Connected Waters

DRAFT IN PROGRESS

Episode Structure

Reading the River: From Fishing Lines to Lifelines

"Discovering how trout fishing creates unexpected connections - between generations, between city and country, between people and waterways. This episode follows a family's journey to remote waters while an elder's voice reminds us how these traditions adapt and persist, revealing how caring for trout opens doors to community, land, and innovative approaches to sharing our rivers with native species."

Contributing experts:

• Jane Kitson - Researcher, company director (Kitson Consulting Ltd), co-author of relational values research on introduced trout

• Calum MacNeil - Freshwater and invasion ecologist

• Robin Holmes - Freshwater ecologist

• Zane Moss - Manager, Southland Region, Fish & Game

• Richard [TBC] - Dunedin region habitat management specialist

• [Elderly angler from Nelson - voice throughout, revealed at end]

• [Farming family providing river access]

• [Multi-generational fishing family]

• [Council representative for habitat management]

• [Other conservation practitioners with different approaches]

References:

• Jellyman, P.G. et al. (2018). The Effects of Brown Trout on the Trophic Webs of New Zealand Streams. In: Brown Trout: Biology, Ecology and Management. Chapter 22.

• Tadaki, M. et al. (2022). Understanding divergent perspectives on introduced trout in Aotearoa: a relational values approach. Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 17:4, 461-478.

• Lobón‐Cerviá, Javier (2017). Princess of the Streams: The Brown Trout Salmo trutta L. as Aquatic Royalty.

• Protecting the habitat of trout and salmon — Wai Good Policy

Introduction

The Road to the River

Setting the Scene:

• Jamie (series presenter) meeting a multi-generational family packing for their annual fishing trip

• Urban family loading camping gear, fishing rods, and food for their journey

• Three generations excited about their expedition to remote waters

• The anticipation building as they leave the city behind

Elder's Voice (unidentified speaker):

• "The best fishing spots were never just about the fish. They were about the journey to get there, the people you met along the way..."

• Voice-over continues as family drives into rural landscape

• Setting up the mystery of who this narrator is

Jamie's reflection: "Today I'm joining a family tradition that stretches back generations - but as I'll discover, these traditions are constantly evolving, finding new ways to connect people with rivers and each other."

The Journey Begins:

• Family discussing their different reasons for loving this annual trip

• Children asking questions about the route and destination

• Parents explaining the importance of the farming families who provide access

Act 1

Through the Farm Gate (Connections Across the Land)

Opening: Arrival at the Farm

• Meeting the Landowners: Warm greetings between fishing family and farmers

• Annual Ritual: The familiarity showing this is a treasured yearly event

• Permission and Trust: The informal agreements that make these trips possible

• Mutual Appreciation: Farmers sharing their own connection to the river

Elder's Voice:

• "We always brought something for the farmers - fresh bread from town, news from the city. They'd tell us about the river conditions, which pools were fishing well..."

• His memories paralleling what we're watching unfold

The Adventure Deepens

• Farm Track Navigation: Family working together to traverse challenging terrain

• Teaching Moments: Parents explaining farm operations and land care

• Natural Observations: Spotting wildlife and discussing the ecosystem

• Building Excitement: Children's growing anticipation as river sounds grow closer

Setting Up Base

• Historic Mustering Huts: Family settling into rustic accommodation

• Living History: Imagining the generations who've used these shelters

• Simple Preparations: Working together to prepare for tomorrow's fishing

• Evening Stories: Three generations sharing fishing tales by lamplight

The Farmers' Perspective

• Non-fishing Stewards: Farmers explaining why they welcome fishing families

• River Health Observers: Their observations about water quality over the years

• Community Building: How these visits break rural isolation

• Shared Values: Common ground in caring for the land and water

Interview Questions for Act 1:

• Children: "What's the most exciting part of getting to the fishing spot?"

• Parents: "Why is it important to maintain these farm relationships?"

• Farmers: "What does hosting fishing families mean to you?"

