go wrong and repairs are usually quite straight forward. Here are areas to look at when checking your kayak over. • Inspect the rudder cables for wear and replace cables showing wear. Look for wear at the point where the cable attaches to the rudder as binding can often occur here. • Grab the rudder body and give it wobble around. If there is much movement then bolts may need tightening or there might be wear in the pivot. • Foot pedals that move on a track should move freely. Over time sand and salt work their way into the track and can affect how the pedal slides, as well as preventing the locking mechanism (when present) from locking the foot pedal into place. If a rudder is fitted inspect the length adjustment (often webbing and a buckle). • Many kayaks will have fittings on the deck to hold gear, lock hatch lids in place or to locate perimeter lines. Take a look at these fittings. Replace anything worn that is

related to safety, such as fittings that hold perimeter lines in place. • Hatch lids play a very important part in paddling safety. Ensure that your hatch lids form a secure seal on the kayak and that they are not likely to fall off or come loose. If water gets past the hatch lid then your kayak will slowly fill up and compromise your safety. Rubber hatch lids will deteriorate with UV exposure. Regular applications of armorall or similar will protect your hatch lid. PFDs Your PFD (Personal flotation Device) is an important piece of safety gear. Take a look over your PFD to spot any of the following: • Worn webbing or fabric • Worn or missing stitching • Broken buckles PFDs also lose flotation over time and there comes a point where your PFD will no longer offer adequate flotation. In most cases, PFDs with wear or damage need to be replaced as repairing a PFD is not an easy task. Safety Gear Take a look over your safety gear. Flares expire, EPIRBS have a limited battery life and pumps can seize. Check that your first aid kit has all its contents. Preventative maintenance will help keep your paddling trips running smoothly, as well as ensuring your gear is not a liability and your safety remains maintained.

TFP TRaVELS

Paper No Irish Rapping Famous Jewish hip hop dancer and Irish rapper, Marnie Benesch, is seen here taking time out from her latest gruelling one woman, ‘I aM Standing Up’ world tour, to pose with the Fishing Paper on the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which was opened on 8 December 1864 and spans the river avon near Bristol. Marnie says she has no interest whatsoever in ﬁshing or bridges but will do anything to get her picture taken.

the

Benesch, who is also ireland’s shortest woman at just over a metre tall and performs under gaelic name, ‘anyatitshar alsosmaughall’, ﬁrst learned to dance hip hop at the age of three when she had to sleep on the street because they were so poor and she had to bounce up and down because her father was never there to rock her to sleep. Born the only girl and the youngest to family of eleven boys, Benesch says she developed her agility and learned to hop about quickly because she was often used as the cricket wickets when the boys ﬁelded a family team against the Sinn Fein Freedom Fighters First eleven. marnie claims she had a rough upbringing because there was never enough to go around and she often only got to eat the eyes out of the potatoes, or lick the bread knife on the rare occasions the family could afford bread. She was often forced

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Protect your boating investment to go without, but her inner strength was her resourcefulness and she survived by pretending the washing up water was potato soup. She discovered later that she had a natural talent as a rapper on account of the fact that she was always angry and ranted a lot. She has since channelled her energy in making a career from adversity, with her ﬁrst single going gold and becoming an anthem for working class irish – ‘i Could murder a French Fry!’ When marnie tours, she books with mondo.

At Mondo we’re passionate about travel and are avid travellers ourselves. If there’s somewhere in the world you’d like to go, chances are one of our team has been there and can share their knowledge and personal experience with you - making the world of difference when it comes to booking your next holiday.

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11 The fishing Paper - august 2014

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12 The fishing Paper - august 2014

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The World’s Most Popular Beach Fishing System...

What Are The Odds?

All year round It’s no secret that the winter months are not quite so appealing-down on the beaches it’s colder and the general feeling amongst the fishing community is that winter fishing is a little harder, with coastal fish preferring to trade the cooler shallow margins for the more stable temperatures out deep. For those among us who still enjoy the challenge of a beach fishing session no matter what the temperature is doing, these months can be some of the most productive and enjoyable times to set a kontiki long line. When the summer ‘hero species’ depart, the void is filled by species that are equally as tasty and exciting to catch. Taking a kontiki out over winter can be highly productive as the extra fishing ground gained by a long set can place your baits directly in the areas that turn up some great table fish. Places that are totally unreachable with surfcasting gear or impractical to boat out to. Up north in areas like Bay of Plenty, west coast of Northland and even Hawkes Bay, fine hauls of gurnard, kahawai, mackerel and

sometimes snapper are there for the taking. Setting your kontiki to travel out more than 800m from the beach will get your baits into the strike zones. Experiment with leaving your baits to soak for longer than you might over summer. Winter fish do not move, or feed as voraciously when it is colder and can take longer to locate your baits. In our southern regions from Wellington southwards, contrary to popular belief, it’s not just all doggies and red cod! Some exciting catches of elephant fish, rig, warehou and gurnard are available all winter long. One winter kontiki tip is to invest a little time in getting some shellfish baits such as tuatua or small crabs. Rig and elephants in particular, are suckers for a nice feed of

crunchy crab and the pesky dog sharks tend to find them less attractive than standard squid or pilchard cut baits. Some of the better beaches to target these species are off the Kaikoura, Canterbury and West Coast beaches particularly around Hokitika. A winter kontiki session also holds much more appeal than just the fish that are available. It’s a great feeling having a whole beach to yourself as is often the case over winter. Setting a kontiki in these situations is more stress free, without worry about competing anglers and lines, or dogs and swimmers to contend with. Get out over winter and soak a line for a recharge of the fishing batteries, it may just open up a great new fishing option on your calendar!

By James Cameron

CHEVIOT HARDWARE & LOTTO

Grant ‘Horse’ Burnett of Cheviot trotted down to the mouth of the Waiau River (North Canterbury) to secure a prime 12.2kg salmon earlier this year. Prancing around at the narrow Cheviot’s only supplier of fresh and saltwater fishing gut of the river, looking for the gear. Rods, reels, lures and Fish & Game licences. perfect section of water, Grant Ammunition , knives , hunting and camping supplies. settled on a spot to cast from on the south side of the mouth. Ph 03 319 8869 cheviotadsl@xtra.co.nz Grant was using a 24gram 24 Hall Street - Cheviot Fax 03 3198844 - Phil Duncan ‘Silver Sally’ (from his mane man Phil at Cheviot Hardware). galloped northwards out to sea, Grant mustering Grazing the gravels with his lure for near 2 hours up all his skill to corral it towards the surf where on the tote, Grant bucked with excitement when it was finally put out to pasture. The fish of the the big fish reared up to his lure. Once hooked, it season? That’s what he’s telling the neigh-sayers!

Martyn Barlow - Recreational Representative Calls It A Day By James Cameron

Another fine elephant pulled in by the Seahorse.

The world’s most popular beach fishing system New Zealand’s Seahorse Electric Kontiki is the world’s most popular beach fishing system. Beach longline fishing is an economic and effective way to regularly catch fresh fish - either single handed or with family and friends.

In June, long standing local recreational fishing representative and friend of The Fishing Paper, Martyn Barlow, ended his involvement with representative and management groups. Since 2001, Martyn has worked in and alongside TASFISH, ToS Rec Forum (FMA7), CIFFPAG (Challenger Inshore Fin Fish Plan Advisory Group), CFFRM (Challenger Fin Fish Recreational Advisory Group), MSBCMG (MS Blue Cod Management Group). It all started for Martyn when he took a phone call from Geoff Rowling who asked him to get involved in TASFISH and help make a difference. At the time, Martyn recalls writing letters to the editor of the Nelson Mail regarding inshore trawling activity during the summer months. “15 years ago in Tasman Bay, I could see trawlers all summer long, 100m from the shore off Mapua, Rabbit Island and

Nelson. I thought then and still think now it is disgusting that trawlers can continue to destroy habitat in nursery areas. It was very hard at that time for recreational fishers to catch a snapper in Tasman Bay.” Working with others in TASFISH, repeated consultations helped keep the Snapper 7 TACC at 200 tonnes. Martyn accepts there is much more to be done, and believes the power is in the hands of the fishers to make a difference and secure their own futures “Industry will continue to wield their influence through the Minister’s office and courts, eroding recreational rights and access, until such time as recreational fishers stop infighting, get themselves organised into one body and secure an adequate source of funding.”

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13 The fishing Paper - august 2014

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Pan-fried

Piper

2 piper per serve 50g butter 2tbsp chopped parsley Small handful chopped pistachio nuts Juice of two medium lemons Pickled peppers Clean piper and roll each flank with a milk bottle to break flesh from bones. Turn into circles and poke bill through tail. Melt 25g butter over a moderate heat and pan-fry piper until flesh turns white, turning once. Remove to a warmer and melt the rest of the butter in the pan. Toss in parsley, nuts and lemon juice cooking for a minute or two until warmed through. Garnish each plate with 3 pickled peppers, serve piper and drizzle a small amount of sauce over each serve.

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“Netto per Aguglie” Netting For Piper

By James Cameron

TALK Hunting, fishing, tramping or kayaking the Abel Tasman? Storage of medications, health supplements and vitamins can be a right pain in the fundamental. “My Voltaren dropped in the bait bucket”, “the sun boiled my Novorapid”, “my arrow missed the target but got my glucosamine”. These are just some potentially frustrating incidents when taking medications on an expedition.

all medications to be stored correctly to maintain their quality and effectiveness. The last thing you want is a bad back when you have to carry out your catch! Some medications require special attention and that is where we can help!

Did you know?

For the right storage solutions and advice, whether it’s a grand expedition or a romantic tramp, pop in and see me, Andrew Harley. If I don’t have the solution, I will hunt one down! Good h lth drew Harley

A recent study at Otago University School of Pharmacy has shown on a normal sunny Dunedin day of 15°C, that a black school backpack could reach highs of 67°C! Some medications can degrade within hours at temperatures above 60°C.

Why should I care? When you’re in extreme, isolated and dynamic terrains you want to be sure that when you need your medications, they’re actually going to work. It is important for

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The Italian immigrants that came to Nelson in the early 1900’s, brought with them a passion for seafood. Many traditional Mediterranean dishes were adapted to incorporate our kaimoana, and some of what Kiwis would call ‘less desirable’ species were held in very high regard by Italians. One such fish was the humble ‘garfish’, piper or ’aguglie’ which would be hand netted by teams of Italians at shallow bays and beaches. Bait nets would be laid out and constructed on driveways and lawns around The Wood, using skills brought from Italy. My grandfather, Salvatore Dellabarca, was a dab hand at making and mending nets using simple tools and materials such as cork for floats and linen twine for mesh. Garfish netting would be a day event, with the ladies and children enjoying picnic lunches and swimming, while the men rowed a dinghy out, enclosing the small fish and hauling them up the rocky or sandy shore. Nets would shimmer from end to end, with scores of

garfish being picked out and packed into damp hessian sacks inside wooden tomato boxes. Favourite locations around Nelson included Rabbit Island, Cable Bay and Stephens Bay, with summer being the time of year when warm water attracted garfish in close to the shore. On a calm day, schools were spotted by the small dimples on the surface and occasional hauls would net an unlucky flounder or ray. Nothing was wasted, flounder was a prized meal when cooked whole and small ray wings would be poached or baked and served with garlic, peppers, cherry tomatoes and olive oil. Fish frames and offal was dug into glasshouse gardens, providing a rich compost for the season’s tomato, capsicum and eggplant crops. The garfish themselves were often fried but a more modern recipe from Enzo Musso down on Grove Street, was to prepare them whole ‘raw’, in lemon juice, olive oil, chilli and vinegar and let the sauce gently ‘cook’ the soft flesh and bones in the fridge overnight. Delicious!

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14 The fishing Paper - august 2014

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Stick Your Oar In

Dave’s restless search turns into gold carp.

Have Your Say…

Mail your letters to Stick Your Oar In The Fishing Paper, PO Box 9001, Annesbrook, 7044, NELSON email: editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz

Make Your Vote Count The election on September 20 is very crucial in terms of a number of adverse trends, but in line with your readers’ interests, more particularly threats to the public’s fishing, hunting and New Zealand’s outdoor way of life. Where does one start? Examples are many. Selling off the public’s assets despite the vast majority being opposed. Sixty percent of rivers unsafe for swimming. Nick Smith’s grandiose plan to dump 1080 on public lands. Cutting recreational sea fishing bag limits. Increasing foreign ownership of high country, with locked gates then erected. Foreshore and seabed. Corporate dairying and an insatiable demand for public water from rivers. Oil prospecting by overseas corporate oil companies in public forest parks like the Victoria Range, Lewis Pass. And so the list goes on and on. The Council of Outdoor Recreational Association of NZ (CORANZ) sees this election as vital to the future of outdoors, our birthright and quality

Congratulations

Win a Pair oF it’s easy, send in your picture and story and you go in the draw to Win a Pair.

one pair every month for 2014! so send in your pic & story to editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz

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of life. It has produced an election charter listing 17 priority issues and asked political parties for comment. In the September issue CORANZ hopes to tell you about these. Preliminary results of party replies to CORANZ indicates three minor parties (NZ First, United Future, Conservatives) to be the most ‘in tune’ with NZ’s outdoors. In summary National ranked lowest and Labour, Maori and Greens ranked well below the top three. ACT and Mana did not reply. This election is a golden chance to turn the tide and re-establish the public’s right to the outdoors and to catch a feed a fish, to clean rivers, to healthy unpoisoned mountains and forests - if enough care. Do you? Vote for whichever candidate you think. National, Labour or whoever but consider giving your party vote to one of those top three minor ones - NZ First, United Future or Conservatives. Bill Benfield Co-chairman- CORANZ

to James Bennie for his story on page 35 “Rig Right for Winter Crab Crunchers.” James Bennie is this month’s winner of a pair of FISHGILLZ sunglasses.

