[upnorthkyosa]

Hi Everyone

Please post here if you love to go fishing! Let us know where you live, what species you target, your favorite way of targeting those species. And, if you feel generous, please share a few locations...;)

This thread doesn't have to be New Zealand specific, but I do hope to use it to learn a little more about fishing in NZ.

John

[upnorthkyosa]

Here are a couple of fish pics...

[upnorthkyosa]

Here are a couple of more...

[upnorthkyosa]

As anyone can see, I am an avid fisherman. Over here is the US, I usually target bass, walleye, northern pike, trout, and salmon. I live by Lake Superior, so most of my salmon and trout fishing occurs there. I also regularly go up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (this is the bush for you kiwis) and fish some of those lakes. Typically, I fish with conventional tackle, although I have been known to pick up a flyrod.

[StevieD]

I intend to do a bit of shore fishing when I get there, bass that type of stuff, and do some boat fishing for snapper.

[Kim39]

Now what are we talking about Sea, Coarse or Fly. Well being a coarse fisherman i have had my fair share of decent fish over the years. Now over here i haven't done much, apart from fishing Lake Ngaroto close to TA. Species include Catfish, Grass Carp and some beautiful coloured rudd. Small they maybe, but the colouring is so sharp.The Catfish and Grass Carp give you one hell of a scrap on light gear. Just considering getting some sea gear and giving it a shot around the inlets of Raglan and such places.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/Brierley1964/mixed011.jpg

Kim

[oldtimbo]

I can highly recomend the following forum for any body who likes fishing/diving. I have been fortunate to make some very good friends through this site, one or two of whom peep onto this forum occasionally. The only member of the fishing forum that you should be for warned about, is one who goes by the name of Captain Asparagus, Beware, for he will get you addicted to fishing in NZ and cost you a fortune in tackle etc.
(only kidding Stu, if you happen to look in)

http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/default.asp

[StevieD]

Jan, my OH, has a mate who's husband has a boat :) Been invited out when we up in Auckland.... she can go scrapbooking, I can go fishing :)
And trust you to resurrect this thread Timbo!

[oldtimbo]

Waznnt me....honest.
Stevie. I can promise you a great day out when you get here. Check out the following charter. It belongs to a good mate of ours.
http://www.mercurycharters.co.nz/

[Nathan]

In States.... large mouth, small mouth, and rock bass, trout, blue gill, yellow perch, and crappie.... mostly in small lakes up north or in upland plains stock ponds.

In future...
My Sweetie gave us fly fishing lessons for two for Christmas. I can't wait! We'll be ready for trout on Caples and Greenstone. Last time over I could only look at the water and imagine!

[Dom]

Hi,

We are visiting in October to South Island and I've bought a book by John Kent on fishing the South Island - check it out.

I am presuming (and hoping) that I won't get my flies taken off me at the airport !

However I think I won't be able to being my fly tying stuff over with me when we relocate as it seems they don't like fur etc. If that's the case then how do people tie flies in NZ ? You need the feathers/fur.

[Bruckner]

Never tried fly fishing but I intend to in NZ. I've seen people casting out on the Meer in Central Park. One guy hooked a huge orange koi! I have the picture somewhere and will post it.

As a kid vacationing in Maine, we caught pollack (that we ate) and sea robin (that we threw back) and in North Carolina we would catch croakers. My dad was constantly bringing home blue fish but I'm not a huge fan.

Greg grew up in Southern California and caught all kinds of fish out there fishing from the pier.

Emily

[StevieD]

Hi Bruckner, now we here I going trout fishing in the Waikato river up here near Cambridge. There is Lake Karapiro but not tried that.

Just spinning in the river for trout (both brown/rainbow and the odd sea trout)
Drop a fly on the end sometimes or go to worm for a bit of difference. But the koi in the river come right up to your feet, but tend not to bother with them coz they supposed to be killed if you catch them :(

[Chiba]

And Koi taste like soil.

[Dom]

is catch and release practised a lot in NZ ?

[CjChris]

is catch and release practised a lot in NZ ?

Don't know....but it will be when OH and I get there. That's what we practice and plan to stick with it.:D

Christine

[Dom]

I know in the South Island there has been a lot of cases of Didymo (Rock snot).

If you don't know what it is then afaik its green slime that covers the riverbed thus killing everything living on it in its wake (ie trout food). This has been a major problem and they seem very strict on people moving to different rivers etc - not just anglers but anything that has come into contact with rivers - eg cars, canoes, hiking boots etc.

