Whether with a stand, or getting their nets out and their feet wet, eager whitebaiters braved the rainy and cold conditions on Monday, the first day of the season.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing however, as early on during the day they were struggling to catch a feed.
Whitebaiter Chris Bruce flew back from Australia specifically to whitebait, not minding the temperature difference, and said he was happy to be out fishing, if not catching.
Last year he got only about three days at his stand at the Mataura River before being flooded out.
A few pounds of whitebait was all he had to show for the 2024 season, as the torrential rain and flooding meant very few days were spent at the stand.
Across the way on Monday, retiree Bill Holland was keeping warm in his caravan, happy to be back at his standdespite a dismal catch so far.
"It’s been a slow start.
"The river’s not in a good condition, doesn’t look good.
"But that’s fishing, sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s not."
Last year a massive jump in the price for a stand led to plenty of complaints by whitebaiters throughout the region.
This year prices haven’t jumped up, although Mr Holland said it seemed a bitstrange to not only shorten the season, but escalate the price.
At the end of the day, it was just about getting out and having a fish though, and hopefully heading home with a bit of tucker to show for it, he said.
"It’s just a hobby for me" he said.
"I’m retired now. But it’s like everything; regulation just seems to ruin it all, doesn’t it?" he laughed.
The season runs until the start of November.