Have Your

Say…

The Fishing Paper & New Zealand Hunting News encourages readers contributions and points of view. We ask that all contributions come supplied with contact details. All letters must be emailed, type written or printed legibly, signed and not more than 300 words. The Fishing Paper states that opinions put forward are not necessarily those of the publisher. We reserve the right to publish in part or refuse to publish on legal grounds if the content of the letters are in any way legally contentious.

Distributed in nZ by Gearshop Dealer enquiries welcome 0800 432 774 • gearshopoffice@gmail.com

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Coarse Fishing By Dave Dixon

Canadian Carp Camp – Fifty fish in two days had started our week’s holiday on the St. Lawrence River in fine style. Wednesday saw us back at the bridge spot for another early start and it wasn’t long before the first screaming run. At 20lbs the fish was exactly what we were hoping for, and as more carp fell at 15-20 minute intervals we seemed to be on track for another great day. The next few fish, however, were a little smaller, averaging just 12lbs and we started to get impatient for the bigger specimens! Coming from a match fishing background I’m always questioning what’s going on. If the bite rate slows, or if the quality of the fish drops off I want to know why. However, many carp anglers just accept this as the nature of the quarry and are content just to sit and wait, and we found our local guide becoming exasperated by our eagerness to keep changing things. We had caught well for two days on corn baits but I suggested we try boilies (high nutritional baits rolled from a paste of fishmeal, eggs and flavourings then boiled to give a firm outer skin designed to deter small fish). The guide was reluctant to change the game plan but finally agreed to try a boilie on one of our three rods. It worked! Two more “twenties” followed before another quiet spell. I felt something wasn’t right and suggested recasting the rods. Again, the guide felt we just had to wait, but when the rods were eventually reeled in we found two of the rigs were tangled and ineffective. To be fair, we were all getting a bit fatigued and it was tempting to kick back a relax a bit, but our catches were significantly better than the other groups fishing in the area and we remarked how the combination of the guide’s local knowledge and my restless search to keep the fish coming had contributed to this.

We finally called it a day after 11 hours and 24 fish, the biggest going 26lbs. Thursday demanded a change of spot as we were now keen to focus on quality rather than quantity, but our first choice Part 2 swim was slow with just three fish in three hours, so it was back to the bridge for the afternoon session. Four more hours produced only another four fish so we agreed the remaining two days would be spent elsewhere in the hope of another big “thirty”. Friday produced 17 fish up to 27lb, again one of the best catches along the bank, and Saturday kicked off with 11 in five hours but the average size was again low. We now had just three hours of the holiday left and time for one last change. The guide drove us to one of his big fish spots but our hearts sank when we saw a car parked there. Luckily it was just a picnicker so we were able to stop and fish. It took 90 minutes for the first take and Harry battled a truly monstrous carp for several minutes before it snagged the line under a rock and broke free. An hour later and the next fish made it safely to the bank at 18lbs. It was now my turn on the rods and with just minutes remaining before we had to pack up the reel screamed into life. I raised the rod but felt the sickening grating of braid running through a snag. The fish was still on so I jumped onto the nearby picnic table to get a steeper angle. The fish ran again and with my hastily over-tightened drag I was almost pulled headlong off the table! I pumped the fish cautiously back towards the snag and with great relief the lead popped free. A huge fish slowly surfaced, rolled porpoise-like, and moments later was in the net! Hoisted up in the weigh sling the needle on the dial scale spun round and settled at 31lbs, I’d done it! What a dramatic end to an amazing week’s fishing. After multiple photos to record the memory we slipped the fish back and bade farewell to the mighty St. Lawrence River. Six days had given us 111 carp with only four under 10lbs, 23 were “twenties” and each of us had caught a 31lb fish. How good is that?!

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Sika News

Issue 2 August 2014

Your guide to New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading hunting expo.

New products Competitions Hunting stories and more!

SEPTEMBER 27-28 28-29 2014 2013

EVENTS CENTRE, TAUPO

www.sikashow.co.nz

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– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre The Fishing Paper and NZ Hunting News is proud to bring you the Sika News 2014. This is the third issue of our very popular annual publication and is a valuable resource for all Sika Show goers. So remember to bring along your Sika News and accompanying exhibitors map to this years show, grab some great deals and be sure to support the advertisers that enable us to bring you the third Sika News for free. See you at the show!

m The Fishing Paper Tea

over 40 years experience Belmont Ammunition will be at Sika 2014 with more great deals and service! It has been a big year for Belmont, we are working on new products and pricing for the New Zealand market. We’ll have all the great calibres and loads you’ve come to expect from Belmont at Sika show 2014 as well as a few new products. We have responded to shooters’ desires by creating new larger packs of .223 ammunition in 100 and 250 round boxes in

soft point for hunters and in full metal jacket for target/3 gun match shooters. Belmont will have these available at Sika 2014. Belmont always stocks LAPUA reloading components and we will have a representation of these quality cases and projectiles for sale at the show. If there’s a product we don’t have at Sika, we can take a rain check and mail-order them out to you after the show. Look for us at booth #82, see you there!

The elusive, cunning sika is a true prize for the Kiwi hunter. Exhibiting an unequalled ability among deer to evade capture, the Sika could be profiled as one of the hunters greatest challenges. Mix in the trademark aggression and vocal calls during rut and it is of little wonder that hunters chase sika with genuine excitement and buck fever. Chase is probably the wrong word, try and chase a sika and you are likely to never even see one. To be successful with this species of deer, you must employ the most refined stalking tactics you can humanly muster. Even then, the last thing you might hear is the shrill call of the sika hinds alerting the animals to your presence. With a flick of a tail, they are off. In some instances, sika may use the cover to their advantage, sitting down low in the scrub in a manner befitting of a quarry that exhibits true intelligence and mastery of their environment. While sika populations in New Zealand are strong, the wit and nouse of the sika ensures they escape all but the most determined and skilled stalkers. Sika are known to be quite active at low light and at night, with evening feeding time often a optimum time to stalk them. A good swimmer, sika are highly capable jumpers too. For those who persevere and put in the time and effort, a sika head in the classic 8 point guise, is a trophy that carries with it memories of all that encompases what is magic about hunting adventures. A native species of east Asia, the sika is also known internationally as the Japanese deer or spotted deer. Sika derive their name from the Japanese word for deer, shika.

The ‘Rise and Customise’ of the Ar15

AR15s are now a prominent firearm type on the New Zealand hunting and sport shooting scene. For years they were a virtually unobtainable toy for only those with deep pockets. But two events changed the availability and the affordability of AR15s in New Zealand. The first event was firearm enthusiast Richard Lincoln taking Police to court and winning his case in regards to how a MSSA pistol grip is defined in law. This case paved the way for the second event - the birth of nzar15.com to supply the eagar market with quality affordable AR15s that met the requirements of the outcome of Richard Lincoln’s court case. The website nzar15.com is the product of Ken and Tara Rountree. Back in 2006 after witnessing the constant discussion online about how severe firearm accessory pricing is in New Zealand they decided to do something about it. They started up an online store selling various brands of products sourced direct from well known US manufacturers that were not yet available in NZ. The motto was “No More Middleman”, a direct stab at our wholesaler controlled market that dictates pricing with no competition. In 2011 they obtained the rights to represent North Eastern Arms out of Canada who had announced they were about to release a Canadian built AR15. This AR15 could be distributed worldwide without the control of ITAR in the USA restricting international sales. Nzar15.com was then set up as a business specialising in just AR15s. This complemented

their existing websites nzrimfire.com and nzairgun.com. These two websites currently host forums that are very popular both here and overseas with enthusiasts and will be expanded to include specialist stores in the near future. Further expansion is planned for shotgun and pistol too. Demand for the first generation of NEA AR15 rifles outstripped supply. The outcome of this was a new market for AR15 accessories. The AR15 platform and its accessories are often referred to as Lego for adults. A customer buys an AR15 then the fun begins in what they can do with it and how you accesorise it. The accessories allow you to custom build a gun specific to your needs - and wallet. Nzar15. com has NZ’s largest range of AR15 accessories to keep up with this new demand. Currently the North Eastern Arms AR15s are available in several configurations with barrel lengths from 12.5” to 18” and calibres 22 rimfire, 5.56 (.223), 7.62x39 and 300blk. The versatility of the AR15 platform allows you to change calibre by pushing out two pins and dropping in a different upper. New calibres expected from North Eastern Arms in 2014 include 9mm and .308. Nzar15.com are also selling two new brands of AR15, CMMG and Spikes Tactical. These two brands enhance the range and versatility of their offerings. Visit www.facebook.com/ nzar15 for updates and the latest news from nzar15.com.

sika news

– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre

Cameron Sports - Bigger & Better Make-Up a Must for Hunters By Daryl Crimp

I was in Fiordland the first time it became brutally apparent to me. The inflatable had plucked Rick and me from the shore right on dusk and we were cutting through the gloom to pick up the other hunting duo. They should have been invisible against the inky contours of the bush edge but they attracted us like a beacon. The two were dancing about swatting sandflies and it was the white of their hands and faces that telegraphed their position, like floating lamps in a coalmine. We could see them from several hundred metres away. More recently, I was hunting the Marlborough High Country with Dougy when we chanced upon another hunter at dusk, half a K away. He was sitting in the tussock, below the ridge and on the shady side so should have been hard to see. We later learned he was wearing drab

olive green as camouflage, yet we could see him because he lit up like the neon of Vegas. How so? In the twilight, his olive green clothing appeared jet black and the paleness of his hands and face contrasted starkly against it. Every time he moved it was like dancing fireflies in the distance! We spotted him easily and so would any animals within a country mile. After all, their survival depends on their ability to detect movement as opposed to detail. The lesson: your hands and face probably give away your location more often than you realise. When stalking game, even from long distances, face paint, balaclavas and hand mitts are often game savers.

Cameron Sports Imports Ltd’s 2014 Sika Show stand is bigger and better than ever before and features many new innovative products. For Kiwi pig hunters and dog owners we now have SportDog TEK 2.0 legal GPS/radio tracking systems with built in topo mapping to make keeping track of your dog or pack even easier. Night hunters will be very interested in the new NiteSite night vision gear which can easily be attached to your existing scope and enables you to hunt at night as it clearly illuminates the animal and shooting area for you on its screen. Ridgeline of NZ’s top of the line wet weather ‘Recoil’ jacket and pants clothing system and the Monsoon Elite jacket both featuring RL-TEX ultimate protection for the outdoors technology will feature alongside the extensive Ridgeline range. Zeiss’s new V8 Scope range of 8x power magnification will be of great interest to those seeking high performance shooting optics. New BROWNING Innovations include the new BROWNING Birdseye maple stocked X-Bolt centerfire Rifle range. With the popularity of straight pull rifles increasing it is great that Browning’s MARAL will be on display for those hunters seeking a premium brand with the benefits of this type of action. More innovation in Firearms on display

Scary but effective: Face paint still on at the end of a hunt.

The perfect gift for the hunter, father, uncle, brother or son.

Something TO AIM FOR

39.99

A Hunter’s Quest

Soft cover

Daryl Crimp

Come see us at booth 12.

Or buy from

WEBSH

www.shop.thefishingpaper.co.nz

will include the new ISSC straight pull rifle from Austria in 17HMR, 22LR, 22 magnum. These actions provides a safety benefit over a semi-automatic action as it is requires the operator to reload, yet reloading can still done with the operator maintaining the existing firing position thus providing a quicker reloading time than a bolt action. see us at

booth 76

sika news

– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre

The New Serious Shooters By Richard Munt After 21 years at 555 Great South Rd, we have moved, not far, to 726 Great South Rd. Everything else remains the same, just a great new location! With a new term on the lease looming we had a few decisions to make. • Stay and sign on for a new term and have to do the place up quite a bit • Look for new premises, fit out the new place and then move everything Once we decided on option two, it was just a matter of finding the right place. Introducing the ‘new’ Serious Shooters - bigger, better, brighter! More parking and easier access is just one of the improvements. The new layout is much more modern, cleaner and more customer friendly, with a complete update for the whole interior. We trebled the size of the gun room. New gun racks going in as I write and all new décor. Staying with the tried and true on the shop front, bright as we can get, red is our choice. If you miss this I am taking you hunting so you can scare the deer my way! Grand opening weekend on the 5th and 6th of September will be spectacular, with all sorts of goodies available. With the support of my staff who have put in lots of extra hours, some volunteers and some very useful professional tradesmen and many of my suppliers who have been generous with their time and patience with us needing stuff yesterday, we are essentially up and running. Not to mention KiwiBank for helping us through the rough spots that come along with this kind of fit out! So if you are looking for the old Serious Shooters, follow the signs and we will see you at the new Serious Shooters, 726 Great South Rd, Penrose, Auckland. see us at

booth 67

sika news

– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre

Venison Backstraps & Curried Mushroom Sauce

NEW FACES AT MAINLY HUNTING Mainly Hunting Ltd is Wellington’s premier firearm, hunting and shooting store and is staffed by experienced knowledgeable outdoors people. We are proud to announce that we now have a resident gunsmith in store – Moritz Wassmann. Moritz completed his gun smithing apprenticeship in Austria. He will be attending the Sika Show so come along and meet him, along with the rest of the gang. We look forward to seeing you there. Mainly Hunting pride ourselves on the attention to detail and for delivering a high level of customer service to both our local and national customers, so come along a visit us at the Sika Show Booth #71.