Afaik its not in the North island yet.

check this out for more info :

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/didymo

[Nathan]

Hi,

I am presuming (and hoping) that I won't get my flies taken off me at the airport !

However I think I won't be able to being my fly tying stuff over with me when we relocate as it seems they don't like fur etc. If that's the case then how do people tie flies in NZ ? You need the feathers/fur.

I thought we'd have to leave all the flies.... wow are there a lot of them!... behind, but here's what Biosecurity has to say.

From:

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/commercial-transport-and-border-management/arriving-by-sea/restricted-items/goods

"Fishing and Water Activity Equipment

Saltwater fishing equipment is permitted entry.

All freshwater activity equipment such as life vests, dive suits and water vessels, as well as fishing equipment including rods, reels, tackle boxes, nets and waders should be clean and free of organic residue and comply with the conditions of the following Import Health Standard. * Fishing flies are permitted entry but all non-artificial material for fly tying must comply with the conditions of the Import Health Standard for Feathers"

[StevieD]

is catch and release practised a lot in NZ ?

Not a lot Dom, carp are considered pests here, and there are a lot of them!!
If any NZ anglers catch them they are entitled to kill them, which is a shame.
You could make a fortune netting them and exporting them to Europe but they won't let you (people have already tried).

There are bag limits for trout though so I suspect that there are a lot released and only the pick being taken. Somebody caught a beautiful trout by the dam the other week and released it. Good to see that not all are bloodthirsty killers. The guys were telling me that they don't kill the fish which is unusual.

[kanatakiwi]

Hey Nathan,

I inherited my father's custom made fly fishing rods, and I brought them to NZ, however was under the impression that I could not bring his collection of hand tied flies. Sounds like I might have been given wrong advice? I would love to have them here, even if just for sentimental reasons. I have never done fly fishing and must get someone to teach me the basics.
G

[Kim39]

Not a lot Dom, carp are considered pests here, and there are a lot of them!!
If any NZ anglers catch them they are entitled to kill them, which is a shame.
You could make a fortune netting them and exporting them to Europe but they won't let you (people have already tried).

There are bag limits for trout though so I suspect that there are a lot released and only the pick being taken. Somebody caught a beautiful trout by the dam the other week and released it. Good to see that not all are bloodthirsty killers. The guys were telling me that they don't kill the fish which is unusual.


Done a bit on the coarse out at Ngaroto, which is just on the outskirts of TA. Species include the obvious, Carp(grass) Roach, Rudd, and some lovely Catfish. One thing i won't do is top them on the head, when back home they are classed as a good sport to catch, especially the biggies. Hey Stevie, you mentioned about trying the Waikato, but be aware you need the game licence for the trout, whether it be on the river, or lake.

Kim

[CjChris]

Hey Nathan,

I inherited my father's custom made fly fishing rods, and I brought them to NZ, however was under the impression that I could not bring his collection of hand tied flies. Sounds like I might have been given wrong advice? I would love to have them here, even if just for sentimental reasons. I have never done fly fishing and must get someone to teach me the basics.
G

Hi, I'm Nathan's OH and we just recently took fly fishing lessons! We loved it! We spent a day on the water here in the US, where there are brook trout and small mouth bass. We could probably get along OK with the one lesson, but we are going to have another all day lesson on the water before coming to NZ. :clap

We have recently gone through my late husband's fly fishing equipment, and we were sad to think we had to leave behind his pretty amazing and extensive fly collection. After reading the info from the link Nathan posted, you can see that we would have been in great error to have done so! I'm not sure where/how we got the general idea that those flies were forbidden when it plainly says we can take them (of course we'll clean everything up good and declare it on the MAF form so they can inspect everything).

I don't know where people feel there's the best fly fishing in NZ, so I've been doing some research. I wonder if anyone has seen these books and if they are any good?

Trout Fishing (http://www.amazon.com/Trout-Fishing-Zealands-Island-International/dp/0811731634/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-2989181-3364731?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184324894&sr=8-1): A Guide to New Zealand's South Island[/URL] (Fly Fishing International) by Tony Busch

and New Zealands Top Trout Fishing Waters (http://www.amazon.com/New-Zealands-Trout-Fishing-Waters/dp/0811731472/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-2989181-3364731?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184324894&sr=8-2) (Paperback)

These are both available on Amazon.

Christine

[Gilly1973]

I am moving to Balclutha on the South Island in September. I am a fly fisher and normally fish for sea trout and salmon here in the UK. I don't know what the fishing is like in the Balcutha region, but will certainly be having a flick or 2 when I arrive. Cheers and tight lines!

