As opening season rolls around Fish & Game is encouraging Cantabrians to relieve some stress after “one hell of a year” and enjoy the peace and quiet fishing offers.

“It has been a hell of a year for the people of Christchurch and fishing is a return to normality,” says Fish & Game Officer Tony Hawker.

“Last year fishing was the last thing on people’s minds as they were busy surviving in the aftermath of the earthquake.”

But Cantabrians are probably ready for some light relief now and North Canterbury Fish & Game suggests some quiet time on the river or lake is a great way to unwind.

“Take the family out and make a day or weekend out of it,” says Mr Hawker. “Have more than one option, for example, if there is a screaming ‘nor-wester, have a ‘Plan B’ like fishing one of the foothill rivers”.

Mr Hawker says the evidence is pointing towards a good season ahead – opening day being October 1.

“We’ve had stable flows throughout winter without any major floods that can lead to fish mortality. Populations in the headwaters, middle and lower reaches should all be good.”

Mr Hawker points out that riverbeds currently have optimum algae cover and reasonable invertebrate numbers which is also promising: “The trout should be in good condition.”

Regulation changes for 2011

A number of regulation changes have been introduced this year following an extensive consultation process. These changes include some restrictions to protect the fishery but also some increased opportunities for anglers. The regulation changes are as follows:

• Hydra Waters, Glenariffe Stream, Manuka Point Stream, Double Hill Stream, currently closed to fishing will be opened with a season of 1 October – 28 February
• Winding Creek and Cass Stream in the upper Waimakariri River be opened with a season of 1 October – 31 March
• The re-opened named spring creeks in the upper Rakaia and Waimakariri Rivers have a maximum trout size limit of 400mm with a two bag limit
• Loch Katrine is open “All Year”
• No angler shall be in possession of a salmon from Lake Sumner that exceeds 450mm in length
• Trolling is permitted in Lake Lyndon, Lake Taylor and Loch Katrine
• “Natural bait” is permitted at Lake Lyndon for “Junior Anglers” only, in both the summer and winter seasons
• The use of non mechanically propelled vessels is now permitted at Lake Ida, Lake Monck, Lake Lilian, Lake Hawdon, Lake Sarah, Lake Grasmere and Lake Sheppard
• No fishing is permitted within 100m of inflowing tributaries of Lake Coleridge in the Winter Season
• There is a maximum trout size limit of 400mm and a 1 bag limit for the Harper River and tributaries including the Avoca River
• The Kaiapoi River is closed to salmon fishing after 31 March, upstream from the Williams Street Bridge
• There is no salmon fishing in the Mandamus, Pahau and Waitohi Rivers
• There is no salmon fishing in the Otukaikino/South Branch upstream of the Dickeys Road Bridge
• No licence holder shall take or kill Perch exceeding 250mm in length from the Kaiapoi Lakes
• No licence holder shall take or kill more than two Perch from the Kaiapoi Lakes