1 kg venison backstraps, sinew removed and cut into 20cm long portions Salt & pepper Oil Season both sides of venison with salt and pepper. Heat oil in pan over a high heat until just starting to smoke, and sear venison on all sides until crispy brown. Place venison portions in an oven tray and cook in an oven that has been preheated to 200ºC. Oven bake for 10 – 15 minutes depending on thickness. Venison should be cooked medium rare otherwise it dries out. Remove venison to a chopping board and allow to stand for ten minutes before cutting into medallions. This lets the juices settle evenly back into the fillet Serve.

½ tsp paprika 1/4tsp Garam Masala Liberal shake of Piri Piri seasoning 1tsp orange zest

Curried Mushroom Sauce 4 cups of quartered button mushrooms 1 cup stock 160ml coconut cream 2tbsp shaved coconut 1 small onion finely diced 4 cloves garlic finely sliced 1tsp minced ginger 1tsp chopped lemongrass

Oil Place shaved coconut on cooking paper under an oven grill until toasted golden brown. Remove to a dish. Heat a couple of tablespoons of oil in a frying pan until shimmering and quick fry mushrooms until coloured. Remove to a side dish. Add onion to pan and cook until soft.

1tsp ground cumin

Add garlic, ginger, lemongrass and dried spices. Stir and cook for a further minute.

3tsp turmeric

Add stock and bring to a rapid

1tsp ground coriander

The Mainly Hunting Team - (from left) Moritz Wassmann, Mike Gibson, Tony Allen (Manager) and Shane Tindall

Juice of half an orange

simmer. Add orange juice and grated zest and cook until rediced by half. Add coconut cream and simmer until thick and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in mushrooms and toasted coconut. Serve with venison medallions and creamy mashed potatoes.

Get it NOW! The New Zealand Wildfoods Cookbook RELOADED by Daryl Crimp. Come see us at booth 12 to get one! Or order online at www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Booth

sika news

Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre

Floor Plan

Company Name

Wholesafe

Archery Direct

Outside Taupo Fun World

Ricks Outfitters Ltd

Outside Work & Play Trailers

Deadeye Dick's Shooting Supplies

and Exhibitor List

NZ Taxidermy Association

m40

NZ Big Game Hunters Website

Hardy Rifle Engineering

m39

Huntfish website

Legend Hunting Gear

m38

Zeegles

Taieri Arms

m37

Custom Cartridges

C.R. Pain Ltd

m37

GS Bullets

NZ Guns & Hunting Magazine

m36

Woodleigh Bullets

30 A

4 U Ltd

m34

Water-to-go

Ruahine Wines

m33

NZDA Taupo Branch

J.P Furley & Co

m32

Hunts Programme

Bill Nikl Knives

m31

NZ Mountain Safety

Sandow Knives

m30

Bronco's

NZ Outdoor Magazine

m29

Vortex Scopes

Sika Hunters

m28

NZ Walking Access

Kilwell Sports

m25

Penquin Sea & Surf

Stager Sport

m24

March Scopes

Steves Wholesale

m23

Pest Trappers

m21

Dogmaster

Lacklands

m18

Bladesnz

Stoney Creek

m15

Rivers to Ranges

C and M Marketing Ltd

m14

NZ Pig Hunters Association

NZ Asia Trading Co

m02

Halcyon Publishing

Steiner Optics

Mainly Hunting

Rivers to Ranges

m13

Resue Coordination Centre NZ

Tight Lines

m01

Big Game Hunting

Beretta NZ

Namatubis Hunting Safari

Advanced Archery

m12

Game Gear

Garmin McMurdo

Food Court Fun Foods

Hunting & Fishing Taupo

Swazi Apparel

Scary Sharp

m11

No Nuts

Greystone Guns

Food Court Get Frittered

Allsports Distributors

Serious Shooters

Shuzi NZ

m10

Carrie

Megatrack Hunting & Guiding Australia

Food Court Glass Eye Creek

m07

Central North Island Mountain Radio

Sportways Distributors

Ultimate OE

Bighorn Safaris Australia

The Fishing Paper & NZ Hunting News

Food Court The Smoke House

m06

Allan Jackson / Hunters & Habitats

NZ Hunter Magazine

Mai Mai Supplies

McConnell & Co Guiding Services

Hunter Safety Lab

m06

NZ Game Council

Food Court Travelling Puka

Gunworks Canterbury

NZAR15

Rod & Rifle Magazine

Hunting & Fishing Taupo

m06

Wildlife Management Associates

Belmont Precision Ammunition

Senator Stocks

Safari Supply Co

Sports Marketing AGI Australasia Ltd

Cameron Sports Ltd

KSN Products

Belle' New Caledonia Safaris

Hunting & Fishing Taupo

Absolute Wilderness

59 A

Strasser RS 05 NZ

Didymo

Beattie Matheson

AJ Productions

DPT Machinists

DOC

Evolve Outdoors

m05 m04 m03

Taupo Events Centre

Food Court UFO Cookers Food Court Volcanic Coffee

Twin Needle Outdoor Equipment Repair Safari Club International NZ Professional Hunting Guides

Escentials

Aotearoa Safaris

NZAR15.COM

see us at

booth 62

HOME OF THE SPORTING SEMI-AUTO

$1,999

$1,899 Made in Canada

ACAT firearms licence

NEA-15 Patrol Carbine 12.5” 5.56mm NATO Model: NEA_125P, Shipping Weight: 10lbs, Manufactured by: North Eastern Arms

The NEA AR15 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, semi-automatic, shoulder-fired firearm. A shortened variant of the AR-15 design, the NEA-15 is available in several barrel lengths from 12.5” to 18”, allowing the end user the widest range of customization possible. The NEA AR15 is not only available as a complete unit but additional complete upper receivers can be issued to provide a multi-use platform.

CMMG Mk4 RCE

WIN A

COLD SMOKER! Come see us in the forecourt at the Sika Show or visit

Made in USA

ACAT firearms licence

Model: cmmg16, Shipping Weight: 7lbs, Manufactured by: CMMG The Mk4 RCE is one of CMMG’s premier rifles. This version we have assembled the gun for you. Fully Assembled CMMG MK4 KeyMod RCE Upper, Calibre: 5.56x45mm NATO Chamber, Barrel: 16” medium weight taper profile, Muzzle: CMMG SV brake, threaded 1/2-28, Hand Guard: CMMG RKM14 KeyMod hand guard, Receiver: Forged 7075-T6 AL M4 type, Finish: Type III Hard Anodized. Stock: A2 buffer tube assembly, Spear Mags A Category Stock

Ph: 06 364 2428 – Mb: 021 750 800 • Email: admin@nzar15.com – www.nzar15.com

FREE

SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $299

& @ booth 12 to enter.

hANGI • UMU • StEAM • SMoKE • bAKE • bbQ bACKYARD • boAt • bACh • bEACh

www.sikashow.co.nz

www.ufocooker.co.nz

SEPTEMBER 27-28 2014

EVENTS CENTRE, TAUPO

sika news

– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre

a change of target For a number of years I toyed with the idea of bowhunting. I love hunting, but somewhere the spark of success had diminished and I found myself expecting to be successful each time I headed out the door. My final determination to take up the bow came when on a rifle hunt with my brother. A young stag was feeding in the tussock a hundred metres away from us. I put old faithful on halfcock and decided to see how close I could get. Belly crawling down to a low depression, then on knees and finally stomach again. I slipped the barrel over a small rock, sighted on the top of its head which was down feeding and squeezed the trigger. It never knew it died. The distance was about five metres and it felt really good. I wasn’t kidding myself though. I knew no matter what that animal did, it was dead because even if I got it wrong on the stalk, faithful could reach it anywhere in the next 400 metres. I went home and bought a bow. It wasn’t long before I was working the local goat and pig population, but that first deer eluded me. I made every mistake a newbie could. Movement at the wrong time, raising the bow or coming to draw when they could plainly see me, shooting over/under/ behind, misjudging the distance. One frustrating night I bounced an arrow off a fallow hind’s head at seven metres. I don’t know how or why to this day. So many ‘nearly there’ moments. All lessons learned and new skills honed. Another time I stood 30m from a large stag for some minutes, unsure if I should shoot because a leaf of toitoi was weaving across its chest, till a yearling walked up behind me and barked, ruining any chance. I know now the damn leaf would have made no difference. On a summer hunt, again with my brother and two good mates, the weather was bad. I’d been lugging the bow out of determination for countless trips and this one looked like a writeoff. The guys with rifles had been out all morning in fog and light drizzle. Me, I was stuck at the tent with a knee that wouldn’t let me step down hill without feeling like needles were being pushed through the kneecap. I was pent up and frustrated at the forced confinement. Afternoon came and no

By Craig Carey

one was moving. “Who’s going for a hunt?” I asked. No one wanted to bother. I strapped my knee, slipped on my gummies and told them I was going to go sit on a hill. I took a radio in case I got in trouble and hobbled off into the cloud. Moving west, I saw the cloud lifting slowly and soon was under it as I came though a small saddle. I sat on the ridge and glassed the opposite face about 200m across. Straight away I picked up a red hind, then another. There was no cover, they were on the bottom half of the face. I sat and watched them for a while then decided, well I’m here, the clouds still around, I couldn’t see another chance coming. I lay on my stomach and pulled myself down the hill in full view of them, stopping every time one lifted its head. Finally, just above the creek, I slipped below the roll of the hill and stood and raced down the rest of the way and up the first part of their side. Once on their side, I could pick small humps and hollows, and planned how to close the distance. One quite prominent rock caught my eye and I crept up behind it, nocked an arrow and peered over its top. On the other side stood the two deer. One to my right at 20m and facing away. The other at 30m and side on facing west. When the side on girl turned her head towards the hillside to pick at something succulent, I drew back and set the 30m pin on her shoulder and released. Whoah! The arrow flew straight and disappeared through her chest. She jumped forward two paces, looked my way, then as blood ran thick down her side, her eyes rolled back in her head, her neck and chin tipped back, and her legs carried her off the hill into the creek below. I grabbed another arrow and nocked it at the same time as running hooves made me look up. The second deer was passing me at around ten metres. I drew back and followed her and released as she faltered in indecision when she reached a piece of high ground. Again the arrow passed clean through, and she jumped out of sight around the face. I stood still for some time, not quite believing the last few minutes. Slowly I made my way to the first deer. It was dead. Then I turned back and limped my way up to the spot the other had disappeared at. It lead me

to another very dead deer. I felt no need to jump or whoop, just I had an immense feeling of satisfaction. I gutted her and headed back to the first and boned her out. I had a bit of a problem, There was no way in my condition I could carry both, so took the best of the first, and headed back to camp hoping I could convince someone to come back and help me the next day. The walk back was cool as I planned my entry. Finally I radioed the others and told them they could start dinner. “Did you get anything?” Mike asked over the radio, “It’s not a question of if,” I said, “it’s a question of how many.” Over the radio I heard the camp erupt, and laughed. Since then bowhunting has taken me on many adventures. Deer, boars, bull tahr, chamois have all been taken. Its taught me to be a better hunter and I’ve learnt so much more about the animals I hunt by spending time in close proximity to them. I still get that rush of excitement each hunt. There are so many avenues. Now I’ve moved on to a longbow, not much more than stick and string, muscle memory and instinct. It’s the challenge of simplicity and my abilities versus the animals. The practice for me is a form of meditation or relaxed concentration, another way to put daily stresses behind you for a bit each night. No matter what form of archery you choose, you will find it a very rewarding method of hunting. If you are thinking about making the step, do it and get in contact with the guys and girls at Archery Direct. They will sort you out and get you into it at whatever level you feel comfortable. see us at

booth 41

WIN YOUR DAD THE ULTIMATE FATHER’S DAY PACKAGE VALUED AT OVER $1500 DRIVe LT BReAKUP INFINITY

BOW ONLY JUST $669 CAMO

BLACK

SKULLWORKS

FB.COM/ARCHERYDIRECTNZ 18A Maui Street Te Rapa, Hamilton

07-855 9369 0508 ARCHERY

www.archerydirect.co.nz

sika news

– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre

Trail Camera Talk with Peter Harker Trail cameras have been around for a while now, and like a lot of electronic gadgetry, they are much more sophisticated than in the recent past. As with any gadget that follows this path of continual improvement, the avalanche of people buying field cameras has snowballed. These days a deer stalker considers a field camera an important part of his hunting goodies. A pocket sized time capsule. There are people who will read my blurb and scoff …. It’s to be expected as I am a novice photographer and not all my camera placements have been successful, but mistakes are learning curves and lesson learnt. Trail cameras now have become cheaper and reliability has been vastly improved. Cossi’s experience put Graeme Carlile on to this great head, resulting in a 265 douglas score officially.

