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A News Flash from Fish & Game
28 July 2008
FELT SOLED WADING BOOTS TO BE BANNED FROM 1 OCTOBER
The Minister of Conservation agreed in principle last week with a Fish & Game New Zealand submission to ban the use of felt
soled wading boots for freshwater fishing. The ban, yet to be approved and included in the proposed 2008/09 Anglers Notice
for Fish and Game Regions, will be effective from 1 October 2008, and applies to freshwater sports fishing anglers in all
New Zealand waterways, except those within the Taupo Fishery.
The Lake Taupo fishery is administered by the Department of Conservation. The Department has advised that if a ban were
introduced for the rest of the country it would recommend that the Minister approve a ban applying in Taupo.
The ban applies to the use of felt-soled waders or footwear incorporating or having attached a sole of felted, matted or
woven fibrous material when sports fishing.
Felt-soled boots are considered a high risk vector or carrier of microscopic aquatic organisms like didymo. Preventing the
spread of didymo is an important aspect of ban, but it is increasingly understood that felt soles are an effective vector
for other microscopic pest organisms. While there are procedures for decontaminating felt soled waders, it is acknowledged
that these are not practical in many situations. The proposed ban supports three of the objectives of the didymo long term
management plan; to slow the spread of didymo and other freshwater pests throughout New Zealand, to protect valued sites and
at-risk species, and to maintain the North Island free of didymo for as long as possible.
Earlier this year Fish & Game New Zealand consulted widely with agencies and stakeholders on the proposed ban. Formal
submissions from MAF Biosecurity, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment Southland all supported the proposed ban. Of the
43 submissions made through the Fish & Game website, 20 supported the ban, 17 opposed it and six supported the ban with
various conditions.
Some opposing the ban cited the safety provided by felt soled boots. Felt, or fibrous, soles provide a good grip on slippery
boulders, and, for this reason, have become popular with anglers. However, other boots and sole types are available that
offer alternative ways of maintaining grip on slippery surfaces.
The use of felt soled waders was strongly discouraged during the 07/08 season, and the ban should come as no surprise to
most anglers.
Fish & Game New Zealand believes that banning the use of felt soles will immediately remove a high risk cause of spreading
unwanted organisms like didymo among New Zealand's waterways. Anglers must still "Check, Clean and Dry" all equipment that
has been in contact with the water wet before moving to a new waterway.
For more information:
Bryce Johnson
Chief Executive Fish & Game New Zealand
17 April 2008
Hi Everybody,
With fine calm still days it is perfect weather and perfect river conditions we are getting some good surface activity all afternoon under willow
trees or out in the middle of the river. Some of the fish are extremely spooky and even the most perfect cast you can muster could still put the
most weary of fish down.
With still a couple weeks left in the main season the Mataura is still in excellent fishing condition and looks likely to continue till the end of
April at least. The Mataura below the Gore bridge is open again this season till the end of May (except May 3-4)
Tight lines
Michael
2 April 2008
Hi Everybody,
Autumn fishing is starting to come into full swing with fog hanging around till after lunch on some days making the start to the day a little chilly but
by mid afternoon the fog lifts out comes the sun to change the whole prospective of the day. Some days we are getting some good afternoon hatches with
fish taking dries. Most nights we are getting some sort of rise, usually a spinner fall or caddies hatch. The biggest problem I'm finding at the moment
is leaves floating down the river (especially on smaller streams). It can put you off your game a little especially when you keep getting them (leaves)
caught on your nymph and you can easily mistake it for a strike of a small fish, and in the process of striking a leaf you spook the fish your fishing
for. It can be very frustrating at times testing your patience to the limit!
Tight lines Michael
25 March 2008
Hi Everybody
Things are getting tough on the Mataura with very little surface activity and most fish sitting on the bottom of the river not wanting to feed,
river levels are still near perfect. Also there is a lot of people on the river and you need to get in early to get a good pool, so with that and
wanting to be alone and some water to myself I've been on those small streams and having a good time with some 1-2lbs taking dries readily without
warning. It can certainly test your reaction time and keeps you on your toes while providing great entertainment !!
