Five-year-old pals reel in fun at Take A Kid Fishing

Five-year-old friends Howie Craig and JJ (Jonah) Nareki both came away winners at Saturday’s Take A Kid Fishing at Dunedin’s Southern Reservoir.

Howie caught a trout alongside school buddy JJ — the same weekend JJ’s dad, Otago rugby winger Jonah Nareki, returned with the Ranfurly Shield after Otago’s victory over Canterbury.

Pictured: School pals Howie Craig (left) and JJ (Jonah) Nareki (both 5) show off their prized catch at Saturday’s Take A Kid Fishing at Southern Reservoir in Dunedin. Photo: Bruce Quirey, Otago Fish & Game

Howie’s father, Jason Craig, said the boys have been inseparable since day care.
“They’re real good pals,” he said. “So we took JJ fishing while his dad was away playing rugby.

“The boys were having a laugh together. They weren’t getting bored — just casting away.

“Howie has been fishing since he was 3 and caught that trout all by himself. It’s good to get them out doing that sort of thing. They had a ball.”

It was JJ’s first time fishing.

“He learned how to cast and stuff like that,” Mr Craig said. “It’s good to bring the younger ones along.”

Passing on knowledge is important to him: “My dad taught me how to fish and my grandfather taught my dad. I love doing it.”

Howie has attended Take A Kid Fishing for several years.

“It’s a great event for the community. It gives people an opportunity if they don’t have the gear or experience,” Mr Craig said.

More than 250 children and their caregivers took part over the first two days.

Otago Fish & Game officer and hatchery manager Steve Dixon said the weekend was a great success.
“The weather was perfect — sunshine and warm conditions. About 25 fish were brought to the cleaning table on day one. Even with slower fishing on day two, the kids’ smiles and thank-yous showed they had a great time.”

Another 300 rainbow trout will be released this week for next weekend’s fully booked event. Mr Dixon thanked volunteers and supporters — Otago Community Trust, OceanaGold, and Dunedin City Council — for making the event possible.

The Southern Reservoir remains closed to public fishing until October 1.