Megatrack Hunting & Guiding Service Megatrack Hunting & Guiding Service caters for fallow, sambar, red, rusa and chital deer. Megatrack is reputed as being Australia’s premier fallow hunt outfitter, guaranteeing 230+ douglas score stags. Quite a few stags have exceeded 250, numerous animals exceeding 260. These hunts along with all the other hunts Megatrack offer are free range hunts - no high wire!! The fallow hunts take place on the NSWVictoria border with Pete ‘Cossi’ Costin, as he is known in the industry. Cossi took his first stag in this area at the age of 12 and has been hunting this area all his life, endowing

him with a unique ability to assess the property’s top trophies. The property is well managed - during the rut, many stags are culled if malformed antlers are detected, ensuring that top quality stags can serve and breed with the does. Megatrack ensures good heads are available to our clients by not overhunting the property, which in turn means we have a tight calendar of available hunts. This approach brings about maximum success for our season’s clients. We suggest if you are interested in a Megatrack hunt, pop on down to site 12 at the Sika Show and have a chat with Cossi.

Digital cameras came into being in the last decade with many and varied improvements. It is interesting to note that the latest cameras can even alert your cellphone if the camera is activated. So briefly here are a few tips that may take some of the guesswork out of camera placement: • Be aware of the sun’s path. • Watch for tree branches that may move and activate the camera. • Don’t set your camera up on a well used (human) pathway. There are people out there who will take your camera. • Watch where the best shelter is insofar as the camera in the wrong spot could become covered in ice and snow!

It’s All In The Finish Stuart Gleal from Greystone Guns is a name most hunters around the country would have heard many times. Greystone Guns is one of the country’s leading gunsmiths with years of experience in the field. Bringing a variety of products to the Sika Show this year Greystone Guns is a must see at booth 14 for all visitors to the Sika Show 2014. Greystone Guns is New Zealand’s only factory trained and certified Cerakote applicator, and this year’s Sika Show is your chance to talk to the experts about protecting your hunting investment with Cerakote. Cerakote is a ceramic based finish that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers and wood. The unique formulation used for

Cerakote ceramic coating enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion/wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, impact strength, and hardness. Cerakote ceramic coatings utilise state-of-the-art technology to outperform any competitive coating in both laboratory settings and real world applications. Cerakote supplies hundreds of firearm finish colour options, including custom colours, camouflage patterns, unique coating applications. Come and see why more manufacturers choose Cerakote than any other firearm finish. Visit Greystone Guns at booth 14 at this year’s Sika Show 2014.

hunt aussie with australia’s most wanted hunts!

Red Deer • Rusa • Fallow Chital • sambar

! i s s Co

tOP QUaLitY

Greystone Guns is proud to be NZ’s only factory trained and certified Cerakote applicator. We hold many choices of Cerakote colours in stock and also have a large selection of stencils to allow various types of camouflage patterns. This gives you the opportunity and ability to have unique patterns or colour combinations on your firearm or other items. Cerakote will permanently adhere to most metals (ferrous and non-ferrous), many plastics and wood (walnut and laminated wood). Check with us to see if your particular item is suitable for Cerakoting and what colours are currently available.

tROPhies

nth QLD sth aUst nsW ViC

see us at

booth 13

PO Box 202, howlong nsW, australia M: 0061 4 1289 7243 e: megatrack@bigpond.com

Phone: 03 324 3210 E-mail: stuart@greystoneguns.co.nz

www.greystoneguns.co.nz

sika news

– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre see us at

booth 74

keep your eye on the game A J Productions will be launching a new range of Security/Game cameras at this year’s Sika Show. The brand is UOVision and has been well established in Europe and North America for a number of years and is now available here in New Zealand, with A J Productions being the exclusive distributor. Two models are available: UM565 GSM “BLACK OPS” and the UV565 HD “BLACK OPS”. Both cameras are 12 Megapixel picture quality and use NO GLOW COVERT black flash leds for night time recording. The UM565 GSM model has the option to send photos via the cellular network whereas the UV565 HD does not. The UV565 HD has the ability to record video with sound in both 1080p and 720p high definition for exceptional results. Idea camera for monitoring both game animals and as a security application. We will also be releasing the all new Spypoint XCEL HD2 action camera with the following great features: • Captures full 1080p HD video with sound using the new 12.0 megapixel image sensor that improves low light performance. • Camera also features a 1X to 4X zoom and three options for recording – video, photo and time-lapse mode. • Large range of camera mounting brackets available from head strap to roll bar, bow and scope mounts. Available in two versions, Sports edition and Hunts edition. Both versions supplied with a waterproof housing however the Hunts edition is camo colour. Housing tested to a depth of 160ft. Distributed by A J Productions Ltd or enquire at your local Outdoors Store. Website: www.ajproductions.co.nz • Phone: 07 854 6022

sika news

– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre

MSC Firearms team at the Sika Show

catch it, cook it, smoke it

see us at

Cooking with your UFO is an awesome experience. You will enjoy its fabulous flavours that can be achieved by following our comprehensive recipe book, or by testing your own succulent choices! You can play with your tastes by adding smoking chips or even soil to the base of your cooker to get an authentic hangi taste. We recommend encasing your meats, and veggies in cabbage or banana leaves to encourage the natural flavour from them also. All you need to do is add 2.5L of water to the base of your UFO, lower in your food laden baskets, place the lid on and steam away for 2.5 hours. Watch the meat fall off the bone and your family and friends congratulate such a fine chef! Should your taste buds desire a fresh mussel or two steam them in your UFO confidently! Once they are open, they smoke beautifully in the UFO with some blue cheese scattered over them. Don’t forget to add some smoking chips/

By Nicole McKee Firearms & Hunter Safety Programme Manager for the Mountain Safety Council

dust to the base of your cooker for the smoking flavour. Your UFO can be used for smoking your meats and other seafood too. Here all you need is your preferred flavour of smoking chips/dust sprinkled into the base of the cooker, lower your seasoned meat or fish, replace the lid and leave it to smoke for 20/25 minutes. Again, nothing but impressive as the flesh tastes simply delicious. One of the best features of your UFO is its ability to be easily transported to your destination. Take it along to your camping site, sports day, marae, family dinner, bach, boat club wherever you can think of! Just think, no digging holes, no permits, healthy, easy cooking for large or smaller numbers, and nothing to do but prepare and wait. Don’t forget too, limited dishes to be done afterwards! Just kick back and enjoy the rest of your day! Remember you can flip your UFO over to create a great barbecue say no more on this, everyone LOVES a beautifully seared steak! see us in the

forecourt

HANGI • umu • SteAm • SmoKe • bAKe • bbQ bACKYArD • boAt • bACH • beACH

WIN A COLD SMOKER! Come see us in the forecourt at the Sika Show or visit The Fishing Paper & NZ Hunting News booth 12 to enter.

www.ufocooker.co.nz

The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) was formed in 1965 as a response to a number of bush and firearms fatalities. Today we run a number of successful public education initiatives that cover a variety of outdoors activities. The firearms programme has more than 500 volunteer instructors established throughout New Zealand, who deliver firearms safety education to the general public in more than 147 locations. After being approved, instructors are issued warrants by New Zealand Police to conduct the safety lecture and administer the arms test on their behalf under Section 14 of the Arms Regulations 1992. In 2013, our dedicated and safety conscious instructors delivered education to nearly 10,000 firearms licence applicants, which amounted to more than 7,000 volunteer hours of service. Our successful delivery mechanism of engaging passionate and enthusiastic volunteers from all communities to teach new licence applicants the skills and knowledge they need to handle firearms safely has paid off. Back in 1965, there were 51 nonintentional firearms incidents recorded, which resulted in 11 fatalities. Fast forward to today and the 2013 statistics show there were five non-intentional firearms incidents with one fatality recorded. Whilst this is a significant improvement, any fatality is one unnecessary death too many and so we continue to strive to

m 31

encourage safe practices. Whakatūpato is a joint venture between the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, New Zealand Police and Iwi to provide comprehensive firearms training for Maori and other rural persons who are firearms users but who for a number of reasons may not be able to access current firearms and hunter safety training. To further enhance the efficiency of our delivery of the firearms safety messages we have developed and expanded the Whakatūpato programme to include communities isolated not only by location but by language and culture. Come and speak to us at the Sika Show if you want to learn more about our firearms safety programmes and how we can assist your community. MSC will be based at booth M3 at the 2014 Sika Show where firearms training coordinator Mike Pyatt will be joining me. Come along for a friendly chat and get some useful tips and information to help you stay safe while using your firearms in the outdoors. We will have survival bags, packs and chamber safety devices (CSD’s) for sale. We look forward to seeing you there. For more information about the Mountain Safety Council, firearms and hunter safety please visit www.mountainsafety.org.nz/firearms

sika news

– Sika Show & Competition – 27 & 28 September – Taupo Events Centre

27 new zealand hunting news

Not Gonna Lie!

By Luke Simpson

It was a cold July morning at 3.00am when my good mate Andrew Cole and I started our hunt, planned with precision the evening before. We decided to hit up a spot north of Canterbury on public land that we had scouted out last weekend. We had spotted what looked to be a good solid stag. The plan was to get up early morning, hike about three hours in and get into position across the ridge approximately 250yards from where we had seen him out feeding on a little clearing and wait for him to come out to us. Well that was the plan, but the wily stag had other ideas. We got into position, just before sunrise and sat ready and waiting. The sun came up and it was a cracker of a day. An hour of glassing soon turned into two and before we knew it it was lunch time and we had seen no sign of the stag.

We decided we were going to head back to the hut we had passed that morning on the way in, and cook up a feed, move to a different position and stalk it out in the evening. We got all our gear together and stood up, totally not ready for what happened next. After sitting there all morning this stag must have been feeding 150yards just down the gully from us in a little patch of scrub â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both of us unaware that he was in arms reach! Heading back around the hill face, back to the hut the stag heard us and stood up and walked right out of this little bit of bush, which gave us a perfect broadside shot. The Howa270. struck him right on the shoulder and he was down. In all of a matter of seconds I had shot my first stag. Not gonna lie, there was a few high fives and happy laughs let out! It was a good feeling walking out past other hunters carrying a solid 12 pointer. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think my smile could have been any bigger.

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

G N I T N HU NEW

ZEAL

AND

NEWS

28 new zealand hunting news

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

The Silence of the Goats

Courteney Hawker’s cracker trophy.

By Courteney Hawker

With the sun beating down fiercely upon the tussocks I welcomed the mountain breeze that chilled the back of my neck. Not only would it lessen the hardship of the steep climb ahead, but as every bow hunter knows, when such close stalking is involved a steady wind is your best friend for the day...never to be forgotten. Reaching the vantage point - the rest of the world spread out below - is one of my favourite parts of the hunt. I spied a small mob of goats feeding out on a spur below. After sidling down the opposite side of the ridge I crawled up through some low scrub. In this terrain if you’re spotted you might as well take your crossbow and go home for the day. They were feeding just below a rocky outcrop and although he wasn’t quite as big as he’d looked through the binoculars, it was still a nice even head with thick twisted horns. The wind was just right for an approach through some dense matagouri that would get me within 30 metres of my mark. I took the 225lb recurve crossbow out of its bag and swapped my hiking boots for moccasins. Even one broken twig during the next stage of this hunt and it could all be over without a shot fired. Wondering what had possessed me to crawl through matagouri, I knew it would be a long week digging these spikes out. The biddy-bids would take nearly as long to pull off my fleece hunting gear but nothing else brushes so silently through the bush. Halfway through my tunnel of thorns and suddenly a

snort comes from downwind, I froze staring out at the nanny scenting the air. Thankfully she hadn’t seen me yet. She wasn’t part of my plan but I was committed now so I carried on at snail’s pace towards my billy and away from her. I hoped she’d lose interest in me, but I knew hope was all it was, the snorts were getting louder now as I closed in on my boy as fast as I dared move. Setting up for the shot I could see the billy and his younger mate had stopped giving their leafy lunch a hard time and were searching for what had their girlfriend so excited. Time was of the essence now but I still moved the crossbow up ever so slowly, glad at this moment that it was the camouflage model. Carefully releasing the safety and a movement caught my eye. I couldn’t believe my luck. Two metres below my intended target out of scrub not unlike my current hiding place came another set of horns. They were a good few inches longer than the now very lucky billy I’d just been looking at through the scope. The big fella was coming up to see what all the commotion was about and now the annoyingly noisy nanny had turned into a godsend. I lined the crosshairs up on the imaginary sweet spot on his chest and a split second later he flinched as if he’d been stung by a bee. A dozen faltering steps later it was up on top of the rock searching around for an answer to the sharp pain it had just experienced. Its knees promptly buckled and it rolled off the backside of the rock, disappearing from my view. A successful day’s hunting with the 225lb Jandao crossbow from Hawker Supplies Ltd.

DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE FISHING AND HUNTING TOMORROW? It’s not just for your sake but for your children and grandchildren.