Tight lines
Michael
12 March 2008
Hi Everone
The Mataura has dropped down to near perfect condition (not to high or to low) and fish are starting to gobble up as much as they can before starting
their migratory run up the rivers and streams to spawn. I have also seen a couple of sea-run coming up with the recent fresh. There has been a couple of
afternoon rises but the bigger problem has been the wind and finding good shelter were you can still find surface feeding fish, then still be able flick
a fly at them. With the recent fresh I have been on a small stream that I don't usually fish at this time of the year but looking at it one day I
thought it could be worth a look and being a very well willow lined stream it would provide good shelter from the wind although the fish are on the
smaller side, it can be quite entertaining as these fish can be very feisty and they seem to know where the trees are and head straight to them for
shelter and you can have a few break offs.
Tight Lines Michael
3 March 2008
Hi Everyone,
With some much needed rain falling throughout Southland and the head waters of almost all river systems all the rivers are having a
good flush out. Fly fishing on a rising river can be a very rewarding experience if you're at the river early enough to catch the feeding frenzy as the
water starts to turn to a tea like colour before going to mud. Most people think its a little to late or just not worth the effort. Just the other day
this was the case. The Mataura river was on the rise quick and I knew I only had a few hours to get in as much fishing as possible. Upon arriving at
the tail end of a very nice pool I spotted a fin then a tail in the shallows then another and a another four or five 3-4lbs in fact gobbling up as much
food as they could before it gets to late in 20 - 30 cm of water. When this sort of behaviour is happening they (the fish) don't seem to spook too
easily and you can get away with all sorts of mistakes like lining them or pulling the fly out of their mouth - they just keep feeding to all the food
is gone and as quick as they start the stop again. Even if you don't hook or land any it's still a nice experience to see this sort of behaviour and
witness these fish feeding in such shallow water. With the Mataura bank to bank as I type this out it will take a least a week to come right again.
So till next time
Tight Lines, Michael
21 February 2008
Hi Everyone
With a good amount of rain falling in the Waikaia catchment the Mataura and the Waikaia Rivers have had a good flush out this week,
and all the algae that was hampering the nymphs has now gone. With a lower water temperature it has lifted the fishing again, with what seems to be
a new lease of life for the river. The Pomahaka has also had a good flush out with some more sea-run arriving on the scene each day. So till next time..
Tight Lines Michael
8 February 2008
Hi Everyone,
Things haven't changed too much over the last couple of weeks. We have had a small fresh go down the Mataura which has temporally stopped a lot of
surface activity. But still having a great time with a nymph with a good number of fish being hooked. We are currently experiencing some of the best
trout fishing on the Mataura River for over 5 years, there seems to be plenty of good size fish and no shortage of them - fingers crossed that this
continues for the rest of the season.
Tight lines Michael
22 January 2008
Hi Everyone,
Its been a great few weeks of fishing with the some rivers getting down to low flow levels and very warm on the odd day - some fish are starting to
get a little sluggish. The biggest problem when the water levels get too low is the fish sit on the bottom and don't move to far to get food so you
pretty much have to put your fly right over the top of them to get any reaction. But as I write this report there is some rain falling which will
bring a little relief to low and warm water-ways especially the smaller tributaries and rivers.
Tight lines Michael
12 January 2008
Hi Everybody,
Fantastic is the word to describe the last couple of days on the Mataura with good sight fishing opportunities with a nymph during the day a good
number of fish are being hooked, with the odd fish taking a dry. For the dry fly fisherman the evening rise has been superb on the wind free
evenings with some great spinner fall activity keeping things very interesting during the last 3hrs of the daylight.
Tight Lines, Michael
2 January 2008
Hi Everyone,
Well, we have had a little bit rain over the last couple of weeks which has changed the fishing a little and has put the fish down on
the Mataura but on the other hand it was needed to keep the river healthy. The Pomahaka river is fishing very well although i haven't seen any sea run
yet the residents are feeding well. Although they are not the easiest to hook when they are tucked up in behind willows feeding the challenge of trying
to get one of these bigger fish proving to be a very entertaining and challenging experience for all who try.