• Grandparent: "How do these trips compare to your childhood fishing adventures?"

Act 2

Dawn on the Water (More Than Just Fishing)

First Light Fishing

• Sacred Morning: Family rising before dawn, quiet preparations

• River Approach: The ceremonial feeling of approaching the water

• Spreading Out: Each finding their preferred spot along the river

• Individual Journeys: How each person experiences the river differently

Elder's Voice:

• "The river teaches patience. Some mornings you'd catch nothing, but you'd see kingfishers, hear the dawn chorus, feel the mist lifting..."

• His wisdom accompanying the family's experience

Beyond the Catch

• Natural Classroom: Grandparents teaching observation skills

• Insect Life: Learning to read hatches and match flies

• Water Reading: Understanding currents, pools, and fish behavior

• Quiet Moments: The meditative quality of waiting and watching

The Native Fish Question

• Curious Minds: Children asking what else lives in these waters

• Knowledge Gaps: Family admitting they know little about native species

• Respectful Wonder: Beginning to see the river as home to many

• Setting Context: The complexity of introduced and native species sharing space

Success and Celebration

• First Fish: The excitement when someone hooks a trout

• Careful Handling: Teaching respect for the catch

• Selective Harvest: Keeping just enough for dinner

• Photo Memories: Capturing moments that will join family albums

Return to Farmhouse

• Sharing the Bounty: Presenting fresh trout to the farmers

• Meal Preparation: Everyone contributing to the evening feast

• City Meets Country: Stories exchanged over dinner

• Common Ground: Discovering shared values despite different lives

• Planning Next Year: Already discussing the next visit

Elder's Voice:

• "The meal after fishing was as important as the fishing itself. That's when stories were told, friendships deepened, and children learned that rivers connect us all..."

Interview Questions for Act 2:

• Mother: "What do you hope your children take from these experiences?"

• Farmer's spouse: "How have these annual visits enriched your family's life?"

• Child: "What did you learn about the river today?"

• Grandparent: "What changes have you noticed in the river over the years?"

Act 3

Finding Balance (Multiple Paths to Coexistence)

Meeting Richard: One Vision for the Future

• Dunedin Innovation: Introduction to Richard's habitat management approach

• Natural Solutions: Using habitat preferences to support all species

• Temperature Zones: How thermal differences create natural refuges

• Community Science: Local observations driving management strategies

Elder's Voice:

• "In my day, we didn't think much about native fish. Now I see my grandchildren asking questions we never asked. That gives me hope..."

A Toolkit of Approaches

• Beyond One Solution: Richard explaining this is one of many strategies

• Regional Variations: Different approaches for different river systems

• Community Choice: How local knowledge shapes management decisions

• Adaptive Management: Learning and adjusting as understanding grows

The Wider Network

• Council Collaboration: Government supporting community-led initiatives

• Landowner Participation: Farmers managing land for fish diversity

• Angler Scientists: Fishers contributing to monitoring programs

• Youth Engagement: Schools adopting local stream sections

Other Success Stories

• Seasonal Management: Areas with fishing seasons that protect spawning

• Restoration Projects: Community-led riparian planting initiatives

• Education Programs: Teaching coexistence from the start

• Research Partnerships: Scientists and communities working together

Looking Forward

• No Single Answer: Embracing complexity and local solutions

• Shared Goals: Clean water benefiting all species

• Evolving Understanding: How knowledge continues to grow

• Hope in Action: Communities taking ownership of their waters

Elder's Voice:

• "The rivers are different now, and so are we. But the love of flowing water, the peace it brings, the connections it creates - those remain constant..."

Interview Questions for Act 3:

• Richard: "How does habitat management offer hope for coexistence?"

• Council representative: "Why support multiple approaches to fish management?"

• Young conservationist: "How do you balance fishing heritage with native species protection?"

• Another practitioner: "What different approach works in your region?"