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29 new zealand hunting news

HUNT BACK WITH HARKER By Peter Harker

My Biggest Challenge (Part 2)

With this first obstacle overcome I turned to approach the point of no return. The windswept rock face was sheathed in a film of ice that thinned off on the left face which I had intended to cut my grips in, to circle the rock and gain height. This left me no other choice than to slice grips into the thick frontal ice and go straight up. By jamming the end of the axe into a suitable fault I gave silent prayer then ever so slowly stood with one foot on the handle, hard against the ice, and using my skinning knife, chipped a few hand grips in strategic positions. Each time I paused for breath my eyes fell on the perpendicular drops on each side and so my precarious work took on renewed vigour. At long last the time was ready to attempt the near impossible, but with the thought “faint heart never won fair lady” I took a deep breath and inch by inch the barrier was won over. With a surge of pride through my veins, the rest of the climb was made in fast time as the snow was rock hard and covered the remaining shale in a white carpet. It is said that the thrill in climbing a mountain is not standing on the peak, but 50 feet before the summit is reached, and without doubt this is a fact. The summit of Hitchen was reached, the risks taken to reach this spot were all but forgotten and with the sun blazing down from a cloudless sky, I sank the blade of the ice axe into the snow and sat down to lunch. Hitchen, being only a youngster to many of the surrounding mountains I had mastered, was well up on the list of ‘hair raisers’ and heads the list in grandstands from which to observe chamois and deer. I munched away on corned beef sandwiches and laid plans for the long return trip home, skirting to the top of Chairman’s Creek,

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz along the rugged Spur Saddle and then crossing the beautiful Hitchen Basin, lying north-east from where I now sat. The afternoon was so charmingly fine I should have been glad to stay up there till the morrow, but time at my disposal warranted no unnecessary delay. So, shouldering my rifle and pack I set off along the snow slopes towards Chairman’s Creek. Chamois were appearing in every gut where foliage had fought to keep above the snow and where the large stone columns at the head of the creek began to come into view there were chamois in every direction. A large boulder partly hid my stealthy advance and armed with the trusty 35mm I took up a position which enabled a splendid array of photographs to be shot. All told there were thirty animals around the head-waters and for the life of me I was at a loss to imagine what they could possibly find to sustain their seemingly endless supply of energy. The saddle onto Rugged Peak was next confronted and marvellous time was made in a series of ungainly glissades to the saddle itself. Allowing myself valuable time I enjoyed a cigarette while watching some blood curdling avalanches crash down near vertical slopes to the Waitaha River far below. In one such slide I was extremely fortunate to photograph a young chamois caught in the path of a large snow slide. He never reappeared. Turning north I made my way through the deep gut to the gradual slope which braces the side of the basin. Again thrilling time was gained in glissades where in some places 300 and 400 feet was obtained, but not without some hair-raising cornering around outcropping rocks. In no time I stood at the bluff above Isobel Falls which plunge 370 feet from the basin to the scrub down below. All around the top of this waterfall the vegetation is most luxuriant and plants grow in grand profusion, noticeably the myosotis which flourish in the abundant moisture. The campsite which I had established in summer for the odd passing stalker now lay covered in five feet of snow but the mountain ducks which had been present in the summer months still sent their raucous cry my way. On the steep drag up towards the north-east face of Mt Allen I was joined by a few friendly little wrens. These are absurd looking creatures with buff-coloured breasts, no tails and large staring eyes. They look for all the world like boiled potatoes set up on hairpins for legs. Still the company was very much appreciated and made a pleasant change from thinking aloud. As the sun plunged into the sea I scrambled onto the top of Mt Allen and by using the ascent route marked in the Condy’s Crystals began to retreat down to the sub-alpine bush. The fading light was all but gone as the green belt was reached and how glad I was to be able to follow the brilliant purple stains till the open native bush was arrived at. Splashing down the creek to the car was the last stage of the journey and as I slid behind the steering wheel I was completely done in. All told, the trip had taken more than thirteen hours and in that time I had used up a good deal of film on the chamois that lived in this remote area.

A Stag in the Hand By Dave McDonald

I laid a pack full of acorns on the track and waited to see what would happen. As dusk approached, a hind appeared and sniffed at the acorns. She was followed by a coupe of fawns, but I decided to wait for a stag. Darkness arrived before the deer, so I beat a retreat to the truck and rolled out my bag, intending to hunt again in the morning. As daylight filtered into camp, I made my way back uphill to my tree stand and the acorns, spooking a small stag on the way. I had a clear view of 300 yards but saw no sign of the stag, so moved north to Waioeki. The area held abundant lush feed and almost immediately I spied movement about 100 yards below me – it looked like a black steer. It was five-to-eight. Using the zoom on my scope, I kept a closer eye on the ‘cattle beast’ and when it finally took a couple of steps, I was stunned to see this cow had antlers! I swung the crosshairs up to the point where the chest met the neck and touched off. ‘Boom!’ The stag dropped straight away, so I cautiously made my way down to the fallen beast. The 130 grain .270 bullet had not let me down. He was huge – too big to lift. He was firmly anchored to the ground, so I had no option but to cut him in half and take the hindquarters. On the way out I stalked and lost a bigger 18-point stag and surprised a group of deer in a swamp, one an even 10-pointer. I arrived home just after 2.00pm, exhausted but elated with my accomplishment.

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30 new zealand hunting news

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31 new zealand hunting news

A Dog Can See as Well as Smell By Tony Orman

It’s well accepted that a dog’s sense of smell is a great aid in hunting, but so too is a dog’s eyesight. Undeniably the eyesight of a dog is so much better than a human’s. A few examples spring to mind. One evening, several years ago, on a ridge in the Marlborough High country I was looking down a clear slope of about 500 metres to a rush and scrub covered valley floor. I heard a hind bark from the bush on the opposite face, above the creek. My lab Jazz sat and looked around. Next moment she was looking intently downhill. She had spotted something. I looked and looked and saw nothing. So I swung my binoculars in the direction of her gaze. It took five full minutes to find what she had seen. It was a big stag feeding in the rushes and sporting magnificent antlers!

Jive watches a deer.

I sneaked in closer, got to 250 metres in the hope of a photo and then the stag had melted away. I had no wish to shoot it. It’s now my ethic to leave big stags as the top sire to continue the quality genes. But back to Jazz ‘s eyesight. A dog’s eyesight is somewhere between that of a deer and human, probably well on the side nearest the deer. They pick up movement far better than we do. I’ve also experienced recent examples of a dog’s visual ability to pick up game, with my current lab, Jive. One evening we sat on a cutover pine forest area. I became aware Jive had seen something. It took me several minutes - with binoculars - to locate what he’d seen. It was a boar, a sow and a couple of young pigs. Another time Jive and I were sitting on a spur. We’d been there half an hour when suddenly he stared intently across the gully. It again took several minutes to locate the object of his attention. It was a stag, eight points; not big in antlers but a neat head. I set up a tripod attached my digital camera and took nine shots at him. On the other hand a dog, just like a deer, doesn’t recognise stationary animals as quickly as humans do. In one case, I was with Jive when a spiker walked out of the bush, just 50 metres from where we were, saw us and utterly froze and stared. I hissed to Jive but he couldn’t identify it. So with him at heel beside me, I walked slowly towards the deer. The spiker took a step or two and stared wide-eyed at 40-metres. Jive immediately saw it. There’s another angle to this. If a dog can so quickly pick up a deer’s or pig’s movement, so too, perhaps more so, can a deer pick up our movements. Food for thought.

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32 new zealand hunting news

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Invisible in the Open By Daryl Crimp

Colin Murray disembarked the plane ahead of me and greeted the autumn Australian afternoon with casual stride, his tiny wiry frame and sun-harassed bald head paradoxically making him stand out from the crowd. I donned my authentic Akubra slouch hat as I stepped onto the gantry at Albury airport, situated in New South Wales on the banks of the Murray River and right on the border of Victoria. Our host was nowhere to be seen but that was to be expected: Pete Costin is a bit of a legend in hunting circles in Australia and hobbles to his own timepiece. ‘Cossi’ lurched through the automatic doors like the Hunchback of Notre-Dame as we were retrieving our baggage from the carousel and accosted us with a typical ocker greeting, “Gidday, ‘ewes’ fellas reckon you gonna be able to last a whole week without a sheep!” It was like a flag drop to me and I could see the week shaping up to some intense trans-Tasman ribbing. Cossi is the antipode’s answer to Britain’s Del Boy from ‘Only Fools and Horses’, and ferrets a living from myriad of ventures too numerous to list. What had attracted us to Australia was his very successful guiding operation – Megatrack Hunting & Guiding Services. “Cossi-modo,” I greeted him warmly, “when are you going to get that hip replaced?” “After I’ve finished guiding you blokes,” he replied as we made our way outdoors. “You are the last for the season and I’ll have a bit of

time on my hands.” Cossi is instantly likeable and, compared to most Aussies, one of the straightest crooks I’ve come to know. While he also guides on rusa, chital, red and sambar, it was the big fallow heads that piqued our interest. Colin had long harboured a desire for a large fallow and, having served my trophy hunting apprenticeship, I too hankered for a magnificent palmed mount. Cossi had charmed us with tales of heads that would make some moose feel inadequate and he sent photos of fallow sporting impressive racks. Colin and I fell for a deal that fell off the back of a lorry. But now the tune changed. “We didn’t get the spring growth and none of the cockies put any crops in this year so we just haven’t had the antler growth,” Cossi explained. “So the heads have been poorer than previous seasons.” Now Cossi guarantees heads over 230 Douglas Score, but both Colin and I had visions of creeping close to the two-fifty mark. “Nah, nothing like that this year… so far!” His response was as crisp as dry paper and if there was a breeze blowing in his neighbourhood, it certainly wasn’t ruffling his feathers. I muttered that we had our hearts set on something over two-forty, but Cossi wouldn’t be drawn to offer any further guarantees. “You never know what’s going to turn up on the day,” was all he said. We’d elected to hunt the tail end of Cossi’s

season, which meant we’d we risked the better heads being cropped by earlier hunters, but our guide was adamant it didn’t always work that way. “About now the big bucks move in from Christ knows where – they just seem to materialise. You just don’t know where they’ll crop up.” Almost as if on queue, we crested a ridge and as I looked out the passenger window, I noticed a row of what looked like twisted branches on the move, and it registered that they were the antlers of three big fallow bucks. “Nah, we can do better,” he grunted dismissively as he rose to his full height and scared the tripe out of the deer. They thundered off towards the skyline, their hooves tattooing a drumbeat to their escape. “The middle one would have gone in the high 230’s but not 240.” With bucks thin on the ground, I didn’t share his optimism. By midday we’d circumnavigated the farm and sighted no more animals. Cossi pointed the snout of the Patrol in the direction of a ‘food trough’ in town. If animals didn’t magically appear out of thin air, I could see the drought extending to trophy animals as well. “There’s a bloody big deer under that tree!” Colin said the magic words later that afternoon. We’d literally been staring at a barren spot for a good ten minutes and now, not one but three deer magically appeared. Sitting in a lose triangle right on the edge of the tree’s outer shadow were three very large fallow bucks. From our vantage some three

Colin crawls into position.

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hundred metres away, two looked worthy of closer scrutiny and Cossi sealed the deal with the comment, “All three will go over 240!” “That back bastard has got big paddles,” said Colin. I’d always worked on the premise that he who spots the animal gets first rights to draw blood, so as far as I was concerned, Colin had the pick of the litter. We dropped back into the creek and set off in single file after the deer. We didn’t have a lot of ground to cover but it required a tortuous path if we were to remain hidden. “Take him, Colin,” I whispered, the gap closing to 150m. “Mmmm – dunno – what do you reckon,” mused the gnome. I couldn’t believe he was hesitating. “Are you kidding me,” I shot back, “take the bloody shot?” “You take him if you like, Crimpy!” “It’s your animal – TAKE THE SHOT COLIN!” I spat back. “But you’ve had a run of bad luck on fallow, Crimpy,” he argued. “You take it!” This was almost too much for Cossi and he cut into the conversation like water hitting hot fat, “We aren’t taking turns with a sheep here! Now somebody take the bloody shot because you are not going to get a better animal this week!” “Okay, I’ll take it!” I said. That was too much for my diminutive companion, who suddenly realised he was actually looking at the trophy of a lifetime. “Okay, I’ll take it,” he mumbled and I quietly wondered what made him think I’d given him a second chance. Despite the stick I give him, Colin is a very accomplished hunter, has operated his own guiding business and has guided many hunters to success over the years. “Get ready Colin,” Cossi suddenly warned, “that big one is about to stand up.” What it was that caused it to do so, and how Cossi knew I’ll never know, but the fallow with the dark pelage and huge palms effortlessly made its feet. It took a step and stood broadside on.

33 new zealand hunting news

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz Crimpy with an impressive Australian Fallow

Moonwalking By Kim Swan

A mighty crack rent the air, a hollow thump followed shortly afterward and the big buck jumped and half walked and half ran before slumping to the ground. The other bucks departed for the ridge and soon disappeared. Colin sat for a moment in quiet reflection. “I’m going after that second buck,” I said unswervingly. From here the pace of the hunt picked up. The other two responded instantly to my call to action and we crested the ridge hunched and in single file. The deer were now 250m away and making for the skyline. “If they get over that ridge you can kiss goodbye to them,” Cossi hissed in my ear. I dropped to the ground and thrust Cossi’s .280 Ackley improved over my daypack. “They are on the skyline – don’t shoot, don’t shoot,” bleated the lopsided wobbly little Australian guide. “Don’t worry – I’m not going to shoot without a backdrop,” I mumbled back,

despondently. I couldn’t believe I’d come so close, only to lose my chance to a boundary fence. The deer faltered at the man-made obstruction. The bigger of the two, the one with the witch’s claw on its head and my name on it, took the lead and turned back down toward the ridge opposite us, looking likely to break into a run. I gave the front one a little lead and touched the trigger. The big buck wobbled on his wheels and executed a drunken pirouette, while I worked the bolt and jacked another round in the breech, knowing it wouldn’t be required. The deer tipped up and expired with its hooves on the air, giving a few last kicks. I gasped at the mighty rack of antlers, framed in beautiful symmetry and as unique to the animal as the fingerprints of Man. It had all the characteristics of a fallow head that I wanted: amazing guard tines, strong brows, huge palms and great gnarly hooks that stretched to the sky like fingers. And it had my name on it!