So till next time - Tight Lines, Michael
19 December 2007
Hi Everyone,
We are enjoying some of the best December fishing I've seen for more than 5 years with fish rising all day some days, we have had a
little bit of rain which is well welcomed by all as the river was starting to get very warm and low but still fishing very well, with more people out
and about each day and with the holiday break coming up I expect it to be a little more crowded.
The fish below which was caught in a small back country creek which shows that fishery is in good healthy order with such a young and good condition
brown. weighing in at 6.8lb, it's not the biggest so far this season but by far one of the best looking and conditioned.
Tight lines, Michael
4 December 2007
Hi Everyone,
Excellent!! That's one word to describe the fishing. At the moment one could easily mistake these fishing conditions to be mid February. Very clear
water and long warm days has had fish free rising all day. With little wind and and few people on the river I been having a field day on the Mataura
catching a good number of 3-5lbs. Who knows how long this will last and I should be at the river now instead of writing this report so you can guess
where I'm going now!!
So till next time, tight lines Michael
23 November 2007
Hi Everyone,
With some very nice hot long summer days we've been experiencing over the past week its has brought on a flurry of activity on the water I'm
seeing a good number of fish rising mid afternoon to a mayfly hatch and some good spinner falls in the evening. Also with very little to no rain the
rivers starting are to get very clear and in some more heavily fished locations the trout are starting to spook very easily. This is where a longer
leader and more precise casts are needed for success.
So till next time, tight lines, Michael
10 November 2007
Hi Everyone,
With a couple of fine days and a bit of rain there has been some snow melt which has left most back country rivers high and very green looking.
Despite the conditions a few days spent in the Te Anau basin went off not too bad, with some good fish seen and hooked. The Mataura river on the other
hand is now starting to pick up a little and we are starting to see some good hatches - but with the driving winds from the south things have been a
little cold and difficult for the fisherman, however for those few who brave the cold the rewards can far out weigh the unpleasantness of the day
So till next time tight lines, Michael
31 October 2007
Hi Everyone,
The weather has cleared up over last 3-4 days with nice calm blue sky's and very little wind which have made for some great dry
fly fishing with hatches coming off daily on the Pomahaka river and a good number of 2-5lbs being caught. The Mataura is starting to clear but I haven't
seen much activity in the way of fish feeding, the water is still very green and wont be right for at least a week. The recent flood through the Mataura
has changed a lot of river bed especially above the Otama bridge so any one wading in the river above that point should take extra care when on gravel
runs which can be like quicksand. I have been caught out, so please take care. With the opening weekend in the back country this weekend I'll be up a
few favourite spots to see what's happening and I let you know how they are fishing.
So Tight lines all, Michael
19 October 2007
Hi Everyone,
Just as things were starting to pick up, heavy rain has brought most rivers around the Southland up to almost flood
levels. Although a couple have escaped the deluge the Mataura was not one of them and it's been un-fishable for the last 5
days. The Waikaia has escaped most of the bad weather and has been the first choice for fishing so far this season with some
good fish up to 6lb being caught. While the Mataura was dropping and clearing I was having a good deal of success on a nymph
mid afternoon.
'till next time
Tight lines, Michael
8 October 2007
Hi Everyone,
With opening week now behind us, it's been a mixed bag of events with rain, wind, rising and with falling rivers
to contend with, things have been a little difficult. The Mataura has been discoloured since mid afternoon opening day
but still fishing not to bad for the conditions. I've been having a fair bit of success with a dry fly in the last
couple of hours just before dark. Also in my travels I've found that the Waikaia is in very good condition, as it hasn't
had as much rain in its head-waters as the Mataura. The Waikaia and its tributaries so far are fishing very well and
seem to be full of fish some good size fish at that!!
Tight Lines
Michael
22 September 2007
Hi Everyone!
With the days getting longer, the temperatures rising and the blossoms blooming, it can only mean one thing; fishing
season!! Not long to wait now!! I've been out and about looking at the Mataura river and can tell you its looking extremely
good for this time of the year and I've seen a good number of fish in it. With only two small winter floods going thought
it things haven't changed to much form the end of the last season, so if we don't get to much rain before 1st October the
new season should get of to a good start. So get those fly rods out of the cupboard, blow the dust off, clean the line,
grease the reel and prepare for what should be a excellent start.
Tight Lines Michael
