The Fishing Paper & Hunting News Issue Feb 2020 173 by The Fishing Paper

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February 2020 Issue 173

Sounds real fishy! Story pg 4

SALMON!

 Chasing Whitetails  Delaware Bay Access

THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

Nipping Fiordland’s thorny issue in bud The October issue of The Fishing Paper last year raised concerns for the blue cod fishery in Fiordland (Has Fiordland’s blue canary lost its chirp?) and the work that the Fiordland Marine

Image by Grant Thomas and supplied by Descend Scuba Diving - Milford Sound

Guardians have instigated with recreational fishers to drive bottom-up solutions for fisheries sustainability in

Around that time, the

the Fiordland Marine Area

Guardians hosted a fisheries

(FMA).

sustainability workshop with

Image supplied by DSD 'Dirty South Dive'

operators of Amateur Charter Vessels in the FMA. “We were extremely impressed with the leadership demonstrated by these operators, who collectively have immense knowledge and experience of the fisheries and the place,” says Rebecca McLeod of Guardians. There was unanimous agreement among operators at the workshop that many fish stocks inside the habitat lines—basically the inner fiords—are at risk throughout the FMA, and that rapid action was required to halt their decline. As a result, charter operators agreed to develop a Code of Practice for their sector, and the Fiordland Marine Guardians and Kaikoura Marine Guardians provided joint advice to the Minister of Fisheries regarding the management of Amateur Charter Vessels.

But of course, not all recreational fishers visit the region on charters. Despite its relative isolation and limited access, coastal Fiordland is a highly sought-after destination for many independent fishers with their own vessels, or access to a syndicate boat. It’s critical that their knowledge, experience, and perspectives also help shape future solutions for fisheries sustainability within the FMA. Consulting with such a large and dispersed group of people is a massive challenge. So, what happens next? Over 6-7 March, the Fiordland Marine Guardians are holding a workshop in Te Anau, bringing together a focus group of 20-30 independent recreational fishers to identify and describe the current issues and future risks facing fisheries sustainability

within the FMA, from their perspective. They will also discuss possible solutions to giving these fish stocks the protection they require over the next 20+ years. The Guardians will then work with these groups—rec fishers and ACV operators— and Ngāi Tahu whānui to develop options for the future. These options will be made publicly available and everyone will be encouraged to contribute to the conversation. “We are looking for solutions that are futurefocused and practical. Fiordland has always led the way with communitydriven initiatives and, once again, we are faced with an opportunity to tackle the thorny issue of fisheries sustainability before it is too late, and more drastic measures are required,” says Rebecca McLeod.

Let’s look after this incredible place so future generations can enjoy it too We encourage you to fish for a feed, not for the freezer. As a group, we’re responsible for managing and caring for Fiordland’s precious marine environment. Before you set off, make sure you know the “where, what and how” about fishing in Fiordland. Clean your vessel and gear so you don’t take any unwanted visitors with you. Connect with us at FMG.org.nz

Photo courtesy of Jon Clow, Guardian

Issue 173 3

Scott sliding to addiction

Scott now a slider addict

Scott Campbell

This season I set a goal of catching a legal kingfish from the shore. I’ve caught a few from the boat but no legal shore caught fish.

trace—I use 20kg fluorocarbon—about 80cm with a live bait hook tied on one end and the other end is where you tie on the ‘slider.’

Most Wellington anglers use the slide bait technique to target Capital Kings: a metre of trace tied to a 5-6oz breakaway sinker, with a split ring or large ball bearing swivel tied to the other end. This is then tied to your mainline. Mono is best for your mainline as the ‘slider’ will stick a bit to braid and will often get tangled with the mainline.

Sliders vary, with some allowing the fish to swim up and down your line and some that only let the fish swim one way. See pics of both – top one is the one way and bottom two way. I prefer to use the one way sliders.

Then you have another

Mackerel seem to be the best bait, as kahawai will often tangle your lines. Most people will use a bucket or chilly bin with an aerator

to keep the fish alive, even overnight—a few freezer pads will help keep the water chilled. I also change the water every hour.

Two styles of slider

All you need to do now, is cast your line out and slide the rig down the main line. It is important to keep the mainline tight; secure your rod in a rod holder and pull right back on the drag. If you get a hit with the drag

Finance to float your boat

tight, you may lose your favourite rod and reel!

However, most days there are at least 20 rods out!

I use a Shimano Saragosa 10000 reel and Shimano Revolution rod. Casting length will depend on the terrain you’re fishing in. The spot I like to fish only needs about a 30-40 metre cast.

I prefer fishing in Evans Bay or Eastbourne. The great thing about this style of fishing is it doesn’t matter what the wind is doing. Great for us here in the windy city. You can also use this method out in the boat.

Oriental Bay Wall is the most popular area to fish for kingies in Wellington and produces really well.

So far I have ticked off the list with a 76cm fish, two rats, and have lost three—

one was a beast (Ed—yeah right. Tui’s moment!). Also expect to catch kahawai—I can’t believe they take ‘macks’ almost as big as themselves—snapper and john dory. It’s a productive and exciting way to fish. I have to confess, it’s becoming a bit of an addiction. Now for the beast!

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THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

Stuff invited Dr Randall Bess to clarify some matters regarding its article “Hook, line, and sinker: Two approaches to the future of recreational fishing” published 8 January 2020. The Fishing Paper & Hunting News has always been a strong advocate for recreational fishers’ rights and securing meaningful representation in fisheries management, advocating that moving with the times may require letting go of the status quo of volunteer based disjointed advocacy and considering a professional, funded model. Randall’s response to Stuff sets out the direction of…

Fish Mainland – a new approach for the future of South Island recreational fisheries The Hook, line, and sinker article suggests the future of recreational fishing in New Zealand may rest with two groups, the Aucklandbased LegaSea and the South Island-based Fish Mainland. LegaSea is the public outreach and fundraising

arm of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. Fish Mainland is a new organisation designed by a working group comprising South Islanders and Stewart Islanders to represent the 100,000+ fishers who fish in South Island marine waters.

The article also suggests that while both groups want the same things, they strongly oppose each other’s approach to representing recreational fishing interests. The article depicts the groups’ point of difference as Fish Mainland proposing to fund the ‘recreational voice’ through a fishing license, while Legasea considers licensing to be ‘disingenuous’ and fundamentally at odds with its approach. In fact, the group that designed Fish Mainland considered several funding options. These options range from full Government funding to full self-funding (e.g. licensing, fundraising), or a mixture of the two. The group’s clearly stated preference is full Government funding of Fish Mainland, though it endorses open debate about the benefits and costs associated with each option. And, it will support the option that works best for fishers and the Government. The group has had regular discussions with Government officials about the best way to secure adequate, longterm funding, and in relation to the proposed services that

Fish Mainland can provide. The primary purpose of these services is to provide effective professional representation, advice and leadership that assist the Minister of Fisheries in resolving fisheries issues and therefore limiting the need for political intervention, where possible.

After two hours of waiting with no good bites, I was getting a bit bored and started looking for things to do. It was then that I stumbled upon a Black Magic live bait rig that I

had never tried before. The idea of catching a john dory popped into my head so I threw over a sabiki and hauled in some nice looking mackerel and, with high hopes, sent one back down with a hook in its back.

was hold on as it went on a massive run for about five or six seconds, then gave three huge head shakes—and spat the hook.

The fishing picked up, with two nice gurnard falling for a flasher rig, which was enough to take my attention off of the livey and, as Dad always says, “Turn your back on the bull and the bull charges!”

It only took ten minutes before the second mackerel got smashed but no hook up, so I sent down other one. Third time lucky, right? Wrong!

I looked over to see the rod doubled over, stripping line. Without hesitation, I launched myself across the boat and grabbed the rod. As soon as I felt the weight, it became clear that this was too big to be a john dory but I couldn’t quite tell what it was. All I could do

I was gutted but knew I had to get another bait down there quickly.

Another half eaten mackerel and nothing to show for it but, with the knowledge that something sizeable was down there, I threw another mackerel down. After that, the fishing went quiet for a bit and, as I lay on the side of the boat in the sun listening to Brian FM on the radio, I began to day

The group considers it has designed the best possible means of Fish Mainland building a mandate, based on a democratic electoral system. Fish Mainland members will have the right to select five regional Directors and Iwi will appoint two other Directors.

For these services to be acceptable, it is imperative that Fish Mainland works respectfully and collaboratively with Government, Iwi and the other fishing sectors to find workable solutions that provide the best public outcomes. The group is working to ensure the Minister of Fisheries, Hon Stuart Nash, and his Cabinet colleagues will be well informed of Fish Mainland’s benefits as soon as practicable and prior to debating the 2020-21 budget. In the meantime, Fish Mainland is reliant on donations, as is LegaSea. The group has also addressed the challenge of how Fish Mainland can effectively demonstrate a mandate for representation. This is challenging because the recreational fishing sector is far more numerous,

… and the bull charges

The boat flew across the choppy sea, I eased the throttle forward giving it enough power to shoot around the corner and into a small bay that was sheltered from the harsh westerly winds. I had just been given the all clear to take the boat out for my first solo trip, however the wind was picking up in the Reach, forcing me to find a mussel farm in a bay close to home. Despite the limitations, I was still overly optimistic and immediately chucked some Back Magic flasher rigs down.

diverse and undefined than the commercial fishing sector and Iwi fishing interests. As a sector, recreational fishers remain largely unknown, except for a small proportion with membership to fishing clubs and other organisations.

Fish Mainland’s establishment has received an unprecedented level of support. Its benefits are apparent to fishing clubs, other organisations and individuals. Many of them have recognised the need for collective representation. They realise that if joined together, they can accomplish a lot more than if they continue to work individually or in small groups. The South Island Iwi and commercial fishing interests also recognise the benefits of having an organisation that is mandated to represent recreational fishers’ interests.

Fish Mainland has the in-principle support of all nine South Island Iwi, along with the support of the commercial fishing representative organisations that will directly engage with Fish Mainland. Fish Mainland’s website will go live soon (www. fishmainland.nz). It will accommodate individuals and groups signing up as members for free. Membership is open to anyone, though South Island and Stewart Island residents or property owners who are members have voting rights. The website also provides for members and non-members alike to make donations, with the assurance donations will go towards ensuring sustainable use of the marine environment and its resources. Since Fish Mainland is incorporated, its financial records will be publicly available. At this early stage, Fish Mainland needs your show of support, especially while working with Government and others to find the best way to secure adequate, long-term funding.