NZAR15.COM

“Drunkard do you think?” the driver would question his passenger. “Hmmm, certainly looks that way. Or maybe a sleepwalker. But where would he come from?”. They’d get out of their ute, examine the boot prints. “Just a wee fella. Big enough to be weaned but too young to be drinking alcohol!”. Of course they were baffled. I mean, who would’ve walked this rough mud track in the middle of the night? Some wee fella with tiny boots and prints which suggest a drunken stagger. Its mid winter. It was raining last night, freezing cold, windy. Who indeed? Along with the wind-driven rain there was a moon, a full moon. You could not see it, for it was hidden above moisture-laden cloud, but it was there, casting its glow upon the land. Enough of a glow, just, for me to walk a rough mud track in the middle of the night. My boot prints they dotted the tracks and ridges willy nilly but I had not wandered aimlessly. I had places to go. Utilising the glow of a perigee moon to light my way and to silhouette the hill above me, I could make out land and landmarks, bushes and benches, and clearings. I’d memorised every clearing, every open creek, every patch of sweet green feed. At these prime hotspots, and only at these hotspots, I’d flick the switch of the torch in my gloved hand. The torch was my new favourite toy, it had a beam like nothing else. A beam which cut through darkness and exposed all who ventured out in it. It had a handle which fitted little hands. I could use it to scan and then to hold alongside my rifle barrel as I looked down my scope. I’ve been using my sheila-friendly torch often. It adds a new dimension to my animal control work. I can walk the back country alone at night, tactical spotlighting for hour upon hour, surprising the crafty creatures who hide from those other hunters in vehicles. I can sneak stealthily by the light of the moon, pop up in a clearing and say ‘surprise!’. Half a dozen pairs of jewel-bright eyes shined on a knob 40 degrees above me. Heads and necks were

illuminated by my torch, no bodies were visible. Hate these shots. Hate having no background to reassure myself that my bullet, if I miss, will thud harmlessly into dirt or rock. Curious deer will only peer at a bedraggled lighter for so long. I knew my projectile would either hit bambi or fly and fly. Maybe I’d accidentally shoot an alien wafting out in the stratosphere. The mind boggled. Owl-eyed Swan vs alien in the High Court. HIGH Court. Beam me up Scotty! First shot I missed, I thought. Second shot running deer, moisture on my scope, sharp rock gouging my bum cheek, twisted like a contortionist - I was comforted by a safe ‘dirt’ background though, so I shot more confidently. Bambi’s dam chucked in the towel. She threw her legs in the air and hurtled downward at warp speed. From 40 degrees uphill she was coming at me. If the boot prints were wobbly before they were all over the place now. Look out! After Bambis dam was sorted it was torch-off time. Moonwalking again. Clambering, falling, panting with exertion as I scaled the ridiculously steep hill to make sure my first shot was a dud. It was. I couldn’t find a dead deer, much less a little green man. No blood. A clean miss. I did find fresh pig poo. Warm fresh. Up here, high on a godforsaken knob where a bitter cold wind blew rain at me and chilled my bones I gripped my torch tight. I cocked my rifle, wiped rain from my eyes, flicked the switch and illuminated lush green grass. And pigs! Yep, my scope was trickling wet and misty eyed. Yep, I was blinking in the wind-driven precipitation, my cold hands barely strong enough to hold my torch alongside my wavering barrel. But I had pig shit on the brain. Pigs. My favourite. “Surprise” I whispered as I locked onto a young boar. He probably thought I looked like an alien myself, but my skin was chilled blue not green. And the long narrow tool I was pointing at him was no probe. Said tool sent an unidentified flying object on its way. Good night piggy, sleep well.

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34 The fishing Paper - august 2014

Whitebait fishing regulations - a summary

The regulations summarised here are for the whole of New Zealand except the West Coast of the South Island1. Please observe the regulations and conserve our species. Fishing season In all areas of New Zealand except the West Coast of the South Island and the Chatham Islands, the whitebait fishing season is open between 15 August and 30 November (inclusive). The Chatham Islands season runs from 1 December to the last day of February (inclusive). The taking of whitebait at all other times is prohibited. Fishing is only permitted between 5 am and 8 pm OR between 6 am and 9 pm when New Zealand Daylight Saving is being observed. Fishing gear ‘Fishing gear’ includes all nets, screens, lines or other devices that are used, or are capable of being used, to take whitebait. ‘Drag net’ means any net or any rope, material or device used in conjunction with the net that is a) weighted on the bottom edge, and b) operated by surrounding any whitebait and being drawn through any water.

the net. Fishing gear must be removed from the water at the end of fishing or the end of the day, whichever is earlier. No person shall possess whitebait in conjunction with any whitebait net that is not permitted to be used under the whitebait regulations, whether or not that net is being used for fishing at the time. General Unlawfully taken fish must be immediately returned to the waters from which they were obtained, taking care to ensure their survival. No person shall discard or dump on shore any fish taken when fishing for whitebait. No person shall fish for whitebait within 20 m of any tide gate, flood gate, confluence or culvert, or fish from any bridge, or from any vessel. Nothing in these regulations permits any person fishing for whitebait to interfere with, alter or modify the natural bed or banks of any river, stream, estuary or channel. Penalties Persons offending against these regulations may be fined up to $5000.

Whitebait nets must have a mouth no larger than 4.5 m (measured around the inside of the net frame) and framing material no wider than 120 mm. Drag nets must be no taller than 1 m in height and be flat when laid on a flat surface. Both whitebait nets and drag nets must be no more than 3.5 m in length.

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Alternately they can be packed away into their carry bag and will fit in your car boot

•

More space and room - ability to take a mate, partner or grandchildren

•

More natural seating position, plus being able to move around, stand and stretch

•

Lighter than a lot of kayaks and easy to get onto a roof rack

One of the standout positives of Nifty Boats that is the ability to power it with a small outboard motor. When the paddling arms tire or when you need a little more pace to get there quicker, the power and economy of the Nifty outboard options will impress. Nifty Boats offer a cost competitive option at $1499 for the complete boat, or $2999 with a brand new Evinrude 3.5 hp four stroke outboard. Nifty Boats MAY be available through our website or contact Darren directly on 027 824 9020

LAKES | RIVERS | OCEAN | ESTUARIES

's Perfect py m ri C Collingwood Camping Whitebait Patties Ground

Get the advantage th� whitebait se�on!

EXPLORERS YACHT OR LAUNCH TENDER

• Salt & white pepper to taste

• 2tbsp rice bran or canola oil and 50g butter

Break the egg yolks into a bowl containing the whitebait and stir until the bait is coated well. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until light and fluffy. Gently fold the egg whites into the whitebait.

Can be carried and launched by one person. Able to launch anywhere there is water. Easy to transport, fits in the boot or on the roof racks. Packs away into carry bag. Super economical boating. Rated to take up to a 3.5hp outboard Great alternative to a kayak.

Heat oil over a moderately high heat and butter until it foams.

WE’VE GOT ThE RIGhT GEaR FOR YOU

WhITEBaIT NETS

Add generous spoonfuls of whitebait and cook until you see the bait turn white in the centre. Flip and cook for the same time on the other side. Season to taste with salt and white pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve as a buttie between two slices of fresh white bread.

• Scoop Nets • Folding Set Nets • Sock Nets PLUS a great range of surfcasting gear

WESTLAND ENGINEERING SUPPLIES 10 Boundary St, Greymouth Ph (03) 768 5720 Fax: (03) 768 0907

DUCK HUNTERS TROUT FISHERMEN DIVERS

• 1lb whitebait • White bread

WHITEBAITERS

FISHERMEN

• 2 free range eggs, separated

• Lemon wedges

Contact: Bill and Shelley Climo 6 William Street, Collingwood - P: (03) 524 8149 E: manager@collingwoodcampingground.co.nz

Nifty way to whitebait

One out of every three customers are caravan and motorhome owners, due to the fact of their versatility and size, one out every three buyers are just wanting it for exploring and having fun, and the final third are current, ex or potential kayak fisherman.

No fishing gear shall: • exceed more than one-third of the water channel width • be used in conjunction with another person’s gear to exceed more than one-third of the channel width • exceed 6 m in total length

Enjoy FISHING, SCALLOPING, WHITEBAITING, or just RELAX.

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

www.niftyboats.co.nz • info@niftyboats.co.nz call Darren on 027 824 9020

35 The fishing Paper - august 2014

Rig Right

For Winter

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Bennie’s big rig.

Readers prize winner

Sand, Bark, Feature Rocks, Sleepers, Mussel Shell, Compost, Weedmat, Trellis, Coloured Pebbles, Pavers, Soil

Crab Crunchers

For all your landscaping supplies OPEN 7 DAYS 55 Pascoe St, Nelson Ph 03 546 4933

By James Bennie

Fishing with Wellington Surfcasting & Angling Club, I nabbed this nice 8kg spotted smoothhound shark (rig) while surfcasting at Palliser Bay in the Wairarapa. Rig are a popular winter target on shelving stony beaches around central and southern New Zealand. Being a specialised feeder, rig can’t refuse the taste of fresh paddle crabs. One of my top tips for rig success is to source the paddle crabs before a surfcast session and kept them fresh in the fridge avoiding freezing them. Rig can be targeted with a well presented ledger or pulley setup. Other top baits include shellfish, prawns or even crayfish tail or claw meat, tied on with bait cotton. Don’t go cheap with terminal tackle - rig have a hard, abrasive jaw and can crush weak hooks or thin trace material. The torquey runs of the rig will also expose weakness in swivels or mainlines. The rigs power is further multiplied by crashing surf and undertows of the areas where you try and land them, adding further excitement. They also make powerful runs parallel to the beach in the surfline as you bring them in. They are awesome fighting fish and they get the heart going when they hit and your rod doubles over. The boneless flesh, being a cartilaginous shark not a true fish, means they are easy to prepare for the pan or bbq.

The Constant Angle Knife Sharpening System

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See our website for the full range

story

www.scarysharp.co.nz AUGUST 2014

Tide chart august 2014

From Westport: Greymouth +00 minutes | Hokitika +10 minutes Karamea -35 minutes | Whanganui Inlet -1 hour 05 minutes From Nelson: Picton is -46 minutes on the high tides and -1 hour 20 minutes on the low tides Elaine Bay -29 minutes on the high tides and -40 minutes on the low tides Stephens Island -30 minutes | Collingwood -25 minutes Croisilles Harbour -18 minutes on the high tides and -02 minutes on the low tides French Pass is -2 hours for approximate best transit times From Akaroa: Kaikoura +1 hour 01 minute on the high tides and +59 minutes on the low tides Lyttelton +44 minutes on the high tides and +42 minutes on the low tides Moeraki -1 hour 11 minutes on the high tides and -35 minutes on the low tides

1 Fri 2 Sat 3 Sun 4 Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 Thu 8 Fri 9 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri 23 Sat 24 Sun 25 Mon 26 Tue 27 Wed 28 Thu 29 Fri 30 Sat 31 Sun

01:31 02:10 02:55 03:50 04:55 06:04 00:55 01:57 02:54 03:47 04:38 05:27 00:03 00:52 01:42 02:35 03:32 04:35 05:41 00:29 01:31 02:24 03:09 03:48 04:24 04:58 05:31 06:04 00:26 01:00 01:38

Westport

2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.6 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 -.1 3.6 3.5 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.6 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 3.1 3.0 2.9

07:45 08:25 09:11 10:06 11:11 12:20 07:11 08:13 09:10 10:04 10:54 11:43 06:16 07:05 07:56 08:49 09:45 10:47 11:53 06:46 07:47 08:39 09:23 10:00 10:35 11:08 11:40 12:12 06:38 07:13 07:52

0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.8 2.8 2.9 3.1 3.3 3.4 3.5 -.1 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.9 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.9 3.0 3.0 3.0 0.4 0.5 0.6

13:52 14:33 15:20 16:18 17:27 18:37 13:25 14:26 15:21 16:12 17:01 17:49 12:32 13:20 14:11 15:04 16:03 17:07 18:15 12:58 13:57 14:47 15:29 16:06 16:40 17:13 17:45 18:17 12:45 13:20 13:59

2.8 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.7 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.6 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 3.0 2.9 2.8

19:58 20:41 21:32 22:35 23:46

0.7 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9

19:42 20:40 21:34 22:25 23:14

2.8 3.0 3.3 3.4 3.5

18:37 19:26 20:17 21:13 22:15 23:22

0.0 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9

19:19 20:15 21:02 21:41 22:16 22:49 23:21 23:53

2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1

18:51 0.5 19:27 0.6 20:09 0.7

Waimakariri Mouth

02:07 02:49 03:33 04:19 05:06 05:56 00:37 01:31 02:26 03:22 04:19 05:16 00:02 00:57 01:53 02:48 03:44 04:40 05:36 00:21 01:14 02:05 02:52 03:36 04:19 05:01 05:42 00:12 00:52 01:34 02:17

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

08:19 09:03 09:48 10:35 11:24 12:15 06:48 07:43 08:40 09:37 10:34 11:31 06:14 07:11 08:07 09:04 10:00 10:57 11:54 06:31 07:24 08:14 09:02 09:46 10:28 11:09 11:50 06:23 07:04 07:47 08:31

2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.3 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2

14:24 15:09 15:56 16:46 17:39 18:33 13:09 14:04 14:59 15:55 16:50 17:46 12:27 13:22 14:18 15:15 16:13 17:13 18:12 12:49 13:42 14:30 15:15 15:57 16:38 17:17 17:56 12:30 13:12 13:55 14:41

