Anglers Urged to Take Water Safety Seriously

Fish & Game is urging trout anglers to take water safety seriously following a coroner’s inquest into the death of a well-known Otago fly fisherman.

The coroner R.G. McElrea found that Kenneth Copland of Wanaka accidently drowned while flyfishing alone at the mouth of the Makaroa River.

In his report into Mr Copland’s death, Mr McElrea has recommended that trout anglers wear and inflatable lifejacket in addition to their waders and belt and also carry a waterproof means of communication that they can access in an emergency.

The coroner also highlighted the need for anglers to always be aware of the dangers of treacherous conditions at river mouths.

Fish & Game supports the coroner’s recommendations, which are timely as the high country trout fishing season is about to open on Saturday November 1.

Otago Fish and Game Operations Manager Ian Hadland says the tragic case highlights how dangerous wading around river mouths can be.

“Ken Copland was a prominent angler and businessman in Wanaka and was well known among some of our Fish and Game councillors”

“His death is a tragedy and anglers need to heed the Coroner's sage advice" Mr Hadland said.

“An inflatable buoyancy aid is a good idea for anglers fishing river mouths or fast flowing water.

“And if you’ve never worn waders, prepare mentally and physically to respond calmly in the worst case scenario. Do a wader drill in safe conditions, such as a swimming pool.”

However, Mr Hadland cautioned that even with all the appropriate equipment, if an angler ends up in deep water, they are in real trouble.

“Emergency services are invariably a long distance away and even in summer, the water is very cold”, he said.

“It’s better to avoid swift rivers and fishing at the very edge of large deltas unless you are fully equipped”.

Fish & Game says it will work with Water Safety New Zealand about drawing up specific messages tailored for freshwater anglers.

ENDS

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