[Bubbles]

One thing i won't do is top them on the head, when back home they are classed as a good sport to catch, especially the biggies.
Kim

This is the reason I wont be going coarse fishing. Brought all my match gear over and its staying in the shed. I've converted to sea fishing, good sport and you get a feed from your catch.
Kim mate, I know you're a big lad but watch yourself out there. If you get spotted releasing Carp you could land yourself in a bit of bother. These Kiwis take their fishing seriously and I know they get very animated about this subject.
As the saying goes, " When in Rome "

John

[kanatakiwi]

thanks Christine. I am definitely going to bring back my fly collection when I come back from Canada next visit. I read about someone near Rotorua who gives reasonably priced fly fishing lessons so am going to try that.
good luck with your move.
G.

[Timbo]

NO 1 rule in NZ....if you catch a carp, you kill it. This is the law as it stands.
Please dont get caught using worms or any other live bait for trout, you will be in hot water.

[StevieD]

Ta for the warning Timbo ;)

Best tell the majority of Kiwi's round here to stop using them then!

[CjChris]

NO 1 rule in NZ....if you catch a carp, you kill it. This is the law as it stands.
Please dont get caught using worms or any other live bait for trout, you will be in hot water.

I've been researching online for regulations about fishing, specifically NZ fly fishing. I downloaded a NI regulations handbook from Fish and Game New Zealand (http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Regulations/default.aspx), and there is nothing in it about having to kill certain kinds of fish. NZ seems to ackowledge catch and release fishing.

So, unless you guys are tongue in cheek about this, I can't imagine that any person would be required to kill any living thing. That baffles me. :eek:

Timbo, where did you find informtion on this law? (Others on this thread have said one "must" kill certain fish, too.) :confused:

[Kim39]

[quote=Timbo;141049]NO 1 rule in NZ....if you catch a carp, you kill it. This is the law as it stands.
quote]


Sorry Timbo mate, but the answer to kill the pest is NO,NO,NO,NO,NO!!!!!!! they are a pleasure to catch and must admit take a Carp over a stupid snapper any day.


Kim

[Nathan]

From:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=33410


"Koi carp prefer still waters in lakes, or backwaters in rivers. They are very tolerant of poor water quality and contribute to water quality decline.*

Koi carp are widespread in Auckland and Waikato. They are spreading into Northland and they have been found in isolated places in Wanganui, Hawkes Bay and Wellington. Koi carp are not thought to be in the South Island.*

To help stop their spread a containment area between Auckland and Hamilton was created. In the containment area, recreational fishing is permitted, but all koi must be killed when caught. Koi carp outside of the containment area are considered a serious incursion and control options will be investigated."

Don't worry, Christine, we'll fish places where there aren't any koi.

Nathan

[Bruckner]

Here's a picture of the koi caught in the Central Park Meer. Not a great picture (used my cell phone) and I couldn't get a good angle because when he pulled it out, people came running with cameras/cell phone cameras to get a shot. Hope this works.

756

[Timbo]

Dont get me wrong Kim, I choose not to fish for carp here in NZ so that I am not put in the position of having to bump them on the head. Most of my uk fishing was targetting large carp mate, and I have too many memorys of catching those hard fighting (not to mention very old) fish.
Stevie, seems you are right about baits for trout. The rules are a lot more complex than I realised, and vary from region to region. The strickter rules seem to apply in places like lake Taupo.
A friend of mine recently contacted fish and game to ask about setting up a business netting and processing Koi as a bait product. He was told that as they are officially a "noxious pest", there would be no restrictions on what he could take. In fact, the more the better.

[Kim39]

A friend of mine recently contacted fish and game to ask about setting up a business netting and processing Koi as a bait product. He was told that as they are officially a "noxious pest", there would be no restrictions on what he could take. In fact, the more the better.


Why do they class them as a "noxious pest" they are a bottom feeder yes, but they reoxygenate the water which is a good thing. Just don't understand the reasoning for knocking them on the head:confused:


Kim

[kanatakiwi]

I'm guessing its because NZ is very protective of its "native" speciies whether that be plants, birds, fish etc. Introduced species in many cases are a danger to native species, whether its because they eat them, starve them out by eating their usual feed, or whatever.

There are beautiful palm trees that are now on the banned list because they are wiping out the only NZ native palm, the Nikau, by spreading rapidly through the forests and fields. I think carp are another species that are very prolific.

Its soemthing Kiwis are quite serious about.

