Rotorua Trout Fishing Hotspot

 Rotorua Trout Fishing

It is probably no surprise to many St Mary's families that Mr Bach is an avid trout fisherman. It is only since living overseas that I have truly come to appreciate the world class trout fishing opportunities we have in Rotorua, at a price everyone can afford. It is at this time of year I start to think of the opening of the season to come on October 1st and of the more pleasant summer fishing, in the sun. Fishing is a great sport for children to get into for fun and for keeping active. Below I have re-posted one of my fishing post from last year with tips on how to get children started in trout fishing. 

The Ohau Channel has some huge brown trout lurking in it. 

Summer Trout Fishing

If you are out and about around the Rotorua lakes over the summer you may well bump into Mr. Bach, either fishing from his orange kayak or fly fishing along a stream bank. On the left is a nice 4lb brown trout Mr. Bach caught after school one day last year just below the Devon Road bridge. This trout was returned to the water soon afterwards to continue its journey upstream to sanctuary. Summer is a great time to take kids out fishing, with the weather warm, and the trout seeking cold water to shelter from the warm lake water that they hate. The Utuhina stream has trout in it over the summer slowly moving upstream, as it is a cold, spring fed stream. It is easily accessed as it wanders through the city. Summer also provides streamside vegetation that hides the wary trout from walkers and wanderers, who may disturb them. There are fewer trout than in autumn and winter but also fewer anglers.

Tips to help kids start catching fish - 

1. Find out the pools, overhangs and other places fish generally lie in a stream and begin fishing into these places without looking in the water first.

2. Use streamside vegetation to hide yourself from the fish and wear camouflage or dull coloured clothing.

3. Use strong fluorocarbon nylon - fluorocarbon may be more expensive but trout just cannot seem to see it at all - unlike normal nylon. Trout can be hard enough to hook, as it is for a child, without the frustration of constantly losing them because of snapped nylon-  and what if a really big fish is hooked? You need to give a kid a chance - leave the sporting, light line fishing for experienced adults. I use 15lb Maxima fluorocarbon.

4. Be patient and move slowly and carefully near the water - sudden movements scare fish.

5. Try early morning - the early bird catches the worm - and beats other anglers to the pools with freshly arrived, gullible fish in them.

6. Try in the evening or at night when fish are usually more active and feel safe feeding.

7. Teach children to catch and release - children will obviously want to keep all of their fish when they first start consistently catching trout, but encourage them, at some stage (especially if the freezer is full), to start putting some trout back for others to catch, or to help sustain the fishery by allowing some fish to return to the water to spawn upstream, and produce the next generation.

Writing - Moment in Time

 Writing - Moment in Time

It can be hard to motivate reluctant writers, at times, to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard! Sometimes writing postcards or letters can be motivating or even making lists. Reluctant writers may need to do shared writing with you rather than on their own. Story writing can also be motivating for certain children at times, but sometimes 'Moment in time' writing may be a bit simpler for younger writers. Look at a scene in real life or in a photo and imagine yourself in that scene. Describe what you see and what is happening and also what might happen next... Mr Bach took these photos on a recent visit to Papamoa. Plenty to write about, and add into, these scenes... for example.

Health Promoting Schools - 5 a day healthy eating

 Health Promoting Schools

The Health Promoting School's Team, lead by Mrs Todd, had an edible art competition last Thursday, to promote healthy eating and the '5 a day - fruit and vege' message. There were some wonderful creations by some students around the school, as you can see from the photos below. Well done to Callum and Joshua from Room 6 who are part of the team and helped judge the competition.

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In Sickness and in Health

Viruses and Illness

Mr Bach was feeling very grumpy and sorry for himself over a (longer than usual) weekend as he got hit by a particularly nasty virus that flattened him. There has been numerous nasty viruses going around the school and community this Winter and he has avoided most of them, so it was inevitable eventually. 

A couple of health reminders for parents and caregivers - 

1. If your child is feeling very sick and/or fatigued and especially if they have been vomiting or have diarrhea they need to stay at home to recover.

2. Children will inevitably have to come back to school still coughing and showing other symptoms of viruses, but please help me by encouraging them to use safe practices, especially by coughing into tissues, hankies and other materials, not into the air, where viruses more easily spread through suspended water droplets containing viruses.

Orchestra Visit

 Orchestra

Again last term St Mary's School had the privilege of offering the children a special artistic experience with the visit of a community orchestra from Brisbane. It was a learning as well as a musical experience for the children. One of the leaders of the orchestra used to teach at St Mary's years ago and made the choice to come here.