Anglers pitch in to help farmers

JACOB LUCAS - Fish and Game

The June and July floods were significant events in this region’s history. In the weeks and months that have followed, the community has responded to help out those affected, with many groups, organisations and individuals pitching in to help get people’s lives and businesses back on track.

Fish and Game and the Nelson Trout Fishing Club also answered the call, working on 12 properties and undertaking over 600 hours of volunteer work on a range of properties from hobby farms to primary producers.

It was a fantastic effort from the group, some who joined to help on one or two days, others who were there on every clean-up day that was held.

Mostly this work was clearing and reinstating fences and picking up rubbish brought down from the flood.

However, it was obvious the work of volunteer groups such as this helped ease the burden many farmers were facing.

Nelson Trout fishing Club president, Don Clementson, says his members wanted to help out local farmers, many who generously provide access to rivers for fishing.

“The Motueka River is the Club’s favourite trout fishery; some of us have been fishing the river for around 60 years and have long-standing relationships with farmers who live there.”

Don adds that there is a social element to the flood clean-up events, which was enjoyed by everyone.

“Besides the usual banter, it was a good chance to genuinely get to know other members of the club who you may not usually mix with.

“For some of the group, the clean-up days have been the catalyst to form new angling friendships.”

The group also made use of the opportunities to scope out the river and speculate on how the trout fishing would be after the floods.

“Some of us even went fishing afterwards and, surprisingly, we managed to catch a few fish.”

Anglers have a strong interest in conservation, having a natural inclination towards freshwater environments and the fauna that lives within.

The club, alongside Fish and Game, have been involved in a host of conservation initiatives in the Motueka catchment over the years such as river clean-up days, old man’s beard weeding events and predator trapping projects.

“Whatever we can do to help make this place better, we’ll be there,” Don says.
While the flood clean-up is still ongoing, great progress has been made by landowners, contractors and the community.

This work done by anglers goes a long way to strengthen the goodwill that already exits in this region between farmers and fishers.