[Timbo]

Kim. From what I am told, the main reason that carp (koi in particular) are deemed a pest, is that by being active bottom feeders, they destroy the natural habitat of the Trout. Now, although Trout are not a native NZ species, they do bring in a big lump of $$$ by way of tourism etc. Therefore it seems that the Trout is to be protected at the expense of the poor old Carp.
Australia have had a major problem with carp over the years as well.

[Kim39]

Kim. From what I am told, the main reason that carp (koi in particular) are deemed a pest, is that by being active bottom feeders, they destroy the natural habitat of the Trout. Now, although Trout are not a native NZ species, they do bring in a big lump of $$$ by way of tourism etc. Therefore it seems that the Trout is to be protected at the expense of the poor old Carp.
Australia have had a major problem with carp over the years as well.

Come on Tim, we all know the trouts natural habitat is the trout farms and they are fed on pellet;) I have had one or two debates with the kiwi over the carp situ, and to be honest i will just switch off when they start babbling on about how destructive they can be. Maybe bud if they had caught a good 40 pounder they just may think twice, but hey we'll never know as they won't even let them get over a few pounds before their lives are cut short.

Kim

[upnorthkyosa]

Over here in the US, we use a bow and arrow to fish for carp. We consider them course fish and you can catch and kill as many as you want. In Minnesota, several businesses have sprung up to harvest carp and sell them to Hmong refugees.

Here are some video clips of bowfishing...

1. This first guy nailed a 50 lbs carp with a bow. What a battle!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7197458259071490540&q=Bowfishing+for+Carp&total=66&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

2. Some people go bowfishing with recurve bows...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2627803782664608823&q=Bowfishing+for+Carp&total=66&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3

[coopers]

Hi...I have been here 10 months and tried a spot of trout and sea fishing. I have managed a few smaller brownies and not much from the sea..but have fun trying.
The Groynes in CHCH have a couple of ponds for kids, they are stocked periodically with Trout and Salmon, and its kids only. They love it and what a great way to get kids interested.
If anyone has any ideas on where to go beach/rock fishing around CHCH I would appreciate the tips...somewhere where there is more than dogfish!

cheers
A

[Timbo]

Your best bet for advice on any aspect of Angling in NZ is the following forum (IMO)

http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/default.asp?ForumID=0

The guys and girls there are more than willing to give help and advice, and are very friendly.

[Kim39]

1. This first guy nailed a 50 lbs carp with a bow. What a battle!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7197458259071490540&q=Bowfishing+for+Carp&total=66&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1



:mad: you call that fishing, and you talk about a battle. Come on mate that is just pathetic. A battle is on rod and line, fishing a breaking strain less than the weight of the fish, and winning the battle, and as for that being a 50 pounder, your having a laugh, thats no more than 25.

Just glad you haven't tried your hand at Carp fishing in the UK, cos if you'd have turned up tackled up like that, you would be lynched by all avid carp anglers.

Kim

[upnorthkyosa]

To each their own I guess. In the US, in many water systems, Carp are so numerous and so damaging that the wildlife management agencies have to poison the entire lake. So, any method of taking the fish is appreciated over here, whether by net, spear or bow and arrow.

[CjChris]

To each their own I guess. In the US, in many water systems, Carp are so numerous and so damaging that the wildlife management agencies have to poison the entire lake. So, any method of taking the fish is appreciated over here, whether by net, spear or bow and arrow.

...appreciated?? Excuse me, speak for yourself, please.

As an American who has been around many fishermen, I have never witnessed (nor appreciated) any such torture as shown in the video.

[kanatakiwi]

There was an excellent full page article in the Sunday start times this weekend (July 22, Pages E1 & 2,) entitled :Must Fly" which lists the 21 best places to fly fish in NZ, from the book "Fifty Places to Fish Before you Die" by fly fisher Rob Sloane. No surprise that most of the sites are in the South Island but there are 8 listings for the North Island.
dont know if you can find it online, but the star's web is star-times.co.nz
I'm looking forward to trying one or two!

[Kim39]

...appreciated?? Excuse me, speak for yourself, please.

As an American who has been around many fishermen, I have never witnessed (nor appreciated) any such torture as shown in the video.

Well said mate. The days of hunting with bow and arrow are long gone. It is total torture for the fish. I would rather the fish be shot than put through that barbaric way.

Kim

[upnorthkyosa]

...appreciated?? Excuse me, speak for yourself, please.

As an American who has been around many fishermen, I have never witnessed (nor appreciated) any such torture as shown in the video.

I guess I don't see it that much different then bowhunting for deer or other large mammals. Sure, a great shot will take a buck down in no time, but more often then not, you are going to have to track...and that can take hours.