Daniel Crimp

dream about the fish I lost. I was interrupted by the sound of my reel being stripped of line. I jumped up and grabbed the rod and straight away knew this was the one. It was a hard fought battle and I struggled to keep the fish out of the ropes but managed to turn its head before it broke me off. As it neared the boat, thoughts appeared of it just being a big seven giller or greyboy and when I saw the white shape emerge, I thought it was a shark… until it rolled over, revealing a bright orange fish sparkling in the sunlight. However, I couldn’t get excited yet, as it still needed landing. Only after the net was around him did I relax and breathe a sigh of relief,

followed by a few seconds of shocked silence as I stared at the beast. Then came the screams and shouting, so loud I’m surprised there wasn’t a noise complaint from the next bay over. I immediately weighed it

and was ecstatic when the scales spun to 10kgs—a little over 22 pound. I radioed Dad to get the camera ready and shot back to pick him up to take some photos… and rub it in a bit, obviously.

Issue 173 5

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THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

Massive snapper with rusty scales Walter Wickham (13years)

It was a hot hazy morning in Moetapu Bay due mainly to the Aussie bush fires but there was still a little high cloud. The water was flat calm, so that meant water skiing. It was just my sister and I because my brother had some stitches and my mum didn’t want to have a go. After some single skiing and a good lunch, we discussed our plans. The last couple of times we had gone fishing we hadn’t caught much so we decided we would change it up a bit. We came to a conclusion we would head out to Spot X, our go-to snapper spot, at 4.00pm and continue until 9.00pm, so we had

a bit of waiting to do until then. After a while we got bored of watching Marnus Labuschagne hit our quicks to the boundaries in the cricket but, not a minute too soon, we were off! After a CENSORED amount of time we arrived at Spot X. We dropped the anchor down, hoping it would catch on the sandy bottom. It took us a while to get set up because we had two moocha lines (running rigs) and two flasher lines; pilchard on the flashers and pilchard with a squid beanie on the moocha. So the big wait started and after about an hour of banter, we hooked our first good size spiny dog. This excitement was followed by

A net full of snapperl

a very long wait where we occupied ourselves by playing ‘Mrs Brown went to town,’ naming our trans-Tasman cricket team, naming our 1st 15 out of the Australian cricket team, and naming our farmyard 1st 15. A quick photo before release by Walter We were debating whether we should put the boar at hooker We eventually got back or number 8 when one of the underway with both of our moocha lines went off; we fish still on. Gus landed had previously lost one like his fish, which was a good this so dad was careful. Dad size 3kg snapper, which we was midway through maybe thought was the big one. his fifth wind when the other Dad didn’t know why I was moocha line went off. taking so long but he had “Grab that one Walter,” he said. He thought the rods were tangled and we had caught the same fish. So he gave his rod to Gus and untagged them at the top, which took an agonizingly long time.

heaps of go at the start so he had taken almost double the line the other one had. After a grunty five-minute fight, we thought it was a ‘seven giller’ but it tired out towards the end and when he surfaced we couldn’t

believe our eyes. It was a massive snapper! Gus couldn’t even get it onto the boat but when we did, it was longer than the chilly bin and off the planet in centimetres. We couldn’t weigh it because our scales were too rusty. After some more photos, we decided to let him go. Dad held him in the water and he gave a few flaps so Dad let him go but then he came back to the surface,

belly up. We thought he was dead but he gave a few flaps and away he went. We were so glad we were able to release him because we were going to have a lot more fish around in that spot because he was spawning at the time. We continued fishing but no luck came. I guess snapper fishing is just 95 percent waiting and 5 percent catching fish… but when you catch a big one it makes it all worthwhile.

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Issue 173 7

Kiwi kingfish

KINGFISH

- the ultimate warrior

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for increased casting distance & an extreme swimming action Nick Jones caught this kingi with Ocean Born flying pencil - sinking green mackerel model

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It’s often said that pound for pound, battling it out with a good Kiwi kingi is as tough a scrap as you’ll get anywhere. I remember when I hooked my first kingfish on a jig. There was that initial hit and them wham! Excitement followed by mild fear as I thought the thing was going to take me and the rod straight into the drink. It was a tough fight and totally exhilarating and I always have that slight feeling of trepidation each time I drop a jig over the side.

outwards. That’ll hold it tight along the side of the jig’s body.

Back then, I was using a Black Magic 300g knife jig, a pilchard blue one from memory. It’s good kit with a grunty hook attached by Kevlar thread and covered with shrink wrap. That gives it a little more protection, but it also “stiffens” the assist hook rig up, making it less likely to tangle around the jig or leader during the jigging motion. When that happens, you tend to miss a lot of hook ups. If you are having issues with the assist hook getting hooked around the leader, try using a rubber band looped around the gape of the hook with the other end around the base of the jig, making sure the point is facing

If you’re looking for a jig that’s a little easier to haul through the water, there are thin profile jigs like Black Magic’s Deepwater Slim jigs. This style creates much less resistance and right now they have some great new colours to try out.

Matt Schmelz caught this 26.7kg kingi with a Deepwater Slim 300g

When it comes to the jigging action itself, there seems to be any number of methods from a frenetic mechanical jigging action through to a fast wind. I probably sit somewhere in between with long sharp pulls followed by winding the rod tip back down and then another long pull, and so on. It tends to be a good work out whichever way you approach it.

One downside with jigging can be the unwelcome attention of bronze whalers – a.k.a. the Taxman. When they turn up, it’s pretty hard to get a fish onboard without a decent chunk of it missing. That’s when it’s time to stop or change your fishing method, otherwise you’re just killing fish unnecessarily.

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You can see just how much action these are capable of on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=uRJmqZh7twA So, there you go. Jigging and topwater fishing aren’t the only way to catch kingies, but if there’s a bit of the adrenaline junky about you, give them a go. You won’t be disappointed.

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THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

Terry Wigwam a bloody burglar

Warped, thwarted, and aborted

Took me mate Terrance Patrick McPhee out fishing late January in the hope of putting a few fillets on ice for future chewing.

Matey said, “Be at your gate at 6.00am for a run out to the Hokitika Trench.”

go as we didn’t own a crystal weather ball and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Naturally it was an invite received with alacrity. I hadn’t been there for a while and the prospect of bluenose, groper and other fine eating species was not to be turned down.

Matey was feeling a bit dejected, so maybe that was why he dropped in the following day to ask what I was up to in the afternoon. He wanted to nail some kahawai to smoke for his wife’s birthday party. Off we went, three of us on board. Matey driving and doing the jokes, while two of us fished; one a lead line and the other trolling closer to the surface.

Fizz

He’s more of a hunter than a fisher, so I took him to my secret spot because it fishes better than spots every other bugger knows about. I got this secret spot from another mate who invented secret spots before they became popular. Now everyone has one, which must be good for the fishery; with so many secret spots with no other bugger fishing them, there must be heaps more fish around.

There are very few other skippers I’ll go out there with, as it takes a good one hour forty to get to the spot. He has all the proper safety gear and watches the forecast charts like a hawk. Of course the weather can change rapidly on the moody old Tasman, so when conditions even start becoming dubious, it’s lines up and we head for home— no questions.

Terrance Patrick has also developed a new hobby— he fancies himself as a bit of a writer and now calls himself TP McPhee because he reckons it sounds more professional. The useless coot. I reckon ‘TeePee’ sounds a bit bloody pretentious so I have started calling him ‘Terry Wigwam’! Anyway, Terry Wigwam was keen on a feed of blue cod, until I explained there was a better option. I told him most people fishing the Marlborough Sounds hammer the poor blue cod, so much so the poor blueys must have headaches from all those sinkers raining down on them. Every rocky point or bit of foul gets visited by a constant stream of boats, the occupants of which harass the largely undersize cod for 20 minutes before moving onto the next cod spot. When you sit back and watch, it looks like a flight of bees flitting from flower to flower. And they all catch bugger all, making it an unproductive yet expensive outing.

Ivan Wilson

Fizz says leave the 'blues brothers' and eat carrots

A better kept secret is the bumper ‘carrot’ crop the Sounds are experiencing of late—gurnard for Africa. Not only are they beautiful eating but they freeze well too. I like to keep how to catch them a secret so they don’t suffer the fate of blue cod but Terry Wigwam enjoyed catching them so much, he snuck back to my spot without me—bloody burglar. He texted me he’d caught half a truckload before

8.00am, so I texted back to leave some for me—greedy bugger. He texted straight back that he’d just caught a fat gurnard that told him it was the last of its species left in the Sounds. Smart arse. “Sorry, Fizz,” he texted, “there are none left!” Useless Coot—next minute he’ll be fancying himself as a fishing writer.

The Stabi’ was backed down the new ramp on the Grey River and I jumped aboard from the nearby jetty. We headed down toward the open ocean, however, the swells were already significant, even in the river. Matey suggested we have a look out past the river mouth to see if it was any better, but we still got tossed about so came within hailing distance of another boat heading in the same direction and told them we didn’t feel it was worth joining them.

It didn’t take long before John had a hookup and the first fish was on board. It was not quite big enough for Matey’s purposes, he termed it a ‘whitebait,’ so back it went. Then he got another of similar size and this became the pattern as we both took very lively fish that belied their dimensions,

until we got some larger specimens, which really went to town. The number of double hookups was remarkable and even more excitement was promoted by Matey stomping on the deck just as we got fish alongside ready for netting. They took off again with another burst of energy and he roared with laughter. He was laughing so hard I thought he’d hurt himself. He’s also regularly warned us if we fall in getting on or off at the jetty, we shouldn’t expect to be rescued, as he’d be rolling around in the bottom of the boat holding his stomach— warped, that he is. Two hours on the river, a heap of fun and a lot of kahawai taken, making up for being thwarted the day before in our quest for deep sea species, well maybe.