0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

20:33 21:19 22:06 22:55 23:45

2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1

19:28 20:24 21:18 22:13 23:08

0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1

18:41 19:37 20:34 21:31 22:28 23:25

2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2

19:08 20:00 20:47 21:31 22:12 22:52 23:32

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

18:37 19:18 20:02 20:49

2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1

00:34 01:10 01:50 02:38 03:35 04:42 05:53 00:48 01:47 02:39 03:28 04:16 05:02 05:47 00:29 01:15 02:03 02:56 03:55 05:00 00:16 01:13 01:59 02:40 03:16 03:50 04:23 04:56 05:29 00:05 00:40

3.9 3.8 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.4 1.1 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 4.4 4.2 3.9 3.6 3.4 3.2 1.4 1.2 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 4.0 3.9

01:05 01:49 02:36 03:29 04:24 05:18 06:10 00:51 01:45 02:39 03:32 04:24 05:18 00:04 00:57 01:51 02:48 03:46 04:44 05:38 00:20 01:11 02:00 02:44 03:24 04:01 04:38 05:17 05:58 00:31 01:15

0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.8 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 0.8 0.8

Nelson 06:33 07:12 07:55 08:44 09:42 10:51 12:05 07:01 08:04 09:02 09:54 10:43 11:30 12:15 06:33 07:19 08:07 09:00 10:03 11:18 06:08 07:11 08:06 08:51 09:32 10:09 10:44 11:18 11:52 06:04 06:41

0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.3 4.4 4.4 4.3 0.4 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.5 3.2 3.3 3.5 3.6 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.0 4.0 0.6 0.8

12:55 13:32 14:13 15:02 16:03 17:18 18:36 13:15 14:17 15:11 15:59 16:45 17:30 18:13 13:00 13:45 14:33 15:28 16:37 17:59 12:32 13:34 14:23 15:02 15:37 16:08 16:38 17:08 17:39 12:25 13:01

Akaroa 07:21 08:08 08:58 09:48 10:39 11:32 12:26 07:02 07:54 08:48 09:44 10:39 11:34 06:14 07:12 08:11 09:09 10:05 11:00 11:53 06:28 07:16 08:01 08:45 09:27 10:09 10:50 11:30 12:12 06:44 07:34

2.2 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.4 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 2.3 2.3

13:27 14:14 15:06 16:03 16:59 17:53 18:46 13:21 14:15 15:08 16:00 16:53 17:47 12:29 13:24 14:21 15:20 16:21 17:18 18:12 12:46 13:35 14:21 15:02 15:41 16:18 16:55 17:35 18:18 12:56 13:44

3.8 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.5 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 4.2 3.9 3.7 3.4 3.3 3.2 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 4.0 3.9

18:42 19:20 20:05 21:03 22:16 23:38

0.9 1.0 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.3

19:43 20:39 21:28 22:15 23:00 23:44

3.8 4.1 4.4 4.6 4.7 4.6

18:57 19:45 20:39 21:48 23:06

0.5 0.8 1.1 1.3 1.4

19:12 20:05 20:47 21:23 21:56 22:28 23:00 23:32

3.4 3.6 3.7 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.1 4.1

0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 0.8 0.9

19:41 20:30 21:20 22:12 23:04 23:57

2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.3

19:38 20:30 21:24 22:18 23:11

0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

18:43 19:41 20:39 21:36 22:31 23:26

2.7 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4

19:01 19:48 20:32 21:13 21:53 22:32 23:11 23:50

0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8

18:13 0.7 18:50 0.9

19:06 2.3 19:57 2.3

00:26 00:55 01:27 02:05 02:55 04:06 05:42 00:14 01:17 02:10 02:58 03:45 04:30 05:14 00:12 00:54 01:39 02:28 03:25 04:31 05:42 00:38 01:29 02:12 02:51 03:27 04:02 04:36 05:11 00:00 00:29

01:11 01:53 02:37 03:23 04:10 05:00 05:52 00:35 01:30 02:26 03:23 04:20 05:18 00:01 00:57 01:52 02:48 03:44 04:40 05:35 00:18 01:09 01:56 02:40 03:23 04:05 04:46 05:27 06:08 00:38 01:21

Havelock

3.0 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 3.3 3.2 3.0 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.4 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 3.0 2.9

06:12 06:50 07:31 08:17 09:11 10:14 11:27 07:02 08:08 09:05 09:55 10:40 11:22 12:03 05:57 06:41 07:26 08:12 09:04 10:04 11:18 06:51 07:51 08:44 09:29 10:10 10:47 11:21 11:52 05:45 06:22

0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.0 2.5 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.4 2.5 2.7 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.1 0.5 0.6

12:47 13:16 13:48 14:27 15:18 16:44 18:34 12:41 13:48 14:45 15:35 16:19 17:01 17:42 12:43 13:22 14:04 14:51 15:55 17:25 18:50 12:37 13:43 14:32 15:11 15:45 16:17 16:49 17:21 12:21 12:50

2.9 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.6 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.4 1.3 1.1 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 3.1 3.0

Rakaia Mouth 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.6 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 0.6 0.6

07:23 08:07 08:52 09:39 10:28 11:19 12:13 06:47 07:44 08:41 09:38 10:35 11:31 06:15 07:11 08:08 09:04 10:01 10:58 11:53 06:28 07:18 08:06 08:50 09:32 10:13 10:54 11:34 12:16 06:51 07:35

2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.3 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.2 2.2

13:28 14:13 15:00 15:50 16:43 17:37 18:32 13:08 14:03 14:59 15:54 16:50 17:45 12:26 13:22 14:19 15:17 16:17 17:16 18:12 12:46 13:34 14:19 15:01 15:42 16:21 17:00 17:41 18:22 12:59 13:45

0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 0.6 0.6

18:20 18:57 19:40 20:32 21:39 22:59

0.6 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.1

19:45 20:38 21:25 22:08 22:49 23:30

2.8 3.0 3.2 3.4 3.5 3.4

18:23 19:06 19:53 20:50 22:05 23:32

0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.2 1.2

19:51 20:36 21:15 21:51 22:26 23:00 23:31

2.6 2.8 2.9 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1

17:55 0.5 18:32 0.6

19:37 20:23 21:10 21:59 22:49 23:41

2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.2

19:28 20:22 21:17 22:12 23:06

0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1

18:41 19:38 20:35 21:32 22:29 23:25

2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.2

19:04 19:51 20:35 21:16 21:56 22:36 23:16 23:56

0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

19:06 2.1 19:53 2.1

Tidal OceanFunPublishing PublishingLtd Ltd www.ofu.co.nz www.ofu.co.nz Note: Tides in chronological order. Lower daily depth = low tides. Higher daily depth = high tides. Tidaldata data supplied supplied by by OceanFun

36 The fishing Paper - august 2014

NZ made jockey wheel and winch.

The

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Y A W G D U M

advantage

Its New Zealand made!

Hot dipped galvanized. NZ milled steel.

Certified to NZ 5467 standard.

24mm wheel wobble rod.

Tough, durable mudflaps.

Multi volt lights. NZ made. 5 year warranty.

Commercial tyres.

The Reunion

Hi Dave,

About 1998, I purchased a 12 foot Fyran dinghy on a trailer. The advertising on the trailer had Mudgway Trailers and Dunlea Products. After many years of great service in and out of saltwater, this year I noticed the trailer was getting a little rusty. Seeing the ad for Mudgway in The Fishing Paper I phoned the 0800 number and talked with Jill and she immediately knew the type of trailer I had. In June, while visiting Kaikoura, I called into Mudgway where I met Shane, who said he would have made that trailer and still had the plans on file. They need about four weeks to make a trailer that size and the cost is about $2350. I was impressed with the down to earth approach to business and the friendly way they treated me. Regards, Dave Taylor Nelson

Thanks for your repeat business. Since we purchased Mudgway Trailers, we hold all the records & plans for the trailers we have made. Each trailer has its own serial number too. Shane has been in charge of the manufacture of our trailers since day one and assists his father, Ross, with design and modifications. Being boaties themselves they have tested many trailers and designs to ensure the launch and retrieve process is free from hassles. Customising a trailer to suit individual requirements is not a problem for Shane and the team as it is essential to get the right trailer for your exact application. All trailers are approved by transport certifications, for the correct GVM and are manufactured to NZ5467 standards. Thanks - The Mudgway Team

“... the most commonly overlooked and least considered part of the investment is the trailer.”

END YOUR HASSLES AT THE BOAT RAMP Launch and retrieve by yourself, without your partner getting wet!

Boat Type Fittings The L & R Snare that goes on your boat... No strings required. No need to drill fresh holes in your boat No welds required

Replace this with this

Fits in the bottom hole of the towering eye

visit www.boatlatch.com for more info.

Quality Custom Made Trailers

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Dunlea Products and Mudgway Trailers is a family owned and operated, New Zealand business, based in Kaikoura. Keeping Kiwis safe for over 35 years.

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• Boat Trailers • Engineering • Farm Gates • Custom Made Trailers • Certified Trailers • Bale Feeders • Trailer Parts • Accessories

37 The fishing Paper - august 2014

TIDES OF CHANGE By Poppa Mike

A Long Trip For A Free Beer For the past fifteen years vessels taking the ‘shortcut’ between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean have been at the mercy of ‘pirates’ operating out of the Somali Republic bordering the Gulf of Aden. Things reached a peak in 2008 when more than 40 large cargo ships were captured and held to ransom, with one Ukrainian vessel alone realising as much as $25 million. It is estimated that more than $150 million was paid out that year. Cruising yachts became another target, easy to catch and board, quickly stripped of everything, then a ransom demanded for release of crew and vessel. In June 2008 German couple Juergen Kantner and Sabine Merz were abducted with their yacht Rockall which was taken to be used by local militia while the couple were moved to a remote mountain hideout until eventually being released in August, but only after torture and a substantial ransom was paid. After returning to Germany to recover and regroup Juergen and Sabine returned to Somalia, tracked down their beloved yacht, sitting on the hard at the small port of Berbera. With the help of a few locals they set about repairing and replacing stolen contents, living aboard to save on expenses. After many months they were able to relaunch Rockall and head directly north across the Gulf of Aden to the safety of Al’Adan (Aden) in Yemen. There, with the further help of friends and associates, the yacht restoration was finally completed and they were able to continue their voyage. Recently they were reported to be safely resting up in Malaysia. The lucky escape with their lives and later their yacht takes on another dimension when considering the many other yachts captured by pirates in similar circumstances. French skipper of Tribal Kat was murdered and his body thrown overboard. On average, hostages have been held for about seven months, although one couple, Paul and Rachel Chandler, from the yacht Lynn Rival were held captive in the bush for 388 days. More recently, in 2011, pirates shot and killed four Americans on Quest. Despite increased patrol by naval ships, a further ten yachts have been captured in the past three years. Meanwhile, when Juergen and Sabine leave Malaysia to continue their travels to the south and east, proud Nelsonian Peter McGrath of Bays Brewery is preparing a special brew of his prize winning German beer ready to treat them in true Kiwi style when they tie up at the Nelson marina.

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Cray Pride - (front page story)

Richard Price and George King-Turner have had some great trips into the outer Marlborough Sounds this year. Plenty of kingfish, moki, butterfish, bugs and paua have been caught and caught on camera by the talented duo. This particular trip around Titi Island was hot for delicious crays as our front cover image will testify. The ‘cray pride’ on Richard’s face is only matched by George’s ‘cray pride’ in the the accompanying image taken back at the bach. Two wet guys getting down in tight suits? It could only happen on cray pride day!

Harbour Views

By Dave Duncan

PAPER

Is your boat worthy to float?

Spring is coming - are you ready for the warmer months, the fish biting and the family outing on a boat you haven’t done any maintenance on? We see it so often, in fact fortunately for one family, we were on the water for the recent ‘Blessing of the Fleet’ and received a distress call about six adults and two children on a broken down boat. Luckily it was inside the Boulder Bank, another bonus there were actually no children on board after all. Children get seasick, get colder and suffer faster than adults it would appear. I can’t remember myself, as it is so long ago since I was one. My children are all grown up now, making their own mistakes, but one they don’t make is to forget important maintenance. Booking a simple oil change can prevent an engine overheating or seizing and it’s a good time for your mechanic to check other important aspects of your propulsion and fuel system. Thoroughly checking the battery and then charging it can prevent embarrassment at the ramp or the need to be rescued. Don’t forget to properly tighten the battery leads and terminals another common cause of an engine not starting or electronic failure. Is your engine water cooled, does the water jacket surround the engine block? Is your oil milky white or kind of a snow colour? If so, don’t go near the ramp! How long have you owned your inflatable life

G FISHIN THE

& HUNTING NEW ZEALAND

jackets? Did you leave them in the damp boat all winter so the gas bottle or fuel fittings they sit beside could rust and leak? Will they work when you pull the ripcord? Is the stitching all in good shape or starting to visibly wear and fray? It would really spoil your day if after your boat sinks, you can’t see anyone around, and your lifejacket fails to inflate. By then the cell phone in your pocket, your only form of communication is appropriately doused in salt water so that only the fish can take your call. Get a carry bag for your phone (a waterproof one) and wear it around your neck. Ensure you have a hand held waterproof radio - very comforting when you see search and rescue power past because you aren’t fishing where you told the other half you would be. Don’t forget that water in your boat does not support its ability to float or float in an upright position. Put the bung in and check its seal before you go. In the darkness of an early morning trip, it is an omission that could have fatal results. Remember that fishing, boating & floating is supposed to be fun. It will be if your maintenance has been done. Have fun this spring. Don’t worry about the howling gales that come from nowhere. It could never happen to you, right?!

