Fishing

Simply put, Northern Southland is a fisherman’s paradise. Each of the towns in Northern Southland provide accommodation, services and information to enhance the fishing experience. The rivers in Northern Southland are famous world-wide for rainbow and/or brown trout. Available to the fisherman are the Aparima River, the Oreti River, the Waikaia River, the Nevis River, the five tributaries of the Oreti River, the Nokomai River, the Hamilton Burn, the Mararora River, Mavora Lakes, the Mataura River and a number of smaller lakes and streams. The Southland Fish and Game personnel provide a number of brochures detailing the open season dates, designated access points and providing insight as to lure selection. The brochures can be obtained from many of the local Northern Southland establishments or directly from Fish and Game Southland, P.O. Box159, Invercargill (telephone64-3-215-9117) or e-mail: information @southlandfishgame.co.nz         Check the current Northern Southland weather and the forecast: click here.

 

THE ROLLOWING IS A BIO SECURITY ALERT REGARDING DIDYMO INFESTATION OF

SOME RIVERS

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Te Manatu Ahuwhenua, Ngaherehere

ASB Bank House, 101-103 The Terrace, PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand

Telephone: 64 4 474 4100 Facsimile: 64 4 474 4111 Web: www.biosecurity.govt.nz

DATE 13 October 2005

Cleaning Methods for Freshwater Activities

NOTE: These methods are subject to change, so please visit the Biosecurity New Zealand website periodically

for the latest version.

To ensure you do not spread Didymo or other aquatic pests, wherever possible restrict equipment,

boats, clothing and other items for exclusive use in a single waterway.

To ensure you do not spread Didymo, if you are moving between waterways, you must clean items

using the following methods:

1. Check: Before leaving the river, remove all obvious clumps of algae and look for hidden clumps. Leave

them at the affected site. If you find any later, do not wash them down drains. Treat them with the

approved cleaning methods below, dry them and put them in a rubbish bin.

2. Clean: Soak and scrub all items for at least one minute in either hot (60°C) water, a two percent

solution of household bleach or a five percent solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner or

dishwashing detergent. A two percent solution is 200 ml, a five percent solution is 500 ml (two large

cups), with water added to make 10 litres.

3. Dry: If cleaning is not practical (i.e. livestock), after the item is completely dry to touch, wait an

additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway.

When applying the above cleaning methods, we recommend that you:

• use biodegradable products

• do not wash cleaning waste into waterways

• choose a cleaning solution from the above choices that will not adversely effect your equipment

• follow manufacturer’s safety instructions when using products.

Jet boats

Jet boats and trailers must be thoroughly cleaned for at least one minute with

a 2% solution of bleach or a 5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand

cleaner or dishwashing detergent. This must include:

Grate: Manually removing visible clumps of algae from the grate and flushing

the system with a cleaning solution

Jet unit: Open ball value at bottom of sand trap, remove any residue and flush

system with a cleaning solution

Exhaust manifold: Flush system with a cleaning solution

Boat interior: Remove excessive water by removing bungs and then wash

interior with a cleaning solution

Bilge pump: Bilge pump can be cleaned by flushing interior of boat with a

cleaning solution and expelling residual water with bilge pump turned on before

bungs are opened.

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Outboard motor boats, other watercraft Vehicles Tyres Machinery Fishing Equipment Fish, eels and

Any boat, outboard motor (including propeller) and trailer should be

cleaned thoroughly on both outside and inside for at least one minute with a

2% solution of bleach or a 5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand

cleaner or dishwashing detergent.

The cooling system should be flushed out with any of the above cleaning

solutions for not less than one minute and then may be flushed again with

clean fresh water that has come from a town water supply.

The most reliable method of ensuring kayaks, canoes, dinghys and

associated equipment, gear and clothing are cleaned thoroughly is to scrub

or spray all parts of the exterior of the craft with a 2% solution of bleach or a

5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing

detergent. Ensure surface contact for at least one minute. Then fill the interior

of the craft with cleaning solution and place all associated equipment, gear and

clothing used in the boating activity into the boat, immerse completely and stir

for at least one minute.

The equipment may then be rinsed using water that has come from a town

water supply.

Vehicles should be cleaned thoroughly, including spraying the underside of the

vehicle, tyres and any other parts of the vehicle that have had contact with

water with a 2% solution of bleach or a 5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner,

antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent. Commercial carwashes with

an underside spray would be suitable.

The cleaning solution should be left on for at least one minute and may then be

rinsed off with water that has come from a town water supply.

