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TROUT FISHING WITH MAURICE RODWAY - Weekly Column: 01-October 1999
 Southland, New Zealand

Opening Day and The Weather

Anglers are particularly interested in the weather and weather forecasts. The forecast for today therefore was particularly interesting. On Wednesday the Times forecast was "Fine inland with gentle winds" along with other, rather benign and pleasant conditions.

Such a prediction was just about the best thing to get angling hopes soaring. Trout fishing is best in gentle winds and sunny skies, especially in spring, and for it to occur on the opening weekend is as good as it gets. If the weather we've has so far this spring continues, it will be a good opening.

Just why the season starts on the first of October is a fact unknown to me, I must confess. Actually it is becoming a bit of a misnomer as quite a few areas are open right through the winter, lakes and estuaries mainly. Some waters don't open until the first of November. In other parts of the country there are different times of opening in the same rivers and in neighbouring catchments. Some would say it is all a bit confusing, especially to the newcomer.

Trout fishing has a great tradition behind it and its rules are set by people who feel the tradition of the sport is very important. Trout fishing has been managed this way in New Zealand for over a hundred and thirty years and many who have fished in other parts of the world believe trout fishing here is simply the best, so on that basis the method of management must be sound.

The trout fishery is managed conservatively and it relies on the cooperation of anglers for it to be sustained in its present high quality. There are fairly complex rules by which the game has to be played, but unlike many sports the referee is not usually around and there are certainly no television replays. 

The fishery managers, Fish and Game, tend to have conservative rules and the opening dates, and season lengths generally, are made to isolate anglers from trout when the trout are most vulnerable -  during spawning, and anglers themselves like to give trout a sporting chance to recover after the rigours of winter.  The times when trout spawn do vary from place to place so it is felt the regulations should reflect these differences.

Nevertheless it is difficult to make a biological case for many of the rules that do exist. There is some justification on these grounds, but mostly the rules exist to satisfy human perceptions that have become part of angling lore. Part of the great tradition that is the fabric of trout fishing.

A few new rules have been introduced this year, all with good reason! These are all detailed in the regulation and access guide that is available with your fishing licence. Both are necessary items.

Maurice Rodway
Southland, New Zealand                           E-mail: information@southlandfishgame.co.nz

Article © 1999 Maurice Rodway, All Rights Reserved.

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