When the kahawai run, so too do the Coasters

As we went back in between the breakwaters, the other guys were bashing their way toward the horizon and we found out the next day they’d taken two hours to get out to the trench. We also discovered they’d got onto fish, which were cleaned out by orca before they got them on board. After shifting around, away from the killers, they finally had their tally of species. Ironically their run back home was in dead flat conditions, but we still felt justified in our choice not to

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Issue 173 9

LOWRANCE ANNOUNCES NEW HOOK REVEAL FISHFINDER/CHARTPLOTTERS LowranceÂŽ, a worldleader in fishing electronics since 1957, has announced the launch of HOOK Reveal, the latest in the HOOK Series of fishfinder/chartplotters. The all-new HOOK Reveal makes fishing easier, delivering powerful performance with proven fish-finding tools including, Autotuning Sonar, SideScan and DownScan Imagingâ&#x201E;˘ and now FishRevealâ&#x201E;˘, which makes fish easier to see by combining the benefits of Lowrance CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imagingâ&#x201E;˘ on one screen. Whether fishing a local spot or unfamiliar water, find the best fishing areas with preloaded mapping or map uncharted water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in real time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with Genesis Live. â&#x20AC;&#x153;HOOK Reveal brings a new level of fishfinding performance to the HOOK series. We are confident game-changing features like FishReveal and Genesis Live will help HOOK Reveal anglers have more success on the water.â&#x20AC;? -Knut Frostad, CEO, Navico. Available in 9-, 7- and 5-inch models, HOOK Reveal includes one of Lowranceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular features, FishRevealâ&#x201E;˘ and its live-mapping solution, Genesis Live. Anglers will have an easier time seeing fish with FishReveal, which combines on one screen the

proven target separation of Lowrance CHIRP sonar and the high-resolution images of fish-holding structure from DownScan Imagingâ&#x201E;˘. Genesis Live gives anglers the capability to create custom Â˝-foot contour maps of their local lake or uncharted water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in real time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on the screen of HOOK Reveal displays. Genesis Live maps can also be created and saved on HOOK Reveal non-mapping GPS plotters by placing a blank microSD card into the card slot. A simple interface and HOOK exclusive Autotuning sonar make HOOK Reveal easy to use. Anglers will spend more time fishing and less time reworking sonar settings with Autotuning sonar, which delivers the best sonar image every time by automatically adjusting settings as fishing conditions change. Whether fishing a local lake or unfamiliar

water, HOOK Reveal makes it easy to pinpoint key fishing areas like humps, drop-offs and ditches, with a built-in, high-detail C-MAP mapping. Optional chart upgrades include C-MAP, C-MAP Genesis, NavionicsÂŽ and more. With HOOK Reveal, anglers can choose their preferred combination of display size, sonar type and navigation from TripleShot (High CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan Imagingâ&#x201E;˘) or SplitShot (High CHIRP and DownScan Imagingâ&#x201E;˘) transducers and mapping chartplotters or non-mapping GPS plotters. Ranging in price from $599 NZD RRP for a HOOK Reveal 5 with chirp sonar to $999 NZD RRP for a HOOK Reveal 9 with triple shot transducer. For more information on HOOK Reveal or other Lowrance products, visit www.lowrance.com.

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10 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

London lands a lunker After a long year, everyone was super excited to be heading down to Admiralty Bay for a few weeks over Christmas, to relax and enjoy some good fishing. We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe our luck with the weather in the

Sounds, giving us plenty of opportunity to get out on the water. We enjoy having a look around and fishing in different spots, as it adds to the anticipation and

Paaka Westrupp

excitement. This year we found some luck, with good fish hanging around the mussel buoys and around Cove Point. With a bit of patience and some Salmon Burley, we started getting some great takes. My

Alicia and Alanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2020 vision French Pass Service 2020 is back in business, thanks to a spontaneous left turn, a touch of road sickness, and a view of dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Urville Island from a Kaikoura Beach. Sounds fantasticalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;wait until you meet the new management Alicia Cooper and Alan Wilson.

havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been to French Pass have you?â&#x20AC;? A sudden left with the quip, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit of a shit road,â&#x20AC;? did invoke a touch of queasiness but that was Alanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driving; the road has improved a lot in 33 years. There was a lot to catch

visions of the opportunity French Pass presented. Excitedly, they pulled up and phoned the number on the sign. Then jumped back in the car and drove all the way back to French Passâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and moved in! In the space of three weeks theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d celebrated Christmas, bought a business, and opened for trading. The response from visitors and locals has been overwhelming: â&#x20AC;&#x153;They love it,â&#x20AC;? says Alan, who clearly is very community minded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The shop has been an integral part of the region for decades and was sorely missed when

Left to right Paaka (Dad), Ellie â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 years old, London â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 years old and Lily â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15 years old.

five-year old son caught a beautiful 65cm snapper on his brand new Shimano rod, with 6kg line, he got for Christmas. After a fair amount of yelling and screaming, he realised he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t getting pulled into the water and started to enjoy the great fight he had on his hands. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shark,â&#x20AC;? I shouted but he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t convinced. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get the net Dad,â&#x20AC;? he yelled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a big snapper!â&#x20AC;? I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t convinced but played alongâ&#x20AC;Ś until I saw colour coming up. The little devil had the jump on me and was super happy with himself for being rightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and for winning the fight on his new (Little) rod.

London with the lunker

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Having spent the past 33 years running a concreting business in Darwin, Alan returned to his roots in Nelson, with Aussie born Alicia. Eager to show her his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;backyardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; over Christmas, the couple embarked on a road trip to Kaikoura. However, approaching Rai Valley, Alan spotted a large road sign and blurted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You

their attention at the remote, picturesque settlement, but the object of their photos was s sign in the old shop window, which had been closed for a couple of yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;For Sale or Leaseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Back on track, the couple found themselves on a beautiful Kaikoura beach but their heads were filled with

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The kids and I went on to catch more snapper in the same area, making it a trip to relish and remember. The kids canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for the next long weekend, to get back down and enjoy some more of these stunning fish.

Tin Signs The perfect gift for everyone For the Mustang, hunter, fisher, tractor, car enthusiast, man-cave and more, there is a sign here on display at our show room to suit everyone. New stock arriving daily now for Christmas so visit us at

Alicia and Alan ready to welcome you it closed.â&#x20AC;? He said holidaymakers keep returning year after year, many booking in advance, and the shop takes the hassle out of their holiday. Locals see it as an essential part of the community and day travellers are surprised and delighted to be able to get a fresh coffee or ice cream to break the long drive. Alicia and Alan aim to be open year round and say they stock everything you can find in a supermarket: from fresh milk to V drinks for the younger gens, hot pies to frozen foods and meats (they have a food licence), and everything you need in the way of fishing tackle, bait, berley, and ice.

French Pass Store has reopened

Store is open from6amto 8-9pm Bait, ice, frozen meat &vege, fresh fruit &vege, Ice cream&little mini mart.

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If our vehicle is here we are open, we would love to see you

Issue 173 11

The year of the rat OPTICALLY

SPEAKING Ant Corke

Rats are prolific in New Zealand, causing the decline of many bird, reptile and insect species, as well as posing a serious health risk to humans and livestock. They thrive equally well in cities, suburbs and rural environments, seizing any and every opportunity to feed and breed. This article is an account of our own

experience dealing with rats on our rural property in the Tasman district. The key to controlling rats is knowing where they are, as their distribution changes with seasonal food availability. We use our Pulsar thermal imagers to assess pest populations at night, when they are most active. During January, most of the rats on our property are feeding on blackberries

Helion 50

along our streams. From the end of March to the end of May, they feed in fruiting native shrubs and trees. They can be found around dwellings, waterways and livestock feed all year round. Once their location is found, we kill them by trapping and shooting. Our current favourite trap is the Goodnature A24 because it requires no input after setting, aside from replacing the attractant and CO2 every few weeks. It is important to note that rats very rarely move over ground, preferring

instead to move through bushes and canopies. On the other hand, I’ve never seen a mouse above ground level. Shooting rats with a suppressed .22LR and a Pulsar thermal riflescope is challenging and highly productive. Rats are easy to spot with a hand-held thermal as they move through the foliage, and can easily be identified because birds will sit motionlessly all night. The shooting distance can be as close as 5 metres, though usually it is between 10 and 20 metres. Most

shots are taken when the rat is between 1 and 2 metres above ground level. Knowing the terrain is important for shooting safely. Another advantage when shooting is that other pests such as stoats, possums, feral cats and hedgehogs can be encountered and shot. Rat shooting is performed on the move, without a rest. This is great practice for developing patience and accuracy. Look out for our forthcoming rat control videos at www.yukonoptics.co.nz

DELAWARE / WAKAPUAKA ESTUARY VEHICLE ACCESS From late January, Nelson City Council enforcement officers will be monitoring boat launching activity at Delaware Bay, advising people that under the Nelson Resource Management Plan (NRMP), driving vehicles on the estuary to launch and retrieve boats, and disturbance of the foreshore by vehicles, is not permitted Delaware (Wakapuaka) Bay is of deep historic and cultural significance. The area from Delaware Bay to Glenduan became a taia- pure (traditional fishery reserve) in 2002, established under the Fisheries Act 1993, and is managed by a committee of iwi, community and marine group representatives. Historically, the Bay is famous for Huria Ma-tenga’s rescue of the crew of the Delaware, which ran onto rocks at Wakapuaka in September 1863. From pre-European times to today, the estuary has always been an important site for gathering of kai moana within the estuary. It is also an important source for the Ma- ori values of manaakitanga (hospitality) and kaitiakitanga (stewardship/guardianship). The estuary has significant ecological values as its seagrass and cockle beds provide important spawning grounds for fish. Loss of, or damage to, this important estuary habitat is likely to reduce the variety and number of juvenile fish in the area. Damage

to the estuary will also impact on species of shorebird such as the rare banded rail, variable oyster catcher and occasional visitors such as the royal spoonbill. The launching or retrieving of recreational or commercial vessels can occur at the main authorised boat launching ramps in the Nelson region at Monaco, the Nelson Marina and Cable Bay. The safest all-weather launch site is the slipway at Nelson Marina. Council’s enforcement officers will advise people about the rules and provide information about alternative launching locations. Council appreciates your support by adhering to this rule and helping to protect this important estuary.

To find out where Nelson’s authorised boat ramps are go to www.nelson.govt.nz/boat-ramps

03 546 0200 • nelson.govt.nz

Happy, healthy and prosperous lunar new year!

