Legions of whitebaiters up and down the West Coast have their nets at the ready for the season opening tomorrow morning.
The usual influx has started trickling in to the whitebaiting hotspots, with campgrounds from Haast to Karamea already busy with bookings for at least the next month.
"We have 30 here already and expect to pick up even more after the season starts," Karamea Holiday Park owner Margaret Mansell said.
Early shoals had been sighted in the Karamea River, the estuary and Granite Creek, she said.
Last year was patchy throughout the West Coast, with some heavy catches in Hokitika and some South Westland rivers early in the season, before fizzling out.
Long-time Cobden whitebaiter Kevin Herring said he had heard plenty of rumours that people setting up along the Grey River had seen the whitebait "pouring up - but who knows really?".
He had not seen a decent season on the Grey River for years.
"Years ago I used to catch over 100lb, and I've never done it recently."
He was expecting another "just average" season: "I hope I get proved wrong."
In Hokitika, Ron Heward and Peter Campion have their trench on the north bank ready to go.
"The mouth is right on the north bank, last year it was split and it is looking all right (this year)."
Stalwart Hokitika whitebaiter Barry Veale (77) who has fished the Hokitika River since he was a boy will be watching from the sidelines this season due to a knee injury.
"I've been keeping an eye on things and the mouth is wide open and things are looking good - all we need is the 'bait."
West Coast Whitebaiters Association president Des McEnaney said the "big issue" was the Taramakau River and the gravel extraction downstream of the bridge.
"We won't know how that has worked out until the resource consent runs out, which is tomorrow. One of the conditions was to ensure they (restored) the riverbed and bank to enable the whitebaiters to fish."
Whitebaiters on the Taramakau normally had 14 days before the season to build their stands, but this season they would be rushed, with just one day to get everything in place, Mr McEnaney said.
Meanwhile, Greymouth police said they expect to send foot patrols along the riverbank periodically this season to help keep the peace and monitor the fishing regulations.
Senior sergeant Paul Watson said they hoped the more serious whitebaiters did not spoil it for those who simply wanted a day out on the river to catch a feed.
Police would be working in conjunction with the Department of Conservation, West Coast Regional Council and the Ministry of Primary Industries to ensure compliance with the fishing regulations.
"We are aware of potential 'hotspots' where historically we've had issues around patches where people claim ownership and cause issues," Mr Watson said.
- by Viv Logie and Brendon McMahon
