Reel Life November 2025 - Nelson Marlborough

Tasman Rivers Continues to Impress

As the weather has finally settled and more anglers get out fishing, favourable reports keep floating into the office about the state of local fisheries in the wake of the June and July floods.  Some of the rivers have been completely rearranged by floods and, for many of us, it’s quite an exciting time as the process of discovery unfolds and we continue to learn how the floods have shaped the river and the trout population within.

In saying that, we won’t know the full extent of the flood impacts until we drift dive these rivers.  In the coming months we will be floating as many flood impacted fisheries as we can to help provide a good picture. 

It was unfortunate that some of the rivers draining Kahurangi National Park were hit by a significant rain event about a month ago which impacted on rivers such as the Wangapeka, Owen and other Murchison Rivers that largely escaped the June/July floods.    

As we enter the start of summer and leave the turbulence of the recent Spring season behind, our message to anglers is get out and explore our waterways whether you are into spin or fly fishing – the coming month is ideal for both methods. 

Image above: Discovering new water on the once familiar Motueka, Weesang Paaka has been impressed by fish numbers and the new habitat created by floods.

Motueka Access Track Work

Thanks to a fantastic effort from the Nelson Trout fishing Club, most of the Motueka Access points downstream of the Stanleybrook have been worked on.  After the floods, significant damage was done to some of the tracks, and the day was spent cutting, spraying and digging new and existing pathways to the river. 

Some of the access points remain in poor state due to flood damage or through the subsequent emergency clean-up work (for example the popular site at Mint Alley which remains under a pile of debris and dirt).  These will hopefully be rectified by next season if contractors are able to clear the area.

Thanks for the Nelson Trout Club for their efforts!

Members of the Nelson Trout Club creating a new path at Herring Stream on the lower Motueka. Photo: Jacob Lucas

Parklands School Visit Waimea Park

A fantastic day at Waimea Park with Parklands School was had recently.  Around 20 senior students visited the ponds and tried their hand at trout fishing, for many it was the first time fishing for trout. 

The fishing wasn’t exactly easy, however around 15 trout were landed and taken home for dinner. 

This is the third year in a row this school has visited the ponds, and for staff, it is always an enjoyable group to assist.

Thanks to the Sports Fishing for Youth Trust for providing the venue and fishing gear.

A student plays her first trout on a fly rod, which was successfully netted by teacher Weesang Paaka. Photo: Jacob Lucas

Soft Bait Clinic Underway - More Coming Up

At the time of writing, we have held our first soft bait clinic on the Wairau River which was attended by around 25 people.  Registrations are strong for our upcoming events, and there is still time to get a piece of the action so you can learn more about this highly effective fishing method, that when done well, is simply deadly on trout.  

• Lake Argyle - Sunday 23 November (10am-1pm)
• Waimea Park - Saturday 13 December (5-8 pm)
• Motueka River - Sunday 14 December (10am-1pm)

Registrations are needed so we can send you details of where to meet, and in the event weather or flows impact on the day.

Please register for the events here.

Josh Ponder in action on the lower Wairau River recently. Photo: Jacob Lucas

Around the Traps

The Nelson Trout Fishing Club has been hard at it again, building more traps for an upcoming Motueka Town Trapping project.  These traps will be rolled out early next year to residents along the Motueka town coastline to help support native bird and insect life in this area, including the Motueka Sandspit which is a nationally significant location for birds. 

In other news, Fish & Game’s involvement with the Motueka Catchment Collective and Tapawera Connect has seen traps installed into Shedwood Bush behind Tapawera.  This patch of bush is home to an impressive array of native birds, however has high numbers of predators which is no doubt having an impact.

This is a great example of anglers getting involved in conservation!

Tapawera locals, with assistance from Fish & Game, deploying traps into Shedwood Bush to support native bird and insect life. Photo: Jacob Lucas.

Coles Beach Tidy Up

Fish & Game and the Nelson Trout Club recently gave Coles Beach on the mid-Motueka a good tidy up.  Concrete picnic tables had been installed by the Motueka Catchment Collective at this popular site, however the June/July floods caused considerable damage to the surrounding native plants. 

Long grass, flood debris, and blackberry was cleared and the area given a haircut, and now it’s ready for a summer of public use.

Coles Beach is located on the Westbank Road, upstream of the Pearse River confluence.

Members of the Nelson Trout Club and Fish & Game give Coles Beach a good tidy up.