12 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

STICK YOUR OAR IN

CRIMPTOON

HAVE YOUR SAY… email all your letters to editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz

Yet more Kiwi freedoms threatened Dear Ed, Vehicle users have been criticised for the use of vehicles on east coast beaches in Marlborough and a few questions need to be answered. 1. Why use any vehicles? It is too far to walk and carry fishing equipment. Only limited public access is available. 2. Do vehicles damage the beach? Yes, they do leave wheel marks. We encourage all users to stay below the high tide mark as much as possible so that the wheel marks are washed away twice per day. 3. What type of vehicles are used? Three and four wheel ATV’s are most commonly used by fishermen and divers, and 4x4 SUV’s and utes by sightseers and picnicking family groups. 4. How long have people been using vehicles for access? For at least forty years firstly using home made beach buggies. 5. How do we relate to other beach users? We strongly believe in

sharing this area, slowing down, and keeping good separation with walkers, horse riders, marine mammals, and birds. 6. Are there so-called ‘hoons’ on some vehicles? Sadly, yes, as is the case in all walks of life. 7. How is this dealt with? Other beach users talk to them and encourage more acceptable behaviour through education. There is an existing law, The New Zealand Transport Act, which covers all vehicle behaviour. No further law is required , only enforcement. 8. Do vehicles run over sand dunes, Maori sites, bird nests, katipo spiders etc? No we do not. We avoid their habitat by staying below the high tide line. Sadly the MDC are right in that we probably do run over sandhoppers. We treasure our environment, we are not there to destroy it. We value our recreational activities and believe that education is pivotal. We do not agree to banning the use of vehicles on the beach, which will curtail the use of a valuable recreational asset. A compromise must be found. A petition to the Marlborough District Council is being circulated. Please support this. Roger Hambleton Seddon

Ed comments: There are many more plans by local councils to lock up coastlines, read page 14 & 15

what do

YOU

think? EMAIL US

editor@ thefishingpaper.co.nz

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Issue 173 13

Decked ‘im and Wrecked ‘im I’m having trouble getting a leg over. What was a simple process when I was young and lithe, is now a complicated conundrum. I’ve lost my elasticity. Every other time I want to go for a ride on the wild side I have to pre-plan my route. Route! The trouble is my high horse. The short horse I can mount no worries. The high horse, with his topline and saddle higher than my head, yeah-nah. The high horse I mount with a technique known as the ‘Swan dive.’ It entails a graceful leap off the Hilux bonnet. Done right the ‘Swan dive’ is the answer to my impotence, leg over and let’s ride big boy. When I’m astride the taller of my two horses I’m loathe to dismount, so when I espy freshly disturbed game trails I keep my seat and guess my wildest guesses at what creatures may have scuffed the soil and trampled the grass. A day later I’m back on foot. I’m laden with hunting paraphernalia and in theory at least, prepared to deal death to whatever wild game crosses my path. The Tikka .223 is my weapon of choice, the rifle and the calibre suitable to cull a mob of goats, to head shoot a handy porker, or to pull off a longer shot on a wary

• • • •

Kim Swan

venison. As it happens it is the latter species, which have been traversing the trails. They’ve been travelling nocturnally from heavy cover to feed on newly established grassland. Not surprisingly there is no hapless cervine standing out in the open with a target pinned to its rib-cage, so there’s nothing for it but to follow fresh spoor. After painstakingly deciphering sign for a good hour or more I’m faced with a quandary, follow a trampled trail along a sun-scorched ridge or follow the scuffs and slide marks down into the filth on the dark side.

Prime venison about to be decked

It’s a no-brainer, into the cool depths of the dark side I go, one quiet step at a time. This summer morn is calm enough to hear a spider sneeze, dry enough that every fallen twig pops like a fire cracker. The joy of a morning like this is the playing field is evened. While Red & Co might hear me approach, I may just hear them first and I do.

am, the cover is too heavy, the slight breeze in my favour. So we slow-dance at a distance, trading move for move, ‘til I eventually see a sunlit silhouette, which resembles Bambi’s father. A pair of eyes peep under some old brown branches, head low, perfectly still, my quarry is waiting for me to expose myself.

Game on and what a game we play. Dry-season bush stalking is the ultimate hunting challenge. Now and then I catch a glimpse of movement. The deer know I’m right here amongst them but they don’t know what I

With my rifle scope I positively identify my target. Definitely a deer. Cloven hooves, four skinny legs, two twitching listening devices, and one twitching scenting

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t irs F e e b Unit 6/1 Koru Place on ht g Ph mig ivin S t o k e N e l s o n P h 5 4 5 7 2 2 2 I td ( n ex t t o P l a c e m a ke r s o f f S a x t o n R o a d ) ou

device. Between a myriad of branches and tree trunks my rifle’s tiny projectile must fly. One tiny woody obstacle will destroy the shot. One fault with my technique and I will fail as Red & Co will not offer a second opportunity. I can only guess the fastflying .223 projectile has flown true. I listen to the departure of several deer, listen for the tell-tale clues of a mortally wounded animal. Then I resume tracking spoor and then blood spots. Red runs for clear ground,

the line of least resistance. Conveniently, he fades from this life in a lush clearing, where he’s easy to find and handle. Some of the sticks I’d seen earlier were not old brown branches. Some of them were velvet-covered tines. The skinny legs are not so skinny when I hold them in my hand to roll Red into position and remove his entrails. This is one very large stag – he’s as big as a horse - as big as my short horse, not my high horse. Getting a leg over is no

problem today. Getting a leg under is an entirely different matter. Getting two legs under, getting up onto my feet and getting gone with even half of the big fellow is a test of my stamina. Slow but good? No, not I. Sweat-soaked, light headed and nauseous-not-so-good. Penance for my stealthy slide into the dark side is finally paid as I haul Red’s arse and mine too, onto my ute deck. He’s decked and I’m wrecked but we’re here and the road home is now an easy one.

Issue 173

THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

Advertorial

Council bowls underarm to boaties

Wakapuaka Estuary provides the only safe and sheltered launching for small boats fishing Delaware Bay - Photo Zane Mirfin

Delaware Bay Access Group

An abrupt u-turn by Nelson City Council, to now enforce a ban on vehicle access to the Wakapuaka Estuary at Māori Pā Road has angered members of the Delaware Bay Access Group, who say the move is underhand and provocative.

NCC claim vehicle access to the estuary is not permitted under the Nelson Resource Management Plan, yet has never enforced this rule for almost two decades, until now. The Delaware Bay Access Group believe Council have got it wrong and that the NRMP is open to interpretation, so is taking legal

advice and seeking clarification. In the meantime, the move means local boaties, fishers, and marine recreationists can no longer launch and retrieve small boats from this safe haven, effectively preventing access to Delaware Bay to a large sector of the community. A right we have enjoyed for over 80 years.

The issue of launching at the Wakapuaka Estuary has always been sensitive due its cultural and spiritual significance to some local iwi, but it is also an important launch site for many local Māori. Following public meetings in 2016, the Delaware Bay Access Group was formed to work with Council to find the best and most equitable solution of managed access, for the community as a whole. The group comprised representatives from the public with varied interests including fishing, boating, ecology, environmental, and Māori.

The group and Council staff worked tirelessly over two and a half years, investigating a range of initiatives, consulting with local iwi, reviewing science, taking aerial surveys, and mapping relevant portions of the estuary.

Gifts and gains From the outset, the process was collaborative and was modelled on the ‘gifts’ and ‘gains’ process whereby each invested party is prepared to ‘give’ something in order to ‘gain’ something else—compromise. Proposals included Council funding a Pouwhenua or carved land post to recognise the cultural values of estuary, launch ramp donations going to ecological restoration, the formation of a Friends of Wakapuaka group, a commitment by the Delaware Bay Access Group to plantings and estuary protection, ongoing public education, restricted access to launching and retrieval of small vessels only, and the erection of appropriate signage. The aim of the process was to ensure small boats could still be launched and retrieved, while recognising and respecting the Estuary’s cultural and ecological values,

READ US ONLINE go to

www.thefishingpaper.co.nz

Please sign the following petition in support of continued access to launch and retrieve boats at the Delaware Bay boat ramp. This can be done in one of 4 ways 1. Click on the following link to complete the petition: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=OPyYc66OX0WXGZlVGZds3f9TXQpbT4lGt2FnrVJk7hlUQ1lQODFTQzc2VEdF OE5FWTVSMk9MVzFDVi4u 2. QR Scan the following to access the petition:

Hot potato

Rachel Reese with a nice gurnard caught fishing Delaware Bay 2013. Photo Zane Mirfin

The Delaware Bay boat ramp is currently the only safe and sheltered launch and retrieval site for small boats fishing Delaware Bay. The Access Group has made this clear to Council several times. Cable Bay launch site is dangerous due to prevailing sea conditions and pose a risk to life. The Access Group strongly advises against launching from Cable Bay. by creating the lowest footprint possible. The proposal involved the establishment of a marked route to the low tide launch point using low profile concrete markers, with the area outside the markers policed by Council.

The Clayton’s agreement Ultimately, all parties seemed in agreement with the final Proposal for Managed Access and Council gave every indication they would apply for short term resource consent to trial the proposal.

In November, iwi informed Council they would not support the proposed resource consent application, so Council put the drafting of the application on hold. Council do not require support of iwi to make resource consent application in this matter. While the Wakapuaka Estuary has significant value to various sectors, its legal status is clear. The area above the mean high tide mark is Council road reserve and below is

the common marine and coastal area, which is subject to a ‘no ownership’ regime under the Takutai Moana (Marine and Coastal) Act 2011. In other words, no one owns the area, so the Delaware Bay Access Group argue it is a community asset that we all have a right to access.

Horns of a dilemma The Council are on the horns of a dilemma: maintaining the status quo will anger some iwi members and locking access to a large sector of the community, including local Māori, will fuel wider unrest and protest. Under the Nelson Resource Management Plan, one of the Council’s objectives is the maintenance and enhancement of public access to and along the Coastal Marine Area, and while there are exceptions, the working group and Delaware Bay Access Group addressed all of these in the Proposal for Managed Access. It also states clearly Council Policy is: Exclusive occupation of space in the Coastal Marine Area should not be granted, and constraints on public access should not be imposed unless there is no practical alternative, and the effects on public would not be significant. Again, addressed in the Proposal for Managed Access.