Act 4

Full Circle (Where Traditions Adapt and Thrive)

The Reveal: Nelson's Fishing Ponds

• Elder's Location: Finally showing where our narrator has been speaking from

• Converted Gravel Pits: The innovative adaptation of industrial sites

• Accessible Waters: How these ponds serve those who can't reach remote rivers

• Living Tradition: The same skills and values in a new setting

Our Elder's Story

• Face to Voice: Meeting the man whose memories guided our journey

• Physical Limitations: Why he can no longer make those long treks

• Emotional Connection: The grief of losing access to beloved rivers

• Creative Solution: How the community created these accessible spaces

New Gatherings

• Diverse Users: Children, elderly, rehabilitation patients all fishing together

• Knowledge Transfer: Our elder teaching young ones his lifetime of skills

• Community Hub: The ponds as gathering place for various groups

• Adapted Traditions: Same values, new venue

The Teaching Moment

• Patient Instruction: Elder showing grandchild how to cast

• Stories Flowing: His tales bringing distant rivers to life

• Technique and Ethics: Teaching both how to fish and why to care

• The Catch: Grandchild's first fish creating pure joy

The Community Meal

• Full Circle Feast: Families from throughout episode gathering

• Pond-Caught Contribution: Elder's fish joining the farm-caught trout

• Stories Merging: Remote river tales mixing with pond experiences

• Recognition: Everyone understanding they're part of the same tradition

Jamie with the Elder:

• Wisdom Shared: Understanding how fishing connects past to future

• Evolution not Loss: Seeing adaptation as strength not compromise

• Hope Embodied: The elder surrounded by the community he's helped create

Interview Questions for Act 4:

• Elder angler: "How do these ponds help you maintain your connection to fishing?"

• Grandchild: "What did grandpa teach you about rivers today?"

• Rehabilitation patient: "How has accessible fishing helped your recovery?"

• Pond organizer: "Why was creating this space important for the community?"

Conclusion

Rivers Running Through Us All

Connections Illuminated

• The Journey Continues: From remote rivers to urban ponds, fishing adapts

• Bridges Built: Across generations, geographies, and circumstances

• Traditions Transformed: Core values persisting through change

• Community Created: How shared waters create lasting bonds

Conservation Through Connection

• Multiple Solutions: Celebrating diverse approaches to species coexistence

• Local Leadership: Communities finding what works for their waters

• Growing Understanding: Each generation asking better questions

• Active Hope: People taking responsibility for waterway health

The Feast Complete

• All Together: Farmers, fishers, families, and friends sharing food

• Stories Flowing: Each person's river connection honored

• Future Plans: Next generation already planning their journeys

• Gratitude Expressed: For rivers, access, and each other

Final Reflection

• Jamie casting a line alongside the elder at the peaceful pond

• Timeless Waters: Understanding that location matters less than connection

• Living Streams: Traditions that flow and adapt like rivers themselves

• Casting Forward: Confidence that love of rivers creates their protection

Elder's Final Words:

• "Rivers have taught me that everything flows and changes, but some things endure. The peace of moving water, the thrill of a tight line, the friends made along the way - these flow through generations like the rivers themselves."

Interview Questions for Conclusion:

• Multi-generational family: "What will you remember most from this year's trip?"

• Farmers: "How has being part of fishing traditions affected your relationship with the river?"

• Richard: "What gives you hope for freshwater futures?"

• Elder: "What legacy do you want to leave for future generations of river lovers?"

——————————————————————————————-

Narrative Arc:

• Journey and adventure (Act 1)

• Connection with nature and community (Act 2)

• Future possibilities through various solutions (Act 3)

• Revelation and unity through adapted traditions (Act 4)

Production Notes:

• Keep elder's identity hidden until Act 4 reveal at the ponds

• Use his voice as a wisdom thread throughout without showing his face

• Capture the journey aspects - anticipation, challenge, arrival

• Show habitat management as one of several coexistence strategies

• Build to the community meal as culmination of all connections

• Emphasize how traditions adapt while core values persist

• Document both remote river fishing and accessible pond fishing

• Show fishing as catalyst for broader environmental care