Sub-zero temperatures could not deter hardy whitebaiters setting up their nets near Blenheim on the opening day of the season this morning.
About 14 caravans and buses were already parked on the banks of the Wairau Diversion before 7am.
The temperature fell to minus 2.5 degrees Celsius overnight, and campers woke to a hard frost and rare snowy views.
Blenheim man Jim Mears, who has been whitebaiting for more than 30 years, said it was the first time he had seen snow on the White Bluffs.
"It has to be one of the coldest mornings for whitebaiting ever, but it won't stop me. I love it. Bloody cold, though.
"We [Mr Mears and his wife] were amazed to see the snow cover on the Bluffs. I mean, you often see some on the Blairich [Range], but never this far over.
"It is quite amazing, really. What a sight."
For Mr Mears, the challenge of whitebaiting and "the trusty bus heater" keep him coming back every year.
Some years, he has been lucky to haul in just over a pound (half a kilogram), but in other seasons, he has feasted on a good haul of seven pounds (just over 3kg).
Mr Mears also enjoys getting to know his "neighbouring jokers" throughout the season and cooking up a whitebait fritter or two.
The camaraderie at the Diversion was great, he said.
"We all know each other along this bank, to be honest, but there is a joker next to me here who I don't know.
"Naturally, I'll go and share a cuppa with him this morning and get to know him. There's no hiding out here."
Renwick man Phil Footies is the new kid on the block. He usually travels over to the West Coast for the whitebaiting season, but this year he decided to try the Marlborough scene.
"It's the first time for me, actually, fishing down in this spot – but man, look at it," he said.
"Apart from it being bloody ridiculously freezing, it's a great atmosphere and very peaceful."
He struggled to get his truck doors open this morning, and his nets were frozen.
"Mate, I started out in the Wairarapa bush, but it has never been this cold for as long as I can remember in 20 years of whitebaiting. It's unreal.
"Not being able to open my truck doors, yeah, as I said, she was a cold one all right."
The whitebait fishing season runs from August 15 to November 30 in most parts of the country. On the West Coast, the season runs from September 1 to November 14.
Restrictions on fishing include one net per person, and whitebaiters must remain within 10 metres of their net at all times.
- The Marlborough Express
SAM MORTON
Last updated 13:00 15/08/2011
Jim Mears was out at the crack of dawn setting up his whitebaiting nets in a hard frost at the Wairau Diversion. He is hoping for a steady run of catches this season.
SCOTT HAMMOND
NETS AWAY: Jim Mears was out at the crack of dawn setting up his whitebaiting nets in a hard frost at the Wairau Diversion. He is hoping for a steady run of catches this season.
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