NEWS

Published by Coastal Media Ltd

261 Paton Road, Hope PO Box 9001, Annesbrook, 7044, NELSON

Ph 03 544 7020 Fax 03 544 7040 www.thefishingpaper.co.nz Editor

Daryl Crimp 021 472 517 editor@coastalmedia.co.nz Sales & Advertising

Reagan Poynter reagan@coastalmedia.co.nz 021 996 541 Administration

Annette Bormolini admin@coastalmedia.co.nz Graphic Design

Patrick Connor

production@coastalmedia.co.nz Deputy Editor

Ron Prestage rgprestage@xtra.co.nz Printer

Guardian Print

Contributors Daryl Crimp Ron Prestage Poppa Mike

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The Fishing Paper & NZ Hunting News is published by Coastal Media Ltd. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the staff, management or directors of Coastal Media Ltd. Unsolicited editorial, letters, photographs will only be returned if you include a stamped self addressed envelope.

38 The fishing Paper - august 2014

Crimptoon

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Crisis in Pelorus By James Cameron

The original multi-tool, made in the USA. 25 Year warranty

PRODUCT PREVIEW NEW LED Lenser M3R Introducing the M3R, a rechargeable torch that is tiny in size (weighing only 45g and less than 10 cm long) but big on brightness.

With 220 lumens of light (more than the original LED Lenser P7) and with a beam range of 130 metres, it produces a performance comparable to torches many times larger. The M3R incorporates LED Lenser’s patented Advanced Focus System which allows seamless transition from floodlight to focused beam and also has Smart Light Technology with three light functions (high power, low power and defence strobe). With easy recharging via USB port and a low battery warning system, the M3R is technological dynamite in a compact package. For ultimate versatility, the M3R also operates on a standard AAA battery. Like all LED Lenser torches, the M3R is covered by a 5 year warranty. For more information, please visit www.tightlines.co.nz

Tow In The Know Salty Mate Stowaway Dredge

While the reality of what a scallop dredge does is quite straightforward, it didn’t stop Peter Mair, Kiwi engineer, from totally revolutionising the function and practicality of the dredge. After a look over this awesome new system, we think Peter’s Stowaway Dredge is quite simply one of the best ways we have seen to scallop, save fuel and save time. Because of the ingenious design when the dredge is deployed it hits the bottom the right way up, eliminating guesswork.

The unique bridle release system allows the dredge to be foiled to the surface to be retrieved, saving your back! When you are done, Peter’s clever fold down system stows the dredge completely flat.

For those who tow in the know, they need to get the dredge that stows - see the video at www. saltymate.co.nz or phone (09) 292 8929

Vintage Tin Signs Give someone in your family a slice of vintage heaven! Ellis Street Auto in Brightwater are now stockists of these fantastic icons of the past. Ideal for the ‘Man Cave’, shed, bach or bar. Made from tin and designed with the original sign in mind, these signs make you feel as if you had only seen them yesterday. From only $30, these signs make amazing gifts but hurry, they are going fast. Available from Ellis Street Auto, 104a Ellis Street, Brightwater, Nelson Phone (03) 542 4035

Recently, plenty of concern has been expressed to The Fishing Paper regarding the commercial activity taking place around the waterways of the inner Pelorus Sound. Residents, visitors and recreational users from nearby places such as Blenheim and Nelson have noted large increases in the amount of commercial netting in particular. This has prompted a public outcry for the pressure to ease on this localised resource. Common ground exists between residents and users, who are calling for a commercial netting ban inside of Tawero Point. Reports outline severely impacted catch results of flounder, monkfish, school snapper and a very noticeable absence of schooling baitfish such as kahawai and mullet. Most of the intense commercial activity is focusing on flatfish netting inside the Mahau Sound, Kaiuma Bay, Kenepuru

entrance and Mahikapawa/ Moetapu area. We have had reported to us by bach owners and residents (monitoring the amount of daily commercial activity) that in excess of 44 commercial nets have been set over four days between Moetapu and Willow Bay (around 4km of coastline). The total length of all net allegedly exceeded 5,000 meters. Another concerned resident from Mahau reports up to 100kms of net set from January to April ‘flogging’ the bay as he put it. With the shallow nature of these bays, and strategic positioning of nets by wily commercial fishers, how is such activity sustainable and how does it fairly distribute the resource among all users? Do these practices align with, or reflect, Moyle’s Promise or The Inner Pelorus Commercial Fishery Code of Practice? Is it appropriate that large quota parcels are fished in small areas when the FLA7 quota management area for

BOAT FOR SALE

8.3m Lazercraft alloy hardtop with huge self draining deck space and 400 litre fuel tanks. This excellent offshore fishing vessel is currently powered by twin 90hp Mariner outboard motors, older models but good runners with medium hrs.

flatfish covers from the West Coast to the Clarence River on the East coast? Residents have informed us that repeated emails and letters have been sent to the Minister of Primary Industries, most met with the response that action will not be considered before the general election. What is obvious is that all fish moving in and out of these tidal bays are likely to encounter commercial nets. It is also obvious that recreational users are rapidly becoming frustrated with this destructive activity taking place outside their kitchen windows. With the increased pressure, and effective ‘boxing’ out of recreational netters, tensions are running high in what is usually a very tranquil waterway. We would encourage users of the inner Pelorus to share their views with us on our Facebook page or by writing to ‘Stick Your Oar In’ - see page 14.

47,000

Boat features the usual lighting, wiper, deckhose etc. The windscreen is 8mm armour plate glass and the boat sits on a factory aluminium braked trailer. Owner would consider selling without engines or repower with a single large motor. May consider trade on a smaller aluminium boat. This is a good opportunity to buy a large seagoing boat at a realistic price.

Priced at $47,000. Flexible financing options available from a motivated vendor. Contact owner on (03) 4884073 anytime or email barra50@xtra.co.nz. Also listed with Read Marine, phone (03) 474 0871 or sales@readmarine.co.nz (view additional photos online at www.readmarine.co.nz)

Fill Your Freezer with a Night Hunting Value Package! Long winter nights and less plentiful food forces deer and pigs to forage for longer. This gives the well equipped night hunter an excellent opportunity to fill their freezer. Archetype Precision Systems offer a range of high value night hunting packages, for every budget and all conditions. The most popular package is the Pulsar Quantum HD38s Thermal Imager and Pulsar Forward Night Vision scope attachment. This combination is suitable for hunting day and night. The Pulsar Quantum HD38s Thermal Imager can spot and safely identify targets day or night, even in adverse conditions The Pulsar Forward night vision attachment simply fits the front of your daylight scope for shooting at night. This combination is ideal for shooting all big game and pest species. The Pulsar Forward attachment can be swapped between rifles as required. The cost of this package is $7999, and includes accessories. Other night hunting packages start at under $2000, and are ideal for entry level and casual hunters and pest controllers. Visit www.yukonoptics.co.nz or phone (03) 9700 570 for technical and dealer information. Finance is available through most stores.

39 The fishing Paper - august 2014

unclassified

The Gerbil Fish

You may have heard tales from your old Uncle Kenny about a kind, gentle and some might say grotesque creature ... but Mario at Big Blue Dive and Fish in Nelson is harmless. Mario Alessi is a fishing legend in these parts and has stumbled upon a truly rare find. On a cold July morning in June Mario set out on the old briny to get his weekly feed of groper. Rigging up his normal ledger rig Mario’s day was going to be a normal days fishing. Sitting back and enjoying the calm flat seas it wasn’t long before Mario’s line was smashed from below. The fight was a good half hour with the classic snapper head shake until Mario surfaced the animal and was surprised to see what Pukekoe scientists thought was extinct. The Gerbil Fish. Name: The Gerbil Fish (latin) Craperis Specious Average weight: 10lb Habitat: Deepwater, swamps, woodlands, garages World Record: Pictured

Call on uesading out! before h • Bait • Hooks • Ice • Fuel & Outboard Oil • Fishing Licences Wakeﬁeld Auto Services Ltd 67 Whitby Road, Wakeﬁeld Phone 03 541 8121

Branch/Leatham Rainbow Trout Release Fish & Game staff recently assisted Trust Power’s consultants with another release of rainbows into the Branch/ Leatham catchment upstream of the Branch hydro-scheme intake. The fish were reared in the North Canterbury Fish & Game hatchery and averaged around 1kg at time of release, although some were approaching the 2kg mark. In total 398 fish were moved via a monsoon bucket into various pools within the catchment by Marlborough Helicopters Ltd. The release was funded by Trust Power Ltd to mitigate the impact of their present water intake structure on the Branch/ Leatham trout fishery. Several other similar releases have been undertaken over the last five years or so, and are proving to generally be successful with staff salvaging yearling rainbows at the intake (following Trust Power sluicing events) after some of these releases indicating successful spawning from released fish. Being hatchery reared rainbows, the latest released fish are likely to be much easier to catch than wily river resident brown trout found in most of our fisheries. Anglers who wish to eat their catch need to be aware that these rainbows all have pit tags implanted in the muscle along the top of their back (as well as a visible external floy tag) so watch you don’t swallow a pit tag while eating them or you might create suspicion next time you walk through an airport scanner! To help with monitoring the effectiveness of this release, it would be great to get these tags back from anglers with a note on fish size and capture location if possible (post to: Fish & Game, PO Box 2173, Stoke, NELSON). Anyone interested in fishing the Branch or Leatham needs to wait until the new season starts on October the 1st. Your daily bag limit and other fishery regulations are all contained within a regulation booklet that you will receive when you purchase your fishing licence from any sports shop or online www. fishandgame.org.nz North Canterbury Fish & Game hatchery manager Dirk Barr netting rainbows for their monsoon bucket ride to a new home somewhere within the Branch/Leatham river system.

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

The Four Biggest Trout I Never Caught (Episode 3 (of 4)

By Frank Cartwright

One of the many things about Lake Hawea that I really cherish is its ability to maintain a healthy population of brown and rainbow trout as well as fiesty little Chinook salmon. Ever since I first went there in 1956, I have been wooed and charmed not only by its superb fishery, but also its magnificent scenery which is greatly under-rated when compared with higher profile tourist hot-spots. Fortunately, the natural charm of Lake Hawea has not yet been sullied by high-rise hotels, retail malls or skyline pollution. Every November I visit Central Otago mainly for fly fishing but now and then I like to have a crack at Lake Hawea’s salmon. There are numerous fishing locations but one of the best is near the dam, just a short distance past the boat ramp and accessed via the local Holiday Park. If a nor’wester has been blowing for a few days, it invariably brings shoals of salmon down the lake which tend to congregate near the dam and these are within casting range. During November 2009, my buddy and I were salmon fishing at the lake when a run occurred. A brisk nor’wester, welcomed by shore-fishers but deplored by boaties, was white-capping its way down the lake and from time to time salmon attacked our red and sliver slices. On light line those salmon are great little scrappers and it never ceases to amaze the power they have. They leave brown trout for dead when it comes to energy. ‘Ballistic muscles’ my buddy calls them. We were quietly fishing away, just past the boat ramp when I felt a heavy strike. My rod bent double and line screeched off the reel. Realising that this was no salmon, I tightened the clutch but it made little difference. Then, almost as abruptly as it had occurred, the run stopped. I took up maximum line tension and decided to wait. ‘Tension and time will overcome resistance’ I told myself but just then I noticed a guy in a wet suit snorkeling his way along the shoreline. He was salvaging lost spinners in a couple of metres of water and noticing I was apparently snagged, asked if I needed a hand. “No thanks,” I replied, “I don’t know if I’m snagged or not but I think I’ve just hooked a big trout and I’m waiting for it to move.” Without hesitation he dived but moments later I felt him tugging at my line and then the line went slack. He surfaced and called out “Yep! You had a monster trout on but your line broke,” and swam back the way he had come. I was stunned! Hopes of bagging a trophy trout had been dashed by an interfering idiot who had probably broken my line out of spite. It was perhaps just as well he was in deep water. I was furious. That trophy brown trout do occasionally take salmon ticers in the area I was fishing is borne out by an unusual experience some five years earlier. * A Lake Hawea friend on his first ever fishing attempt bagged a trophy trout. I had advised him where to fish, what to fish with and left him to it. Later that day he invited me to his home. Imagining he had a few salmon to show off, I was stunned when he presented me with a huge brown trout weighing twelve pounds. It was incredible that a raw recruit to freshwater fishing could score the equivalent of a mug golfer’s hole-in-one but he had accomplished it. However, he told me that after he had played the trout to the lake edge, that in his excitement he broke the line so he simply jumped into the lake and beached the trout with his bare hands! Last November I returned to Lake Hawea and once again enjoyed its beauty, its natural charm and above all, wonderful sport. I did miss out on salmon for the first time in many seasons and no one knew why they were scarce. But on the up side, it provided greater opportunity to fly-fish favourite streams nearby. The rainbow trout were running and the sport was magic, sheer magic. Come November, I’ll be back again. The lure of a trophy trout remains undiminished!

WIFE WON’T LET YOU GO HUNTING & FISHING TILL THE GARDEN IS DONE? Get everything you need at your one stop landscape supplies shop.

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40 The fishing Paper - august 2014