The simple joys of whitebaiting

SIMON BLOOMBERG

ALL QUIET: Wayne Robinson of Mapua whitebaiting on the lower reaches of the Waimea River near Rabbit Island last week.

The whitebait may not have been running in the Waimea River last week but Mapua's Wayne Robinson reckons spending a few days trying to catch the elusive galaxids was better than working for a living.

The retired joiner has only netted "about three cups" of whitebait since the season opened but he is still a happy man.

"It's only my second season whitebaiting and I'm really enjoying it," Wayne said.

"I'm not having much luck but it's better than working. There's no dust and noise out here."

Wayne also plays golf at the nearby Greenacres Club.

"I'll walk along by the creek and people think I'm looking for golf balls but I'm looking for whitebait."

Department of Conservation Motueka office area compliance officer Dirk de Vries said whitebait runs were notoriously fickle.

"Last year was exceptional, this year may not be."

Most whitebaiters were sticking by the rules but the main issues were set nets blocking more than one third of a waterway and people fishing within 20 metres of a culvert.

"Whitebaiters have to adjust their nets with the tides to make sure they always leave two-thirds of the water way clear," he said.

Guyton's Fisheries general manager Andy Leonard said plenty of South Westland whitebait caught in Cascade Bay and flown and couriered to Nelson was being sold at $120 a kilo.

"It's fresh, clean, consistent and really nice," said Andy. The season closes on November 30.