Fishing clubs dying in South Taranaki

Regional: Don and Polly Davis. Tuesday, August 29, 2017 Wanganui Chronicle photograph by Lin Ferguson.

The days of fishing club bonhomie, club competitions, regular meetings and keen members is fading away.

Patea/Waitotara Surfcasters Club president Gavin Coveney said there were so few members now it was difficult to keep the club going.

"It would be great to have some younger people come into our club, boost our numbers and our spirits.''

Little fishing clubs mean nothing anymore

Polly Davis

Life member of the club Fred Paterson, 93, of Patea said he was "very sad" but the good old days seemed to be long gone.

"Certainly for me it's long past. First I'm too old but the joy went out of everything when my wife Monette died 10 years ago.''

Fred and Monette were president and secretary of the club for 21 years during the 1970s and 80s.

"They were pretty good times I can tell you. We had over 60 members and travelled to fishing competitions throughout Taranaki and Whanganui. We had a wonderful time, times I will never forget.''

These days Fred believes that younger people don't the time or the inclination to stand and fish.

"There's too much else going on. Such a shame we were a booming club, a wonderful team with special friendships.''

Former president and secretary Don and Polly Davis who live in Whanganui now said the days of the club were all over.

"Keeping the club going is like flogging a dead horse . No one wants to know anymore,'' they said.

Patea/Waitotara Surfcasting Club house

Lifestyles have changed to the extent that no one has the time to spend an entire weekend fishing with the fishing club. And honestly having to pay to go fishing is not what people want anymore when they can fish for free.''

"Surf casters are pretty much gone now,'' said Don.

Life has changed the amount of fish are not there anymore with so many farm run-offs into our waterways, too much algae and no one is worried about it, said Polly.

"What about us... well, sorry, it's all corporate now - it's about selling off everything and little fishing clubs mean nothing anymore.''

Don and Polly said remembering the old days back in the 1990s was such a different time to now.

"Wouldn't have missed it. The fishing was amazing, friendships were so good but of course a lot of those old members have died and it seems so have the fishing clubs. Like so many types of clubs have gone under, people don't have the same leisure time anymore.

"Most people are working weekends now,'' Don said.

One of the best things was building the old club house at Waiinu beach, Waitotara, he said.

The old clubhouse which sleeps 6 to 8 was now listed on book-a-bach pages.

Booking agent Colleen Dimock of Waverley said it was in demand during holiday season.

"It's a great deal all you need to bring is your linen everything else is there.''

The price was $60 a night during the off season and $70 a night in holiday season.

There were also ten campsites which had access to an outside toilet and shower as well as power sites.

Gavin Coveney said he hopes there will be more interest in the coming summer.

"We haven't had great weather this year so far. I would really like to see the numbers of the the club rise again it's sad to say that things are so low.''