Press Release 7th May 2020

A spokesman for the Sports Fishing for Youth Trust has provided updated information on the availability of access to the ponds. He said that the construction work for gravel extraction has commenced and the access road to the ponds was now closed. The ponds are now closed to the public and are not being stocked.

“It is important that visitors do not try to drive around or through the construction site” he said.

He said that unfortunately the delay caused by Covid 19 meant that the construction work is now dependent on river levels dropping and work is unlikely to be complete until October or November. “Covid 19 has also delayed work on the alternative access route via Challis road and this will not start until July or August and may not be finished until Christmas.” he said.   In the future all access to the ponds will be via Challis road.

He said that as the Trust received updates on the construction progress they will put updates on their web site , youthfishing.org.nz.

‘We will endeavour to have our usual guided fishout days in November and have the ponds open to the public for family fishing from mid-December. However at this time finalization of dates is dependent on a number of factors, not the least being the progress of Covid 19 restrictions. “