I guess everyone has different opinions. I did not mean to offend anyone.

[upnorthkyosa]

Well said mate. The days of hunting with bow and arrow are long gone. It is total torture for the fish. I would rather the fish be shot than put through that barbaric way.

Kim

What do you think about spearing? Would that also be a barbaric way to harvest fish? I'm actually very interested in your opinion and I'm wondering if this is the way that the majority of kiwis would feel.

[Nathan]

.... I'm wondering if this is the way that the majority of kiwis would feel.

You probably won't get 'the pulse of the Kiwi on the street' from this forum as we are, by enlarge, immigrants or wannabe immigrants. You might get more reliable answer on the fishing forum cited above.

As for the similarity to bow hunting large mammals, I don't think most of them, when taken by a skilled hunter even know they've been hit. They know something feels wrong, find a place to lie down, and bleed out calmly.... nothing like the frantic, death struggle of a skewered fish.
I don't think it's a valid comparison... just my hummble (Geez! I don't even know how the spell it!!:laugh ) opinion.

As for my personal position, I hunt and I fish. I practice catch and release in places where the fish are under pressure from over fishing. It's hard to practice catch and release with grouse taken with a side-by-side!;)

Cheers! :cheers ( ...but not until the guns are put away and locked up.)

[Kim39]

What do you think about spearing? Would that also be a barbaric way to harvest fish? I'm actually very interested in your opinion and I'm wondering if this is the way that the majority of kiwis would feel.

My honest opinion on spearing of fish to harvest is still the same. The spearing of fish is done in the majority of places where conventional tackle isn't available i'm sure. We are in the 21st century and in a developed world, ok in some parts it is under developed i agree, and maybe that is the only way some folk can kill to get food, but with that said it is mainly the sea species that are taken out, whereas the Carp in the UK is a fish that remains elusive to the Carp angler, and when i say elusive, i mean the big 35-60 pounders. Anglers will spend a week on the water if needs be to catch that all time best fish.

As for the your opinion on it being no different to deer hunting, may i say that is uncalled for too, but hey as you mentioned, its all about opinions. I just feel that as you posted the footage, you must take the flak that was probably coming your way from all anglers who get pleasure from the fight the fish will give.

Kim

[upnorthkyosa]

My honest opinion on spearing of fish to harvest is still the same. The spearing of fish is done in the majority of places where conventional tackle isn't available i'm sure. We are in the 21st century and in a developed world, ok in some parts it is under developed i agree, and maybe that is the only way some folk can kill to get food, but with that said it is mainly the sea species that are taken out, whereas the Carp in the UK is a fish that remains elusive to the Carp angler, and when i say elusive, i mean the big 35-60 pounders. Anglers will spend a week on the water if needs be to catch that all time best fish.

As for the your opinion on it being no different to deer hunting, may i say that is uncalled for too, but hey as you mentioned, its all about opinions. I just feel that as you posted the footage, you must take the flak that was probably coming your way from all anglers who get pleasure from the fight the fish will give.

Kim

Well, I can handle the flak. Honestly, I did not understand that there were so many avid carp anglers out there. I seem to remember reading that carp were a prized fish in Europe, but that was a long time ago. I suppose for some people, seeing a carp skewered on a spear or an arrow is going to be like seeing a large brown or steelhead treated the same.

Thanks for your opinion, I'm going to go and put my hair out now...

[upnorthkyosa]

As for the similarity to bow hunting large mammals, I don't think most of them, when taken by a skilled hunter even know they've been hit. They know something feels wrong, find a place to lie down, and bleed out calmly.... nothing like the frantic, death struggle of a skewered fish.
I don't think it's a valid comparison... just my hummble (Geez! I don't even know how the spell it!!:laugh ) opinion.

As for my personal position, I hunt and I fish. I practice catch and release in places where the fish are under pressure from over fishing. It's hard to practice catch and release with grouse taken with a side-by-side!;)

I think in a perfect world, a young hunter really wants it to be like that, but once you make your first kill, you realize that it's not. When I was 14, I was a champion archer in the Boy Scouts and I had just bought my first compound bow from an auction. I took a 10 point buck with a shot to the heart and that animal ran for a half mile before it fell and when I approached, it tried to get back up again and run. I was forced to fall upon it with my knife and end its struggles with a slice to its jugular. The same thing has happened when I've gone hunting with my rifle. The tools of the trade tend to make things easier, but dying is dying.

If you think this is cruel, I respect that opinion, but I disagree. I think its all a matter of perspective.