Go Anywhere Read Anytime Watch Everything

Time to stand up and help save what’s yours The Delaware Bay Access Group will not sit by and allow access to Delaware Bay for genuine recreational purposes be taken from the community, and believe the course Council appears to be taking is leading to increased tension and making it harder to find an equitable and enduring solution.

We believe people have the right to access the estuary with vehicles for the sole purpose of launching and retrieving small boats, and are prepared to take this matter to the courts. This is not just about the rights of those who access Delaware Bay now but about the freedom for all to enjoy access to the resources that are rightfully ours. We need support from all recreational and commercial fishers, divers, marine recreationists, free thinkers, and general public to fight on your behalf—controlled managed enduring access is a positive way forward for the estuary, community, and the environment.

3. Complete the form which can be accessed on the Delaware Bay Access page on Facebook 4. Sign the petition in paper form, which will be at various stores throughout the region (check Facebook for outlets). If you would like to circulate the petition amongst family, friends and work places, please email: piesmardon@gmail.com

Give a little...or a lot! It requires funds to take this to the next level on your behalf so donations will be gratefully accepted, either on line via our Give a Little page: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/fishing-and-water-sports-access-forever Alternately, contact piesmardon@gmail.com to make a cash or bank donation. N.B. At the time of going to print bank accounts were still being set up, so donations should be able to be accepted early February

“WHENINJUSTICE BECOMES LAW RESISTANCE BECOMES ADUTY” Thomas Jefferson

16 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

Alternative to salmon catch ‘To me, there is nothing in all sport equal to the success in salmon fishing, but the supreme moment is undoubtedly hooking the fish. However great my expectation and keenness, the feel of the fish when it hooks itself comes upon me with a shock of surprise and delight...’ - Viscount Grey, 1899 Why do anglers in New Zealand target sea-run chinook salmon? Is it the potential of striking it lucky and hooking a monster? Is it the social side of telling stories to other fishermen, eating the fish, knowing where it came from, or

Tyler McBeth

purely the satisfaction that you have caught your intended quarry? The answer surely is subjective. Some, perhaps, may have ticked all of the boxes. However, there is a small percentage of anglers who choose to opt-out of eating salmon and, instead, boost their overall enjoyment of angling by releasing salmon to have another chance at spawning. Environmental change in the last 20 years in the east coast of the South Island, has seen runs of salmon fall dramatically. Several seasons in the 90s in the Rakaia River had runs of up to 21,000 salmon and many

fish to over 40lb! In 2016, that number dwindled to a mere 1,700, where you’d be considered fortunate to hook a 15lber. Numerous theories exist of why our salmon are of smaller size and in far fewer numbers. Some of those theories include: less spawning area due to silt accumulating in once stony creeks, failed fish screens that trap smolt (young salmon) in irrigation raceways, genetics, less food

The estimated percentage of our salmon run caught by anglers per season in the Waimakariri River, for example, ranges from 34% to 75%, with most salmon being bonked on the head. This poses the question of whether catch and release should be considered as a viable way to help keep our salmon population going,

through these recent years of hardship.

good candidate for catch & release.

From a study done on chinook salmon in the Kenai River, the mortality rate due to catch and release found that 10% of males and 7% of female salmon died. Most of the deaths were due to the gills being damaged. Of course, water conditions in New Zealand are a lot different than Alaska, but the species overall seems to have a low mortality rate, which makes them a

To conclude, I doubt we will ever see the giant 40lbers swimming in our rivers again, or perhaps even 30lbers, but if you’re fortunate enough to land just a 10lber, it may be worth ditching the thought, ‘If I don’t keep it, somebody else will’ attitude. Consider going home with a photo and the satisfaction that you have achieved what you set out to do.

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Channel 01 – Mt. Stokes. Coverage from Cape Farewell in the south to Cape Egmont in the north, and the east from Cape Palliser to Cape Campbell. Most of the Marlborough Sounds, Golden Bay, Tasman Bay , Wellington and Cook Strait. At times. This channel may be workable outside these perimeters. Channel 04 – Drumduan. Covers Tasman Bay and the western d’Urville area. Permanently linked to both channels 60 and 65. This means that any transmission made on channel 04 is heard simultaneously on both channels 60 and 65 and vice versa. Channel 60 – Mt. Burnett. Covers Kahurangi Point in the west, all of Golden Bay and the western side of d’Urville Island. Channel 60 is permanently linked to channel 04 (and subsequently to channel 65) so any transmission made on channel 04 is heard on channel 04, 60, and 65 as well.

Channel 63 – Mt. Kahikatea. Covers Queen Charlotte Sound, Port Underwood, Cook Strait, south to Cape Campbell, Kapiti and Mana and also parts of Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds. This Channel is good for Wellington approaches but not good within Wellington Harbour. (Mariners are advised to cancel Trip Reports at Barrets Reef buoy). Channel 65 – Paradise Reserve. Covers Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds, Havelock, d’Urville, western Cook Strait, parts of Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and large sections of Queen Charlotte Sound. Channel 66 – Mt. Stokes. Coverage area is similar to Channel 01. This repeater is for Commercial users only and is not Operator monitored. Channels 01 and 63 are linked for the marine forecasts only and one operator monitors both channels.

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Issue 173 17

Paper sets ‘fish makeup’ trend

Internationally acclaimed fashion consultant, Su Mee Pam, faces her most unusual challenge yet—individually applying makeup to individual fish at the famous Sentosa Merlion attraction, Singapore’s tallest Merlion statue. Surrounding the statue is a network of ponds, which house one of the world’s rarest and most expensive fish species— the Asian arowana or dragon fish. It has become so popular in the aquarium trade, it is now almost extinct in the wild. One Asian tycoon reportedly spent US$150,000 on one fish, recently. Their natural habitat is the waterways of the dense rainforests where they display a vibrant array of iridescent oranges, reds, and flame yellows. However, they stress easily when surrounded by finger pointing tourists and fade to a muted brown, which turns them into the ‘Plain Janes’ of the fish world. Su Mee Pam is charged with giving each fish a makeover, restoring them to glamour status. It is not easy because each of the 177 dragon fish have

A prayer unanswered

Travels

distinctive markings and can be real Prima Donnas, sulking if the makeup is not applied to their liking. Making the job more difficult, Su Mee Pam cannot use water-based makeup for obvious reasons, so she has developed her own range of ‘dragon makeup’ called Montgomery Gold, which

Neighbours in the Sounds discovered a patch of blue cod and shared its location with me. I had my eightyear-old son Jason staying with me and thought it would be a handy spot to get him into some fish, so anchored on the lip of a drop off between two mussel farms. My mate Keith Howieson had joined us and I was soon to be very grateful for his presence on board.

contains a closely guarded secret ingredient—kina shell pigments sourced from Okiwi Bay in New Zealand.

Kitted out with Black Magic flasher rigs and squid as bait, the bites were quick in coming, but not from cod as we’d anticipated. A wave of gurnard kept us busy and then Jaxon dealt a serious bow to the ambitions of a

every ten minutes or so: snapper and gurnard.

Seemingly out of nowhere, I had a big hook up. The rod thumped over and I felt a couple of good nods telegraphed up the line. Then the fish muscled off, peeling line and pulling the boat with it, completely turning it on anchor. Line was melting off the reel so I picked the culprit to be a big shark or a massive ray. After a time with the line not cutting, I called it as a big ray and decided to clamp down and ‘mother’ it. The last thing I wanted was the hassle of a big brute of a ray so I clamped the drag down and muscled the fish back. It

Jason Mackie bust, please bust…” So convinced I was that I was being hammered by a huge stingray, which are very common in the Sounds at this time of year, that when I finally saw colour, there was a total disconnect between my brain and reality. Gobsmacked, I stared at the enormous snapper but the brain simply wouldn’t register! Fortunately, Keith had the presence of mind to grab the net and heave the brute aboard. Needless to say, we were all a bit stunned but highly delighted with our catch, which stretched the scale’s spring to an impressive 28lb. Thank God

Jason with the fish he prayed would bust him off

Su Mee Pam uses The Fishing Paper & Hunting News as a reference guide to replicate the tonal gradient of fish scales, because the paper is such a highly accurate publication.

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still pulled line and, with the rod bent frighteningly close to snapping point, I prayed for all I was worth that the fish would bust me off! All the way up—ground given up grudgingly by the ray—I muttered, “Please

not all prayers are answered. We kept the snapper for the table and it was delicious; succulent, sweet, and tender. I am taking the otoliths to have this fish aged, in the interests of learning more about this wonderful fishery.

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18 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

COOKING with CRIMPY

Crimpy’s gurnard ceviche

Ceviche is raw fish marinated and cured in citrus juice, which originated in Peru. It is typically spiced with chilli, onions, and coriander, and is also known as cebiche, seviche, or sebiche… take your pick. It is delicious and refreshing as a summer lunch. 500g fresh gurnard fillets (or snapper) Juice of 4 large limes or lemons 1/2 red onion finely sliced 8 cherry tomatoes halved or 2 medium tomatoes chopped 1-2 fresh red chilli finely diced 1 avocado diced (or 1/2 cup chopped cucumber) Handful chopped fresh parsley or coriander Salt & pepper Cut fish in to small cubes and marinate in lemon/lime juice for 2-3 hours at room temperature, stirring occasionally until you get your desired consistency. The citrus acid changes the structure of the proteins in the fish, essentially ‘cooking’ it without using heat. You can have it fully cured but I like it still partially raw in the middle— medium rare. Drain fish, put in a bowl, and season with salt and cracked pepper. Add onion, tomatoes, chilli, avocado, and herbs, mixing well. You can eat it like this, or: Stir in 1/2 can coconut cream and chill.

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Issue 173 19 New Zealand Rock Lobster Industry Council (NZRLIC) Executive Officer, Daryl Sykes, highlights the benefits of industry participation and cooperation to achieve improved abundance and economic outcomes for lobster fisheries. The experience has not been without its failures but, from those, important lessons are learned that provide useful guidance to industry and agencies elsewhere. But time tells a positive story as Daryl explains...

The proof is in the potting! It has long been argued that commercial fishers behave differently and respond favourably within rights-based management regimes. The New Zealand Quota Management System (QMS)—a combination of tradable rights and output controls to constrain catches—has existed since 1986. However, the emphasis on fish stock management is in defining the output controls - Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC). New Zealand rock lobster fisheries were included into the QMS in 1990 and industry immediately made positive expressions of collective responsibility, stewardship and custodial attitude; in part because the sector had previously been well organised and represented, and had successfully delayed inclusion in the QMS until better ‘terms and conditions’ were agreed by the Government fisheries management agency of the day.

