Reel Life January 2025 - Nelson Marlborough

Lake Argyle tag comp update. 

The Lake Argyle tag comp has been running for nearly a month, and to date, 120 of the 200 tags have been reported. One lucky angler has already won a $500 voucher, and we will be doing a draw for the other $500 voucher plus some of the other prizes. Aiden Mears from Blenheim was the fortunate angler who caught the lucky fish and was delighted to receive one of the $500 Henderson’s vouchers.

Staff have been pleased to hear of some of the huge fish that were released getting caught (some at the 20-pound mark), making for some exciting action and very happy anglers.

We will be doing a draw for the remaining $500 voucher plus a bunch of other prizes at the end of February and have set aside some prizes specifically for junior anglers.

Thanks to Henderson’s for their continued support for this holiday competition.

Picture above: Aiden Mears caught one of the lucky $500 fish at Lake Argyle.

Women on The Fly event provides inspiration

It has been great to see our recent Women on The Fly event provide encouragement for Katrin Strube to kick-start her fly fishing journey. Katrin attended the December event and by the end of the session was throwing great loops under excellent guidance from casting instructor, Kylie Sargeant. Event hosts noted that she picked up casting quickly and ‘looked a natural’ at fly fishing. Recently, Katrin put her skills to use on the water. After some more casting practice using a fly rod her husband bought her for Christmas, Katrin hit the water with local angler, Gebhard Krewitt, and succeeded in catching her first fish on the fly which she was delighted with – she is now hooked on fly fishing.

Katrin looks pleased with her first fish on the fly, which went home for the table. Photo: Gebhard Krewitt

The rejuvenated fisher and his happy place

By Brian Robinson

Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s, I took up trout fishing, spinning was my preferred option back then. I fished mainly around Golden Bay, then later in the Grey and Arnold rivers on the Coast. Being a newbie I wasn’t all that successful, while others did ok.

From the late 70’s / 80’s, family came along, among other interests, and trout fishing was put on hold, even though I did enjoy being in the outdoors.

Fast forward to November 2021 and my son asked if I could get time off work to go salmon fishing on the Tekapo canals. “Of course”, I said “let’s go”. We had a great week hooking 13 fish, and keeping 10 salmon for five days fishing.

When I got back home, I thought I should get back into trout fishing again. My biggest problem was finding suitable Fishing Access places for someone with mobility issues. I then found out about the Waimea River Park Fishing Ponds near Richmond and after trying it out, I was like the fish - hooked.

The ponds allow me to get to the water’s edge using my crutches and either sit on a seat or my wheelchair and fish.  I have been fishing at Lake Argyle in Marlborough but so far, no luck. The biggest problem is not having easy or limited access for someone with a disability. I can fish from the road, but it is difficult to land a fish unless I have assistance or a very, very long-handled net. I will get back there and overcome my problems somehow.

Now I like to pass on my learnt tips and tricks to other fisher people. I support a young man who, a couple of years back, couldn’t bait up or cast a line. Now, not only can he cast, but he can also catch, clean, de-bone, smoke and cook his catch.

I help out with the Sport Fishing For Youth Trust. Just watching the kids catch their first-ever fish also gives me great enjoyment.

A huge thank you to Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game and ALL associated people who created, manage and restock the fishing areas from the Marlborough Hatchery so that I and other old codgers like me, who find it difficult to fish the rivers, can have easy access to our happy places to catch a fish.

Happy fishing people and tight lines. Hopefully see you at the Happy Place!

Brian Robinson
Tapawera

Brian Robinson with a 5lb winter fish from Waimea Park.