Tyres which have backed into streams or been used for stream crossings must

be carefully checked for clumps within the treads and then scrubbed, soaked or

sprayed and flushed with a 2% solution of bleach or a 5% solution of salt,

nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent, ensuring that

there is a contact time of at least one minute. They may then be rinsed using

water that has come from a town water supply.

Machinery (eg., pump, hose, tank, spray unit) should be scrubbed, soaked or

sprayed and flushed with a 2% solution of bleach or a 5% solution of salt,

nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent, ensuring that

there is a contact time of at least one minute. They may then be rinsed using

water that has come from a town water supply.

All rods, reels, fishing lines, flies, tackle boxes, waders, nets, clothing and

other equipment should be cleaned thoroughly for at least one minute in a 2%

solution of bleach or a 5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand

cleaner or dishwashing detergent.

Items may then be rinsed with water that has come from a town water supply.

If cleaning items using the above methods is not feasible, then you can choose

to restrict use of equipment to a single waterway.

All fish, eels, whitebait and other aquatic species should be drained of all

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Other aquatic species, farm animals, pets, people, clothing and shoes, gravel extraction and

other riverbed material surplus water before leaving the bank of the waterway, transported in a

watertight container, and then either cooked, washed in a 5% salt solution for

one minute, or frozen until cooked.

Farm animals (including dogs) should be held or contained in an area away

from waterways for not less than 48 hours before they are moved into another

waterway.

Pets should be soaked and washed for not less than one minute with a

suitable animal disinfectant or shampoo.

Swimmers and others should be washed off using soap or shampoo and then

dried before they enter other waterways.

Clothing should be washed in laundry or other detergent and dried thoroughly

before these items are worn in other waterways. Shoes should be scrubbed or

sprayed with a 2% solution of bleach or a 5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner,

antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent. Ensure surface contact for at

least one minute.

Earth, stones, boulders, shingle, metal, minerals, gravel, silt and sand

should be extracted and piled on high ground near to where they were

extracted and be left to drain back into the waterway for a period of not less

than 30 days if they are intended to be used in an area near waterways.

NOTE: Permits are still required to control the movement of items within or out of the Controlled Area of

the Mararoa and lower Waiau Rivers

The following are some of the main fishing areas in Northern Southland

:Aparima River and Hamilton Burn

This medium size stream rises in the Takatimu Mountains and flows to the sea at Riverton. The brown trout, mainly 1 - 2 kg in size, have a habit of feeding on the edge of the fast water on the outside of bends or well up in the riffles. The Hamilton Burn is a small meandering tributary which provides excellent fly fishing opportunities for fish cruising the pools or feeding in the riffles.

Mataura River and Waikaia River

These rivers are characterised by long pools and carry large populations of brown trout that provide good fishing for all methods. Fish are very visible in mid-summer surface, feeding in the food line that is often close to the willows. Good hatches provide excellent fly fishing during the day and in late evening. Spin and bait fishing are very productive when the river is discoloured by rainfall or early season snow melt.

Oreti River and Tributaries

The headwaters of the Oreti upstream of Mossburn are frequented by large brown trout up to 5 kgs in size. These fish are difficult to catch as they are subject to considerable fishing pressure and must be stalked and delicately presented with the artificial. Good fishing is also available in the less fished mid reaches of the Oreti in the Lumsden - Dipton area and in the Five River's tributaries. Sheltered pools can be very productive on mid summer evenings.

Mararoa River and Mavora Lakes

The Mararoa is a fast flowing medium sized river that at times can be difficult to cross. In flood times it provides a clear water opportunity, especially near the picturesque Mavora Lakes. Both areas are inhabited by brown and rainbow trout, with the lakes providing exciting shore fishing for cruising trout. The Mararoa appeals to anglers who like fishing the water rather than to individual fish. An indicator with big bushy dry and a trailing nymph is a good bet here.

River Flow Information

Environment Southland maintains an excellent website that gives up to date river flow information that can save a wasted trip to a particular spot. Some sites even record rainfall and water temperature, but sharp rises in the flow or level graphs are the best of indicator dirty water.

Fish and Game New Zealand

Fish and Game New Zealand manage trout fishing in New Zealand. Each province has a regional office and Southland's can be found at 159 North Road, Invercargill. Management revenue is derived solely from the sale of fishing and duck hunting licences and there is no taxpayer support. It is important that all anglers obtain a licence before they go fishing, as they may be asked to produce it by a Fish and Game Ranger. They should also acquire a Regulation Guide for the local area. Both are available at tackle shops, some country stores, and petrol stations. Their website provides angling information for all regions in New Zealand