Shake up fromwith in The lobster industry quickly consolidated a strong regional and national organisational framework from the 1990’s and sought opportunities to guide and influence management decisions. Important changes to the way lobster fisheries had previously been administered came at the direct instigation of industry. New partnerships were quickly forged between industry and science providers, which have endured; industry groups were persuaded to establish and fund numerous projects and continue to invest in new technologies. The New Zealand lobster industry established itself as a stock monitoring

and stock assessment research provider to Government in 1997, and retains that responsibility still. The lobster industry experience and achievement provided incentives for other New Zealand industry sectors to consolidate more effective management roles and responsibilities, and successes can be demonstrated across a range of New Zealand inshore fisheries. The New Zealand rock lobster industry has underpinned two decades of representation and advocacy with a mission statement which reads as follows: “The fisheries first, from them all benefits flow”. And when looking at the benefits of careful stewardship of rock lobster fisheries, the industry includes social, cultural, and recreational, as well as economic.

Pots of lobster or pots of dough—or both?

Rock lobster fishermen have moved past the idea of measuring their fishing day by the quantity of lobsters landed—the focus is now on the quantity of dollars earned for the landed catch. We routinely talk in terms of ‘dollars per pot lift’ as opposed to kilogrammes per pot lift. Fisheries Managers have long accepted that commercial Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) is a very reliable indicator of stock abundance. There are statistical methods that can be used to ‘groom’ raw CPUE data in order to take account of changing fishing behaviour over time; of changing technology; of changes in operating personnel (skill levels); and changes in market preference for sizes/grades of lobsters, which determine either or both where and when fishing takes place within each season.

stock abundance well above statutory reference limits. Management procedures are operated seasonally – scientists and managers can provide six months’ notice to industry in advance of any TAC/TACC adjustments needed for a new season. They are run for five seasons and reviewed in the fifth, when a new stock assessment is done for the stock. Using management procedures and ‘banking’ stock abundance can be tracked back to 1997. The status of New Zealand rock lobster fisheries since that time is a matter of record. Stock abundance has increased and/or remained stable. Where it has not done so, an appropriate management procedure has been developed and implemented.

Fishermen are in the business to make money. Lifestyle is a significant consideration but the quality and extent of any preferred lifestyle are underpinned by the profitability of fishing businesses.

Fishermen aspire to greater security and certainty in terms of management decisions and changes to fishing rules. Security and certainty enable better business planning for themand for processors and exporters. That strong notion of stability and certainty is referenced to stock abundance. Industry knows from long observation and experience that stock abundance is subject to cyclical variations due to both fishing pressure and environmental factors. Industry has gradually adopted a commercial harvest strategy that aims to maintain reasonably high levels of stock abundance, so as to buffer against natural variations and enable profitable business in every season. These initiatives also include maintaining a spread of sizes/ weights of lobsters, which enables premium value grades to be landed according to peaks of seasonal market preference and demand.

Lobsters in the bank

Less is more.. more or less

The lobster industry initiated the first discussions about ‘banking’ lobsters to the standing stock rather than taking all available legal lobsters in any one season. There are numerous examples of the benefits of banking lobsters – depleted stocks have been rebuilt and maintained by way of very conservative commercial catch limits – CRA 3 and CRA 4 are two good examples. Other fisheries have sustained long periods of stable commercial catches – CRA 5 and CRA 8.

The cost of going fishing has declined; profitability has increased. There are fewer days fished for the catch landed; less pot lifts are made and less bait used; there is less wear and tear on vessels, gear, and personnel.

The management decisions in New Zealand are not random. There are nine rock lobster fisheries and, for six of them, the seasonal catch limits are determined by the operation of management procedures, which are driven by CPUE. When operated, the procedures deliver catch limits intended to maintain

The average value of the landed catch over time has also improved (in part) as a consequence of the increased stock abundance. More year classes above minimum capture size now exist, therefore more grades of lobsters can be targeted when prices are high for premium grades. More fish in the water is good business. Good business for the long term future of the fishery and good business for the rock lobster industry.

20 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

Deer in bush worth two in hand Although eating a lot of fish is all good and healthy, one also needs some steak or stew every once in a while. Unfortunately, the levels of red meat in the freezer had dropped dangerously low but, luckily, Mike offered to take me along on a hunting trip to a friend’s property. Although the property is mainly used for sheep farming, it also holds hundreds of feral goats, and lots of pigs and deer. We arrived early afternoon and went for a drive to scout the property. Every 15 minutes or so, Lucas and Ollie would jump out of the truck, lie down and fire on a mob of goats. Within two or three hours we had harvested a healthy supply of hind legs and back straps. Time to set up camp and

Dominik Berghammer

have a cuppa!

For the evening, we had picked a nice green valley where Mike had seen deer before. We split up and started stalking. Only 20 minutes had passed when my radio crackled and Mike signalled that he had spotted a deer. I couldn’t see it from my position but, a short time later, three shots rang out. Mike messaged me that the deer had gone out of sight but he was certain his shots were good, so I packed up and crossed the valley bottom to meet the guys on the other side.

Dom was surprised the spiker didn't know it was dead!

When we were about 30m from the spot where we suspected the dead spiker was, we heard a deer bleating. Mike and I looked at each other—was the deer not dead? Confident as always, Mike had opted to

Lucas and Ollie-the dynamite hunting duo leave his gun behind, so I was sent forward to assess the situation. I made my way through the bushes as quietly as possible when, suddenly, the spiker jumped up only 15 metres ahead of me. It looked me square in the eyes—and took off. I cursed, ran up a small rock to get a better view and spotted him, running away

flat out. After a couple of seconds, he stopped and looked back. No time to measure the distance, I aimed a hand’s breadth over the back line and let fly. The spiker staggered forwards another 20 steps and stopped again. Reload, second shot—still standing! But before I could put the third round in the chamber, the deer toppled over and

rolled down the hill. Time to catch my breath! The boys came over and remarked that the stag didn’t look crook at all when running away. We had a look around and sure enough, there was the other one, only 20 metres away and dead as a doornail! We salvaged what was left of Mike’s deer (he had

managed to put bullets in shoulders and back legs) and went on to retrieve the other one. Turns out it had rolled down all the way to a track, which made the recovery very easy. Back to camp for a few cold ones, some more goats in the morning and home towards Nelson. Meat crisis avoided!

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Issue 173 21

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Editor: Daryl Crimp - 021 472 517 editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz Sub-Editor: Mike Brown Administration & Sales: Annette Bormolini 021 028 73393 - annette@coastalmedia. co.nz Deputy Editor: Ron Prestage rgprestage@xtra.co.nz Printer: Inkwise

The Fishing Paper & 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.

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22 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

What are the birds telling us? Following on from our last month’s article on seabirds and how to avoid them or handle them if caught, we also need to look at what other effects we may have on the wildlife out there. It’s not just our direct interactions with these species, but should also consider what other ways we may be affecting them.

stock of their equipment and make every effort to return home with all of their gear. It is too easy to throw the bird nest that you have cut off from an over run, over the side. ‘Out of sight out of mind’, right? That unfortunately was not the case for this dolphin, and likely not the case for many other sea dwelling creatures.

All too often walks on our beaches and waterfront areas reveal large amounts of discarded line and other tackle. Unfortunately, quite often you will also see birds trailing line, and a lot of this has possibly been from accidental entanglements with discarded line.

There are many protected species that live in and use New Zealand’s marine environment and any captures of them is extremely disappointing. These species can face a range of threats including changes to habitat, invasive predators, climate change, disease, and fisheriesrelated mortality.

You may be aware of a dead common dolphin washed up on Tawharanui Beach, north of Auckland in December. The cause of death was entanglement in what appears to be fishing gear, specifically braided line that had clearly been in the water either by accident or by being intentionally discarded. This is a timely reminder for everyone to be vigilant with their fishing equipment and ensure they do not leave anything behind. No fisher wants to harm protected species and Fisheries New Zealand encourages all fishers to take

Our marine mammals are taonga and we want them to be here for future generations. As New Zealand’s tiaki – or guardians – we all have a responsibility to reduce any impacts on our marine environment. Fisheries New Zealand works closely with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to mitigate threats to protected species from fishing. We also work with all communities to draw on their expertise and advice as well as the best available scientific evidence. We have recently consulted on a range of options to improve the

way these threats to Hector’s and Māui dolphins are being managed. Our proposals were put together using the best available science, and we think they give us the best opportunity to help protect these dolphins. We know fishing-related threats to protected species have reduced in areas where restrictions have been put in place, but threats from fishing remain and need to be considered, including those from the rec sector. Government, industry and NGOs have put in considerable work over the last decade to reduce the volume of seabird bycatch and we have made significant progress thanks to all sectors working together. We have a National Plan of Action for Seabirds which sets objectives to protect New Zealand’s seabird populations from the direct impacts of fishing activity, and An updated draft NPOA Seabirds is currently under consultation. A number of these initiatives relate to the commercial sector, but it is timely to remember that we all have a role to play in protecting our environment and the treasured things in it. Tight lines and remember “Be a Tidy Kiwi”.

Rob caught the big one today.

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Don’t be like Rob.

Issue 173 23

Serious sniper fire nets snapper

Carter, Harry, and Oliver with their bounty

Pete Connolly

They had all the right actions: lift and wind, lift and wind—pump, pump, wind down! The Benbow boys had the air of fishing pros and the grins on their faces told me they were right in the moment. However, Oliver 13, Harry 11, and Carter 8 were old hands… at waiting. Yep, hurry up and wait. This mission had been a long time in the making. I have shares in a White Pointer with Colin Joss, who, two years ago, asked me to take his grandsons for a fish—they were as keen as rabbit dogs after a weasel, so I agreed. A year later, their mother reminded me of the promise but, in my defence, we had suffered four stand downs due to nasty weather or sport commitments. Then the gods had a good day in early January and father Johnny Benbow— sounds like a priest but

believe me he’s not—had the three rugrats at the marina at the specified ungodly hour.

welcome respite to sidetrack them with the anchor and a sizeable berley pot.

