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Well,

The freshwater fishing season for New Zealand has begun. My season sort of fizzled and then banged much like a brown bess. I couldnt' get to the annual Southland get together with a few good mates so I had to make do with watching their antics in pictures they posted in forums, reading the texts and emails. Of course they only were telling me half the story because it seemed that apart from having sore heads in the morning the weather wasn't as good as they hoped. Some of them though did indeed fire. Some decent fish were caught and a good time had by all as usual.

So I had to wait until the 3rd before I could get on some water. I took an elderly parent of a friend out and let him loose with the Sage. Considering the last time he cast a fly they were using silk lines and split cane his old eyes sparkled and I couldn't prise it out of his fingers. We only spotted 2 fish though and they scarpered PDQ.

The 6th is my birthday, so I travelled with 2 close friends to a river running into a mountain lake that is indeed open from Oct 1st. We only spotted a couple, I missed the first but the second stuck and managed to obligatory smiling photo before releasing it to put on some more lbs for next season. Overall between 2 rivers I covered approx 24kms that day. I don't need another birthday to remind me I'm getting older, I can still feel my feet aching one week after that outing.

This month our New Zealand Fish and Game are holding their elections for council members. I'm standing to be a member for North Canterbury. I've decided that it's time I put my hand up and commit some time to helping protect the precious resource that is our hunting and fishing. There were 18 candidates nominated for 12 postions, so I'll have to be elected. Hmmm. It means I may not get in, depending on whether a lot of ordinary anglers prefer someone else, or just don't know me. If I don't get in, well at least I put my hand up. I would really like to be able to contribute though but it if it isn't meant to be, c'est la vie.

Big up to my mom, who's recently had an operation to remove a goitre from her voicebox. I'm sure my Dad was quite glad to have her quiet for a few days. I was pulling her leg when I told her the op was really a chin tuck and face lift disguised as a real medical procedure. She threatened to ensure I didn't see another birthday, but I know she doesn't mean it - her wooden spoon doesn't reach to New Zealand from Northern Ireland :)

Anyway. Have a good month and I hope you get some fishing done. One day you may publish a picture that makes you famous. Dream on!