Greymouth whitebaiters were all smiles yesterday with a steady run on the morning tide.
Some of those scooping near the Cobden Bridge were rewarded with hauls of two or three bucketsful, while others spread along the Mawhera Quay floodwall also enjoyed some good catches of a bucket or more.
Department of Conservation Greymouth programme manager biodiversity Brad Edwards said most people fishing on the Grey River were "going home with a feed''.
"We've seen the `Big Rock' fishing well, they usually get good catches there when other people are getting a few.''
He said there had been some confusion around the legal whitebaiting hours due to daylight saving: "The hours are now 6am to 9pm.''
South Westland rivers have also seen some action, with one catch over 100kg in an "undisclosed location'' south of Haast in the past couple days.
The Curly Tree Whitebait Company, based at the Waita River north of Haast, buys whitebait from throughout South Westland for freighting to buyers around New Zealand.
Owner Tony Kerr said the season was already much better than last year.
"We've been buying all season, I don't know how much longer we'll go because our freezers are almost full. Last season we didn't have enough, but this season has turned around the other way - I wouldn't say we've got too much, but we've certainly got more.''
Mr Kerr said catches had been steady, and he credited the fine weather with the turnaround in fishing fortunes.
Heavy rain in the south today meant most baiters had taken the day off.
"The weather's been outstanding. We probably need the rain because the rivers are getting a bit skinny (blocked), that's how good it's been. I'd say we'll keep the fish coming for the rest of this moon.''
- Matt Kersten, Greymouth Star