Despite being a father myself, I’d forgotten about all those questions—the ‘Are we there yet’ syndrome that afflicts young kids. All the way out the Nelson Marina, through The Cut, and deep into mid Tasman Bay, I was under fire from multiple angles:

I soon had them fishing that magic dawn window, with lines in the water by 6.00am. Thirty-five metres deep and a lot of promise on the current. Flasher rigs baited with pillies—a perfect little recipe. Bites. Action. Undesirables! First down the berley trail were spiney dogs and ‘coutta, but the kids didn’t mind because they were impressed with the Kilwell Baseball Bat and its role in the pacification process. The downside to the Razor Gang visiting was the loss of the top hooks from the flasher rigs—apart from Oliver’s; he was fishing with the best gear and his rig remained intact.

“Where are we going?” How long will it take?” “Are we going to your secret spot?” What will we catch? “When will we catch it?” “ARE WE THERE YET?” The little verbal snipers had me pinned down, so it was

Then the gurnard streamed in, as they do, and the boys gleefully got amongst them. Then Carter and Harry got

mothered by by some serious head thumpers—a flurry of nuggety snapper that ranged between 61-63cm. Carter got the biggest and very graciously allowed his dad to assist briefly, just so Father Johnny could get to sense what playing a snapper felt like. Oliver had caught the

biggest gurnard of the morning but lucked out completely on the snapper. Ironically, the ‘coutta had done us a favour; all the snapper were taken on the bottom hooks of the onehook rigs! That’s fishing.

had been two years in the making.

However, the Benbow boys were rapt with their fishing adventure, even if it

“Yeah Mr Connolly— WHEN ARE WE GOING AGAIN?”

Then, on the way home, out of nowhere—I was hit by sniper fire: “When are we going again?”

Green torpedoes exploit weakness Blair Whiting

minimum. Blair with a 'green torpedo' he just managed to defuse

The rod tip taps and the line tightens. The peace quickly subsides as my rod almost flies out of my grip. A green torpedo tears line off the reel. My arms are being crushed and my wrists struggle under the weight.

It’s only just begun. Kingfish are pound for pound the hardest fighting fish in New Zealand. Over the past few seasons I have been on a mission to tame a few of these beasts with a variety of techniques.

Learning how to catch these fish is very different to most other species I have caught because kingies punish both your fitness and your gear. If there is any weakness, you can kiss that fish goodbye. I have spent a long time

practicing knots, such as the FG and uni-knot, in order to have a chance at stopping these freight trains. When I target these fish, heavier gear is a must: 50lb braid, 100lb+ Trace and a strong 24kg jigging combo is the

When I tie my trace to the leader, I test my FG knot by putting full drag on onto my rod and pushing it to the limit. If I can’t break it, chances are, a kingi won’t. For terminal tackle I use a 200g jig or an 8/0 KLT circle hook when live-baiting. I have a 4oz ball sinker above a live jack mackerel to set it at the right depth. The method I use depends on the availability of the bait. Last time live baits were easy to catch right on my kingfish spot. Other times the bait is non-existent.

Strikes from yellowtail can be savage, especially on jigs. The good thing about a hard hit is your hook will be well set as soon as the fish takes the jig. In comparison live baits will be taken after a bit of cat and mouse. Once a bait has been inhaled, a kingfish will swim off at a great rate of knots. I usually give them 5 – 10

seconds and then slowly increase the drag before giving them a couple of winds. Now comes the fun part. Kingfish are all about raw power and love to dump a heap of line in a single run.

I make sure my drag is set so I can stop them if need be. Any structure like reef, anchor rope, or even cray pots can be a target for them to rub you off. As long as my motion stays smooth, typically the hook will stay in the kingies mouth. Their hard jaw can easily pull over 10kg of drag. Once they are at the leader, a new challenge begins. I need to grab the big powerful tail to stop the kingfish in its tracks. This often takes more than one attempt when they are trying to slap you away. I drag the fish aboard and the king is beaten. Conquering one of these powerhouses feels amazing each time I do it. What are you waiting for?

24 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

Twenty pound plus snapper Sinker to wins at Smoker Mokihinui

Jacob Coleman’s 20lb plus snapper

Ron Prestage

Jacob Coleman’s outstanding 10.34kg gutted snapper easily took out the major snapper prize at the annual Mokihinui Fishing Competition. Any other year and Mike Lee’s 6.82kg second heaviest snapper would have been a winner. Other daily heaviest snapper prizes went to Stuart Poore, Jeremy Thin, Lloyd Jones, Bruce Stringer and Diane Blance. The open heaviest fish prize was claimed by Paul Clarkson’s 40.50kg ray, with Lindsay Stuart’s 5.95kg rig runner up. Daily heaviest fish prizes also went to Ron Prestage, Dan Zielinski, Hans Busch, Shannon Busch, Carl Tanner, and John Lee. The heaviest trout was caught by Kahn Zielinski, a 1.70 brown. Top lady fisher was Diane Blance with a 3.68kg snapper. John Lee

caught the heaviest kahawai and the longest fish prize went to Shannon Busch with a 1.35m seven gilled shark. Junior heaviest fish was a 32.50kg ray landed by Hans Busch and the trout prize went to Daniel Lee. The two Kontiki sections were won by Swampy and Chuckles with a ray of 11.61kg and a snapper of 6.90kg. Overall 30 snapper, 39 rig, and 62 kahawai were weighed in by the 135 competitors. Weighmasters Helen and Ron Bennett provided ten days of top service and, once again, entrants enjoyed a tasty feast at the prizegiving barbecue. Well done to the sponsors and the organisers, Paul Clarkson, Brian and Tony Murphy, and committee, plus the barbecue team of Brian Morgan and his helpers.

Daniel Lee with Heaviest Junior Trout 1.64kg

Mike Lee’s runner up snapper

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Issue 173 25

Don’t ignore the little ones…

Arlo outfished dad

Stuart Poore

Creeks that is. Or kids. My eldest, Arlo—seven in December—has a very healthy obsession with fishing, to the point the tooth fairy cuts out the middleman and pays with new lures. On our first trip to the Catlins with friends, we were hard pushed to find a window to sneak out for a flick. I pretended to pop out for firewood but headed downhill to survey a tiny tidal creek for fish, and to stem the flow of endless questions. “Dad can we go fishing now—what about that river—I just saw a nice pool, are there trout in there?” The creek didn’t appear much; no more than four metres wide, encroached by native bush, but holding enough water at low tide to hold a resident fish or two. I secured a window with the boss of the house, for Arlo and me to sneak off after lunch for an hour. Geared quite light with 5lb line and a small smelt style softbait, it was all under

arm casts and side flicks to avoid the foliage. We drew a blank. It was my turn on the rod in the next spot. I flicked the softbait as far downstream in the tannin-stained water as the vegetation would allow—no more than 20ft. As I began the retrieve, there was a big bronze flash behind it and a huge tail pattern in the water, but no connection. My heart skipped a beat. From the little I saw, it was a very good fish, possibly 5-6lb. I repeated the cast four or five more times and, with each cast, the hope of raising the fish faded. I realised it had probably seen something it didn’t like and spooked. It had been agonizing for Arlo to watch, so I gave in to his pestering to let him have a go. I thought all hope was lost. Being a bit short for the underarm cast, his side cast landed the lure very close to our bank. Halfway through the retrieve, the slab of bronze erupted from under it and cruised to almost a standstill in front of us! Time briefly stood still. The trout stood out starkly, with the

softbait sticking out the side of its mouth. I had never hooked a trout this big—and I hadn’t hooked this one either. The rod bent over and the reel’s drag steadily increased its whine. “Oh no!” I blurted.

We were seriously under gunned here in a snaggy creek, with a very excited boy on one end of the line and a very big fish on the other. Dad had also not bothered to bring a net. Arlo composed himself, listening to advice when needed, keeping a bend in the rod, not reeling when the fish was taking line, and getting a little back when possible. The trout repeatedly swam end of the pool, turn back and cruise back upstream past us, before repeating. At the first sign of the head coming up, I slipped onto a ledge in the water and Arlo

Pull a trigger feel the passion

PISTOL SHOOTING Brian Bishop Overall numbers of pistol shooters have dropped a little in the last financial year but this year numbers are already on the rise. For my own club we have had a number of calls about joining and having a look at what we do. With three pistol clubs in the Nelson area, there are options for people to choose, and nationally we have over 90 clubs. If someone is interested, there is normally a club close by. It’s always fun having someone new contact us about joining, especially after the actions of last year. When new people join, they get very comprehensive training in the way we run our clubs, use of firearms, various disciplines, and

techniques, with safety our key priority, and an ongoing area we monitor closely. Even after you have been with us a number of years, it is something we continuously work on and watch at all times. With nine different styles, even with 3gun taking a hit last year, we are working around the firearms ban, as we change what we can use within the new laws. Although it will never be the same unless we can get the sporting exemption and can get back what was taken. There is Cowboy, Action, and Black Powder, just to name a few. I shoot IPSC and 3gun, so it’s up to each person to pick the style that fits them. Maybe the Olympic games is your aim, if so ISSF in air or .22 pistol might fit you (although not for me, as I can’t shoot straight enough not to be laughed at). We each need to look at what’s on offer and then work at it. Pistols take a different skill and the trigger control and grip make a

huge difference as to how well you hit the target. In some styles, we have movement and are timed. Some are set and others are the ‘quicker the better.’ When I get a prospective member who is trying to find the right fit for them, I like to show and talk about the different styles. In some cases, my club, Cable Bay, will fit, but in others, Nelson or the Motueka clubs might be better. I don’t really mind if you join pistol shooting, or small bore, or shotgun chasing the clay birds. What I’d like is for more people to try the shooting discipline: once you have experienced shooting with trained, passionate sports people, you will gain a better understanding about the wide type of people who make up our shooting clubs. Oh, and just to come clean—I lied. Pistol shooting is more fun than small bore and shotgun! Head on out and have a go, you never know—shooting may be your next big passion.

did a perfect job of guiding it to me. Nice and slow. I got two arms behind it and against my gummies. I literally bear-hugged it up the bank. To be honest, we were both doing a wee jig as we took it in, before a high

five and a hug. I always give Arlo the option of keeping his fish. If they are big enough to eat and depending on the situation his decision varies, he enjoys eating them as much as showing them off

but knows the importance of letting them go too. This one was coming home. I could not have been prouder or more pleased for him, although he has now set a very high bar for himself—a twelve pounder!

26 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020 BOOK REVIEW

Chasing Whitetails The Magic of Hunting Stewart Island

John Delury

Reviewed by Daryl Crimp

Quite simply, this is a stand out hunting book and a must read for whitetail hunters or those contemplating hunting these elusive creatures on Stewart Island for the first time. For those who have never considered chasing whitetails, this book will very likely change your mind—and possibly your life. Anyone who has hunted whitetail on Rakiura Stewart Island will attest to the fact that it is very addictive. John Delury first hunted there in 1979 and ‘quickly developed a passion for hunting whitetail’, hunting the island more than 100 times in the ensuing years. I would argue he’s some degree obsessive because the lure of the animal manifested itself in far more than just the pursuit of a deer.

hunts, the narrative is also rich in wry humour, history, natural history, and cultural aspects of the island. The hunting yarns are a bloody good read; entertaining,

craftsmanship that has gone into producing this book. At the end of each chapter is a section called Tail Piece, where John discusses the biology and habits of

"The history of the whitetail has always interested me and there is reason to question the origins of our deer,” he says. He argues that much misinformation has been published about whitetail over the years and he aims to right the record with Chasing Whitetails. While the book essentially ‘documents’ many of John’s

informative, engaging, and humorous. John tells it how it is and writes what hunters like to read, but this air of simplicity belies the

whitetail deer, which makes fascinating reading. He covers an eclectic mix of themes from piebalds, the deers’ coats, trailing bucks,

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fawn behaviour, and signposting to animal agility— and much more.

indicative of the John’s attention to detail and the great value he places on this species—both intrinsically and as a natural resource— the result being a superbly produced, quality book. At

Chasing Whitetails, through recounting hunts, observations, and experiences, serves as a ‘Block Guide’ to hunting the island and, while it doesn’t cover every block, it gives valuable insite and information into a fair chunk of them. There is also a chapter on a study into the movements of captured and released whitetail, and other research projects. The Rakiura Hunter Camp Trust, which has been building and maintaining huts for hunters since 2000, deservedly has its own chapter, adding further to the broad appeal of this book.

Chasing Whitetails is only available from John Delury: $40 +pp To order a copy, email: wtd243@gmail.com or phone 027 692 5 338, with delivery and contact details. Pay online to the account of J W DeLury 11-7600-0128077-30, and enter your name and phone number with payments. Postage costs: All New Zealand $6.00 (except RD) - Rural Delivery + $3.90 Courier non signature + $3.00 - Courier signature + $6.00. Up to three books can be posted in the one bag if you want to share postage with a mate. Pickups can be made from John’s home at Pegasus by arrangement.

The chapters are wellflagged, with full page ‘right facing’ layout, demarcated with whitetail ‘ghost grey’ colouration. This is

K-2

256 pages on gloss, stitch bound, with 158 colour pictures, numerous black and white photos, and maps and diagrams, Chasing Whitetails is a book lover’s book.

Tail-Piece: Essential reading. With 60% of the print run sold already, get in quick because you will regret not having this book in your library.

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Issue 173 27

Coping with Dum Dum Fins slice breakers as competitors reel insects, jaguars and snakes.

TIDES OF

CHANGE Poppa Mike

In 2012 a group of explorers entered the rainforests of inland Honduras in search of the Lost City of the Monkey Gold, previously ‘discovered’ by Theodore Morde, who returned to civilisation with hundreds of artifacts but committed suicide without revealing its location. Indigenous tribes of the region had warned the legendary lost city is cursed. Maybe it was true? Using modern technology enabling the team to scan the physical landscape under the thick tropical rainforests, the group launched an expedition to reach a possible site, the unmistakable images of a sprawling metropolis, potentially more than just a city but a lost civilisation. Led by Doug Preston and his mostly American team, they had to battle more than the thick rainforests however - as they had underestimated the torrential rains, flooded rivers, mud, plagues of

Their ordeal is well documented in Doug’s book, ‘The Lost City of the Monkey God’ but what the book also reveals is after their return to their different homes back in USA is they had been struck with the legendary ‘curse.’ One by one each member was affected by a terrible and

cause. That’s when he found out about Dum Dum. His investigations led him to a Dr Durvasula who was able to confirm the explorers had in fact contracted the flesh eating disease now known worldwide as ‘Leishmaniasis.’

In 1901 Dr William Leishman from Glasgow, was

One interesting fact noted was the Inca of South America were very afraid of this disease but when they moved to high country Machu Picchu, the disease did not occur. Today it is now realised the disease can only exist in warm, wet, hot regions, where a type of sand fly thrives with a parasite in

Çorban with the largest rig of the day

seemingly incurable flesh eating curse, which started as a small spot then quickly became a large festering sore that kept eating the flesh in ever increasing circles. Doug was one of the first to notice this outbreak over his body and when he contacted the other team members he found one by one each of them was affected by the same flesh eating curse. Rather than sit back and hope, Doug started searching the medical books for a possible

a general in the British Army based at the town of Dum Dum near Calcutta in India, where he found several soldiers with the flesh eating disease. In his early research work he called it Dum Dum disease. By 1911 worldwide research had determined three main strains of the flesh eating disease and identified numerous locations around the world where it was located - North Africa, Asia and Central America. Then the name was formalised as ‘Leishmaniasis.’

it that transfers into humans and other animals when the sand flies are sucking blood. Beware however, with a steady increase in global warming this particular breed of sand fly is spreading geographically. As an example, it has recently spread northwards from Central America into parts of North America. If you happen to be travelling into any of these hotter regions it might be advisable to look up Leishmaniasis on Google before you do so.

Coutta’s Cut:

Dumb-arse morons get a shit-kicking from Ngati Pakeha Coutta

Until I had my unsuccessful tilt at local body politics last year, I had resisted having a Facebook page but, due to needing one for my campaign, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the world of social media. I’ve seen and dealt with a lot of shit in my careers but the dumb-arse comments I see on Facebook by those, who can best be described as complete and utter morons, are right up there. Over the last couple of months there have been two majors in this area. The first has to do with fishing that has put a lot of noses out of joint and the second was to stop fishing for a short period of time. The first one is the imminent closure of a few very popular Bay of Plenty fishing spots. The areas are being shut down by part of the Motiti Island community to allow stocks to recover and will be closed to ALL

fishing, including customary, for a period of at least 10 years. I’m reasonably sure a lot of others would find it more palatable if Forest and Bird weren’t up to their arse in the whole thing, but they are. Now you can imagine the opinions that have been publicly aired about this closure. The first card played had race written all over it. Once someone retaliates, someone else chucks in their two bobs worth and it’s on for young and old. The interesting thing was while most of all races were against the closure, the old ‘Maori bashing’ was at the forefront. Even when it was stated there would be no customary take, the knockers chose not to believe it and continued their rants. I have to say, I was pretty dirty on it until a guy with a Maori name came on and really made me think. “Good, now my kids may have somewhere to go fishing when they’re adults,”

he said. Well said mate. Those of us who have had it pretty good for the last 50 years need to take a leaf out of your book. There’re plenty of other places I can catch a feed. The second issue was what can only be described as a tragedy—the White Island eruption. Within a day or so, Ngati Awa placed a rahui over, admittedly, a very large area of sea and coastline. It went from White Island in to the Tarawera River mouth to the west to Ohope Harbour in the east. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve dealt with some shit in my working life but a lot of the comments on social media were frankly sickening. “I’m not Maori so it doesn’t apply to me.” “It’s not law so f**k them.” “Why should we be dictated to by Maori superstition?” to quote a very few.

This of course prompted retaliation and the whole thing basically turned into a racist shit fight. It was sad to see. On having a look at some of the profiles, a lot of the knockers didn’t live anywhere near Whakatane. They just wanted to voice their misguided opinions. I’m Ngati Pakeha but I can understand the rahui was placed out of respect for the victims. It was not to stop people going fishing. Yes, a lot of locals were hurt financially but they were not the ones bleating. One charter operator was interviewed for the local paper. He had cancelled 10 charters and didn’t know when he could start taking bookings. He said he was hurting but not nearly as much as the victims and their families. That just about said it all. I think I’m too old and too set in my ways and beliefs for social media.

In ‘Jaws’ they closed the beach for one shark, but organisers of the annual Lions Amberley Surfcasing Competition took it in their stride when multiple fins started slicing through the breakers at Amberley Beach on January 19.

Corban East caught the largest rig of the day, measuring 1560 mm. The tide and offshore wind were such that he couldn’t reel it in to where he was standing; it was pulled sideways until it beached 20 metres south of where it was first hooked.

While tickets sales were down on last year, there were 127 Seniors and 42 Juniors fishing at the time, but there was surprisingly little panic.

COMPETITIONPrize winners

The weather was fine, with temperatures in the low 20s and a rising east-nor’east wind gradually building a moderate swell. The fins couldn’t have been further from ‘Jaws’, as they all belonged to a large school of spotted smoothhound or rig, a toothless shark renowned for its eating quality. They are also fun to catch and this year they played a big part in the success of the 2020 Lions Amberley Surfcasing Competition. Despite low angler numbers, 178 fish were caught on the day, which set a competition record.

The Lions measuring team.

SENIORCATEGORY 1STPeter Corker

Rig 1305 mm

2nd Peter Corker

Rig 1180 “

3rd Troy Robinson Rig 1160 “ 4th Anthony Lunn

Rig 1135 “

5th Glenn Cranshaw Rig 1090 “ 6th Billy Cranshaw

Rig 1070 “

7th Wayne Johnson Rig 1040 “ 8th Peter Corker

Rig 970 “

JUNIORCATEGORY– Prize winners 1st Corban East

Rig 1560 mm

2nd Dillon Pack

Dog fish 784 “

3rd Zoe Clark

Dog fish 673 “

4th Kyran East School Shark 656 “ 5th Archie Scott

Rig

450 “

6th Rangimarie Taueki Mullet 345 “ 7th Jessica Brooke

Mullet 342 “

8th Brian Durford

Mullet 320 “

PRIZEFORTHE‘LARGESTCRAB’ – Kayeleigh Neame Diameter 110 mm PRIZEFOR‘THEBESTBEACHSETUP’ Sharyn Glynn &Lenise Tozer

28 THE FISHING PAPER & HUNTING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2020

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